Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Efficiency in China’s Resource-Based Cities Based on Super-Efficiency SBM-GML Measurement and Spatial Econometric Tests

Wei Wang, Xiang Liu (), Xianghua Liu (), Xiaoling Li, Fengchu Liao, Han Tang and Qiuzhi He
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Wei Wang: School of Economics and Management, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, China
Xiang Liu: School of Economics and Management, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, China
Xianghua Liu: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530006, China
Xiaoling Li: School of Economics and Management, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, China
Fengchu Liao: Geophysical and Geochemical Survey Institute of Hunan, Changsha 410000, China
Han Tang: Hunan Geometric Remote Sensing Information Service Co., Ltd., Changsha 410000, China
Qiuzhi He: Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-27

Abstract: To advance global climate governance, this study investigates the carbon emission efficiency (CEE) of 110 Chinese resource-based cities (RBCs) using a super-efficiency SBM-GML model combined with kernel density estimation and spatial analysis (2006–2022). Spatial Durbin model (SDM) and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) further elucidate the driving mechanisms. The results show that (1) RBCs achieved modest CEE growth (3.8% annual average), driven primarily by regenerative cities (4.8% growth). Regional disparities persisted due to decoupling between technological efficiency and technological progress, causing fluctuating growth rates; (2) CEE exhibited high-value clustering in the northeastern and eastern regions, contrasting with low-value continuity in the central and western areas. Regional convergence emerged through technology diffusion, narrowing spatial disparities; (3) energy intensity and government intervention directly hinder CEE improvement, while rigid industrial structures and expanded production cause negative spatial spillovers, increasing regional carbon lock-in risks. Conversely, trade openness and innovation level promote cross-regional emission reductions; (4) the influencing factors exhibit strong spatiotemporal heterogeneity, with varying magnitudes and directions across regions and development stages. The findings provide a spatial governance framework to facilitate improvements in CEE in RBCs, emphasizing industrial structure optimization, inter-regional technological alliances, and policy coordination to accelerate low-carbon transitions.

Keywords: resource-based cities; carbon emission efficiency; dynamic evolution; influencing factors; spatial spillover effect; spatiotemporal heterogeneity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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