An Investigation into Green Total Factor Productivity in China's Carbon-Intensive Sectors and Its Influencing Factors

This paper uses an SBM-GML index model to assess Green Total Factor Productivity(GTFP) in China’s carbon-intensive sectors and conducts an empirical investigation into which factors influence GTFP in these sectors. The GTFP in the carbon-intensive sectors experienced a decline between 2006 and 2011, followed by an upward trend beginning in 2012. Technological progress was the primary driver of GTFP growth, while business size was also a notable contributor. Irrational energy structures negatively influenced the high-quality development of the carbon-intensive sectors, and environmental regulation and foreign direct investment(FDI) have not yet significantly impacted GTFP. Based on these findings, this paper suggests that the carbon-intensive sectors should expedite their green transitions by focusing on system improvement, technological innovations, energy revolutions, and high-level opening up.