Multi-directional efficiency analysis-based regional industrial environmental performance evaluation of China

This study evaluates the environmental efficiency of industrial sectors of Chinese major cities. The multi-directional efficiency analysis (MEA) approach is utilized for evaluation; thus, both the integrated MEA efficiency levels and the efficiency patterns, which are represented by the variable-specific MEA efficiency according to each type of the industrial pollutant emission or discharge, of Chinese major city are detected. In addition, the industrial energy conservation and pollutant reduction potentials are measured, and the relationship between environmental pressure and income is explored at the regional level of China. The main findings include the following: (1) The MEA environmental efficiency increases in the economically less developed cities were faster than the cities in the well-developed region, which indicates that the inequitable nationwide industrial developments of Chinese cities have started to alleviate. (2) Although some Chinese cities show similar environmental efficiency levels, the undesirable output variable-specific efficiency patterns of these cities are diversified, and according to the variable-specific efficiency, the most possible efficiency increase potential of each Chinese major city can be identified. (3) An N-shaped environmental Kuznets curve exists in the industrial sectors of Chinese major cities. (4) Different Chinese cities should have different industrial pollutant reduction priorities: East China cities should pay more attention to their industrial waste gas emissions and industrial waste water discharges, while west China cities should mainly focus on their industrial soot and dust emissions, and solid waste discharges.