Synergistic management efficiency for construction and demolition waste and carbon reduction in China

Purpose Reducing construction and demolition waste (C&DW) to further lower carbon reduction (CR) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is a critical challenge for achieving sustainable development. Enhancing the synergistic management efficiency (SME) for C&DW and CR aligns with the principles of the circular economy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By identifying the spatial and temporal patterns and driving factors of the SME for C&DW and CR, this study aims to improve the SME of implementing C&DW and CR policies in the AEC industry, promote regional coordinated development and provide beneficial references, as well as theoretical support for carbon neutrality in developing countries and areas. Design/methodology/approach The study employed the Theil index method, the standard deviation ellipse model method and the geographic detector model method to analyze spatiotemporal disparities, evolutionary trajectory and driving factors influencing SME in the AEC industry from 2010 to 2020 in China. Findings The average SME values increased from 0.54 in 2010 to 0.60 in 2020, with a consistent increasing trend. The SME had significant spatial heterogeneity across regions. The overall difference, regional and inter-regional disparities in SME declined over time. However, regional disparities remained the dominant contributor. The center of SME was located in Henan Province, exhibiting a “Northeast-Southwest” distribution pattern with a slight clockwise rotation. The population size and total revenue of construction enterprises were the main factors influencing SME. The interaction effect among different influencing factors manifested in two forms: dual-factor enhancement and nonlinear enhancement. Research limitations/implications In the investigation, we only selected China as a case study to analyze and present a pathway for improving the SME in the AEC construction industry. Future research should consider more countries and areas including developed countries and test comparative analysis of different countries, as well as provide more comprehensive empirical reference for the formulation of SDGs and policies in the AEC industry, which can help the AEC achieve SDGs and a circular economy to balance economic growth paths with environmental responsibility. Practical implications This study revealed the regional differences and driving factors of SME in the AEC industry, which was helpful for the decision-making of relevant stakeholders and proposed targeted development pathways to improve SME in the AEC industry toward fostering circular economy practices and sustainable development. The findings also provided valuable empirical insights for countries and regions facing similar sustainability challenges in the AEC industry. Social implications The carbon emission (CE) carbon emission and C&DW generation were integrated to measure the SME, provided effective evaluation indicator for the sustainable development in the AEC industry. It provided insight for optimizing resource allocation on cross regional coordinated development of the AEC industry and supporting on promoting social equity. Originality/value CE and C&DW generation were integrated into a unified framework for efficiency measurement, enriching the sustainable development theory for the AEC industry. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and driving effects of SME not only identified the precise control areas and main factors but also provided differentiated collaborative reduction strategies for the synergistic effect on the C&DW and CR policies in the AEC industry.