Green growth governance and total factor energy efficiency: Economic growth constraint and policy implementation in OECD countries

This study aims to examine the nature and governance of green growth strategy in OECD countries. As the strategy implies a sustainable relationship between economic growth and energy efficiency, we considered economic, environmental, and policy factors to empirically analyze green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) performances for 2001–2020 period. For this purpose, we employed a two-step methodology. In the first step, we estimated GTFEE scores from an undesirable output model by using robust order-m frontier efficiency method. In the second step, we used GTFEE estimates and built a panel data model to investigate the impact of governance and environmental policy factors. The panel data regression results point to several implications. Firstly, market-based environmental stringency policies are found to be effective. Also, economic globalization is found to be effective only in market-based and mix policy cases. The findings indicate the key roles of market-based pricing mechanisms and economic actors for the inclusive governance of green growth. Secondly, economic growth is found to be negatively related with GTFEE which shows the trade-off between economic growth and energy efficiency. Lastly, the analysis by commitment periods of the Kyoto Protocol points to the importance of global consensus on the implementation of green growth strategy.