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Spatial Correlation and Convergence Analysis of Eco-Efficiency in China

Author

Listed:
  • Defeng Zheng

    (School of Urban and Environmental Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China)

  • Shuai Hao

    (School of Urban and Environmental Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China)

  • Caizhi Sun

    (School of Urban and Environmental Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China)

  • Leting Lyu

    (School of Urban and Environmental Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China)

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 ( EETFP s) 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Defeng Zheng & Shuai Hao & Caizhi Sun & Leting Lyu, 2019. "Spatial Correlation and Convergence Analysis of Eco-Efficiency in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-16, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2490-:d:226675
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    Cited by:

    1. Yongyi Cheng & Tianyuan Shao & Huilin Lai & Manhong Shen & Yi Li, 2019. "Total-Factor Eco-Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Danyu Liu & Ke Zhang, 2022. "Analysis of Spatial Differences and the Influencing Factors in Eco-Efficiency of Urban Agglomerations in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Xiaohong Zhuang & Zhuyuan Li & Run Zheng & Sanggyun Na & Yulin Zhou, 2021. "Research on the Efficiency and Improvement of Rural Development in China: Based on Two-Stage Network SBM Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Shang, Hua & Jiang, Li & Pan, Xianyou & Pan, Xiongfeng, 2022. "Green technology innovation spillover effect and urban eco-efficiency convergence: Evidence from Chinese cities," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    5. Qian Zhang & Huaxing Zhang & Dan Zhao & Baodong Cheng & Chang Yu & Yanli Yang, 2019. "Does Urban Sprawl Inhibit Urban Eco-Efficiency? Empirical Studies of Super-Efficiency and Threshold Regression Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Liangen Zeng, 2021. "China’s Eco-Efficiency: Regional Differences and Influencing Factors Based on a Spatial Panel Data Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.

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