Assessing the evolution and convergence of energy-related carbon emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

This paper examines the spatiotemporal evolution and convergence of energy-related carbon emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) using prefecture-level data from 2012 to 2021. Employing the SBMGML strategy, kernel density estimation, the Dagum decomposition method, and the spatial econometric model, the study identifies three main findings: (1) The energy-related carbon emission efficiency in the YREB demonstrates a phased upward trend, particularly after 2014. (2) Pronounced regional disparities are observed, with downstream areas displaying higher efficiency compared to midstream and upstream regions, driven primarily by notable density variations and intra-regional disparities. (3) The analysis reveals both sigma-convergence and beta-convergence dynamics, highlighting varied spatial effects across regions. Factors such as economic development, industrial structure, and financial incentives exhibit diverse impacts on efficiency, underscoring substantial heterogeneity. This study offers empirical insights crucial for enhancing energy-related carbon emission efficiency in pivotal economic zones.