Does the China–Europe Railway Express Promote Carbon Emission Efficiency in the Logistics Industry?

Abstract

In the context of the SDGs, the logistics industry is under growing pressure to speed up its low-carbon transition. This study employs the Super-Slack-Based Measure (SBM) to measure the carbon emission efficiency of the logistics industry (LCEE), and adopts the panel fixed-effects model and the spatial Durbin model to investigate the impact of the China–Europe Railway Express (CRE) on LCEE. The findings reveal that regional disparities in carbon emission efficiency within China’s logistics industry have intensified. However, the CRE significantly enhances LCEE and generates positive spillover effects on LCEE in neighboring regions, suggesting its potential role in facilitating cross-regional collaborative emission reduction. Transportation structure optimization (TSO) and green technology innovation (GTI) serve as the two mechanisms through which the CRE affects LCEE. Cross-border rail transport generates substitution effects for road and water transportation, which facilitates supply chain logistics coordination. The heterogeneity results show that the CRE exerts a stronger effect on LCEE in inland regions and those with greater trade openness. Our findings offer empirical support and policy insights for advancing low-carbon logistics, optimizing supply chain spatial configurations, and fostering coordinated inter-regional emissions abatement through the CRE.