Caihong Zhe

The process of pursuing high-quality economic development involves many moving parts, and economic agglomeration (EA) is an essential element that can significantly affect green total factor productivity (GTFP). This study uses SBM and GML models to calculate GTFP of 99 cities in the Yellow River Basin from 2004 to 2017. Then, based on the panel data of these cities, the SYS-GMM and the mediating effect model are used to empirically test the influence and action path of EA on GTFP. The conclusions are as follows: There is an evident inverted U-shaped link between EA and GTFP in the YRB. The development level of the upper and middle reaches of the YRB is lower than the “ agglomeration inflection point ” (CNY 1.231 billion/KM2), while the downstream region has crossed this inflection point and has a crowding effect. In addition, EA affects GTFP through labor pool, intermediate input sharing and knowledge technology spillover. This study concludes that, in order to boost GTFP in the YRB, diversified strategies based on regional development are required to avoid the crowding impact.

This paper has explored the relationship between CO₂ emissions, eco-efficiency, and economic growth, which has important theoretical and practical significance for realizing high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin (YRB). Based on the data of 99 prefecture-level cities in the YRB from 2003 to 2017, this paper analyses the temporal and spatial variation and agglomeration characteristics of CO₂ emissions and eco-efficiency in the YRB. The spatial Durbin model (SDM) with fixed effects is used to test the relationship between CO₂ emissions, eco-efficiency, and economic growth in the YRB by using new structural economics theory and the EKC hypothesis. The results show that (1) the YRB is in a stage of extensive economic development with the coexistence of high CO₂ emissions and low eco-efficiency and shows a trend of transformation and upgrading to a stage of high-quality economic development; (2) CO₂ emissions and eco-efficiency are spatially heterogeneous; CO₂ emissions and eco-efficiency in the upper reaches are low, and the middle maintains relatively high eco-efficiency and high CO₂ emissions while the lower reaches have both high CO₂ emissions and low eco-efficiency; (3) the relationship between CO₂ emissions and economic growth is N-shaped, and there is an inflection point of accelerated increase (per capita GDP is 45,558 yuan). The YRB has crossed this inflection point, and CO₂ emissions are accelerating with economic development at this stage. The relationship between eco-efficiency and economic growth is U-shaped, with the inflection point of per capita GDP at 46,483 yuan. The YRB has just crossed the point, and eco-efficiency will subsequently steadily rise with economic development.