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Analysis of the Impacts of Economic Growth Targets and Marketization on Energy Efficiency: Evidence from China

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  • Xufeng Su

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
    School of Economics and Management, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

  • Xiaodong Yang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China)

  • Jinning Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China)

  • Jinling Yan

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China)

  • Junfeng Zhao

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China)

  • Jianliang Shen

    (Center for Arid Region Rural Development Research, Urumqi 830052, China)

  • Qiying Ran

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
    Center for Innovation Management Research of Xinjiang, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China)

Abstract

OEnergy efficiency is a vital factor to promote sustainable development. In this paper, the directional distance function–global Malmquist–Luenberger model (DDF-GML) is applied to measure the energy efficiency levels of 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2017. Simultaneously, the impacts of the economic growth targets and marketization on energy efficiency are empirically tested using the generalized system moment estimation (SYS-GMM) and mediation effect model. The statistical results reveal that energy efficiency is on the rise every year as a whole. Mediated by marketization, economic growth targets inhibit energy efficiency by distorting marketization. Moreover, there is significant regional heterogeneity in the impacts of economic growth targets on energy efficiency. The inhibition effect of economic growth targets on energy efficiency in the eastern region is greater than in the central and western regions. The above empirical results are determined to be robust through testing.

Suggested Citation

  • Xufeng Su & Xiaodong Yang & Jinning Zhang & Jinling Yan & Junfeng Zhao & Jianliang Shen & Qiying Ran, 2021. "Analysis of the Impacts of Economic Growth Targets and Marketization on Energy Efficiency: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4393-:d:536372
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