New energy demonstration urban construction enhances ecological environmental resilience: evidence from China.

Renewable energy is a cornerstone for addressing ecological degradation, resource depletion and climate risk. Can the new energy demonstration urban construction (NEDC) as an important policy tool of renewable energy development improve ecological environmental resilience (ENR)? Based on a panel data of 283 prefecture level and above cities from 2011 to 2022, the dual machine learning model is constructed to explore the impact of NEDC on ENR. The study finds that the NEDC is an important policy driver for enhancing ENR. Industrial structure upgrading, green technology innovation and energy consumption are the crucial influence pathways. There is significant heterogeneity of geographic location and resource abundance in the impact of NEDC on ENR. The findings of the study provide policy references for relevant departments to continuously optimize and promote the NEDC. Through the rising of ENR, the beautiful modernization construction of harmonious coexistence between human and nature is being comprehensively promoted.