Analysis of the Environmental Efficiency of the Chinese Transportation Sector Using an Undesirable Output Slacks-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis Model

Xiaowei Song,Xiaodong Zhu,Yongpei Hao

doi:10.3390/su7079187

Abstract

Many countries are attempting to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions while increasing the productivity and efﬁciency of their industries. An undesirable-output-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with slacks-based measure (SBM) was used to evaluate the changes in the environmental efficiency of the transportation sector in 30 Chinese provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) between 2003 and 2012. The potential for decreasing CO2 emissions and energy saving was also assessed. Transportation was found to be inefﬁcient in most of the provinces and the average environmental efficiency was low (0.45). The overall average efficiency reached a maximum in 2005 and continually decreased until a minimum was reached in 2009; since then, it has increased. In general, transportation is more efficient in eastern than in central or western China. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out on the input and output indicators. Based on these ﬁndings, some policies are proposed to improve the environmental efﬁciency of the transportation sector in China.

Highlights

The rapid economic development of China has led to environmental issues being of great concern, and, the focus of much research
It is crucial that the environmental efficiency of the transportation sector is evaluated so that policies can be implemented to ensure that the sector develops in a more rational way than is currently the case
In this paper we used a non-radial data envelopment analysis (DEA) model based on an undesirable output perspective with the slacks-based measure to analyze the environmental efficiency of the transportation sectors of

Summary

Introduction

The rapid economic development of China has led to environmental issues being of great concern, and, the focus of much research. For the past three decades, mainly relied on energy and labor-intensive industries. Energy is mainly produced from coal and other fossil fuels in China, and the high demand for energy from the industrial and transportation sectors means that large amounts of greenhouse gases (one of which is carbon dioxide) are produced. Take significantly reducing energy consumption intensity and carbon dioxide emission intensity as a binding target, and effectively control greenhouse gas emissions. It is essential that some evaluation is made of the environmental efficiencies of different Chinese industries. Air pollution in China has become more of a problem in recent years, and one reason for this is that exhaust emissions from the transportation sector have been increasing. It is crucial that the environmental efficiency of the transportation sector is evaluated so that policies can be implemented to ensure that the sector develops in a more rational way than is currently the case

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion