Analysis of regional differences in green energy efficiency in countries along “the Belt and Road” Initiative zone—Based on super efficiency DEA model and Malmquist index method

Abstract

This study uses the super-efficiency DEA model and Malmquist index analysis to evaluate the green energy efficiency of 58 countries along “the Belt and Road” Initiative zone from 2012 to 2021 and uses Tobit regression to analyze the external environmental influences on their green energy efficiency. The results of the study show that in the static analysis, The overall green energy efficiency of 58 countries along the “the Belt and Road” initiative area is low, and there are obvious regional differences; In terms of dynamic analysis, the Malmquist Index shows a slight fluctuation trend from 2012 to 2021. Tobit regression models show that external factors such as economic strength, energy consumption structure, industrial structure, and R&D expenditure are significantly and positively related to green energy efficiency. Based on this, this study proposed that countries should make good use of their resource advantages to improve the overall green energy efficiency of “the Belt and Road” Initiative zone according to local characteristics; strengthen inter-regional cooperation and exchange among countries, and implement outbound strategies to create a favorable development environment for green energy efficiency in “the Belt and Road” Initiative zone. Create a favorable development environment for green energy efficiency in “the Belt and Road” Initiative region.