Report on Research Concerning Green Technology Advancement and Foreign Direct Investment in China

A correction has been issued for an article published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, which examines the nexus of foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, and green technology progress within the context of China’s dual-carbon objectives. This report analyzes the core themes of the original research, highlighting its significant alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Research Themes and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The study investigates critical economic and environmental policy drivers, directly contributing to the framework of several SDGs. The research provides insights into how international economic integration can be leveraged to foster sustainable industrial and technological development.

Key Areas of Investigation

• Green Technology Progress: The central theme, directly supporting innovation for environmental sustainability.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Examined as a catalyst for transferring and developing green technologies.
• Trade Openness: Analyzed for its role in facilitating the diffusion of sustainable practices and technologies.

Relevance to Specific SDGs

1. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The research into green technology progress is fundamental to developing and implementing clean energy solutions, a cornerstone of SDG 7.
2. SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The study directly addresses this goal by exploring how FDI and trade can upgrade industrial infrastructure through the adoption of innovative and clean technologies.
3. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By focusing on green technology, the research contributes to understanding pathways for decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, promoting sustainable production patterns.
4. SDG 13 (Climate Action): The article’s context of China’s “two-carbon background” places it squarely within the objectives of SDG 13, as green technology is the primary mechanism for achieving national and global climate targets.
5. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The analysis of FDI and trade openness as vectors for technological progress underscores the importance of global partnerships in achieving sustainable development.

Publication and Methodological Details

The research provides a quantitative analysis of policy impacts on environmental and economic outcomes, contributing to evidence-based governance for sustainability.

Article Information

• Journal: Frontiers in Environmental Science
• Section: Environmental Policy and Governance
• Original Article DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1533146
• Correction DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2025.1701279
• Note: A correction was issued regarding an author affiliation, ensuring the academic record’s accuracy.

Analytical Framework

The study employed the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) method to analyze the heterogeneous effects of FDI and trade on green technology, providing a robust statistical foundation for its conclusions. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of how these economic factors perform under different regional or industrial conditions, offering valuable data for targeted policymaking aimed at achieving the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   Based on the title of the original article, “The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Green Technology Progress in China on Two-carbon Background: Taking Trade Openness into Consideration,” and its keywords, several SDGs are addressed:

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The focus on “green technology” inherently connects to the development and adoption of cleaner energy sources and technologies to support a sustainable energy transition.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article analyzes economic drivers like “Foreign Direct Investment” and “Trade Openness” as mechanisms for “green technology progress,” which contributes to sustainable economic growth and technological upgrading.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This is a central theme, as the article directly investigates “green technology progress,” which is crucial for building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Green technologies are fundamental to achieving sustainable production patterns by improving resource efficiency and reducing waste and pollution.
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: The article’s context of China’s “two-carbon background” (referring to carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals) directly links the research to national strategies for climate change mitigation.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The study’s examination of “Foreign Direct Investment” and “Trade Openness” as factors influencing technology progress highlights the importance of global partnerships in finance and technology transfer to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   The article’s focus allows for the identification of several specific SDG targets:

   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology. The article’s analysis of “Foreign Direct Investment” and “Trade Openness” relates directly to international cooperation for technology transfer.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The core subject of “green technology progress” is a form of technological upgrading aimed at sustainable economic productivity.
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article’s focus on “green technology progress” directly supports this target.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries. The study examines how external factors (FDI, trade) impact domestic “green technology progress” in China.
   • Target 12.a: Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. The research explores mechanisms (FDI, trade) that can enhance China’s capacity for green technology.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The “two-carbon background” mentioned in the title refers to China’s national climate policy, which the study is framed within.
   • Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries. The article explicitly investigates how “Foreign Direct Investment” and “Trade Openness” contribute to the progress of these technologies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article itself, being a correction notice, does not explicitly list indicators. However, the title and keywords of the original study strongly imply the variables and metrics used, which can serve as indicators for the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Green Technology Progress (Targets 9.4, 9.b, 12.a): The central theme of “green technology progress” implies the use of indicators such as the number of patents in green or environmental technologies, investment in green R&D, or a composite index measuring green innovation efficiency.
   • Indicator for International Cooperation and Investment (Targets 7.a, 17.7): The variable “Foreign Direct Investment” (FDI) is explicitly mentioned. An indicator would be the total financial flows of FDI, particularly the portion directed towards green industries or renewable energy sectors.
   • Indicator for Trade (Targets 7.a, 17.7): The mention of “Trade Openness” suggests indicators like the volume of trade in environmental goods and services or the ratio of total trade to GDP as a measure of integration into the global economy for technology diffusion.
   • Indicator for Climate Action (Target 13.2): The context of the “two-carbon background” implies indicators related to climate outcomes, such as CO2 emissions per unit of GDP or the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption, which green technology aims to improve.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.	Volume of Foreign Direct Investment in the clean energy sector.
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through technological upgrading and innovation.	Contribution of green technology industries to GDP.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.4: Upgrade industries for sustainability with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.	Number of patents filed for green technologies; CO2 emissions per unit of value added.
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.a: Support developing countries’ scientific and technological capacity for sustainable consumption and production.	Investment in green research and development (R&D).
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.	Reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions (linked to the “two-carbon background”).
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.7: Promote the transfer and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies.	Volume of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and level of Trade Openness as measures of technology transfer channels.

Source: frontiersin.org