Coupling analysis and driving factors between carbon emission intensity and high-quality economic development: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin, China

This study aims to explore the complex dynamic relationship between carbon emission intensity (CEI) and highquality economic development (HQED) in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), with the goal of fostering ecological protection and high-quality development strategies. However, there is limited knowledge on the comprehensive development level, evolutionary trends, and driving factors of these two systems in the YRB. To address this, the study uses multiple methodologies, including nighttime light data, the entropy-topsis method, the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM), exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), and the geodetector model, to examine the coupling coordination relationship and driving factors between CEI and HQED across sixty cities in the YRB from 2010 to 2019. The results reveal a decreasing trend in CEI and a "U"-shaped development trend for HQED, characterized by low coordination and significant spatial imbalance. Moreover, per capita GDP, population density, urbanization level, industrial structure, and energy intensity are found to have significant driving effects on the CCD. Based on the results, the study suggests policies to boost the CCD between CEI and HQED. These involve promoting green transitions, endorsing spatially tailored development strategies, and implementing interventions on major CCD drivers for balanced growth. It also proposes refining regional governance and establishing an innovation fund for green technologies, particularly beneficial for underdeveloped regions. These policy implications could guide economic development and emission reduction strategies in ecologically fragile and economically underdeveloped regions.