How Does the Use of Industrial Robots Affect the Ecological Footprint？International Evidence

Abstract

While the use of industrial robots (UIR) promotes economic growth, it inevitably has an impact on the ecological environment. This paper explores the relationship between UIR and ecological footprint based on the data of 72 countries from 1993 to 2019. First, we confirmed that UIR can reduce the ecological footprint, whether based on overall or sub-industry data. After considering a series of robustness tests such as sample self-selection bias and endogeneity, this conclusion still holds. Second, the mediation effect model shows that UIR reduces the ecological footprint through time-saving effect, green employment effect, and energy upgrading effect, increases the ecological footprint through industry driving effect, and the impact of UIR's reduction of ecological footprint is dominant. Third, the moderating effect model shows that as the level of economic development and human capital increases, UIR can more effectively reduce the ecological footprint. Fourth, in OECD countries and at high quantile of ecological footprint, the effect of UIR in reducing ecological footprint is more obvious. This research provides a new perspective for UIR to achieve economic development and ecological protection at the same time.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Industrial robots, Ecological footprint, Time-saving effect, Green employment driving effect.