The Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Effects of Economic Agglomeration: A Spatial Perspective Based on China's Province-level Data

Abstract Based on the data of 30 provinces in China from 1995 to 2017, this paper combines exploratory spatial data analysis method, dynamic spatial Durbin model, and intermediary effect model to explore the spatial influence mechanism between economic agglomeration, energy intensity, and carbon emission intensity. The research results provide a basis for China's early realization of energy conservation and emission reduction goals, economical green development, and regional development strategy selection. Firstly, the results show that China's carbon emission intensity has apparent spatial agglomeration and path dependence characteristics. Secondly, the economic agglomeration has the dual effect of energy saving and emission reduction. Furthermore, there is a significant inverted N-curve relationship between economic agglomeration and carbon emission intensity and carbon emissions, and a significant U-shaped curve relationship exists between economic agglomeration and energy intensity. Finally, economic agglomeration can indirectly affect carbon emission intensity through the mediating effect of energy intensity, and there is a significant inverted U-shaped curve relationship between energy intensity and carbon emission intensity. Therefore, promoting mutual coordination of environmental policies and building a regional collaborative governance mechanism is an effective way to achieve a win-win situation for the environment and economy of Beautiful China.