Li, H.; Lyu, R.; Sheng, J.; Menadue, V. and Skitmore, M. (2026) Enhancing eco-efficiency in china's construction industry: Measurement, drivers, and policy implications using an ebm-tobit approach. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(9), pp. 1727-1745. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
China's construction industry plays a critical role in economic development but is also a major source of resource consumption, environmental degradation, and carbon emissions. Achieving sustainable growth in this sector requires robust methods to assess eco-efficiency and identify its structural determinants. This study advances the scientific assessment of construction eco-efficiency by developing an enhanced EBM model that integrates both radial and non-radial input-output characteristics, undesirable outputs such as CO2 emissions, and super-efficiency evaluation. The model was applied to 30 provinces from 2010 to 2019, demonstrating superior robustness and discriminatory power compared to traditional CCR and SBM models. To explain regional variations in eco-efficiency, a Tobit panel regression incorporating institutional, economic, industrial, and technological variables was conducted. Empirical results reveal that regional economic development, clean energy adoption, and the growth of auxiliary industries such as design and consulting significantly enhance eco-efficiency. In contrast, outdated technologies and rigid environmental regulations constrain improvements. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, including promoting flexible, outcome-based regulation, incentivizing technological innovation, and supporting upstream construction services to foster sustainable industry transformation. This study contributes novel scientific knowledge on measuring, explaining, and improving construction eco-efficiency by combining methodological refinement with empirical analysis. It establishes a framework.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | China's construction industry; eco-efficiency; improved ebm model; influencing factors; tobit panel regression model |
| Index terms: | construction industry, efficiency, carbon emission, regression model, technological innovation, influencing factor, China, industry transformation, CO2 emissions, policy implication, variation, regional economic, environmental degradation, regulation, resource consumption, economic development, clean energy, determinant, eco-efficiency, environmental regulation |
| Subjects: | risk assessment, economic analysis, climate science, political science, innovation and technology management, environmental impact, health safety and environment, statistical analysis, policy studies, organization, environmental resource management, industry analysis, energy systems, Geography, sustainability assessment, economic development, contractual condition, performance management, air quality |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Health and Safety, Contract Administration, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Governance, Research Practice, Quality Management, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here