Research on the coupling and coordination of green finance, higher education, and green economic growth

Green finance is the main way to solve financing problems and support green technology innovation. The development of higher education is the source of innovative human capital and a key factor in promoting green economic growth. Studying the relationship between the three is an important realistic meaning for achieving green economic growth. Based on the idea of system coupling, this paper adopts the analysis method of the three-system coupling coordination model. This paper constructs a three-system coupling model, which incorporates green finance, higher education, and green economic growth into a unified framework, and based on a comprehensive review of the interaction and mechanism, the degree of system coupling is analyzed from the regional and provincial levels. Conclusions of the study are as follows: (1) the composite indexes of green finance, higher education, and green economic growth are all on the rise. The highest increase has been found in the index of higher education. In addition, the green finance index has also shown an accelerated upward trend in recent years, and green economic growth index has also shown a steady rise in recent years. (2) The upward trend of the coupling degree is relatively observable, but the overall coupling degree is still at low level. The coupling state has jumped from the low-degree coupling stage to the primary coupling stage, and the coupling degrees of the three major regions all show a fluctuating rising trends, but there are apparent regional differences. The degree of coupling between the eastern region and the other two regions is quite different. (3) During the sample period, the degree of coordination between green finance, higher education, and green economic growth in each province has increased to varying degrees. The degree of coordination in the eastern region is the best, the western region is the worst, and the central region is somewhere in between. The study concludes with implications for the protection of the environment. Finally, based on the empirical analysis results, this paper puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions from the perspectives of improving the ability of green technology innovation, promoting the development of green finance and the high-quality development of higher education, and hoping to provide theoretical reference for the coordinated development of China’s regional economy.