Interaction between carbon emission efficiency and ecological environment from static and dynamic perspectives

Abstract

Carbon emission efficiency and the ecological environment are key issues in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In this study, the three-stage epsilon-based measurement model and pressure-state-response model were used to calculate carbon emission efficiency and ecological environment index, and based on which, the coupling coordination model and panel vector autoregressive model were adopted to investigate the static coupling relationship and dynamic interaction. The results showed the following. (1) Carbon emission efficiency first decreased and then increased from 0.6633 to 0.7724, showing a decreasing spatial change pattern from east to west. (2) The ecological environment index increased from 0.4228 to 0.5993, showing a decreasing trend from the east and west to the center. (3) The state of the coupling coordination changed from barely coupling coordination to primary coupling coordination. Six provinces were high-level coupling coordination patterns promoted by the synergy of the two elements. (4) Ecological environment had a negative influence on carbon emission efficiency, showing time accumulation and buffering, whereas carbon emission efficiency could contribute to a steady and continuous improvement in ecological environment. This study provides an important reference for achieving carbon neutrality and enacting sustainable development.