Network resilience of regional social-ecological systems under energy transition: measurement, drivers, and structural optimization in the Yangtze River Delta

The global energy transition is profoundly reshaping the structure and function of regional social-ecological systems (SES). From a complex network perspective, this study develops an analytical framework to quantify SES resilience under energy transition. Taking the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration as a case study, this study maps the interdependencies among its socioeconomic and ecological elements into a measurable network structure. This allows us to measure system resilience, identify its key drivers, and explore their interactive effects, with the ultimate aim of informing structural optimization pathways. Key findings reveal that: (1) The energy transition has amplified the development gradient among cities. Core cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Hefei consolidate their leading positions through superior multidimensional resilience capital related to green innovation and infrastructure, whereas some cities in Anhui Province face heightened marginalization risks due to their reliance on traditional energy-intensive industries and insufficient capacity for energy transition. (2) Regionally, a dynamic “core-periphery” structure centered on the Shanghai-Nanjing-Suzhou corridor has been reinforced, with overall network resilience showing an upward trend. This improvement is primarily supported by enhanced connectivity fostered by regional integration and the growth of secondary nodes within emerging green energy and technology chains. (3) Critical drivers of resilience include water resource endowment, external openness, and proactive environmental governance. The nonlinear interactions among these factors highlight that SES resilience during the energy transition emerges from the complex synergy of natural conditions, economic restructuring dynamics, and adaptive policy interventions.