The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on cities’ capacity for green development—based on data from 280 Chinese cities

Encouraging the green development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a significant step for mankind to proactively address climate change and maintain the global ecological environment. This paper analyses the impact of the BRI on the green development capacity of Chinese cities along the route using the difference-in-differences (DID) model. The results show that, first, the BRI can effectively improve the green development capacity of cities along China's routes. Both the level of financial development of cities and regional fiscal revenues impact the green development index of cities. Second, the BRI has been more effective in enhancing green development capacity in the Maritime Silk Road region, in cities at lower administrative levels and in resource-based cities. Third, the BRI can enhance the green development capacity of cities by increasing regional revenues, the use of foreign investment and import and export trade.