Agriculture carbon-emission reduction and changing factors behind agricultural eco-efficiency growth in China. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Huan; Wang, Xiaoxuan; Bin, Peng
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 334(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: Agricultural carbon-emission reduction -- Agricultural eco-efficiency -- DEA–Malmquist–luenberger analysis -- Driving factors; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Reducing agricultural carbon emissions (ACE) plays a valuable role in China's overall carbon-emission-reduction plan. Using provincial data from 2001 to 2018, this work explores the dynamics of ACE and agricultural eco-efficiency (AEE) in China and the driving factors of AEE growth by DEA–Malmquist–Luenberger and panel data analyses. A previously unexplored aspect is investigated on the different mechanism of AEE growth among three types of agricultural areas. The findings suggest that the trend of ACE shifted from increasing to continuously decreasing after 2015 at the national level, mainly based on the contribution of major grain-producing areas. The results also imply that the AEE growth mechanism changed after 2010, mainly owing to technological progress. The improvement of agricultural infrastructure and human capital positively contributed to AEE growth, whereas public investment in agricultural R&D and agricultural industrial structure undermined it. Hence, green-oriented policies targeted at regional heterogeneity and agricultural public investments are needed for ACE reduction and AEE growth at the same time. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: China's agricultural carbon emissions started to decrease after 2015. Regions with carbon-emission reduction have lower eco-efficiency growth rates. Eco-efficiency growth mechanism has changed since 2010, mainly due to tech-progress. Improved agri-infrastructure and human capital had positive impact on eco-efficiency. Public investment in agricultural R&D undermined eco-efficiency.