The Bright Side of Uncertainty: The Impact of Climate Policy Uncertainty on Urban Green Total Factor Energy Efficiency

Climate change has a significant impact on human economic and social life, and climate issues have rapidly emerged as a global hot topic. Using data from prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2020 as a sample, this study explores the relationship between climate policy uncertainty (CPU) and urban green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE). The results show that, first, the CPU can significantly improve urban GTFEE, and results are reconfirmed after various robustness tests. Second, the CPU promotes urban GTFEE by improving public environmental concerns and optimizing the energy consumption structure. Third, the promotion role of CPU in urban GTFEE is particularly significant in resource-based cities and economically developed cities. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and practical enlightenment for the government to formulate forward-looking climate policies and promote the transformation of green development in cities.