The relationship between resource utilization and high-quality development in the context of carbon neutrality: Measurement, assessment and identification

Quantification of regional resource utilization level is a pivotal support for sustainable resource management. An integrated framework (Measurement-Assessment-Identification, MAI) was developed to explore resource utilization efficiency (RUE) and its relationship with regional development quality. Integrating three data envelopment analysis models, a combined model was constructed in the measurement module to dynamically measure RUE under carbon emission constraints. In addition, the high-quality development index (HQDI) and its spatial disequilibrium can be assessed and decomposed based on the assessment module, and then the adaptation relationship between the two systems can be quantitatively identified in the identification module. Then, a case study was conducted. The principal findings are: a) The overall RUE tends to improve at all three spatial scales, but the improvement is less synergistic, with higher input redundancy in upstream cities. b) HQDI in nine provinces is on the rise, and inter-regional disequilibrium is the main source of spatial disequilibrium with a contribution rate of 67.6%. c) Due to the redundancy of inputs such as resources and environmental functions, there are different degrees of decoupling between RUE and HQDI in all provinces. Findings can provide reference for formulating regional high-quality development strategy and realizing sustainable resource utilization.