Does Environmental Decentralization Promote Renewable Energy Development? A Local Government Competition Perspective

Renewable energy development is a long-term means of addressing the climate challenge and achieving environmental sustainability. This study examines relationship between decentralization, local government competition, renewable production using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces 2000 to 2021. The empirical results show that decentralization significantly inhibits development, indicating lack foresight among governments in governance issues. In addition, competition amplifies detrimental effects on production. Although administrative power hinders production, monitoring promotes it. However, insufficient evidence available conclude regional characteristics threshold variables can alter inhibitory effect even though exhibit geographical variation non-linear characteristics. findings this contribute optimizing policies motivate pursue goals.