Financial development, FDI, and CO ₂ emissions: does carbon pricing matter?

This study investigates the impact of financial development and foreign direct investment (FDI) on CO2 emissions, with a special focus on carbon pricing (emissions trading and taxing) in 57 developed and developing economies between 2000 and 2017. Using an eight-fold financial development construct for the first time, we find that financial depth in institutions negatively (positively) affects the CO2 intensity of developed (developing) economies, while financial access to institutions has a negative impact in both types of economies. Financial depth (stability) in markets negatively affects developing (developed) economies’ CO2 intensity, while financial access to markets increases (decreases) CO2 intensity in developed (developing) economies. Moreover, inward FDI stock quality (a net FDI position) increases (reduces) CO2 intensity in developing (developed) economies. Finally, we document that carbon pricing in developed economies helps reverse the positive effect of inward FDI quality on CO2 intensity, implying that a such policy helps those economies attract climate-friendly FDI. Our study reveals the implications of the reduction of CO2 emissions placing the focus on both financial development and FDI fully and together for the first time.

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