Energy and CO2 emission performance: A regional comparison of China's non-ferrous metals industry

Energy and CO2 emission performance has always been an important topic in public policy. This paper examines China's Non-ferrous Metals Industry (CNMI) as a case study to analyze the static and dynamic energy and CO2 emission performances and the internal driving factors using the Data Envelopment Approach (DEA)-Malmquist analysis framework. This study shows that: (1). The dynamic energy-carbon performances of all regions in China have increased at different degrees. (2). Eastern China is and has maintained its position as a technical leader, with energy-carbon performance rising most notably. (3). The central and western China are the main producers of non-ferrous metals products. Their technical innovation and technical efficiency have significantly improved. Northeast China needs to improve its performance level. (4) Technical progress (innovation) plays the most important role in performance improvement compared with other factors. This study, however, argues that it is necessary to formulate regional emission reduction and environmental protection mechanisms with a reference value to improve the energy-carbon performance of China's Non-ferrous Metals Industry. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.