How do green bonds affect green technology innovation? Firm evidence from China

As an emerging financial tool, green bonds can broaden the financing channels of enterprises and stimulate the green innovation of enterprises. Based on the A-share data of Chinese listed companies from 2012 to 2020, this paper analyzes the impact of green bonds on green technology innovation by using a method of Difference in Difference with Propensity Score Matching (PSM-DID). We found that green bonds can significantly improve enterprise green technology innovation. Its positive impact is attributed to increases in media attention and R&D capital investment and a reduction in financing constraints. Green bonds play a greater role in the green innovation of strong financial constraints enterprises, non-SOEs and large-scale enterprises. Our findings have important reference significance for the improvement of the resource allocation role of green bonds and achievement of sustainable growth.