Abstract
This paper analyzes China’s provincial low-carbon efficiency using the super-SBM model, GML index, and ridge regression. Results reveal that enhancing energy structure, promoting renewable energy, and increasing carbon sequestration benefit the efficiency. Eastern and western regions’ renewable energy use significantly impacts efficiency, while vegetation construction is vital in central and northeastern regions. Efficiency initially decreased, hitting a low in 2011-2012, then rose since 2013. Spatially, efficiency declines from periphery to center, with the order: east, west, northeast, and central. Technological progress notably influences low-carbon efficiency. Findings inform carbon mitigation strategies, guiding China’s path to carbon neutrality.