New insights into the DPSIR model: Revealing the dynamic feedback mechanism and efficiency of ecological civilization construction in China

Abstract

Managing ecosystems is considered a “wicked problem” without clear solutions due to the limited understanding of complex ecosystems and social dynamics. In this study, a method based on the Driving forces–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) framework was developed to reveal the Ecological Civilization Construction (ECC) together with structural equation modeling (SEM), panel data model (PDM), coupling and coordination degree (CCD) model, and data envelopment analysis (DEA). The SEM reveals that component Responses as exogenous variables can better explain the DPSIR framework nexuses than Driving forces, indicating that environmental protection measures taken by Chinese government played a dominant role in ECC. ECC indexes (ECCI) of 30 Chinese provinces were 18–87% higher in 2019 than 2012, and the PDM demonstrates that temperature, precipitation, and GDP can explain about 87.2% of ECCI variation among 30 provinces. About 12–40% increase in CCD within the DPSIR framework were detected in 30 Chinese provinces in 2019 compared to 2012. The DEA suggests that China's ECC's average comprehensive and technical efficiencies were only 0.62 and 0.77 in 2019, respectively. Meanwhile, these results show that ECC remains to be strengthened and coordinated. Implications on ECC were proposed for some provinces. Overall, this study proposes a Response-driven pathway named RDPSI can explain the achievements and limitation factors in China's ECC. Also, our results emphasize the importance of integrating science and technology, policy formulation, and precise implementation to achieve sustainable development.