The green returns of industrial automation: do industrial robots improve air quality?

We investigate whether industrial automation delivers environmental benefits by reducing air pollution. Specifically, we examine the green returns of industrial automation by estimating its direct and moderating effects on PM2.5 emissions across 59 countries over the period 2000–2019. Our results show that the adoption of industrial robots significantly reduces air pollution, with the effect being particularly strong in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, automation not only directly lowers PM2.5 levels but also helps mitigate the environmental impacts associated with economic and structural pressures. We further confirm the robustness of these results across a wide range of alternative specifications.