Green development efficiency measurement and influencing factors analysis in the Yangtze River economic Belt, China

This study focuses on improving environmental protection and facilitating coordinated economic and social development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). Examining the progress of green development in 11 provinces and cities within the YREB. The Super SBM model and the GML index model were utilized to assess the green development efficiency of these regions from 2008 to 2021. Additionally, the spatial distribution, evolutionary trends, and determinants of green development were explored through hot and cold spot analysis, kernel density estimation, the random forest RF method, and the Tobit model.Findings indicate that the overall green development efficiency in these provinces and cities is relatively notable, with the upstream and downstream areas exhibiting higher efficiency compared to the midstream regions. Shanghai and Zhejiang have emerged as frontrunners in green development. Analysis of hot and cold spots revealed that hot spots are predominantly located in the Yangtze River Delta, while sub-cold spots extend upstream, forming concentrated and contiguous cold spot areas in the midstream reaches. Kernel densities show that green development is more efficient overall and in particular in upstream and downstream areas. In contrast, the midstream regions have witnessed a decline in this efficiency. Regarding influencing factors, ecological environmental protection is identified as a direct influence on the efficiency of green development. Furthermore, the degrees of economic advancement, governmental support, and investment in pioneering science and technology exert substantial influence on green development..