Based on the panel data of 204 cities in China from 2014 to 2020, this paper applies a benchmark regression model to explore the impact of developing digital financial inclusion index on carbon emissions under regional competition and the difference in impact. The results of the study show that the development of digital financial inclusion can effectively promote the reduction of carbon emissions, the development of digital financial inclusion under moderate regional competition helps to reduce carbon emissions, while the development of digital financial inclusion under excessive regional competition will increase carbon emissions. These findings help policymakers better understand the role of digital inclusive finance in promoting green and low-carbon development, and formulate policies and measures accordingly.

Jian Ding. A study of the effects of regional competition and digital financial inclusion on urban carbon emissions. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2024) Vol. 6, Issue 8: 250-255. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2024.060837.

[1] Cheng, Qiongwen, et al. Digital financial inclusion, resident consumption, and urban carbon emissions in China: A transaction cost perspective[J]. Economic Analysis and Policy, 2024, (1).1336~1352

[2] Yang, Ao et al. Has Digital Financial Inclusion Curbed Carbon Emissions Intensity? Considering Technological Innovation and Green Consumption in China[J]. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 2024,(1): 1~30.

[3] Lu Yang, Xia Ziyi. Digital inclusive finance, green technological innovation, and carbon emissions from a spatial perspective[J]. Scientific Reports, 2024, 14(1):8454.

[4] Zhao, Hui et al. How does digital finance affect carbon emissions? Evidence from an emerging market[J]. Sustainability, 2021, 13(21): 12303.

[5] Sun Huaping, Hu Shiyu et al. Research on the impact effect of digital financial inclusion on carbon emissions - an empirical test based on RCEP countries[J]. Research on Coal Economy, 2023, 43(1): 26~36.

[6] Sohail, Muhammad Tayyab, Minghui Yang. Environmental concern in the era of digital fiscal inclusion: The evolving role of human capital and ICT in China[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022,13(1): 990793.

[7] Li Hui. Digital inclusive finance, agricultural green technology innovation and agricultural carbon emissions: Impact mechanism and empirical test[J]. Plos one, 2023,18(10): e0288072.

[8] Yao Fengge,Wang Tianhang et al. The Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on Urban Total Factor Carbon Productivity. Business Research. 2022,3(1):112~121.

[9] Yin, Yikun. Digital finance development and manufacturing emission reduction: An empirical evidence from China[J]. Frontiers in Public Health, 2022,10(1): 973644.

[10] Wang Xiong. et al. Can digital financial inclusion affect CO2 emissions of China at the prefecture level? Evidence from a spatial econometric approach[J]. Energy Economics 2022, 109 (1): 105966.

[11] Dang Haiqing. Research on Local Government Competition and High Quality Economic Development[B]. Graduate Student Thesis, Northwestern University, 2020.

[12] Shen Liang, Liu Hao. Fiscal Pressure, Tax Competition and Local Government Revenue Quality[J]. Journal of ShangHai University of Finance and Economics, 2022, 24(6): 32-47

[13] Wei Hailun,Liu Yongzheng. Income Splitting, Competition and Intra-Provincial Economic Disparities in China[J]. Economic Theory and Economic Management, 2022,42(4):70~83.

[14] Zhang Yumeng. The impact of digital inclusive finance on the development of low-carbon economy in ShanXi Province[J]. Science, Technology and Industry, 2024, 24(7): 23~27. 

[15] Xie Lijuan,Wang Lu et al. The impact mechanism of digital inclusive finance on regional innovation - based on the dimensions of different innovation levels[J]. Finance and Economy, 2024, 1(3),85~94. 

[16] Li Zhiguo,Yang Yahan. et al. Does Local Government Competition Promote Regional Carbon Emission Intensity? [J]. Economic and Management Review, 2022, 38(2):136~146. 

[17] Sun Liwen, Zhu Z. et al. Can Environmental Decentralization Curb Carbon Emissions? --Based on the perspective of local government competition[J]. East China Economic Management, 2022, 36(4): 60~70

[18] Cong Jianhui,Liu Xuemin et al. Boundary definition of urban carbon emission accounting and its measurement method[J]. China Population-Resources and Environment, 2014, 24(4):19~26.

[19] Liu Zhangsheng, Lai Binbin et al. Regional Competition, Promotion of Digital Inclusive Finance and Green Economy Efficiency[J]. Management Review, 2023, 35(1):39~51. 

[20] Zhang Jun,Gao Yuan et al. Why does China have a good infrastructure? [J]. Economic Research, 2007,42(3):4~19.

[21] Wang B, Zhao Zhongchao et al. Analysis of the effects of competition among local governments and government size expansion on carbon welfare performance[J]. Management Review, 2019, 31(4):263~282 

[22] Xiao Ye, Qiu Lei et al. Local government competition, fiscal expenditure bias and regional technological innovation[J]. Economic Management, 2019,41(7):20~35