Urban Energy Efficiency from Cities in China and Policy Implications

Using 1995-2006 panel data for 210 cities, this article firstly measures total factor energy efficiency for Chinese cities with constant return to scale data envelopment analysis model,and then describes the features of regional differences. The results show that the changing trend displays four "reversed U" shapes. A turning point of widening gap occurred among cities in 2000 and there was a certain convergence among four regions. Urban energy efficiency level is unstable. Cities with low efficiency and high energy input will be the focus of energy-saving and reducing emissions. According to Tobit model, resource endowment, temperature, industrial structure, technology level and variety of policy factors should be treated differently in different situations.