Abstract
In this paper, we first measured the eco-efficiency of 31 provinces in China during 2000–2015 using the SBM (Slack-Based Measure) model, and the spatial character of eco-efficiency was identified based on symmetrical spatial weight matrix. We then proposed a new asymmetrical spatial weight matrix based on the eco-economic transformation index (EETI)-distance reciprocal principle to assess the spatial character of eco-efficiency. Finally, we analyzed the convergence of eco-efficiency’s total factor productivity (EETFPs) in mainland China and in three major regions based on the results of EETFP. The study revealed the following findings: (1) There were some limitations to the spatial autocorrelation of eco-efficiency in mainland China by the symmetrical spatial weight methods based on the spatial proximity principle or spatial distance principle. However, the new spatial weight scheme improved the reliability of the accounting results of the spatial autocorrelation. (2) The clustering effect of eco-efficiency exhibited a downward trend in mainland China during the study period; meanwhile, the significant high-high and low-high clustering areas were located in the eastern, the central, and the western regions. (3) The study of convergence showed that there was a club-convergence phenomenon in mainland China, and except for the western region, all the regions expressed conditional convergence. The results provide a significant reference for ecological-economy management and sustainable development in China.
Highlights
Eco-efficiency as a tool to measure the coordinated development of economy, resources, environment, and ecology can be defined as the ratio of the economic value created to the environmental impact generated [1]
We select the per capita ecosystem service value (PESV), ecological-economic transformation index (EETI), and resource and environmental cost of unit gross domestic product (GDP) (RECGp) to reflect ecological resource endowments; per capita GDP (PGDP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) to reflect regional economic development level; research and development input (R&D) to reflect the level of science and technology; proportion of tertiary industry (PTI) to reflect social development status
We applied the SBM model to measure the eco-efficiency of 31 provinces in China during 2000–2015 and analyzed the interprovincial spatial patterns of eco-efficiency based on the symmetry spatial weight scheme
Summary
Eco-efficiency as a tool to measure the coordinated development of economy, resources, environment, and ecology can be defined as the ratio of the economic value created to the environmental impact generated [1]. Zhang et al [22] measured the industrial eco-efficiency of 30 provinces in China between 2005 and 2013 based on the three-stage DEA model, and the results showed that regional industrial eco-efficiency in China was affected by the factors of the environmental regulations, technological innovations, level of economic development, and industrial structure. Cheng et al [25] adopted the super-efficiency DEA model to measure and calculate the regional eco-efficiency in 30 provinces in China, and the spatial pattern of evolution for Chinese provincial eco-efficiency was analyzed based on a spatial autocorrelation method. Previous studies have different research objects, methods, and perspectives, they generally agree that improving eco-efficiency is an important entry point for promoting the construction of an ecological civilization, developing a circular economy, and achieving economic transformation. The study hopes to provide references to the realization of win-win goals for economic benefits and eco-environmental benefits
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