Research on Efficiency Evaluation and Influencing Factors of Green Economy Development in Central China

Behind decades of rapid economic growth in China is the massive consumption of resources and environmental damage. Since the establishment of China's "dual carbon" goals, it has profoundly influenced the development of green economy in the country. The central region of China plays an important role in carrying out the industrial development process in the eastern region, and the current status of green economy development in the central region has a significant impact on the overall green development. This article evaluates the efficiency of green economy development in 80 prefecture level cities in six provinces in central China from 2012 to 2022 using a super efficiency SBM model that includes unexpected outputs. The results show that the efficiency of green economy development in the central region is gradually improving, and there is an imbalance in development among prefecture level cities. Through the study of its influencing factors, it is found that the level of economic development, industrial structure, education level, financial support, and opening up to the outside world have a significant impact on the development of green economy in the central region.