Is the Green Total Factor of Energy Efficiency Rising or Falling? Evidence from the Belt and Road Initiative Countries

Abstract

“The Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) seeks to attain high‐quality development and sustainability. This study examines the green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) of 58 BRI countries from 2005 to 2019 and its influence factors using the Super slacked‐based measurement and Tobit models. The findings indicate that: 1) Singapore and the other seven countries have GTFEEs above 0.9, which is better than other countries; seven out of 58 countries have GTFEEs below 0.5. 2) Due to regional disparities, Southeast Asia, Central, and Eastern Europe have the greatest GTFEE, followed by South Asia, West Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the lowest is in Central Asia, China, and Mongolia. 3) Compared to developing economies, developed economies have a higher GTFEE. 4) Between 2005 and 2019, the overall BRI energy efficiency dropped from 0.75 to 0.56. 5) According to Tobit results, for every 1% increase in economic development and energy structure, GTFEE increases by 0.08% and 0.31% points, respectively, and for every 1% increase in trade and land area, GTFEE decreases by 0.04 and 0.05, respectively. Therefore, BRI countries should strengthen international cooperation, develop advanced technologies, and increase the proportion of renewable energy utilization.