Input–output efficiency model of urban green-energy development from the perspective of a low-carbon economy

Abstract

Abstract With the acceleration of urbanization, cities are the main targets for carbon neutrality and urban energy is the terminal of energy consumption and the integration point of various energy systems. Therefore, there is a need to promote the development of urban green energy and achieve low input and high output to achieve a low-carbon economy in cities. Previous studies have not considered the input–output efficiency of urban green-energy development. This study fills this gap. Based on the economic–energy–environmental framework, an input–output efficiency-evaluation index system for urban green-energy development was constructed. Based on improved data-envelopment analysis, a comparative evaluation of the input–output efficiency of green-energy development was carried out in 30 provinces in China in 2019. Considering the differences in regions, the development of urban green energy in different provinces was classified. From the perspective of a low-carbon economy, economic growth factors and environmental constraint factors were set. Together with the generalized Divisia index approach, the input–output efficiency optimization directions of urban green-energy development were obtained. The results showed that the input–output efficiencies of urban green-energy development in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and other provinces and cities were relatively high. Provinces with faster economic development and higher environmental carrying capacity have advantages after optimization and will become pilot areas for the development of urban green energy. This research provides a reference for the development of urban green energy in various provinces from the input and output perspective.