Measurement and influencing factors of industrial carbon unlocking efficiency under the background of “double carbon”

Based on the panel data of 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China from 2011 to 2018, the DEA model and Malmquist index were used to calculate the industrial carbon unlocking efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in a static and dynamic way, and the Tobit model was used to empirically test its influencing factors. The results show that (1) the overall efficiency of industrial carbon unlocking in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is on the rise, but there are regional differences. The efficiency of industrial carbon unlocking in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River is higher than that in the upper and middle reaches. (2) The total factor productivity of industrial carbon unlocking in the Yangtze River Economic Belt has increased steadily on the whole, and technological progress is the main source of growth. (3) Industrial carbon unlocking efficiency is affected by many factors. Environmental regulation and degree of openness have a promoting effect on industrial carbon unlocking efficiency, while government investment and innovation level have a restraining effect on industrial carbon unlocking efficiency.