College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi, 712100, Yangling, China.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Feb;31(10):15223-15256. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-32069-8. Epub 2024 Jan 30.
A comprehensive assessment of China's environmental performance (EP) and an investigation into its driving factors are essential prerequisites for advancing environmental protection efforts. However, existing studies have often exhibited a one-sided EP evaluation approach and lacked a systematic perspective. Consequently, this study has adopted a holistic approach by integrating environmental protection and pollution within the same theoretical framework. We have employed the "P-S-R" model to comprehensively assess the EP of 272 cities from 2003 to 2019. Concurrently, we have applied the spatial Durbin model to analyze EP drivers utilizing three spatial matrices. The findings of this study reveal several vital insights. Firstly, the mean EP value for China is 0.1138, indicating a low level, but it demonstrates a consistent upward trend over the years. When comparing cities with high EP, they are predominantly situated in northern China, northeastern China, and certain areas along the southeastern coast. Secondly, from a spatial perspective, the directionality of EP exhibits a trend from "northeast to the southwest," with the center of gravity located in and around Zhumadian, Henan Province, gradually shifting towards the northeast. The majority of cities fall within the H-H and L-L clusters, displaying significant positive spatial autocorrelation effects. Thirdly, EP drivers encompass a wide range of factors, including economic development, urbanization, resource dependence, industrial structure, infrastructure construction, environmental regulation, government regulatory capacity, scientific and technological innovation, and foreign direct investment. These drivers also exhibit significant spillover effects. Finally, the characteristics of EP development vary between resource-based cities (RBCs) and non-resource-based cities (non-RBCs), as well as among the eastern, central, and western regions. Moreover, there are disparities in the driving factors' direct, indirect, and overall effects. Consequently, we must propose tailored strategies and recommendations to enhance EP, considering the heterogeneous effects of influencing factors across different city types, regions, and collaboration approaches.
全面评估中国的环境绩效（EP）并探究其驱动因素，是推进环境保护工作的必要前提。然而，现有研究往往表现出片面的 EP 评价方法，缺乏系统的视角。因此，本研究采用了整体方法，将环境保护和污染纳入同一个理论框架内。我们采用“P-S-R”模型，综合评估了 2003 年至 2019 年 272 个城市的 EP。同时，我们运用空间杜宾模型，利用三个空间矩阵分析 EP 驱动因素。研究结果揭示了几个重要的发现。首先，中国的 EP 均值为 0.1138，表明 EP 水平较低，但呈逐年上升趋势。从高 EP 城市的比较来看，它们主要位于中国北方、东北地区和东南沿海的部分地区。其次，从空间角度来看，EP 的方向性呈现从“东北向西南”的趋势，重心位于河南驻马店及其周边地区，逐渐向东北方向移动。大多数城市属于 H-H 和 L-L 集群，呈现出显著的正空间自相关效应。第三，EP 驱动因素涵盖了广泛的因素，包括经济发展、城市化、资源依赖、产业结构、基础设施建设、环境监管、政府监管能力、科技创新和外国直接投资。这些驱动因素也表现出显著的溢出效应。最后，资源型城市（RBCs）和非资源型城市（non-RBCs）、东部、中部和西部地区的 EP 发展特征存在差异，并且驱动因素的直接、间接和总体效应存在差异。因此，我们必须根据不同城市类型、地区和合作方式的影响因素的异质性效应，提出有针对性的策略和建议，以提高 EP。
