The road to carbon win, the wise first: evidence of robot impact enabling the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions

In the context of "peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality", the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions is the core of realizing the green modernization of China. Due to the latest scientific and technical revolution, robots are now essential in many different businesses and regions of the world. China has the biggest consumer robot market in the world. It requires a theoretical justification and an empirical test to see whether it can completely enable the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions. Based on Chinese provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020, this paper uses a baseline regression model to explore the direct effects of robot impact on the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions. Secondly, the intermediary effect model and threshold regression model were used to explore the indirect and nonlinear effects of robot impact on the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions under the constraint variables of rationalization of industrial structure, green process innovation, and intelligent manufacturing. The findings are as follows: firstly, robot impact has a significant positive direct effect on the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions, with the effect showing the characteristics of "central > west > east". Secondly, robot impact can indirectly improve the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions by improving the level of green process innovation and intelligent manufacturing. Lastly, based on the characteristics of regional heterogeneity, robot impact has different threshold effects on the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions. Under the rationalization of industrial structure and advanced intelligent manufacturing level, robot impact can be more favorable. This paper provides a scientific basis and theoretical reference for robot impact to promote the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emissions.