Environmental regulation and urban green development quality and efficiency: Evidence from China's environmental protection tax law as a quasi-natural experiment

Green and low-carbon development is the main goal of current urban development, and realizing high-quality development is necessary. China's environmental protection tax law (EPTL) is a high-profile environmental policy as environmental regulation transforms gradually from administrative command to a market orientation, and it is highly important for environmental protection, energy efficiency and green development. On the basis of green development data from cities at the prefecture level and above between 2010 and 2022, this study employs the difference-in-differences method to examine the impact and mechanism of the EPTL on urban green total factor productivity (GTFP). The results reveal the following: ① The EPTL significantly improves urban green total factor productivity. ② The EPTL enhances urban green total factor productivity by optimizing resource allocation, driving green technological innovation, and upgrading industrial structures. ③ Extended analyses indicate that the EPTL combined with data elements has a more significant effect on urban GTFP. Additionally, the EPTL has a relatively stronger promotional effect on urban GTFP in central region and megacities. This paper provides empirical evidence and policy insights for further optimizing China's environmental protection tax system.