Analysis of the coupling relationship and influencing factors between pollution reduction and carbon reduction and economy from the perspective of urban agglomeration
摘要
Amid global environmental enhancement and climate action, coordinating carbon peaking, carbon neutrality, and China’s domestic-international dual circulation strategy drives the nation’s green transition and high-quality economic development (HQED). This study investigates the coupling relationship and underlying mechanisms between pollution reduction-carbon reduction (PCR) and HQED across major in Chinese urban agglomerations. Using panel data from 41 cities during 2010–2020 in thet Yangtze River Delta (YRD), Pearl River Delta (PRD), and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) regions, HQED is quantified via the TOPSIS method, and analytical frameworks include panel quantile regression and fixed effects models. Results indicate that: (1) PCR positively promotes HQED, albeit with diminishing marginal returns; (2) the PRD exhibits significant gains under targeted PCR policies, whereas YRD and BTH show more limited impacts; and (3) key transmission pathways involve energy system transformation, institutional reforms, and green, open, and innovation-driven development. Policy implications suggest tailoring intervention strategies to the developmental stages of urban agglomerations to achieve synergistic advancement of PCR and HQED.