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Effects of Higher Education on Green Eco-Efficiency and Its Optimization Path: Case Study of China

Author

Listed:
  • Yue Xu

    (School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zihao Xu

    (School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Dayu Zhai

    (School of International Development and Cooperation, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Yanyu Li

    (School of International Development and Cooperation, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing 100029, China)

Abstract

Based on the annual panel data of 30 provinces in China, this paper evaluates the green eco-efficiency of each province via factor decomposition and analyzes the impact of higher education on green eco-efficiency using the two-way fixed effect model, considering economic development, urban scale, industrial structure, foreign investment and government regulation as control factors. The results show that the penetration of higher education has a significant positive impact on green eco-efficiency. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the positive impact of undergraduate and postgraduate education is significant, and this impact increases with the increasing levels of education; however, the influence of junior college education is not significant. Higher education in eastern China significantly affects green eco-efficiency in a positive manner, while the relationship between the two is not significant in the central and western regions. The test of mediating effects further shows that technological innovation has a partial mediating effect, while environmental attention does not show a mediating effect in the influencing path of higher education on green eco-efficiency. Accordingly, this paper proposes certain implications regarding green-related courses, transformation from consciousness to practice, and incorporation of green education in higher education systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue Xu & Zihao Xu & Dayu Zhai & Yanyu Li, 2023. "Effects of Higher Education on Green Eco-Efficiency and Its Optimization Path: Case Study of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13428-:d:1235231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yan Huang & Yang Feng & Da Gao & Jiawen Wei & Kai Wu, 2025. "The Power of Knowledge: How Can Educational Competitiveness Improve Urban Energy Efficiency?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-20, July.

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