Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

An evaluation and spatial statistical analysis of China's regional sustainable development level

Main Article Content

Mingran Wu corresponding author

Abstract

Sustainability is an important factor of ecological civilization, and a reasonable sustainable development system is the basis for its enhancement. Based on the theory of sustainability science, we designed an evaluation index system comprising three subsystems: resource, environment and socio-economic development. Based on data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2014 to 2016, we used the entropy method to evaluate the sustainable development level of different regions. In addition, we also summarized and classified different regions from the perspective of spatial statistical. The results show that the socioeconomic system has the greatest influence on the regional sustainable development system, indicating that the healthy and rapid development of the social economy is very important in sustainable development. In addition, China's sustainable development level is relatively low and varies greatly among different regions. Therefore, on the one hand, the government should reasonably strengthen and optimize environmental regulation and encourage the public to participate in supervision. On the other hand, it is necessary to improve the co-governance mechanism of different regions' ecological environment; improving the co-governance mechanism will serve not only to establish the cross-regional coordinated development management of institutions at the national level but also to establish a benefit-sharing and interest-compensation mechanism and find a balance of interests between regions. Finally, we should strengthen legal construction and clarify the rights and obligations of all parties to guide cross-regional coordinated development in line with laws and regulations.

Keywords
regional sustainable development, resource system, environmental system, socioeconomic system, environmental regulation, multiple governing mechanism

Article Details

How to Cite
Wu, M. (2020). An evaluation and spatial statistical analysis of China’s regional sustainable development level. Resources and Environmental Economics, 2(1), 112-125. https://doi.org/10.25082/REE.2020.01.003

References

  1. WCED. Our common future: The world commission on environment and development. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1987.
  2. Wu MR and Zhao M. Measurement on Regional Ecological Efficiency in China and Analysis on Its Influencing Factors: Based on DEA-Tobit Two-stage Method. Technology Economics, 2016, 35(3):75-80.
  3. Xi YQ. Research on Mechanism and Policy of Circular Economy Development. National Achievements Library of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press, 2014.
  4. Wu MR and Zhao M. Research on Chinese Different Regional Sustainable Development Capacity and its Spatial Differentiation. Shanghai Journal of Economics, 2016, 10: 84-92.
  5. Wu MR and Zhao M. The Comprehensive Evaluation and Spatial Difference Analysis on China’s Regional Innovation Competitiveness. Shanghai Economy, 2018, 1: 78-90.
  6. Parris TM and Kates RW. Characterizing and measuring sustainable developmentAnnual Review of Environment and Resources, 2003, 28: 559-586. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.050302.105551
  7. Ness B, Urbel-Piirsalu E, Anderberg S, et al. Categorising tools for sustainability assessment. Ecological Economics, 2007, 60: 498-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2006.07.023
  8. Wu JG and Wu T. Sustainability indicators and indices: An overview//Christian NMadu CKuei CedsHandbook of Sustainable Management. London: Imperial College Press, 2012: 65-86. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814354820_0004
  9. Niu WY. The Theoretical Connotation of Sustainable Development: The 20th Anniversary of UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2012, 22(5): 9-14.
  10. Rachel Carson. Silent Spring. UK: Penguin Classics, 1962.
  11. Cha N, Wu JG and Yu RB. Analysis of subject trends in research on sustainable developmentActa Ecologica Sinica, 2013, 33(9): 2637-2644. https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb201201160096
  12. Donella H. Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, Jorgen Randers, and William W. Behrens. The Limits to Growth. New York: University Books, 1972.
  13. IUCN. World Conservation Strategy: Living Resource Conservation for Sustainable Development. Gland: Switzerland, 1980: 18-19. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.1980.9.en
  14. World Commission on Environment and Development. Our common future: The world commission on environment and development. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1987.
  15. National Research Council. Our Common Journey: A Transition toward Sustainability. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 1999.
  16. United Nation Conference on Sustainable Development. The Future We Want, 2012.
  17. Peng SZ and Sun XZ. Post-2015 Global Governance for Sustainable Development and China’s Strategy. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2015, 25(7): 1-5.
  18. High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies Through Sustainable Development, 2013.
  19. United Nations Development Group. A Million Voices: The World We Want, 2013.
  20. Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. Outcome Document: Proposal of Open Working Group for Sustainable Development Goals, 2014.
  21. Coastanza R, Arge R, Groot R, et al. The value of the world ecosystem services and nature. Nature, 1997, 387: 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1038/387253a0
  22. Wackernagel M and Galli A. An overview on ecological footprint and sustainable development: a chat with Mathis Wackernagel. International Journal of Ecodynamics, 2007, 2(1): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.2495/ECO-V2-N1-1-9
  23. Calthorpe P and Ryn SV. Sustainable CommunitiesA New Design Synthesis for CitiesSuburbs and Towns. San FranciscoSierra Club Books, 1986.
  24. Yang ZS and Ding Y. Progress in Urban Sustainable Development ResearchAn International Perspective. Economic Geography, 2016, 36(7): 9-18.
  25. Zhou J and Guan WH. Study on sustainable development in Nanjing based on ecological footprint model. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2012, 32(20) : 6471-6480. https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb201107281104
  26. Haughton G. Sustainable Cities. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1996.
  27. Daily GC, Polasky S, Goldstein J, et al. Ecosystem Services in Decision MakingTime to Deliver Frontiers. Ecology and Environment, 2009, 7(1): 21-28. https://doi.org/10.1890/080025
  28. Niemel¨a J, Saarela SR, S¨oderman T, et al. Using the Ecosystem Services Approach for Better Planning and Conservation of Urban Green Spacesa Finland Case Study. Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010, 19(11): 3225-3243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-010-9888-8
  29. Jin W, Xu LY and Yang ZF. Modeling a policy making framework for urban sustainability: incorporating system dynamics into the Ecological Footprint. Ecological Economics, 2009, 68(12): 2938-2949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.06.010
  30. Wang D, Lin XQ, Liu X, et al. Dynamic variation assessment and improvement strategies of urban agricultural sustainable development in Beijing at the county level. Geographical Research, 2014, 33(9): 1706-1715.
  31. Peng C, Chen ZF, Wu RH, et al. Spatial-temporal Differentiation of Urban Sustainable Development in China based on ESDA. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2016, 26(2): 144-151.
  32. Huang X and Huang MS. Relationship between sustainable urban development and economic growth based on energy analysis: a case study of Quanzhou City. Progress in Geography, 2015, 34(1): 38-47.
  33. Kuznets SS. Economic Growth and Income Inequality. American Economic Review, 1955, 45(1): 1-28.
  34. Grossman GM and Krueger AB. Environmental impact of a North American free trade agreement. NBER Working Paper No. 3914, 1991. https://doi.org/10.3386/w3914
  35. Panayotou T. Empirical tests and policy analysis of environmental degradation at different stages of economic development. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labor Office, 1993.
  36. Paudel KP and Schafer MJ. The Environmental Kuznets Curve Under a New Framework: The Role of Social Capital in Water Pollution. Environmental and Resource Economics, 2009, 42(2): 265-278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-008-9215-y
  37. Lin BQ and Jiang ZJ. The Prediction and Influencing Factors Analysis of Environmental Kuznets Curve of Carbon Dioxide in China. Management World, 2009, 4: 27-36.
  38. Xu GY and Song DY. An Empirical Study of the Environmental Kuznets Curve for China’s Carbon Emissions- Based on Provincial Panel Data. China Industrial Economics, 2010, 5: 37-47.
  39. Zou XQ. An Analysis on the Correlation Between Land Finance and Economic Development: Based on Land Finance Kuznets Curve Hypothesis and Panel Data Evidence. China Land Science, 2013, 27(5): 14-19.
  40. Zhu R, Zhao MZ and Xue JB. Industrial Transfer, Economic Growth and Environmental Pollution: An Inspiration from the Environmental Kuznets Curve. Ecological Economy, 2018, 34(7): 68-73.
  41. Tang X and Hu AG. Achieve innovative and ecological modernization: tunneling through the Environmental Kuznets CurveChina populationresources and environment, 2018, 28(5): 1-7.
  42. Li CF, Wang AJ, Chen XJ, et al. Regional Distribution and Sustainable Development Strategy of Mineral Resources in China. Chinese Geographical Science, 2013, 23(4): 470- 481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-013-0611-z
  43. Zhang W, Duan XJ and Zhang WY. Evaluation and Evolution of Sustainable Development in Yangtze River Delta. Resources and Environment in the Yangtze Basin, 2013, 22(10): 1243-1249.
  44. Wang ZQ, Luo YZ, Zhang MH, et al. Quantitative Evaluation of Sustainable Development and Eco-Environmental Carrying Capacity in Water-Deficient Regions: A Case Study in the Haihe River Basin, China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2014, 13(1): 195-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60423-2
  45. Di QB and Han YX. Analysis of the Sustainable Development Capacity of China’s Marine Ecosystem from the Perspective of Entropy. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 2014, 34(6): 664-671.
  46. Zheng DF, Liu XX, Wang YY, et al. Spatiotemporal evolution and driving forces of natural capital utilization in China based on three-dimensional ecological footprint. Progress in Geography, 2018, 37(10): 1328-1339.
  47. Tan FF and Lu ZH. Sustainable development assessment based on NLPCA-GSO: a case study of the Bohai Rim region. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2016, 36(8): 2403-2412. https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb201411042166
  48. Yang JY. Analysis of Urbanization Healthy and Sustainable Development in Major Grain Producing Areas-Taking Henan Province as an Example. Chinese Journal of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, 2015, 36(2): 9-16.
  49. Nie Y. Sustainable Development of New Rural Finance in China. Asian Agricultural Research, 2012, 4(9): 81-86.
  50. Zheng D and Dai EF. Environmental Ethics and Regional Sustainable Development. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2012, 22(1): 86-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-012-0913-6
  51. Peter B. Dematerialization and capital maintenance: Two sides of the sustainability coin. Ecological Economics, 2003, 46(1): 61-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(03)00078-8
  52. Shannon CE. A mathematical theory of communication. The Bell System Technical Journal, 1948, 27(3): 379-423. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1538-7305.1948.tb01338.x
  53. National Bureau of Statistics. China statistical yearbook, Beijing, 2017.
  54. Department of Energy Statistics. China energy statistical yearbook, Beijing, 2017.
  55. Liang GL, Zhang LB, Li DQ, et al. Experiences and Suggestions for Ecological Civilization Construction in Fujian Province. Engineering Sciences, 2017, 19(4): 74-78. https://doi.org/10.15302/J-SSCAE-2017.04.012
  56. Yuan QM and Cui DJ. Evaluation on Sustainable Development of Tianjin based on DPSIR Model. Commercial Research, 2013, 3: 27-32.
  57. Magat WA. Pollution control and technological advance: a dynamics model of the firm. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 1978, 5(1): 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/0095-0696(78)90002-5
  58. Porter ME. America’s green strategy. Scientific American, 1991, 4: 1-5.
  59. Porter ME. Linde CToward a new conception of the environment-competitiveness relationship. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 1995, 9(4): 97-118. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.9.4.97