IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i17p13212-d1232052.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unraveling the U-Shaped Linkage: Population Aging and Carbon Efficiency in the Construction Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Su Yang

    (Anhui Institute of Real Estate and Housing Provident/ Anhui Research Center of Construction Economy and Real Estate Management, School of Economics and Management, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230022, China)

  • Jie Shen

    (Anhui Institute of Real Estate and Housing Provident/ Anhui Research Center of Construction Economy and Real Estate Management, School of Economics and Management, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230022, China)

  • Hongyang Li

    (Business School, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Beibei Zhang

    (Anhui Institute of Real Estate and Housing Provident/ Anhui Research Center of Construction Economy and Real Estate Management, School of Economics and Management, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230022, China)

  • Jinchao Ma

    (Anhui Institute of Real Estate and Housing Provident/ Anhui Research Center of Construction Economy and Real Estate Management, School of Economics and Management, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230022, China)

  • Baoquan Cheng

    (Anhui Institute of Real Estate and Housing Provident/ Anhui Research Center of Construction Economy and Real Estate Management, School of Economics and Management, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230022, China
    School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

Abstract

In pursuing low-carbon solutions in the construction sector, it is critically essential to unravel the intricate nexus between population aging and carbon emission efficiency (CEE). This research investigates this complex association utilizing provincial panel data from 2004 to 2020. Through the application of the super-efficient Slack-Based Measure and Malmquist–Luenberger (SBM-ML) model, the study quantifies the construction industry’s CEE, followed by using a fixed-effect model to assess population aging’s impact on CEE in the construction industry. Our study reveals a distinct “U”-shaped pattern, illustrating that population aging initially depresses but eventually amplifies CEE in the construction industry. We also observe marked regional disparities. For instance, the construction sectors in the eastern and northern regions show a rising trend, counteracting the initial decline in CEE due to aging. However, the central western and southern regions need more pronounced aging progression to experience comparable CEE improvement. These findings underscore the critical role of regional contexts and demographic transitions in shaping the CEE in the construction industry, providing valuable insights for crafting sustainable policies aiming at balanced population mobility and carbon neutrality.

Suggested Citation

  • Su Yang & Jie Shen & Hongyang Li & Beibei Zhang & Jinchao Ma & Baoquan Cheng, 2023. "Unraveling the U-Shaped Linkage: Population Aging and Carbon Efficiency in the Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13212-:d:1232052
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13212/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13212/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhang, Chuanguo & Tan, Zheng, 2016. "The relationships between population factors and China's carbon emissions: Does population aging matter?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 1018-1025.
    2. Rishworth, Andrea & Elliott, Susan J., 2019. "Global environmental change in an aging world: The role of space, place and scale," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 128-136.
    3. Song, Wenfei & Han, Xianfeng, 2022. "The bilateral effects of foreign direct investment on green innovation efficiency: Evidence from 30 Chinese provinces," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    4. Yizhang He & Wei Song, 2022. "Analysis of the Impact of Carbon Trading Policies on Carbon Emission and Carbon Emission Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Heran Zheng & Yin Long & Richard Wood & Daniel Moran & Zengkai Zhang & Jing Meng & Kuishuang Feng & Edgar Hertwich & Dabo Guan, 2022. "Ageing society in developed countries challenges carbon mitigation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(3), pages 241-248, March.
    6. Yingbin Zhou & Siqi Lv & Jianlin Wang & Junbo Tong & Zhong Fang, 2022. "The Impact of Green Taxes on the Carbon Emission Efficiency of China’s Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Dang, Dandan & Fang, Hongsheng & He, Minyuan, 2019. "Economic policy uncertainty, tax quotas and corporate tax burden: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Zhou, Yang & Liu, Yansui, 2016. "Does population have a larger impact on carbon dioxide emissions than income? Evidence from a cross-regional panel analysis in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 800-809.
    9. Wang, Qiang & Zhang, Chen & Li, Rongrong, 2022. "Towards carbon neutrality by improving carbon efficiency - A system-GMM dynamic panel analysis for 131 countries’ carbon efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    10. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Zhou, Yang & Wang, Heng & Qiu, Huanguang, 2023. "Population aging reduces carbon emissions: Evidence from China's latest three censuses," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    2. Ruijing Zheng & Yu Cheng & Haimeng Liu & Wei Chen & Xiaodong Chen & Yaping Wang, 2022. "The Spatiotemporal Distribution and Drivers of Urban Carbon Emission Efficiency: The Role of Technological Innovation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Le Sun & Congmou Zhu & Shaofeng Yuan & Lixia Yang & Shan He & Wuyan Li, 2022. "Exploring the Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on Agricultural Carbon Emission Performance in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Hongtao Jiang & Jian Yin & Yuanhong Qiu & Bin Zhang & Yi Ding & Ruici Xia, 2022. "Industrial Carbon Emission Efficiency of Cities in the Pearl River Basin: Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Forces," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-22, July.
    5. Chulin Pan & Huayi Wang & Hongpeng Guo & Hong Pan, 2021. "How Do the Population Structure Changes of China Affect Carbon Emissions? An Empirical Study Based on Ridge Regression Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, March.
    6. Haijun Zhao & Weichun Ma & Hongjia Dong & Ping Jiang, 2017. "Analysis of Co-Effects on Air Pollutants and CO 2 Emissions Generated by End-of-Pipe Measures of Pollution Control in China’s Coal-Fired Power Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-19, March.
    7. Cai, Jinyang & Zheng, Huanyu & Vardanyan, Michael & Shen, Zhiyang, 2023. "Achieving carbon neutrality through green technological progress: evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Haihong Song & Liyuan Gu & Yifan Li & Xin Zhang & Yuan Song, 2022. "Research on Carbon Emission Efficiency Space Relations and Network Structure of the Yellow River Basin City Cluster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Yu, Yan-Yan & Liang, Qiao-mei & Liu, Li-Jing, 2023. "Impact of population ageing on carbon emissions: A case of China's urban households," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 86-100.
    10. Yongtong Hu & Jiaqi Xu & Tao Liu, 2025. "The Impact of Digitalization on Carbon Emission Efficiency: An Intrinsic Gaussian Process Regression Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-25, July.
    11. Lijie Wei & Zhibao Wang, 2022. "Differentiation Analysis on Carbon Emission Efficiency and Its Factors at Different Industrialization Stages: Evidence from Mainland China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    12. Ma, Qifei & Li, Sujuan & Jia, Peng & Kuang, Haibo, 2025. "Is port integration a panacea for regions green development: An empirical study of China port city," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 15-28.
    13. Škare, Marinko & Porada-Rochoń, Małgorzata, 2023. "Are we making progress on decarbonization? A panel heterogeneous study of the long-run relationship in selected economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    14. Xiaoheng Zhang & Keyu Bao & Zebin Liu & Li Yang, 2022. "Digital Finance, Industrial Structure, and Total Factor Energy Efficiency: A Study on Moderated Mediation Model with Resource Dependence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    15. Stephen K. Dimnwobi & Chukwunonso Ekesiobi & Chekwube V. Madichie & Simplice A. Asongu, 2021. "Population Dynamics and Environmental Quality in Africa," Working Papers 21/047, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    16. Fusheng Li & Fuyi Ci, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Factors of Coupling Coordination Among China’s Digital Economy, Carbon Emissions Efficiency, and High-Quality Economic Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-24, July.
    17. Shuai Liu & Fei Fan & Jianqing Zhang, 2019. "Are Small Cities More Environmentally Friendly? An Empirical Study from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, February.
    18. Chenxu Liu & Ruien Tang & Yaqi Guo & Yuhan Sun & Xinyi Liu, 2022. "Research on the Structure of Carbon Emission Efficiency and Influencing Factors in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-22, May.
    19. Yingqi Xu & Yu Cheng & Ruijing Zheng & Yaping Wang, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Efficiency in the Yellow River Basin of China: Comparative Analysis of Resource and Non-Resource-Based Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    20. Wenyan Wang & Juan Wang & Fang Guo, 2018. "Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Emission Reduction Potential in East and South Coastal China: Scenario Analysis Based on STIRPAT," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-18, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:17:p:13212-:d:1232052. 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.