Technology or Institutions: Which Is the Source of Green Economic Growth in Chinese Cities?

To relax the increasingly tight resource and environmental constraints on development, China needs to follow a pattern of growth that comprehensively encompasses economic growth, protection, conservation, namely, green growth. The key achieving is improve total factor productivity, which technological innovation institutional are primary driving forces. Based panel data 266 cities in from 2004 2018, this paper first uses Directional Distance Function Global Malmquist–Luenberger productivity index measure urban represent growth; then, impact studied by using Granger causality test SYS-GMM dynamic model. results described as follows: China’s shows an increasing trend average rate 3.27%, far lower than GDP 9.14%; both can significantly promote economy, but has greater role promoting economy innovation. In addition, relationship between more stable.