Towards urban low-carbon industrial development through air pollution reduction: A spatiotemporal synergy perspective

• There is a significant dynamic synergistic effect between APR and ITFCP. • There is a significant local synergistic effect between APR and ITFCP. • There is a significant spatial synergistic effect between APR and ITFCP. The consistency of air pollutant and carbon dioxide emissions in urban spaces raises a critical topic for sustainable urban development: Whether efforts to reduce air pollution (APR) can lead to a decrease in carbon emissions and enhance productivity, thereby facilitating the transition of urban industries to low-carbon development. This study amalgamates diverse datasets, including socio-economic indicators and satellite-derived information, to investigate the spatiotemporal synergy between APR and industrial total factor carbon productivity (ITFCP) in 280 cities of China. Our initial findings indicate that both APR and ITFCP in Chinese cities are on an upward trajectory, exhibiting a strong positive long-term dynamic correlation, and the APR’s positive influence on ITFCP shows a delayed effect. Additionally, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) is intensifying, with an average annual growth rate of 1.50%. Furthermore, we identify a significant local and spatial synergies between APR and ITFCP. Beijing, Tianjin, and Chongqing have entered a stage of intermediate coupling coordination ((0.6,0.8]). However, 61.4 % of the 280 cities are still in the stage of mild disequilibrium ((0.2,0.4]). Although the CCD has seen an overall upward trend across all regions, there is a potential risk of a downward shift in the western cities. The complex network structure of APR and ITFCP radiates from key urban clusters such as the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, creating a broad radiation effect. The CCD exhibits positive spatial correlations, with high-value areas concentrated along the eastern coastal cities and lower values in inland cities. In conclusion, the strong consistency and high association of APR and ITFCP in both space and time suggest that APR can indeed synergistically reduce carbon emissions and boost productivity, making it a viable strategy for advancing the urban industry’s low-carbon development.