The Impact of Technology Transfer on Green Total Factor Energy Efficiency: Evidence from the Establishment of National Technology Transfer Centers

During the global low-carbon transition, technology transfer serves as a crucial channel for the dissemination of knowledge and innovations, which is essential for increasing overall Green Total Factor Energy Efficiency (GTFEE). Leveraging the establishment of national technology transfer centers (NTTCs) in China as a quasinatural experiment, this study employs a multiperiod difference-in-differences (DID) framework and utilizes data from 280 prefecture-level cities (2006–2022) to identify the causal effect of technology transfer on GTFEE. The results demonstrate that this policy substantially boosts city-level GTFEE. Mechanistic tests reveal that technology transfer improves GTFEE primarily via improvements in industrial structure, innovations in green technology, and the accumulation of human capital. Furthermore, well-functioning markets positively moderate the policy effect, not only strengthening the direct impact but also reinforcing the two transmission mechanisms. Heterogeneity analysis reveals a more pronounced impact in municipalities with nascent digital economies, stronger intellectual property protection, nonresource-based profiles, and those serving as transportation hubs. These findings provide empirical support for improving national technology transfer systems and advancing regional green development, offering policy insights for achieving synergistic economic-environmental progress.