Renewable energy technology innovation and inclusive low-carbon development from the perspective of spatiotemporal consistency

As an emerging driving factor, the positive impact of renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) on inclusive low-carbon development (ILCD) may be undervalued or even neglected. This paper develops an evaluation system to measure China’s ILCD by using provincial panel data from 2006 to 2020. Based on the combined perspective of spatial spillover effect and threshold effect, this paper examines the spatial spillover effects and the regional boundary of RETI on ILCD in different periods and further analyzes five heterogeneities. The results show that (1) RETI and ILCD are increasing steadily, presenting a spatial pattern of “high in the east and low in the west.” (2) Overall, RETI significantly promotes ILCD in local and neighboring areas. RETI in the growth period inhibits local ILCD, which in the mature period promotes local and neighboring ILCD. (3) The spatial spillover boundary of the whole RETI is 1400 km, that of RETI in the growth period is 1000 km, and that of RETI in the mature period is 1600 km. (4) The promotion effect of RETI on ILCD enhances over time and shows a spatial pattern of “eastern > central > south > north > western.” It is further found that RETI strongly promotes ILCD in non-resource-based, high marketization, and strong environmental regulation areas. Therefore, it is necessary to break down administrative and market barriers, strengthen inter-regional cooperation and interconnection of resource elements, and establish a dynamic management mechanism of “one province, one policy” according to the regional heterogeneity for providing decision-making reference in promoting global energy transition and climate governance.