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• We study the relationship between GVC embedding and carbon emission density. • A mediation effect model was established to test the mechanism. • There is a U-shaped relationship between urban GVC embedding and carbon emission density. To achieve its carbon peak and neutrality plan, whether China's global value chain (GVC) embedding has a carbon emission reduction effect is a question worthy of attention. This paper measures the GVC embedding degree of 218 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2016, and constructs a panel data model to investigate the impact and its mechanism of GVC embedding on carbon emission intensity. This study finds that there is a significant U-shaped relationship between GVC embedding and carbon emission intensity, and a series of robustness test results support this conclusion. Export scale, energy consumption structure and technological innovation play a mediation role in the impact path of GVC embedding on carbon emission intensity. Based on this, this paper proposes that while participating in GVC, China needs to actively utilize the emission reduction effect of GVC, promote the transformation of export mode to high quality, reduce the use and dependence on high-carbon resources such as coal, and encourage companies to innovate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The map of radiative cooling potential shows that the radiative cooling power can reach up to 100 W/m2 for its application in different climatic zones. However, the effect of building deployment on the city-scale application of radiative cooling is generally ignored in majority of existing studies, which overestimates the cooling benefit. This paper investigates the cooling benefit of implementing radiative cooling on a city-scale by considering building deployment. To determine the effect of building deployment on the radiative cooling potential, the city of Xi'an in China is modeled using COMSOL and verified with real weather data. Then, the thermal response of buildings with radiative cooling envelopes is discussed in detail. Finally, carbon emission reduction is derived at the city-scale by applying radiative cooling considering building deployment. The results show that the estimated radiative cooling power is approximately decreased by 14.7% for the ideal broadband surface and 47.1% for the ideal selective surface on the selected day by considering building deployment on a city-scale. Furthermore, carbon emission reductions of 0.52 gCO 2 /(m2⋅h) and 0.16 gCO 2 /(m2⋅h) can be achieved from the roof and walls on the selected day by applying radiative cooling material on both the roof and walls. This study can provide guiding significance for the large-scale application of radiative cooling in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research investigating the effectiveness of policy-driven transformation in resource-based cities has focused mainly on city-level impacts and has overlooked firm-level evidence. This paper filled this gap by focusing on its impact on firm-level carbon emissions. Drawing on the quasi-natural experiment of China's reform of resource-based city transformation, we utilize a difference-in-differences (DID) model based on nationwide firm-level tax survey data from 2009 to 2016. The findings indicate a noteworthy reduction in firms' carbon emissions due to the reform, particularly in growing-type resource-based cities and within the manufacturing industry. The empirical results provide evidence that the implementation of the "Plan" has effectively enhanced the level of urban resilience. Moreover, the findings demonstrate stronger effects on large firms, publicly owned firms, and firms in municipal districts. • Resource-based city transformation is effective at mitigating firm carbon emissions and enhancing urban resilience. • Different development stages exhibit heterogeneity in the effectiveness of firm emissions reductions. • Sector- and firm-specific characteristics play a significant role in reduction in firms' carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The spatiotemporal interactions of carbon emission efficiency(CEE) were explored. • A MGWR model was used to estimate the scale effects of factors influencing CEE. • The evolution of the spatial pattern of CEE had strong spatial integration. • CEE agglomeration changes had path dependence and spatial locking. • The factors influencing CEE exhibit obvious scale heterogeneity. Exploring the spatiotemporal evolution and influencing factors of carbon emission efficiency (CEE) is crucial for achieving the goal of urban carbon neutrality. However, most of the existing studies ignore the temporal dependence of the spatial pattern evolution of CEE and the scale variability of the factors influencing CEE. With the help of an exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis framework, this paper examined the spatiotemporal interactions of CEE across 110 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). In addition, a multiscale geographically weighted regression model was employed to reveal the scale effects of influencing factors on CEE. The main conclusions are as follows: first, the CEE of cities in the YREB shows a fluctuating upward trend, but the overall level is still low, and a certain polarization phenomenon exists. Second, the spatial pattern of the CEE of cities in the YREB is generally relatively stable, with strong spatial integration and path dependence. Finally, the factors influencing CEE exhibit obvious scale variability and spatial heterogeneity. Our findings can provide a basis for localized and differentiated carbon emission reduction decision-making at the city level, as well as new insights for the formulation of sustainable urban spatial planning and low-carbon development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a framework linking New-Type Urbanization (NTU) and carbon emissions, considering both direct and spillover effects. Firstly, the paper constructs a multi-dimensional index to measure NTU and documents the spatial patterns of NTU levels in China, showing remarkable inequality between the eastern and western regions. Secondly, the study evaluates the effectiveness of pilot policies aimed at achieving Smart City and NTU goals. Using the Difference-in-Difference model based on panel data collected from 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2006 to 2019, the study provides empirical evidence that these policies can significantly reduce carbon emissions in terms of production and consumption. Moreover, the study finds that the policies have significant spatial spillover effects on neighboring cities based on the Spatial Panel Durbin Model. The findings suggest that such policies can effectively reduce carbon emissions in areas with significant human activity and have important policy implications for achieving sustainable development in China. • The research assesses how New-Type Urbanization affects emission reduction. • Policy pilots for Smart City & New-type Urbanization reduced environmental emissions. • The impact of emission reduction is spatially heterogeneous. • New-Type Urbanization can increase environmental emissions in nearby cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]