Investment in the mining industry: Sustainable education and green literacy concepts

This paper examines the impact of the Sustainable Education Index on China's mining industry, focusing on investment patterns and the adoption of green technologies. Using data from 1992 to 2022 and estimating with the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), our findings reveal that a higher Sustainable Education Index significantly boosts green technology imports while reducing investment in mining activities. Specifically, a 1% increase in the index is associated with a 0.23% decrease in investment and a 0.43% increase in green technology imports. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted both investment and technology imports. While GDP and population growth positively correlate with investment, they are negatively associated with green technology imports, highlighting the challenges of urban development. An increased carbon footprint drives green technology imports, whereas a higher consumer price index deters both investment and imports. To promote sustainable investment, we recommend practical policies such as social awareness campaigns, education initiatives, university incentives, and social media engagement to guide China's mining industry toward greater environmental responsibility and sustainability.