Document Type : applicative
Author
Razi University
Abstract
Improving environmental efficiency is one of the important solutions to achieve a balance between the goals of economic development and environmental protection. This study examines changes in environmental productivity of Iranian provinces between 2006 and 2018 and analyzes the role of energy intensity and urbanization in these changes. This research is done in three stages. First, the carbon dioxide emission (non-desirable output) of the provinces is calculated according to IPCC. Then, the environmental productivity is calculated according to the data envelopment analysis and the Meta-Frontier Non-Radial Malmquist CO2 Emission Performance Index (MNMCPI). In the end, using spatial analysis, the role of energy intensity and urbanization on the environmental productivity of the provinces is examined. According to the DEA method, the greatest and least impact of environmental productivity is the effect of innovations and the effect of efficiency, respectively. Also, the GDP has a positive effect on the environmental productivity of the provinces. According to spatial analysis, environmental productivity in one province has a positive spillover effect on the environmental productivity of neighboring provinces. Energy intensity has a negative and significant effect on environmental productivity. The growth of urbanization due to the unfavorable structure of cities leads to a decrease in environmental productivity. Reforming energy policies, using new production technology, promoting clean energy and also reforming the structure of cities, providing welfare facilities to villagers and developing and improving the public transport fleet can help improve environmental efficiency.
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