Analysis of the carbon emission reduction effect of Fintech and the transmission channel of green finance

Using provincial panel data from 2011–2020, this paper examines the impact of Fintech development on carbon emission intensity and the transmission channel of green finance in China by building multiple regression econometric models. It is found that Fintech development significantly reduces carbon emission intensity. The mechanism analysis of green finance as a transmission channel indicates that Fintech reduces carbon emission intensity by promoting the development of green finance. Using quantile regressions, it is verified that for different carbon emission intensity levels, the effect of Fintech is stronger at higher quantiles. Heterogeneity analysis shows that there is heterogeneity in the impact of Fintech on carbon emission reduction in the Eastern, Central and Western regions.