How Much Green Benefit Does Urbanization Generate?

Evidence from Carbon Productivity and Regional Heterogeneity Analysis

Authors

  • Yingying Zhu School of Economics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, China
  • Zejiong Zhou School of Economics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/h4pyza46

Keywords:

Urbanization; Carbon Productivity; Regional Heterogeneity; Multidimensional Urbanization.

Abstract

Based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2022, this study employs a two-way fixed effects model to explore the impact of urbanization on carbon productivity and its regional heterogeneity from multiple dimensions.The findings reveal that population urbanization generally inhibits carbon productivity, industrial urbanization has a positive green effect, and the national average effect of land urbanization is not significant. There is significant regional differentiation, with the crowding effect of population agglomeration prominent in the eastern region, the empowering effect of land and industrial urbanization significant in the western region, and various effects balanced in the central region. After the policy milestone in 2015, the marginal impact of urbanization gradually declined. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate policies for urbanization and low-carbon development according to local conditions, build a regional coordinated development system, and promote the transformation of urbanization models towards high-quality and green development.

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Published

22-07-2026

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

Zhu, Y., & Zhou, Z. (2026). How Much Green Benefit Does Urbanization Generate? Evidence from Carbon Productivity and Regional Heterogeneity Analysis. Frontiers in Sustainable Development, 6(7), 32-47. https://doi.org/10.54691/h4pyza46