The spatial spillover effects of regional integration on carbon emissions

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region serves as the leading economic force of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China. It is crucial for the region to take a leadership role in regional integration to facilitate carbon emission reduction. This paper employs a spatial econometric model to examine the impact, spatial spillover effect, and mechanisms of regional integration on carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta, using data from 41 cities in the region from 2008 to 2019. The results indicate that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between the level of regional integration and carbon emissions, with emissions initially increasing before decreasing. Additionally, the impact of regional integration on carbon emissions exhibits a positive spatial spillover effect and threshold characteristics, with carbon emissions inhibited and a positive spatial spillover observed once the threshold is exceeded. Moreover, regional integration reduces carbon emissions through the upgrading of industrial structures and the innovation of green technology. Implications for carbon emission reduction include: actively integrating into the Yangtze River Delta regional integration development; strengthening cross-regional carbon emission synergistic governance; and promoting carbon emission reduction through mechanisms such as promoting industrial upgrading and low-carbonization development, as well as incentivizing technological innovation.