The effect of environmental regulation and green subsidies on agricultural low-carbon production behavior: A survey of new agricultural management entities in Guangdong Province

Abstract

Agricultural low-carbon production emerges as a pivotal function for achieving sustainable green development. However, there remains insufficient empirical evidence regarding the effect of environmental regulations and green subsidies upon the low-carbon production behavior of new agricultural entities. In this study, a questionnaire survey was administered to 268 respondents representing new agricultural entities in Guangdong Province, P.R.C. Subsequently, a structural equation model had been employed for validation analysis. This study's findings demonstrate that in general, environmental regulations positively and significantly affect the behavior of agricultural low-carbon production. Conversely, the influence of green subsidies is not statistically significant. In addition, differences are observed across different sectors, with environmental regulations significantly affecting low-carbon production behavior in the plantation sector, but not in the livestock sector. Conversely, green subsidies significantly impact low-carbon production behavior in the livestock sector, but not in the plantation sector. These findings highlight the promotional role of government-enforced environmental regulations and green subsidies in fostering low-carbon agricultural practices. Therefore, new agricultural entities should strive to augment green production technology capacities to realize sustainable green development.

Keywords: Environmental regulation; Green subsidies; Low-carbon production behavior; New agricultural management entities.