Analysis of the Efficiency of Forest Carbon Sinks and Its Influencing Factors—Evidence from China

Abstract

The study of the input–output efficiency and influencing factors of forest carbon sinks is beneficial for the realization of the rational allocation of forest carbon sink resources. Based on the DEA-SBM model, the efficiency of forest carbon sinks is measured and analyzed in 30 provinces (cities) of China from 2005 to 2018; the influencing factors of forest carbon sink efficiency are constructed from the three perspectives of pressure subsystem, state subsystem, and response subsystem with the help of the PSR model and regression analysis is conducted using the FGLS model so that the results of the study can provide a basis for formulating a regionally differentiated forest carbon sink system. The empirical results show that the average annual forest carbon sink efficiency in China is only 0.29, and there is much room for improvement. The level of urbanization, the degree of natural damage to forests, precipitation, and the proportion of financial support for forestry are positively correlated with forest carbon sink efficiency, while temperature is negatively correlated with forest sink efficiency. Additionally, different influencing factors have regional heterogeneity on forest carbon sink efficiency. Based on the above findings, we propose the following policy recommendations: formulate forest carbon sink strategies according to local conditions, adjust and optimize the forestry industry structure at the right time, minimize the intervention in forest ecosystems, improve the supervision mechanism of special forestry funds, improve the level of forestry human capital, and accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.