Temporal-Spatial Characteristics and Driving Factors of Total Factor Carbon Productivity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Under the policy background of carbon neutralization and carbon peaking, how to promote total factor carbon productivity (TFCP) has become an important part of promoting green and low-carbon development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. This paper uses SBM model to measure the TFCP of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and uses empirical analysis methods such as Dagum Gini coefficient and geographical detector to measure the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and driving factors of the TFCP of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The research finds that: First, the development trend of TFCP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt shows a downward trend no matter from the overall regional or subregional level. There are differences in the number and spatial agglomeration patterns of different levels of cities. Second, the overall difference of TFCP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is gradually decreasing, and the regional difference has become the main factor of spatial difference. The dispersion of TFCP has decreased, and the regional gap has gradually narrowed. TFCP is characterized by non-normal distribution, with local agglomeration development trend, and its focus gradually shifted to the southwest. Third, technological innovation, infrastructure construction and economic growth are the key drivers of the Yangtze River Economic Belt TFCP. The dominant driving factors of TFCP are different in different regions.