[Analysis of Spatial Correlation Network Characteristics of Synergistic Effects in Pollution Reduction and Carbon...

Facing the dual strategic tasks of fundamental ecological improvement and the "Dual Carbon" goals, synergistic promotion of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation (PRCM) has become an inevitable choice for comprehensive green transformation in the new development stage. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration (BTH), Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRD), and Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration (PRD) were selected as research targets. The coupling coordination degree model between carbon-emission and air-pollution-control systems was established to quantify the synergic index of PRCM from 2000 to 2019. The improved gravity-model-based approach integrated with social network analysis was employed to characterize the spatial correlation network structures of urban-agglomeration-level synergy effects, through which macro-scale spatial configurations and micro-scale interaction patterns were systematically revealed. The results showed that: ① From 2000 to 2019, the synergistic effects of PRCM significantly strengthened across China's three major urban agglomerations-the BTH, YRD, and PRD-with the PRD outperforming the YRD and BTH in the synergistic effects of PRCM. ② Stable spatial correlations were identified among the urban agglomerations, though their internal network structures differed markedly. ③ The YRD and PRD demonstrated comprehensive sectoral distributions, while the BTH displayed dual net spillover sectors, one net beneficiary sector, and one brokerage sector. ④ The networks exhibited compactness, connectivity, and overlay effects, alongside a "community effect" reflecting fragmented regional governance. In future construction, resource optimization and allocation should be coordinated based on the integrated development of urban agglomerations. Inter-regional cooperation should be strengthened to enhance the linkage effect among different regions, and the network-oriented approach should be adopted to promote the synergistic effects of PRCM in urban agglomerations.