Can National Big Data Comprehensive Experimental Zones Boost the Development of Regional Green Finance? Evidence from China

Considering national big data comprehensive experimental zones' (NBDCEZs) construction as a quasi-natural experiment, we employ a multi-period difference-in-differences method, investigating NBDCEZs' impact on green finance. Based on China's provincial panel data from 2008 to 2020, we find that NBDCEZs have a significant positive impact on green finance. Furthermore, high regional innovation capacity and foreign direct investment can enhance this effect, which differs depending on China's five main economic circles, pilot zone types, and urban characteristics. Besides providing implications on utilizing digital technology for green finance, our study benchmarks China's practices for other emerging countries, looking to develop green finance.