The relationship between sustainable innovation efficiency and economic growth in China

China has taken sustainable development strategies seriously in recent years, aiming at reducing energy consumption and environmental pollutants emissions. This research empirically evaluates the sustainable innovation efficiency (SIE) in Chinafrom the perspective of energy and environmental constraints. Furthermore, the relationship between SIE and economic growth is tested through Granger causality test. The results indicate that SIE in China varies obviously in different regions. Granger causality runs only from economic growth to SIE and not the other way round. Economic growth is causative factor of sustainable innovation, indicating that China's sustainable innovation has not yet achieved coordinated development with the economy. Our findings also provide useful decision-supporting insights for Chinese policymakers to promote coordinated development of regional sustainable innovation and economic growth.