A “new model” for the development of agricultural cold chain logistics has been proposed, and the mechanism of action, heterogeneity of the reconstructed agricultural cold chain logistics supply chain structure, and its impact on supply chain toughness have been systematically studied.

This paper theoretically analyzed the model reconstruction of the agricultural cold chain logistics, and the fixed effect model was utilized to examine the impact of cold chain logistics supply chain structure, the robustness test was conducted using the hysteresis test method, and ArcGIS technology was employed to analyze the heterogeneity of supply chain structure on supply chain resilience in 13 urban areas of Hunan province from 2011 to 2020.

The reconstructed cold chain logistics supply chain structure of agricultural products had a positive effect on the supply chain toughness, the mechanism test demonstrated that market integration enhances the resilience of agricultural cold chain logistics supply chains; Heterogeneity analysis revealed that the development of supply chain structure in urban areas of Hunan province was different in time and space.

To enhance the toughness of agricultural cold chain logistics supply chain, the following measures can be taken: 1) Improve cold chain logistics infrastructure; 2) Improve the ability of independent innovation; 3) Take market integration as the focus to improve the toughness of agricultural cold chain logistics supply chain; 4) Establish an information sharing agricultural cold chain logistics information management system. The research conclusions provide a theoretical reference for promoting the modernization of cold chain logistics and accelerating the integration of urban and rural areas in China.

By incorporating environmental regulation into the analytical framework of cold chain logistics efficiency, this paper provides a comprehensive measurement of the efficiency of green and low-carbon development of cold chain logistics in China, and provides theoretical references for promoting the green, efficient and sustainable development of cold chain logistics.

This paper used the super-SBM model and the Global Malmquist-lunberger index method to statically measure and dynamically analyze the green development efficiency of cold chain logistics in 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across China from 2012 to 2020. The “green development efficiency-total factor productivity GML index” matrix was constructed to comprehensively compare the advantages and disadvantages of the green development efficiency of cold chain logistics in each province.

The overall efficiency level of green development in cold chain logistics in China was not high. In 2020, only Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, and Shanghai provinces reached the effective level, and the gap between provinces was gradually widening. From a regional perspective, the green development efficiency of cold chain logistics in China’s three major regions including Eastern, Central and Western, was in a trend of eastern region > central region > western region. The green development efficiency of cold chain logistics in the central and eastern regions showed a slight upward trend, while the western regions showed a slight downward trend; By decomposing the total factor productivity GML index, it was found that the improvement of green development efficiency of cold chain logistics in each provinces at this stage mainly relied on technological progress, and different efficiency levels had varying degrees of dependence on pure technological efficiency and scale efficiency; According to matrix analysis, 30 provinces could be divided into four categories: stable, active, trough, and potential.

To reduce the carbon emission of China’s cold chain logistics industry and enhance the efficiency of green development of cold chain logistics, four measures should be taken. Firstly, accelerating green technology innovation and promoting green transformation of cold chain logistics industry. Secondly, integrating development planning for coordinated regional development. Thirdly, implementing the concept of green development and guiding the implementation of all aspects. Fourthly, improving infrastructure construction and optimizing cold chain logistics network.