Research on the green total factor productivity and its influencing factors based on system GMM model

Abstract

The entropy method is used to calculate pollution comprehensive index reflecting provincial environmental pollution level. On this basis, the Malmquist productivity index is used to study the regional green total factor productivity (GTFP) in China, and the system generalized moment method is used to explore the influencing factors of GTFP. Firstly, the results show that the provinces with lower environmental pollution comprehensive index are mainly in the western and eastern regions, while the provinces with higher pollution comprehensive index are mainly distributed in the central inland areas. Secondly, GTFP shows an N-type upward trend, which is basically consistent with the trend of total factor productivity. The overall GTFP in the east is on the rise, which is promoted by technical efficiency. The GTFP in the central and west has declined, and the main factor restricting their improvement is technological retrogression. The expansion of production scale in the east and west can contribute to the improvement of GTFP. The central region is at a stage where the scale of returns is not economic, and it is more important for promoting technological progress. Lastly, the industrial structure can significantly inhibit the increase of GTFP, however, the energy consumption structure, FDI and pollution control investment have a significant role in improving GTFP.