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Analysis of County-Scale Eco-Efficiency and Spatiotemporal Characteristics in China

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Listed:
  • Hui Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute of Green Development for the Yellow River Drainage Basin, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Yingqi Sun

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute of Green Development for the Yellow River Drainage Basin, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Zhaoying Fan

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute of Green Development for the Yellow River Drainage Basin, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Zhi Long

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute for Circular Economy in Western China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Shilong Wan

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute of Green Development for the Yellow River Drainage Basin, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Zilong Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute of Green Development for the Yellow River Drainage Basin, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute for Circular Economy in Western China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Xingpeng Chen

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute for Circular Economy in Western China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

Eco-efficiency is a key indicator to measure the level of regional sustainable development. The county is the basic spatial unit of socio-economic activities and sustainable policy implementation in China. Hence, this paper conducts eco-efficiency analysis at the county scale in order to provide reference for the central and local governments to formulate differentiated eco-efficiency enhancement policies, further promote Chinese ecological sustainable development, and advance the construction of ecological civilization with high quality. Based on the Super-Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model and the Malmquist index, the paper constructed an eco-efficiency measurement method and analyzed the variation characteristics, influencing factors, spatial pattern of eco-efficiency in Chinese counties from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that: (1) The eco-efficiency of the county unit was generally low in China and was roughly distributed in a pyramid. The county-level eco-efficiency had a spatial distribution pattern of being high in the west and low in the east, and high in the south and low in the north, with significant non-equilibrium. There was a positive correlation between eco-efficiency of neighboring counties in China. (2) The per-capita GDP has a significant positive correlation with eco-efficiency, while energy consumption, arable land area and eco-efficiency have a negative correlation. The redundancy rate of input indicators was high in Chinese counties. (3) During the study period, the eco-efficiency of most counties displayed a fluctuating growth trend. The growth was mainly driven by technological progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Zhang & Yingqi Sun & Zhaoying Fan & Zhi Long & Shilong Wan & Zilong Zhang & Xingpeng Chen, 2023. "Analysis of County-Scale Eco-Efficiency and Spatiotemporal Characteristics in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:438-:d:1061425
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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