ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Efficiency and Influencing Factors of Energy
Conservation and Emission Reduction
in High-Energy-Consuming Industries Driven
by Technological Innovation
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School of Economics and Management, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, Anhui, China
Submission date: 2023-01-19
Final revision date: 2023-04-20
Acceptance date: 2023-04-26
Online publication date: 2023-06-13
Publication date: 2023-07-21
Corresponding author
Zhuoying Wang
Anhui University of Science& Technology, 168 Taifeng Dajie, Huainan City, Anhui Province, C, 232001, Huainan, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(4):3769-3785
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ABSTRACT
High-energy-consuming industries (HECI) are the main sectors of energy consumption and carbon
emissions. Technological innovation (TI) driving the energy conservation and emission reduction
(ECER) of HECI is critical to achieving carbon neutrality. Using a system theory perspective, this
study decomposed the system of ECER of HECI driven by TI into two stages, TI and ECER. Based
on panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2015-2020, the network weighted stochastic block model
(WSBM) and panel Tobit models were used to measure the efficiency of ECER of HECI driven by
TI; the spatial and temporal differences and influencing factors were analyzed. The overall efficiency
exhibited a V-shaped pattern of falling, then rising. From a regional perspective, the Northeast region
shows a breakthrough growth from a low point to a high point. The East, Central and West regions show
similar trends to the national overall, with the total efficiency of the East slightly higher than the West
and a lower total efficiency in the Central region. In terms of two-stage efficiency, the efficiency of the
ECER stage was higher than that of the TI stage. The rationalization level of industrial structure, green
finance development level, and investment in education were the main forces enabling TI to drive the
efficiency improvement of ECER in HECI.