How does Green Innovation Mitigate Carbon Emissions in Agricultural Sector? Exploring a Way Out of Sustainable Agriculture in China

This study investigates the nexus between agricultural-related technological innovation and carbon emissions reduction in the Chinese agricultural sector, with a focus on the mediating role of human capital development. Employing a robust Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), we analyze data from 2010 to 2019 across 31 Chinese provinces. The findings reveal that technological innovation directly and significantly reduces carbon emissions, while also indirectly doing so by enhancing human capital. Regional heterogeneity analysis further shows that the effects of innovation on emissions vary markedly across eastern, central, and western regions of China. The study provides critical insights into the dual benefits of technological innovation in agriculture, and new insights to EKC hypothesis, highlighting its potential in driving sustainable agricultural practices and informing targeted regional policies.