JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2024, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (6): 217-228.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202305002

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Spatial correlation and influencing factors of carbon emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta city cluster

QUAN Tianshu(), ZHANG Hui, XU Yuyun*()   

  1. College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037,China
  • Received:2023-05-04 Revised:2023-06-24 Online:2024-11-30 Published:2024-12-10
  • Contact: XU Yuyun E-mail:quantianshu@njfu.edu.cn;xuyuyun@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】In the context of the “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality” goal, determining the spatial network pattern of carbon emission efficiency and its influencing factors in the Yangtze River Delta city cluster will promote the construction of low-carbon ecological cities and establish an inclusive green growth mechanism.【Method】Based on the slack-based measured directional distance function model, the global Malmquist-Luenberger index, and the kernel density estimation method, accurate measurements were obtained and an analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the carbon emission efficiency level of the Yangtze River Delta urban city cluster was conducted for the period of 2008 to 2020. The spatial correlation structure and factors influencing the carbon emission efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster were visualized by a modified gravity model and social network analysis.【Result】(1) The dynamic efficiency of carbon emissions was found to be generally increasing, but there were significant inter-regional differences and a spatial diffusion effect. (2) Based on network density, correlations and network efficiency, the network stability of carbon emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta cities was considered to be high, but the network centrality displayed unbalanced characteristics. (3) There were obvious gradient characteristics among the spatial network segments of carbon emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta city cluster. (4) Government macro-control, environmental regulation, industrial structure, external development, green innovation, and new urbanization were the main driving factors of the evolution of spatially linked networks.【Conclusion】Promoting the carbon emission efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster through mutual cooperation and learning among cities, bringing into play the spatial radiation effect of core cities, optimizing industrial structure, and improving the level of new urbanization could promote the integrated ecological and green spatial development of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster.

Key words: carbon emission efficiency, Yangtze River Delta city cluster, social network analysis, second-order assignment procedure

CLC Number: