Environmental Pollution and Energy Efficiency of Regional Transportation Industry: A Case Study of Jilin Province, China

The transportation industry is the fundamental and strategic industry for social and economic development. However, this industry becomes a considerable barrier against green, sound, and sustainable economic and social development due to the rapid increase in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Transportation industry becomes one of weakness of energy saving and emission reduction with its increasing energy consumption and carbon emission. Environmental pollution caused by the transportation industry can be relieved effectively by increasing energy efficiency. A case study based on Jilin Province, China is carried out. First, environmental pollution types caused by regional transportation industry are analysed. Second, energy efficiency of transportation industry in eight prefecture-level cities in Jilin Province from 2011 to 2017 is determined using the DEA-Malmquist index. Finally, measures to control environmental pollution caused by the transportation industry are proposed. Results show that in Jilin Province, environmental pollution caused by the transportation industry manifests through increasing energy consumption, pollution from car exhaust, and degree of traffic jams. In its eight prefecture-level cities, the average energy efficiency change index of transportation industry is 1.054, which is higher than 1. The means of technological efficiency and progress are 0.973 and 1.084, respectively. The mean pure technological efficiency of energy use slightly increases, while the mean scale efficiency decreases significantly. Results can provide beneficial references for full understanding on energy consumption and environmental emission of transportation industry in Jilin Province. This understanding can lead to the exploration of scientific and reasonable energy-saving and emission-reduction ways and countermeasures, aiming to offer decision-making references for energy saving and emission reduction of the transportation industry in Jilin Province.