Policy Orientation, Technological Innovation and Energy-Carbon Performance: An Empirical Study Based on China’s New Energy Demonstration Cities

The new energy demonstration city policy is a significant pilot measure to promote the transition of China’s system, aiming at developing new, green, and low-carbon sources energy. In this paper, Non-radial Directional Distance Function (NDDF) was adopted calculate Energy-Carbon Performance Index (ECPI) Chinese 182 cities, for measuring (ECP) level each city. On basis, it possible empirically analyse impact that orientation constructing cities has had on urban carbon performance by using combination Propensity Score Matching Difference-in-Difference. Moreover, mediating effect model utilised test technological innovation. results show can significantly improve ECP. Technological innovation partial between construction ECP, which accounts 12.92% total effect. Optimising industrial structure, improving economic development, increasing sink resources, attracting foreign direct investment all have impacts improvement while urbanisation process an inhibitory Heterogeneity analysis shows better driving eastern western in promoting implications paper are 1) government should expand scope pilots orderly manner; 2) lasting long-term influence ECP make use intermediary channels; 3) Support policies supposed formulate according local conditions.