Study on the spatial network structure of energy carbon emission efficiency and its driving factors in Chinese cities

How to adapt to climate change while achieving sustainable economic and social growth has become a major topic of concern worldwide. With the constraints of the dual-carbon strategy, the integration of regional environmental governance and energy carbon reduction governance is a prevalent focus. This study focuses on analyzing 282 prefecture-level cities in China. The SNA approach and modified gravitation model are utilized to estimate the energy carbon emission efficiency of Chinese cities from 2006 to 2021. The spatial correlation network and the QAP model are ultimately utilized to investigate the factors. The study presented the following findings: (1) There are notable temporal and regional discrepancies in the energy carbon emission efficacy of Chinese cities. Generally, defined by high values in the east and low values in the west. (2) The efficiency of energy carbon emissions in networks connecting urban areas in China is multidimensional, complex, and organic and has improved stability. (3) The developed regions in the east exert a dominant influence on the geographical network, while the central and western parts of the country, which are distant, are considered peripheral. (4) There are few connections within each segment of the geographic correlation network for energy carbon emission efficiency in Chinese cities; however, there are substantial correlations between segments, indicating the presence of a substantial spillover effect. (5) The formation of energy-carbon emission efficiency correlation networks in Chinese cities is significantly influenced by disparities in economic development and government intervention. Conversely, the level of science and education exerts a significantly negative impact on this phenomenon. It is advisable to encourage the development of a spatial correlation network that connects urban energy carbon emission efficiency. This can be achieved through the implementation of specific measures, the establishment of a regional coordination mechanism, leveraging the strengths of energy-efficient regions in the east, maximizing the potential of each sector, and considering the factors that influence the outcomes. Compressing the driving factors and attributes of the spatial correlation network of energy carbon emission efficiency holds substantial practical importance for facilitating the ongoing expansion of the regional low-carbon energy network space and establishing a regional low-carbon synergistic energy governance system.