Impact of Producer Service Agglomeration on Carbon Emission Efficiency and Its Mechanism: A Case Study of Urban Agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta

Abstract

As an important part of the economic system of urban agglomeration, the agglomeration of producer services (APS) has become a key contributor to regional low-carbon development. This study analyzes the spatial effect of APS on carbon emission efficiency (CEE) as well as its mechanism and heterogeneity using the panel data of 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region from 2005 to 2019. First, a U-shaped relationship exists between APS and CEE in both local and neighboring areas. Second, the non-linear relationship between APS and CEE is generated by allocation effects, structural effects and technology effects. Third, the effect of APS on CEE is constrained by the heterogeneity of urban characteristics, in which human capital, fiscal expenditure, and information infrastructure all support and positively moderate the energy-saving and carbon-reduction effect of APS. Fourth, the impact of externalities of APS on CEE varies, both the Marshall–Arrow–Romer (MAR) and Porter externalities having a U-shaped relationship with the CEE of neighboring areas but Jacobs externalities having no significant influence on the CEE of the surrounding areas. The findings of this study indicate that increasing the scale of APS in urban agglomeration, promoting the diversification and division of labor and the cooperation of industries across areas, and promoting the process of city–industry integration are important for achieving the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in the YRD region.