Regional Energy, CO2, and Economic and Air Quality Index Performances in China: A Meta-Frontier Approach

Abstract

Abstract:Rapid economic development has resulted in a significant increase in energy consumption and pollution such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), particulate matter 10 (PM 10 ), SO 2 , and NO 2 emissions, which can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Therefore, to ensure a sustainable future, it is essential to improve economic efficiency and reduce emissions. Using a Meta-frontier Non-radial Directional Distance Function model, this study took energy consumption, the labor force, and fixed asset investments as the inputs, Gross domestic product (GDP) as the desirable output, and CO 2 and the Air Quality Index (AQI) scores as the undesirable outputs to assess energy efficiency and air pollutant index efficiency scores in China from 2013-2016 and to identify the areas in which improvements was necessary. It was found that there was a large gap between the western and eastern cities in China. A comparison of the CO 2 and AQI in 31 Chinese cities showed a significant difference in the CO 2 emissions and AQI efficiency scores, with the lower scoring cities being mainly concentrated in China's western region. It was therefore concluded that China needs to pay greater attention to the differences in the economic levels, stages of social development, and energy structures in the western cities when developing appropriately focused improvement plans.

The Linkage Among Sea Transport, Trade Liberalization and Industrial Development in the Context of CO2: An Empirical Investigation From China

“…Ali et al (2019) show a statistically inconsequential correlation among CO 2 emissions, GDP and industrial development of Pakistan. Li et al (2018) discuss the immense and widening energy consumption, Air Quality Index and CO 2 efficiency score gap among Chinese regions. The lower CO 2 and Air Quality Index efficiency scores mainly focused in the western cities.…”

Dynamic Technical and Environmental Efficiency Performance of Large Gold Mines in Developing Countries

“…Such studies include Li, Chiu and Lu (2018); Song, Peng, Wang and Zhao (2018); Chen and Jia (2017); Oliveira et al, (2017); Godoy-Durán, Galdeano-Gómez, Pérez-Mesa and Piedra-Muñoz (2017); Zhang, Zhou and Choi (2013); Barros, Managi, and Matousek (2012); Bravo-Ureta, Solís, López, Maripani, Thiam and Rivas (2007); Färe et al, (2005); Lee et al, (2002); Hailu and Veeman (2001); Reinhard and Thijssen (2000); Reinhard et al, (1999);and Baumol and Oates (1988).…”

The Linkage among Sea Transportation, Trade Liberalization and Industrial Development in the context of Carbon Dioxide Emissions: An Empirical Investigation from China

“…However, the result of Ali et al[20]'s result is not consistent with this paper. Li et al[21] discuss in detail the large and widening energy consumption, Air Quality Index and CO 2 efficiency score gap among Chinese regions, through the lower CO 2 and Air Quality Index efficiency scores mainly focused in the western cities. They recommend that China needs to pay more attention to the differing economic levels, social development, industrial structures, energy consumption, and R&D in the western regions and apply systematic solutions based on domestic meteorological and climatic conditions, economic and social development.…”