Applying the Super-EBM model and spatial Durbin model to examining total-factor ecological efficiency from a multi-dimensional perspective: evidence from China.

Li Chengyu,Zhang Shiqiang,Zhang Yongmei,Wang Jianmei

doi:10.1007/s11356-021-15770-w

Abstract

Ecological efficiency mainly emphasizes the importance of balancing the relationships between natural resources, energy, the ecological environment and economic growth, which has aroused widespread concern worldwide. China's rapid economic development has inevitably been accompanied by serious resource exhaustion, environmental pollution and ecological deterioration in the past several decades, which has brought huge challenges to China's sustainable development. Therefore, establishing the evaluation framework of total-factor ecological efficiency (TFEE) and identifying its driving force have a great significance for improving China's sustainable development capabilities. First, an ecological efficiency evaluation framework is established based on the theory of total-factor analysis. Second, the super efficient hybrid distance model considers undesirable output and measures TFEE nationwide in 30 provinces and four regions during the period 2003-2017. Finally, the spatial effect of TFEE and its influencing factors are examined by using a spatial Durbin model. The empirical results show that (1) nationwide and regional TFEEs have different degrees of decline during the study period. There were significant differences among the 30 provinces and four regions. Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai are efficient, while the other provinces have not been as effective. The TFEEs of the four regions are not effective with an ordering of eastern > northeast > central > western. (2) Moran's I index shows that the TFEE nationwide has a positive spatial autocorrelation with strong spatial agglomeration. However, the spatial distribution pattern of TFEE in China was unstable and labile. The Moran scatter plot indicates that China's provincial TFEE has not only spatial dependence characteristics but also differences in spatial correlation. (3) Most factors are bound up with TFEE to various degrees: technological progress (TP), industrial agglomeration (IG) and human capital (HC) play a positive role, while industrial structure (IS), the level of urbanization (CITY) and energy intensity (EI) play a negative role. Additionally, environmental regulation (GZ) shows a U-type relationship with TFEE. The level of economic development (GDP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) cannot have a significant impact on TFEE at this stage. (4) The spatial Durbin model results show that TFEE has a significant spatial spillover effect, and the improvement of the TFEE of a province will increase the TFEE of neighbouring provinces. The confirmed spatial spillover effects of technological progress (TP), industrial structure (IS), the level of urbanization (CITY), industrial agglomeration (IG) and human capital (HC) can significantly impact the TFEE of neighbouring provinces. Among them, technological progress (TP), the level of urbanization (CITY) and human capital (HC) can significantly improve the TFEE of neighbouring provinces, and the level of economic development (GDP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) can significantly inhibit the improvement of TFEE in neighbouring provinces.

Highlights

ER show U type of relationship with total-factor ecological efficiency (TFEE).gross domestic product (GDP) and FDI cannot have a significant impact on TFEE at this stage.(4)The spatial Durbin model results show that TFEE has significant spatial spillover effect, and the improvement of the TFEE of province will increase the this TFEE of neighboring provinces.And spatial spillover effects of TP,IS,JJ,CITY,and HC are confirmed can significant impact the improvement of TFEE in neighboring provinces. 40 41 Keywords total factor ecological efficiency· Super-epsilon-based measure model (EBM) model·driving factors;Spatial durbin model 42
China,supporting the economic development with less resources consumption,reducing environmental pollution becoming the focus of social concern.In order to clear these obstacles caused by environmental pollution and ecological deterioration,and explore the path of sustainable development,China government proposed to vigorously promote the construction of ecological civilization strategy.there are still difficult problems in handling the key to the coordination of ecological environment and economic development.How to realize the coordination between economic development, resource and energy consumption and environmental protection from a comprehensive perspective, instead of unilaterally solving one of these problems (Li et al.2016).Ecological efficiency(EE) is of increased importance in response to the challenges posed by those problems
The TFEE is lower than 0.6000 during the study period.Simultaneously, the TFEE of the four regions showed a downward trend during 2003-2017.Among them, the downward trend of northeast region is the most intense, and the average annual growth rate was -2.70%.The downward trend of eastern region is the most gentle, and the average annual growth rate was -0.89%.The downward trend of central and western regions is basically consistent with the national downward trend, with average annual growth rates of -1.14% and -1.37%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

1998).Mickwitz et al(2006) pointed out that ecological efficiency involves multiple dimensions such as economy, society, ecological environment and can be used to effectively measure the level of sustainable development.Litos et al (2017) defined ecological efficiency as a way to achieve optimal value at a lower cost.It can be seen that there are certain differences in the definition of ecological efficiency from society, they all emphasize that ecological efficiency needs to take into account economic and ecological benefits, and maximize economic benefits while minimizing the impact of negative environmental externalities. Ecological efficiency has been widely recognized and accepted by the academic, and has become an important tool for studying and analyzing the impact of economic activities on the environment.Currently,the scholars of ecological efficiency field have made great efforts to studied the evaluation system, evaluation methods and driving factors of ecological efficiency from different dimensions (Table.).In this context, this article reviews the existing research progress,identifies the current challenges, and proposes an improved method from these three aspects. WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) expoundsecological efficiency as a business concept for the first time (WBCSD. 2000).BASE defines the concept of ecological efficiency from the perspective of products.The OECD expanded the concept to multiple fields such as governments, industrial enterprises , and defined ecological efficiency as the efficiency of using ecological environmental and natural resources to meet the demand of human activities (OECD. 1998).Mickwitz et al(2006) pointed out that ecological efficiency involves multiple dimensions such as economy, society, ecological environment and can be used to effectively measure the level of sustainable development.Litos et al (2017) defined ecological efficiency as a way to achieve optimal value at a lower cost.It can be seen that there are certain differences in the definition of ecological efficiency from society, they all emphasize that ecological efficiency needs to take into account economic and ecological benefits, and maximize economic benefits while minimizing the impact of negative environmental externalities.

Methods

Results

Conclusion