Differential decomposition of total-factor energy efficiency in Chinese coal mining cities considering environmental constraints: A dynamic and static perspective

Abstract

Coal mining cities are both energy producers and large consumers. Combined with the fossil energy characteristics of coal, coal can cause environmental pollution in the process of mining and utilization. Total-factor energy efficiency (TFEE) has an important impact on energy consumption in coal mining cities and thus on improving regional environmental conditions. This study used the Slack-Based Measure (SBM) model with unfavorable output to measure the TFEE of 35 coal prefecture-level cities. Cities were then grouped using K-means clustering. The Malmquist-Luenberger index and the Thiel index were used in the static and dynamic difference decomposition analyses for each group, respectively. The results showed that: (1) There was a significant gap between the TFEE of each city, and the effective area of energy utilization accounted for 17.1 percent. The overall situation of energy utilization was not ideal. (2) The technological progress effects of all groups steadily rose in terms of TFEE growth, although the pure technology effects were insufficient. (3) From 2005 to 2006, the overall differences were mainly due to differences in the TFEE of coal mining cities within each group. However, from 2007 to 2017, the overall difference was largely caused by differences in the TFEE of coal mining cities between groups. Finally, corresponding policy recommendations were proposed according to the research conclusions.