Synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation from socioeconomic factors, land use and urban innovation: a case study of Wuhan metropolitan area

Achieving synergistic effects in pollution reduction and carbon mitigation is a major national strategy for China. Given the common origins and processes of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, this study constructs a theoretical framework for the study of the synergistic effects of air pollution and carbon emissions. Based on the coupling coordination degree model and the geographically and temporally weighted regression model, it identifies significant factors influencing the synergistic effects of air pollution and carbon emissions and their varying mechanisms of action. Results are as follows: 1) The spatial and temporal trends of PM 2.5 pollution and carbon emissions in the Wuhan metropolitan area exhibit homogeneity. The coupling coordination degree between air pollution and carbon emissions shows an initial increase followed by a decrease over time and a spatial pattern of “local clustering of areas with medium–high-level coupling coordination”. 2) Twelve factors significantly impact the synergistic effects of air pollution and carbon emissions at the county level in the Wuhan metropolitan area: number of inversion days, precipitation, temperature, vegetation coverage, number of green patents, total population, regional GDP, per capita regional GDP, proportion of secondary industry, total nighttime light, energy consumption efficiency and built-up area. 3) The impact intensity of these factors on the synergistic effects of air pollution and carbon emissions varies not only over time but also across different regions within the same year. Regions with strong impact forces shift over time. This manuscript provides a solid foundation for theoretical research on and practical strategies for advancing differentiated pollution reduction and carbon mitigation coordination.