The Spatiotemporal Measurement of Coordinated Development of Resource-Environment-Economy Based on Empirical Analysis from China’s 30 Provinces

Abstract

The coordinated development of resource–environment–economy is the strategic choice to realize sustainable development. To explore the historical pattern of the coordinated development of resource–environment–economy, showing the logic of the spatiotemporal evolution of the system in China, this paper conducts a measurement study. Based on the actual data of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2019, the paper constructs an evaluation index system for the coordinated development of resource–environment–economy and establishes a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and a spatial autocorrelation analysis model. The results show that the mean value of the coupled coordination of the three systems (resource–environment–economy) gradually increased from the stage of near dissonance (0.479) in 2005 to the stage of good coordination (0.853) in 2019. The global Moran’s I was 0.349, indicating that there is a certain spatial aggregation of resource–environment–economy at the province level. Coastal areas have a higher degree, while inland areas have a lower degree. In the spatial correlation analysis, the resource–environment–economy coupling coordination degree of 30 provinces in China is significantly positively correlated. Low–low clusters are found mainly in the Northwest (e.g., Xinjiang, Qinghai). Furthermore, the findings provide some targeted international recommendations. Relevant policies should encourage sustainable development and promote green transformation of industrial structure.