Spatial evolution of green development at provincial level in China

Based on the Green Development Indicator System issued by the Chinese government, this study conducted an in-depth evaluation of provincial green development in China, from 2013 to 2016. The findings of the study showed that: (1) significant regional differences existed across provinces in China regarding green development. (2) In terms of changing trends, the overall level of green development exhibited an upward trend during the years covered by our study, with a faster rising rate of development in eastern and central regions of China than in western ones. (3) In terms of spatial correlation, the spatial autocorrelation of China’s green development was evident. However, the spatial agglomeration of provincial green development gradually waned during the period in 2013–2016. (4) When it comes to drivers of spatial autocorrelation, the comparatively upward trend in the environmental field served as the main factor that drove green development from agglomeration to balance. (5) In terms of convergence, the tendency showed that less developed regions were about to catch up with leading regions in China in green development, especially as regards the dimensions of ecological protection and resource utilization.