Investigating the impacts of poverty alleviation on carbon emissions and its mechanisms

Exploring the relationship between poverty alleviation and carbon emissions can provide theoretical foundations for inclusive low-carbon development. This study empirically explores the impact of poverty alleviation on carbon emissions and its underlying mechanisms using panel data from Chinese provinces from 2007 to 2020. (1) The benchmark regression results indicate that poverty alleviation increases carbon emissions, and this result is robust. (2) Mechanism analysis reveals that promoting the transformation from the primary industry to the secondary industry and fostering consumption growth are important paths for poverty alleviation that promote carbon emissions. (3) Heterogeneity regression results show that effect of poverty alleviation on carbon emissions is more pronounced in impoverished provinces and resource-rich provinces. This study reveals the conflict between poverty alleviation and carbon emissions reduction in China, and reminds the government of the need to implement low-carbon poverty alleviation policies as well as guide people to low-carbon consumption.