Can New Infrastructure Achieve Synergistic Effects of Pollution and Carbon Reduction: Evidence from UHV Transmission Projects
ZHANG Mengyu1, MA Xiaoyu1,2
1. School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China; 2. Xinjiang Innovation Management Research Center, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Abstract Based on panel data from 277 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2022, this study employs a multi-period difference-in-differences approach to examine the impact of ultra-high voltage transmission projects on the synergistic effects of urban pollution and carbon reduction. The results indicate that ultra-high voltage transmission projects can achieve synergistic effects of pollution and carbon reduction. This conclusion holds robust after a series of rigorous tests. The mechanism analysis reveals that ultra-high voltage transmission projects can promote urban synergistic pollution reduction and carbon mitigation through the effects of energy structure optimization, green technology innovation, industrial agglomeration and talent concentration. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that ultra-high voltage transmission projects help enhance the synergistic pollution and carbon reduction levels in terminal cities, endpoint cities and the central-eastern regions, while the policy effects are not significant in starting cities and the western regions. Compared with ultra-high voltage DC projects, non-key transmission channels, and areas with low electricity dependency, the synergistic effects of pollution and carbon reduction are stronger in ultra-high voltage AC projects, the 12 key transmission channels and areas with high electricity dependency. The extended analysis reveals that, on the one hand, ultra-high voltage transmission projects can drive neighboring cities to achieve synergistic pollution reduction and carbon mitigation through spatial spillover effects, which exhibit a decay pattern with increasing geographical distance. On the other hand, these projects demonstrate comprehensive economic and environmental benefits, enabling the coordinated advancement of carbon reduction, pollution control, green expansion and economic growth. The research findings not only enrich the literature on infrastructure construction and pollution reduction and carbon reduction, but also provide valuable insights for governments to advance new infrastructure policies in an orderly manner.
ZHANG Mengyu,MA Xiaoyu. Can New Infrastructure Achieve Synergistic Effects of Pollution and Carbon Reduction: Evidence from UHV Transmission Projects. Economic Survey, 2026, 43(1): 017.
2026, Vol. 43 
