Eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism: a case study in Xiamen, China

Abstract

In this research, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model of measuring the eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism has been constructed based on the urban material input and output indicators. According to the data of Xiamen from 1985 to 2007, an empirical study was conducted to measure the eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism using DEA program. The results showed a general downtrend of Xiamen's eco-efficiency of material metabolism from 1985 to 2007, in which there were 15 efficient years and eight inefficient years. The eco-efficiency and urbanization rate of Xiamen was remarkably negatively correlated. Moreover, the results revealed at 4 years (1995, 2001, 2002 and 2003) there had been undesirable output slack (environmental pollution), and at 2 years (1991 and 1999) there had been desirable output slack (GDP), and at 8 years there had been input slack (water, land, food and energy), especially for water and energy. Finally, some suggestions on promoting the eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism were put forward.

Keywords:

• eco-efficiency
• urban material metabolism
• data envelopment analysis
• Xiamen

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the Chinese the Academy of Science (KZCX2-YW-450-4).

Notes

1. Fu J. 2006 Jan 3. Beijing drops out of top 10 ‘best city’ list. China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-01/03/content_508828.htm.

2. http://www.chinafair.org.cn/chinafair2004/website/english/overview/qa-4.aspx.

3. The Associated Press. 2008 Feb 26. UN says half the world's population will live in urban areas by end of 2008. International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/26/news/UN-GEN-UN-Growing-Cities.php.

4. All the data were mainly collected from China City Statistical Yearbook, published by China Statistical publishing house.

5. http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/21757889.html.

6. Circular Economy (CE) is a pattern of economic development which aims at environmental protection, pollution prevention and sustainable development through reusing and recycling. Generally speaking, CE has three levels. At the level of firm, CE mainly focuses on cleaner production, comprehensive waste recycling and non-hazardous waste disposal. It emphasizes on Reducing, Reusing and Recycling (3R) for materials and energy. At the regional level, CE emphasizes on structuring a substance recycling network which takes the industrial chain as the carrier in order to realize optimum regional resource allocation through the establishment of an industrial eco-system. At the national level, CE represents a new pattern of economic operation that aims at sustainable economy and harmonious social development. (Bilitewski B. Task force report on circular economy, 2005. Available from: http://www.harbour.sfu.ca/dlam/Taskforce/circular%20econo my2005.htm)