Empirical analysis shows regional integration undermines green development efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta, suggesting critical policy adjustments.
Key Points
Regional integration negatively affects green development efficiency, revealing a significant discrepancy in sustainable practices.
The study identifies that trade openness and the digital economy mitigate some of the adverse effects of regional integration.
Utilizing a Difference-in-Differences approach, city and year fixed effects were applied to strengthen the analysis.
The findings indicate the need for policy reforms to enhance green governance and leverage innovation for sustainable growth.