Co-agglomeration, technological innovation and haze pollution: An empirical research based on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration

The issue of haze in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration has significant implications for China. Concurrently, co-agglomeration and technological innovation are key factors influencing haze pollution. Using the panel data composed of PM2.5 concentration and other data from 27cities in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration between 2010 and 2020, this paper empirically investigates the impact of co-agglomeration and technological innovation on haze pollution. From this rigorous analysis, several conclusions crystallize: (1)the co-agglomeration of productive services and manufacturing accentuates haze pollution, showcasing notable regional variances;(2)the haze pollution has a significant positive correlation with the co-agglomeration levels in local and neighboring regions;(3)the negative consequences of co-agglomeration on environments reduce as the agglomeration of productive services and economic development increases;(4)technological innovation significantly moderates the pollution effects of co-agglomeration.