China’s environmental governance efficiency evaluation based on novel cross-efficiency network DEA model

This study evaluates the environmental governance efficiency (EGE) of 30 Chinese provinces using an enhanced neutral cross-efficiency network DEA model. Following the "attention-action-outcome" framework, EGE is divided into response efficiency (EGRE) and implementation efficiency (EGIE). Results show that while EGE exhibits a fluctuating upward trend, it remained low at 0.254 in 2022. EGIE outperforms EGRE on the whole but is more volatile. The eastern region achieves the highest efficiencies, while the western region performs the worst. Intra-group disparities significantly exceed inter-group disparities for all three types of efficiency. Moreover, the development disparities in EGIE have roughly exhibited a fluctuating downward trend since 2016. A quadrant analysis offers region-specific recommendations to improve EGE and support sustainable development.