Central environmental inspection and corporate environmental investment: evidence from Chinese listed companies

As a new type of environmental policy, the central environmental inspection (CEI) policy is an important innovative strategy in economic transition. Using the panel data of Chinese listed companies from 2011 to 2018, we apply the extended STIRPAT model to examine the direct impact of CEI policy on corporate environmental investment and its heterogeneity effects. The main findings are as follows: (1) The CEI policy has a positive influence on the environmental investment of all listed companies. (2) The promotion effect of CEI policy is quite different among five-round campaigns; while companies in later rounds fails to learn some experiences and lessons from the earlier rounds. (3) Due to the differences in property rights, industries, and environmental situations, the positive effect of CEI policy will be more significant in non-SOEs, companies in non-heavy-pollution industries, and companies in provinces with poor environment performance. This study supplements the research of environmental regulations, potentially contributing to the next stage of green and sustainable development in China.