Under the ongoing advancement of the dual-carbon strategy, the establishment of a synagistic mechanism between enbiromental governance and low-carbon development has become an inherent requirement for hign-quality economic development in the new era. This paper explores the internal mechanism between environmental regulation and green economy efficiency, and uses entropy method and non-expected SBM super-efficiency model to measure environmental regulation intensity and green economy efficiency. Also, the effects of environmental regulations on the efficiency of green economy has been systematically investigated via spatial Durbin model. The results show that: first of all, environmental regulation can significantly promote local green economic efficiency but exerts a suppressive effect on neighboring cities. This remains rubust after a series of tests, including alternative spacial matrices; secondly, in general and developed cities, environmental regulation can strongly promote local green economic efficiency but generate negative spillover effects on surrounding areas; thirdly, in less developed cities, environmental regulation can significantly improve both local and neighboring areas. Finally, from the perspective of regulatory effect, environmental costs can weaken the positive impact of enviromental regulation on green economic efficiency.