IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i18p13864-d1242375.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Spatial–Temporal Evolution of Interprovincial Ecological Efficiency and Its Determinants in China: A Super-Efficiency SBM Model Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Ying Liu

    (China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100081, China
    Key Laboratory of Mine Ecological Effects and Systematic Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China
    China Association for Geological Disaster Prevention and Ecological Restoration, Beijing 100043, China)

  • Lei Tian

    (China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100081, China
    Key Laboratory of Mine Ecological Effects and Systematic Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Zhiyi Wang

    (China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100081, China
    Key Laboratory of Mine Ecological Effects and Systematic Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Peiyong He

    (China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100081, China
    Key Laboratory of Mine Ecological Effects and Systematic Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Meng Li

    (China Association for Geological Disaster Prevention and Ecological Restoration, Beijing 100043, China)

  • Na Wang

    (China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100081, China
    Key Laboratory of Mine Ecological Effects and Systematic Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Yang Yu

    (China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100081, China
    Key Laboratory of Mine Ecological Effects and Systematic Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

This study delves into the temporal–spatial variations and influencing factors of interprovincial ecological efficiency in China, aiming to provide vital guidance for sustainable development and ecological equilibrium. Employing the super-efficiency SBM model, we compute ecological efficiency indices for 31 Chinese provinces from 2005 to 2021. Furthermore, utilizing Geodetectors, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact of key dimensions—economic factors, efficiency elements, environmental governance, pollution determinants, input factors, and natural components—consisting of 30 specific indicators of ecological efficiency. The findings unveil several significant insights. Firstly, interprovincial ecological efficiency in China has experienced undulating declines since 2005. Additionally, notable spatial agglomeration exists, with economically developed regions demonstrating elevated ecological efficiency, while less-developed areas exhibit lower levels. Moreover, among the influencing factors, (1) economic aspects hold a dominant role, where optimizing industrial structure and enhancing resource utilization efficiency can partially alleviate environmental pressure; (2) efficiency elements exhibit a progressive enhancement trend; (3) the impacts of environmental governance and pollution factors manifest complex dynamics, necessitating continuous policy support and comprehensive remediation; (4) despite the relatively weaker influence of natural components, vigilance remains imperative due to intensifying climate change and natural disasters; and (5) while input factors exert limited effects on ecological efficiency, their significance in resource allocation and sustainable development persists.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Liu & Lei Tian & Zhiyi Wang & Peiyong He & Meng Li & Na Wang & Yang Yu, 2023. "Spatial–Temporal Evolution of Interprovincial Ecological Efficiency and Its Determinants in China: A Super-Efficiency SBM Model Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13864-:d:1242375
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/18/13864/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/18/13864/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Debarsy, Nicolas & Ertur, Cem, 2010. "Testing for spatial autocorrelation in a fixed effects panel data model," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 453-470, November.
    2. Luo, Kang & Liu, Yaobin & Chen, Pei-Fen & Zeng, Mingli, 2022. "Assessing the impact of digital economy on green development efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    3. Zhang, Hongwei & Shao, Yanmin & Han, Xiping & Chang, Hsu-Ling, 2022. "A road towards ecological development in China: The nexus between green investment, natural resources, green technology innovation, and economic growth," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    4. Ahmed, Zahoor & Asghar, Muhammad Mansoor & Malik, Muhammad Nasir & Nawaz, Kishwar, 2020. "Moving towards a sustainable environment: The dynamic linkage between natural resources, human capital, urbanization, economic growth, and ecological footprint in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    5. Zahoor Ahmed & Muhammad Mansoor Asghar & Muhammad Nasir Malik & Kishwar Nawaz, 2020. "Moving towards a sustainable environment: The dynamic linkage between natural resources, human capital, urbanization, economic growth, and ecological footprint in China," Post-Print hal-03557938, HAL.
    6. Arzyana Sunkar & Anindika Putri Lakspriyanti & Eko Haryono & Mohsen Brahmi & Pindi Setiawan & Aziz Fardhani Jaya, 2022. "Geotourism Hazards and Carrying Capacity in Geosites of Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-26, February.
    7. Fukuda, Kayano, 2020. "Science, technology and innovation ecosystem transformation toward society 5.0," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    8. Fare, Rolf, 1989. "Multilateral Productivity Comparisons When Some Outputs Are Undesirable: A Nonparametric Approach," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 71(1), pages 90-98, February.
    9. María Pérez Urdiales & Alfons Oude Lansink & Alan Wall, 2016. "Eco-efficiency Among Dairy Farmers: The Importance of Socio-economic Characteristics and Farmer Attitudes," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 64(4), pages 559-574, August.
    10. Tone, Kaoru & Tsutsui, Miki, 2010. "Dynamic DEA: A slacks-based measure approach," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 38(3-4), pages 145-156, June.
    11. Tone, Kaoru, 2001. "A slacks-based measure of efficiency in data envelopment analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(3), pages 498-509, May.
    12. Tifang Ye & Xiuli Xiang & Xiangyu Ge & Keling Yang, 2022. "Research on Green Finance and Green Development Based Eco-Efficiency and Spatial Econometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-29, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yuxuan Xu & Fengjiao Qiang & Wenchun Luo, 2024. "Investigating the Impact of Heterogeneous Environmental Regulation on the Ecological Efficiency of Industrial Enterprises: A Multivariate Adjustment Approach Using the CLAD Spatial Durbin Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-37, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gómez-Calvet, Roberto & Conesa, David & Gómez-Calvet, Ana Rosa & Tortosa-Ausina, Emili, 2014. "Energy efficiency in the European Union: What can be learned from the joint application of directional distance functions and slacks-based measures?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 137-154.
    2. Chen, Po-Chi & Yu, Ming-Miin & Chang, Ching-Cheng & Hsu, Shih-Hsun & Managi, Shunsuke, 2015. "The enhanced Russell-based directional distance measure with undesirable outputs: Numerical example considering CO2 emissions," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 30-40.
    3. Bohan Chai & Junwei Gao & Lingying Pan & Yishu Chen, 2021. "Research on the Impact Factors of Green Economy of China—From the Perspective of System and Foreign Direct Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Fukuyama, Hirofumi & Weber, William L., 2010. "A slacks-based inefficiency measure for a two-stage system with bad outputs," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 398-409, October.
    5. Li, Ziyao & Dai, Liuyi, 2024. "Impact of energy stability, natural resources, and energy efficiency on ecological sustainability," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    6. Xiang Ji & Jiasen Sun & Qunwei Wang & Qianqian Yuan, 2019. "Revealing Energy Over-Consumption and Pollutant Over-Emission Behind GDP: A New Multi-criteria Sustainable Measure," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 54(4), pages 1391-1421, December.
    7. Kong, Lingqian & Li, Zhaoyang & Liu, Biqian & Xu, Kai, 2024. "The impact of environmental protection tax reform on low-carbon total factor productivity: Evidence from China's fee-to-tax reform," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    8. Zhongxun Zhang & Kaifang Shi & Zhiyong Zhu & Lu Tang & Kangchuan Su & Qingyuan Yang, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of the Rural Natural Capital Utilization Efficiency: A Case Study of Chongqing, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-29, May.
    9. Ran Wang & Rong Wang, 2023. "Exploring Financial Agglomeration and the Impact of Environmental Regulation on the Efficiency of the Green Economy: Fresh Evidence from 30 Regions in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
    10. Bretholt, Abraham & Pan, Jeh-Nan, 2013. "Evolving the latent variable model as an environmental DEA technology," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 315-325.
    11. Jing Bian & Feng Lan & Yulin Zhou & Zhenzhen Peng & Mingfang Dong, 2022. "Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Driving Factors of Urban Ecological Well-Being Performance in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-19, August.
    12. Li, Ye & Wang, Yan-zhang & Cui, Qiang, 2016. "Has airline efficiency affected by the inclusion of aviation into European Union Emission Trading Scheme? Evidences from 22 airlines during 2008–2012," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 8-22.
    13. Dao, Ngoc Bich & Truong, Huong Hoang Diep & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Chu, Lan Khanh, 2024. "The impacts of natural resources rents diversification, uncertainty, and environmental technologies on ecological sustainability: Empirical evidence from OECD countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    14. Alperovych, Yan & Hübner, Georges & Lobet, Fabrice, 2015. "How does governmental versus private venture capital backing affect a firm's efficiency? Evidence from Belgium," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 508-525.
    15. Kristiaan Kerstens & Jafar Sadeghi & Ignace Van de Woestyne, 2020. "Plant capacity notions in a non-parametric framework: a brief review and new graph or non-oriented plant capacities," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 288(2), pages 837-860, May.
    16. Emrah Kocak & Hayriye Hilal Baglitas, 2022. "The path to sustainable municipal solid waste management: Do human development, energy efficiency, and income inequality matter?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 1947-1962, December.
    17. Chen, Yufeng & Ni, Liangfu & Liu, Kelong, 2021. "Does China's new energy vehicle industry innovate efficiently? A three-stage dynamic network slacks-based measure approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    18. Mohammad Nourani & Qian Long Kweh & Evelyn Shyamala Devadason & V.G.R. Chandran, 2020. "A decomposition analysis of managerial efficiency for the insurance companies: A data envelopment analysis approach," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(6), pages 885-901, September.
    19. Yongqi Feng & Haolin Zhang & Yung-ho Chiu & Tzu-Han Chang, 2021. "Innovation efficiency and the impact of the institutional quality: a cross-country analysis using the two-stage meta-frontier dynamic network DEA model," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(4), pages 3091-3129, April.
    20. Sun, Yunpeng & Tian, Wenjuan & Mehmood, Usman & Zhang, Xiaoyu & Tariq, Salman, 2023. "How do natural resources, urbanization, and institutional quality meet with ecological footprints in the presence of income inequality and human capital in the next eleven countries?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13864-:d:1242375. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.