| The contradiction between environment and economy becomes increasingly prominent with economic development.Environmental regulation can coordinate economic development and environmental protection,and can correct the externalities of energy consumption,which may affect energy efficiency.Analyzing the spatialtemporal evolution characteristics of environmental regulation and energy efficiency in China,studying the impact of environmental regulation on energy efficiency,and elaborating and testing the mechanism of action,can provide reference for enhancing the implementation effect of environmental regulation and promoting the improvement of energy efficiency.Based on the data of 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China from 1995 to 2018,this paper studies the impact of environmental regulations on energy efficiency.The influence mechanism of environmental regulation on energy efficiency is elaborated by combing relevant literatures and theories.The total factor energy efficiency was calculated based on SBM model,and environmental regulation was represented by the proportion of environmental words in government work reports.On this basis,the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of environmental regulation and energy efficiency were revealed.Tobit model was constructed to analyze the impact of environmental regulation on energy efficiency and explain the temporal heterogeneity and regional heterogeneity.This paper examines the impact mechanism of environmental regulation on energy efficiency from the perspectives of green technology innovation,industrial structure upgrading and energy structure transformation,and explains the regional differences.Based on the research results,relevant countermeasures and suggestions are proposed.The main conclusions of this study are as follows.（1）The average intensity of environmental regulation in all provinces of China showed an upward trend during the study period,and the average annual growth rate was faster after 2005;The average level of energy efficiency of each province showed n-type fluctuation during the study period,and the energy efficiency of the eastern region was higher than that of the central and western regions.（2）Environmental regulation has a positive impact on energy efficiency.In terms of time heterogeneity,this effect was significant from 2006 to 2018,but not from 1995 to 2005.In terms of regional heterogeneity,this effect is significant in the eastern and western regions,but not in the central region.（3）Environmental regulation can affect energy efficiency through transmission mechanisms such as green technology innovation,industrial structure upgrading and energy structure transformation,and the impact mechanism of environmental regulation on energy efficiency also has regional heterogeneity.（4）Suggestions on strengthening the implementation effect of environmental regulations and improving energy efficiency:further strengthening the intensity of environmental regulations to promote the improvement of energy efficiency;Refine supporting safeguard measures to improve the implementation effect of environmental regulations;Implement differentiated environmental regulation measures in accordance with local conditions. |
