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Currently, the iron and steel industry (ISI) accounts for more than 16% of China's total energy consumption. Improving energy efficiency (EE) and promoting energy savings in this industry have vital significance for China's further sustainable development. Using provincial panel data from 2000 to 2014 and meta-frontier data envelopment analysis (DEA), this paper investigates EE and the energy-saving potential (EP) of China's ISI by considering regional technology heterogeneities. The results show that (1) from 2001 to 2014, EE in China's ISI achieved significant improvement. Technological progress is the most powerful driving factor, while the declines in scale efficiency and pure technical efficiency are two obstructive factors; (2) the sources of energy inefficiency (EI) show distinct spatial difference characteristics. EI in the eastern region mainly stems from scale inefficiency and pure technical inefficiency, while that in the central and western regions stems from three aspects of scale inefficiency, pure technical inefficiency, and technology gap; and (3) there is considerable EP in China's ISI, which represents nearly 80% of ISI's current total energy consumption. Because the sources of EP vary across regions, the focus of future work for China's regional ISI should also vary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because industrial sectors in China are energy-intensive, improving energy efficiency and promoting energy savings in these sectors are of great importance for the further sustainable development of China’s economy. Using a proposed meta-frontier data envelopment analysis (DEA), this paper analyzes the total-factor energy efficiency and energy savings potential in China’s provincial industrial sectors for the years 2000–2014 from three perspectives, namely, the technology gap, management, and scale. The results indicate that (1) driven by technological progress, energy efficiency during the sample period was greatly improved, though the expansion of technology gaps between regions and the decline in scale efficiency represented two significant handicaps; (2) the current energy efficiency in China’s industrial sectors remains extremely low, indicating that there is considerable potential for energy efficiency improvement and energy savings; and (3) the sources of energy inefficiency and energy savings potential in China’s industrial sectors exhibit spatially distinct characteristics. Accordingly, it is determined that most of China’s eastern provinces should focus on improving scale and management efficiency, whereas most of its central and western provinces should concentrate on three factors: narrowing the regional technology gap, improving management efficiency, and optimizing the industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental protection is one of the main concerns of the international community. Countries show meticulous attention to environmental issues by considering eco-efficiency. The eco-efficiency evaluation of countries is a complex and multidisciplinary topic. Data envelopment analysis has widely been applied to measure the eco-efficiency of organization for economic co-operation and development countries. In previous studies, energy inputs have not been contemplated. The subject becomes more important when there are non-discretionary factors. In this paper, the eco-efficiency of countries in the organization for economic co-operation and development is assessed given energy inputs, undesirable outputs, and non-discretionary factors. To this end, slack-based and range-adjusted measures are extended. Also, new environmental indices are introduced. The relationship between consumption of energy inputs and production of undesirable outputs can be addressed by two new environmental indices. Spearman correlation test indicates a direct and positive relationship between potential of energy saving and potential of undesirable output abatement. France, Germany, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are recognized as eco-efficient countries. South Korea and Italy have the highest and lowest potential for energy saving, respectively. Poland and Iceland are countries with the highest and lowest potential for undesirable output abatement, respectively. It can be concluded that countries producing high undesirable outputs may not operate eco-efficiently and thus have an extreme potential to save the optimum energy. Moreover, countries consuming low energy may operate eco-efficiently and have a low potential to reduce undesirable outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon emissions and energy consumption have serious impacts on humans and ecosystems. This paper investigates the effects of industrial reconstructuring on energy conservation and emission reduction. A multi-objective optimization model was established. The model classifies industrial sectors into four groups according to their carbon emission levels and contributions to economic growth, then non dominated sorting genetic algorithm is applied to solve the model and the Pareto frontier is obtained. The best solution is selected from the Pareto frontier by using a super data envelopment analysis model which measures the degree of coordination between economy and environment. The model is used to analyze the effects of industrial reconstructuring in Beijing during 2018–2020. The results show that industrial reconstructuring enabled economic growth to reach the government's planned rate while the carbon intensity and energy intensity surpassed the goal of the 13th Five-Year Plan. This case can provide decision-making basis for the sustainable development of ecology and economy in other regions. Fig. 6. Pareto front in Beijing region in 2020 The optimal Pareto solution for carbon emissions, energy consumptions and GDP targets after industrial structure reconstructuring. Image 1 • Classifying industrial sectors into four groups according to carbon emission levels and economic growth contributions. • A multi-objective optimization model was established and solved by the genetic algorithm. • A super DEA model evaluates the final plan which reflects the coordination of the economy and environment. • The analysis of each group can help achieving maximum benefits of economic and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]