How can large cities derive climate change mitigation? Investing in a greener tomorrow
Cities, vol.175, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 175
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.cities.2026.107204
- Journal Name: Cities
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, Avery, Environment Index, Geobase, Index Islamicus, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Political Science Abstract (IPSA), Urban Studies Abstracts, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Keywords: Climate change, Green determinants, Large-cities population
- Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
An unprecedented climate change has recently become a leading debate among policy analysts, who have made significant efforts to deal with these issues. Countries' progress in shaping large cities has been considered an attractive strategy. There has been ambiguity regarding the connection between cities and climate, as well as the long-term effects of cities on environmental quality. The present study introduces a comprehensive mechanism that summarizes the actual problems and solutions to environmental challenges across 22 well-organized economies from 2012 to 2023. To examine the study objectives, this study employs the most valuable estimators, namely Sys-GMM, FMOLS, and DK-SE, to obtain reliable outcomes. Investigated results show a positive impact of total factor productivity, digitalization, and the adoption of non-hybrid vehicles on environmental deterioration. Also, large cities significantly contribute to environmental stress. On the contrary, green finance, hybrid vehicles, and green energy contribute to environmental quality. This study also examines the moderate role of large cities in promoting digitalization, hybrid vehicles, green energy, non-hybrid vehicles, and green finance. It investigates whether their adoption by large-city populations can effectively address emissions problems. Consequently, the moderate effect of large cities on green energy & green finance leads to a significant decline in emissions. Besides, in the heterogeneity analysis, the moderate effect of high-population cities on green finance brings a decrease in emissions. Finally, forecasting analysis also provides insights into the behavior of specified factors in relation to climate change. This study proposes several implications for achieving a clean, green future in the near future.