Relaxation of Market Access Regulation and Improvement of Green Total-Factor Energy Efficiency: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the Pilot “Negative List forMarket Access” System
Relaxation of Market Access Regulation and Improvement of Green Total-Factor Energy Efficiency: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the Pilot “Negative List forMarket Access” System
WANG Mingrong, WANG Mengle, DING Meng
School of Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China
Abstract Based on panel data from 280 prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2022, this study employs a multi-period difference-in-differences model to examine the impact of the market access negative list system on green total-factor energy efficiency and its underlying mechanisms. The results show that the implementation of the market access negative list policy has significantly improved urban green total-factor energy efficiency. The conclusion that remains robust even after addressing potential endogeneity concerns and accounting for heterogeneous treatment effects. Mechanism analysis indicates that the market-access negative-list policy significantly enhances green total-factor energy efficiency through green technological innovation, optimized factor allocation and upgrading of the industrial structure. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the market access negative list system has a stronger improving effect on green total-factor energy efficiency in cities with higher administrative levels, lower market segmentation, stronger intellectual property protection and non-resource-based economic structures. The above conclusions demonstrate that persistently advancing market access regulation reform nationwide facilitates the coordinated promotion of deepened market-oriented reforms and green sustainable development. This holds significant theoretical and practical implications for establishing a long-term market-driven mechanism to promote urban energy conservation and emission reduction.
WANG Mingrong,WANG Mengle,DING Meng. Relaxation of Market Access Regulation and Improvement of Green Total-Factor Energy Efficiency: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the Pilot “Negative List forMarket Access” System. Economic Survey, 2026, 43(2): 019.
2026, Vol. 43 
