Spatial and temporal differences and influencing factors of ecological capital efficiency in Northeast China

Abstract

Ecological capital is an important fulcrum for the construction of ecological civilization. Measuring the spatial and temporal changes and influencing factors of ecological capital efficiency can help understand the current status of ecological capital efficiency and improve the level of ecological civilization to achieve green development. We used the super-efficient DEA model and Malmquist index to measure the spatial and temporal changes of ecological capital efficiency in Northeast China and analyzed the influencing factors. The results showed that the ecological capital efficiency in Northeast China was generally good, showing a trend of rising first and then decreasing. The ecological capital efficiency of Heilongjiang was high, showing U-shaped development, while that in Jilin and Liaoning provinces was relatively low. Results from the Malmquist index analysis showed that technological progress was the main driving force for the improvement of ecological capital efficiency. The results of Tobit regression analysis showed that the environment scale effect and the demographic effect variables had a significant positive impact on the efficiency of ecological capital. The low efficiency of science and technology investment led to negative correlation between environmental technology effect variables and ecological capital efficiency. To improve the ecological capital efficiency in Northeast China, on the one hand, we should accelerate the adjustment of industrial structure and develop ecological economy, on the other hand, we should increase the input efficiency of science and technology funds and rely on technological progress to realize green development of economy in Northeast China.