Recent analyses underscore a significant disparity in the efficacy of energy transformation policies across China, revealing that non-resource-based cities and regions situated outside the Yangtze River Economic Belt are experiencing more pronounced benefits. This differential impact, highlighted in studies published on platforms like ScienceDirect, suggests that tailored policy interventions and the strategic deployment of green finance mechanisms are accelerating decarbonization efforts more effectively in areas less reliant on traditional heavy industries.

The core finding points to a critical insight: cities that are not primarily driven by resource extraction or processing exhibit greater flexibility and responsiveness to policies promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy integration. These urban centers, often characterized by a more diversified economic base including services, high-tech manufacturing, and light industry, can more readily adopt advanced energy management systems and transition towards cleaner energy sources. For instance, while major industrial hubs within the Yangtze River Economic Belt face the formidable challenge of retrofitting existing energy-intensive infrastructure, non-resource cities can leverage green finance to invest in new, inherently more efficient and sustainable urban energy systems, including smart grids and distributed renewable generation.

Green finance plays a pivotal role in this acceleration. Preferential loans, green bonds, and targeted subsidies are channeling capital towards energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy projects in these cities. This financial impetus allows for quicker adoption of innovations such as advanced building energy management systems, industrial process optimization, and the deployment of urban solar and small-scale wind installations. Data from 2023 indicates that investment in green infrastructure in non-resource cities grew by an estimated 18% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the 9% growth observed in some resource-intensive regions. This robust investment translates directly into measurable improvements in energy utilization efficiency, reducing per-capita energy consumption and carbon intensity more rapidly.

Furthermore, regions outside the Yangtze River Economic Belt, often less saturated with legacy industrial infrastructure, present fertile ground for implementing innovative energy solutions from the ground up. Policy frameworks designed to encourage public-private partnerships and attract foreign direct investment into green technology sectors have proven particularly effective. This has led to a more rapid integration of digital energy management platforms and the development of localized renewable energy supply chains. Analysts suggest that the absence of deeply entrenched fossil fuel interests or large-scale, carbon-intensive industries allows for a smoother and less contentious energy transition, fostering an environment where policy incentives can yield maximum impact.

The implications for national energy strategy are profound. These findings advocate for a more nuanced, regionally differentiated approach to energy policy and green finance allocation. Recognizing the varying capacities and challenges of different urban and regional economies will be crucial for achieving China's ambitious carbon neutrality goals. Future policies may increasingly focus on empowering non-resource cities as innovation hubs for sustainable urban development, while simultaneously developing specialized transition pathways for resource-based economies.