Evaluation of sustainable development efficiency in Chinese provinces- based on closed-loop feedback three-stage dynamic network slack-based measure model

Abstract

Coordination of economic, environmental, and social development is essential for sustainable development in China. A closed-loop feedback three-stage dynamic network slack-based measurement model was proposed to measure the sustainable development efficiency of 30 provinces in China during 2005–2020. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and coordination of sustainable development efficiency were explored using the Dagum–Gini coefficient decomposition method, Malmquist index model, and kernel density estimation method. As indicated, the overall sustainable development efficiency of China has increased with an average of 0.7140. The efficiency level of regional sustainable development displayed a "stepped-like" spatial distribution pattern, exhibiting a successive "east-central-west" decrease. The sustainable development efficiency levels of the respective stages differed notably, and the efficiency values of stages 2 and 3 were considerably lower than those of stage 1. The contribution rate of the between-region difference to the overall degree of variation was the highest, followed by the contribution rate within the region. Notably, the contribution rate of transvariation intensity reached a minimum value. During the study period, the distribution centre of sustainable development efficiency in China moved continuously to the right, the peak height increased, and the width contracted. This study provides a valuable policy reference for China’s sustainable development and ideas regarding its global response to energy and environmental issues.