Abstract: The pilot policy of low-carbon cities is a major strategic initiative for China′s socio-economic development.It is also a significant opportunity to accelerate the transformation of the economic development model and structural adjustment.As a key engine of China′s economic growth, the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is more urgent to achieve its green and efficient development.Based on the panel data of 108 prefecture-level and above cities in the YREB from 2007 to 2021, this study employed the multi-period DID method to explore the impact of low-carbon city pilot policies on their green total factor productivity (GTFP).The findings revealed that: (1) low-carbon city pilot policies had significantly enhanced the GTFP of cities in the YREB; (2) the pilot policy had a significant positive impact on the GTFP of cities (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui) in the lower reaches of the YREB, while the impact on cities in the middle and upper reaches was not significant; The GTFP of key environmental protection cities was significantly positively affected by the low-carbon city pilot policies; Old industrial base cities' GTFP was significantly positively influenced by low-carbon city pilot policies; Non-resource-based cities were significantly positively influenced by low-carbon city pilot policies; (3) The low-carbon city pilot policies could enhance GTFP by promoting the optimization of energy consumption structure and industrial agglomeration.Finally, the study provided relevant policy recommendations for the low-carbon transformation of cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.