The evaluation of ecological civilization has emerged as a significant research trend in recent years, as ecological civilization construction has been incorporated into the national “five-in-one” strategic layout in China. To understand the operation of the ecological civilization strategy and its actual effects, a framework for a composite evaluation indicator system was constructed to study the progress of ecological civilization in China's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities from 2010 to 2023. The progress was evaluated using a spatiotemporal dynamic combined weighting method, incorporating both the ecological civilization index (ECI) and the ecological civilization progress index (ECPI). The Moran index and the spatial Durbin model further explain spatiotemporal heterogeneity in spatial autocorrelation and spillover effects. The results revealed that China's ecological civilization construction level (ECCL) grew continuously from 2010 to 2022, with minor fluctuations from 2022 to 2023; the number of provinces with medium to high ECI in 2023 doubled the corresponding number in 2010. The average growth rate in 2015–2020 was greater than the corresponding rates in 2010–2015 and 2020–2023. The global Moran index first increased from 2010 to 2014, and subsequently fluctuated from 2015 to 2023; significant spatial differences in cluster distribution were detected between North and South China, as divided by the Qinling–Huaihe Line. Clean energy usage, policy formulation and soil and water conservation management were identified as key obstacles with respect to the ECCL. These results can provide scientific evidence and policy recommendations for developing a regional ecological civilization to promote sustainable development. • The number of medium- and high- ECI provinces in China in 2023 was double the total in 2010. • The average ECPI in 2015–2020 was higher than the corresponding values in 2010–2015 and 2020–2023. • Significant spatial differences are evident in the cluster distribution of the ECCL between North China and South China. • The independent variables concerning the neighboring regions had significant spatial spillover effects on the local region.
Feng et al. (Mon,) studied this question.