How does population agglomeration influence China's energy eco-efficiency? Evidence from spatial econometric analysis.

The contradiction between rapid urbanization and energy supply and demand is constraining the green development of Chinese cities. The impact of population agglomeration on urban energy eco-efficiency is still unclear. We used DMSP/OLS and NPP/VIIRS night lighting data, LandScan population dynamics statistics to extract "real urbanized areas" and "real urbanized populations" to measure the population agglomeration index. Considering the spatial interaction effects of economic behavior, we used panel data of 260 Chinese cities from 2006 to 2020 to construct a dynamic spatial Durbin model to explore the impact of population agglomeration on energy eco-efficiency. The study finds that population agglomeration contributes to regional energy eco-efficiency, with a spillover effect to surrounding areas. Endogeneity and robustness tests support the credibility of the results. Technological innovation plays a positive mediating role in the relationship between agglomeration and energy eco-efficiency. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of population agglomeration on energy eco-efficiency varies across temporal and spatial dimensions. Our study provides valuable information for promoting urban energy eco-efficiency from the perspective of population agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]