The driving factors of spatial differences on the whole life cycle carbon emissions of the construction industry: from the analysis perspective of total factor productivity

The energy saving and emissions reduction of the construction industry are crucial for China to achieve the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goals. In order to promote the green development of the life cycle of the construction industry and improve the efficiency of emissions reduction. This paper examines the spatial-temporal distribution of life cycle carbon emissions in China’s construction industry (LCCECI) from 2004 to 2018. It uses the SBM-Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) index to measure technological progress and establishes the spatial econometric model based on the STIRPAT model. The study investigates the driving factors of the LCCECI at the provincial and regional levels, aiming to provide suggestions for low-carbon development in the construction industry. The research results are as follows. ① The growth in the SBM-Malmquist TFP index of the construction industry distinctly curbs the LCCECI. ② Total population and urbanization level are not the primary driving factors for the LCCECI. The growth of per capita GDP significantly induces the LCCECI, while concurrently exhibiting a notable inhibitory effect on the LCCECI of neighboring regions. ③ The improvement of the SBM-Malmquist TFP index is conducive to the reduction of the LCCECI in the three major regions. The per capita GDP has the largest positive driving effect of the LCCECI in the eastern region, and the urbanization level the urbanization rate only significantly inhibits the growth of the LCCECI in the central region.