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This paper constructs the total-factor ecological efficiency (TFEcE) and the total-factor ecological productivity index (TFEcPI) based on the proposed Shephard ecology distance function which is derived from the combination of ecological footprint (EF) and the framework of Shephard energy distance function. The unified framework of TFEcE and TFEcPI enables a more comprehensive analysis by simultaneously allowing for both static and dynamic performance evaluations. This paper evaluates the TFEcE and TFEcPI of regions in Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), China during the period 2000–2014. Findings reveal that the EF in the YREB takes on an ascending trend, and there exist significant differences of EF among various regions. For the YREB and its three areas, TFEcE displays a trend of “decline first and then fluctuate” at different levels, while total-factor ecological productivity (TFEcP) takes on an ascending trend. There exist significant differences of TFEcE across various regions in the YREB, but the regional disparity is found to present a shrinking trend during our study period. The differences of Cumulative TFEcPI between the three areas have expanded due to the remarkable increase of the upper reach from 2007 to 2014 which may be attributed to its backwardness advantages. Further decomposition analysis reveals that TFEcP growth is mainly driven by technological progress, while efficiency change is found to exhibit a negative effect. Finally, a couple of policy recommendations are concluded based on the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper develops a new paradigm to analyze the eco-efficiency of Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China and makes a first empirical attempt at examining whether the eco-efficiency in urban agglomerations (UA-s) outperform Non-urban agglomerations (Non-UA-s), or driving the Non-UA-s in promoting eco-efficiency using a dataset of 108 prefectural-level cities during 2003–2014. The main findings are as follows. First, the eco-efficiency of YREB gradually increases during the study period. Cities in UA-s with higher eco-efficiency experience an increasing spatial agglomeration while those in Non-UA-s show a slight downward shift. Second, in terms of eco-efficiency, both statistical test and econometrical test confirm that cities in UA-s outperform those in Non-UA-s. Third, the global and club convergence of eco-efficiency in YREB is ascertained. Forth, the eco-efficiency of UA-s exerts backwash effects on those in Non-UA-s, along with decreasing the convergence speed of eco-efficiency. Special issues are briefly discussed, lastly. Highlights • A new analysis paradigm is developed to explore the YREB's eco-efficiency. • Temporal-spatial evolution and empirical tests are conducted, indicating a proof that eco-efficiency in urban agglomerations outperform that in Non-urban agglomerations. • Urban agglomerations have backwash effects and slight constraints to Non-urban agglomerations in terms of eco-efficiency. • Some special issues are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable development of a city should occur via the harmonious development of the urban comprehensive carrying capacity (UCC) and economic growth. To study the 84 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2006 to 2014, this paper uses a spatial econometrics model to evaluate the relationship between the UCC and economic growth, and explore the sustainability of urban development. The results infer some novel findings. First, the impact of economic growth on the UCC has inverted “U”-type characteristics. The economic growth pattern of the urban agglomeration weakens the UCC. Second, the impact of the UCC on economic growth has “U”-type characteristics. The development of the UCC plays a significant supporting role in the economic growth of the YREB. In 2014, 84 cities stayed in the descending phase of the inverted “U” curve, and approximately 50 cities of them lied on the rising segment of the “U” curve. Therefore, reconstructing economic growth models to enhance the UCC represents an important method of realizing a city's sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese central government has released detailed carbon emissions abatement targets at the provincial level, but provides no specific emissions reduction targets at the city level. Most provincial governments simply allocate carbon emissions reduction tasks to their cities based on the GDP of their cities. Allocation approaches, however, should emphasize the most effective distribution to reach overall targets that reflect actual reduction capacities of cities. This paper proposes an allocation method at the city level by combining a data envelop analysis method, an entropy weight method and a clustering analysis method using the Yangtze River Delta region as a case study. Results of our analysis indicate that cities with higher carbon emissions abatement potentials, financial abilities, a larger number of above-scaled industrial enterprises and higher GDP are better positioned to reduce carbon emissions and should be assigned proportionately higher reduction targets. The merits and policy implications of the proposed approach are discussed in comparison to simply using GDP to allocate emission reduction targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying a parameterized directional distance function approach, this paper estimates the regional eco-efficiency and pollutants' marginal abatement costs in China based on provincial panel data covering the years 2003–2012. We find that China could potentially save capital, labor, land, energy and water by 18.07%, 11.47%, 11.20%, 12.28% and 11.19%, and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), household refuse and waste water by 11.75%, 11.02% and 11.46%, respectively, on condition that all provinces produced fully efficiently, The south and east coastal areas were the most eco-efficient, while the middle Yangtze River and southwest areas performed relatively poor. For the whole country, the average shadow prices of CO 2 , household refuse and waste water were 717.27 Yuan/tonne, 42,936.98 Yuan/tonne and 306.65 Yuan/tonne, respectively. The shadow price of CO 2 revealed significant regional disparities and that of household refuse showed a rapid increase throughout the study period. Our estimates suggest that policymakers should take measures to avoid ineffective capital investment and improve economic output efficiency in inland provinces, especially in the middle Yangtze River, northwest and southwest areas, and facilitate technological cooperation between developed and undeveloped areas. The regional heterogeneity and flexible price mechanism of various pollutants should be taken into consideration when making the reduction allocations among different areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]