Eco‐Industrial Parks, Green Innovation and Green Export Performance: Evidence From China

This study examines how Eco‐industrial Parks (EIPs) in China shape firm green innovation and, furthermore, explores its implications for trade competitiveness. We find that EIPs significantly boost green patent applications, particularly substantive innovations. This effect is stronger in cleaner industries, environmentally stringent cities and firms with high media exposure. Mechanisms include eased financing constraints, and increased R&D investment. Extending the analysis to the trade domain, we further show that EIP‐induced green innovation enhances firms' performance in green exports. Thus, EIPs serve as a pivotal policy that fosters green innovation and cultivates competitive advantages in global green markets.