Coupling Coordination Analysis of Natural Resource Utilization Benefits in Beijing From 1978 to 2018

Abstract

With the acceleration of economic and social development, the demand for natural resources has increased. To realize the sustainable utilization of natural resources (SUNRs), it is necessary to seek ways to improve natural resource utilization benefits (NRUBs) and promote the coordinated development of economic, social, and ecological benefits. This study explores the coupling coordination relationships of NRUBs in Beijing from 1978 to 2018 and analyzes the influencing factors. We first establish a comprehensive evaluation index system covering economic, social, and ecological benefits to quantify NRUBs. Then, a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model is applied to reveal the evolution characteristics of the coupling coordination relationships among the NRUB system. Finally, the main factors affecting the coordinated development of NRUBs are identified through gray relational analysis (GRA). Three main results are found: 1) from 1978 to 2018, the economic, social, ecological, and comprehensive benefits all have been significantly improved, although with some fluctuations. 2) The coupling coordination relationships of NRUBs show upward trends during the study period, and their coordination types transform from imbalance to coordination. 3) Urbanization, industrial structure, technology innovation, economic development, and environmental awareness all have significant impacts on the coupling coordination relationships of NRUBs. Measures such as transformation of the economic development mode, improvement of public facilities, construction of spiritual culture, ecological protection, and technological innovation need to be recognized to achieve coordinated development. This study can provide a reference for other comprehensive evaluations of natural resources and the formulation of natural resource utilization policies.