Author(s)

YuYang Liu

Affiliation(s)

Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.

Corresponding Author

YuYang Liu

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the efficiency of water resource utilization in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region from 2013 to 2023. By employing a super-efficiency Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model incorporating undesirable outputs, this research evaluated the spatial-temporal evolution of efficiency. Subsequently, a Tobit regression model was applied to analyze 13 determinants across natural, economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The results reveal that the region’s efficiency followed a fluctuating trajectory characterized by phases of stability, growth, decline, and leveling off, with a mean value of 0.870. Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed, with Beijing and Tianjin exhibiting higher efficiency levels than Hebei. The Tobit analysis identified positive correlations with per-capita water resources, annual precipitation, per-capita GDP, the share of the tertiary industry, and water intensity, reflecting the influence of resource endowment, economic structure, and management capacity. Conversely, factors such as per-capita water use, the share of the primary industry, and insufficient scientific and technological investment exerted negative impacts, suggesting constraints related to redundant consumption and structural imbalances. Based on these findings, we recommend implementing differentiated regional management strategies, establishing a market-oriented agricultural water rights trading system, and creating an integrated BTH platform for the collaborative innovation and diffusion of water-saving technologies. These measures aim to foster sustainable resource utilization and high-quality regional development.

KEYWORDS

Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region; Water resource utilization efficiency; Super-SBM model; Tobit regression model; Influencing factors

CITE THIS PAPER

YuYang Liu. Spatio temporal evolution and influencing factors of water resource use efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region: evidence from a super efficiency SBM and Tobit model. Frontiers in Environmental Research. 2025, 3(3): 44-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/fer3038.

REFERENCES

[1] Ren Y, Su X, He Y, et al. Urban water resource utilization efficiency and its influencing factors in different eco-geographical regions of China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2020, 40(18): 6459-6471.

[2] Wu J, Feng Z, Kong X, et al. Multi-Scenario Analysis of Brackish Water Irrigation Efficiency Based on the SBM Model. Water, 2025, 17(19): 2860. 

[3] Zheng H, Wang H, He H, et al. Quantifying the heterogeneity of urban water resources utilization efficiency through meta-frontier super SBM model: Application in the yellow river Basin. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024, 485: 144410.

[4] Zhao X, Yang D. Research on Regional Disparities, Dynamic Evolution, and Influencing Factors of Water Environment Governance Efficiency in China. Water (20734441), 2025, 17(4).

[5] Wang Y, Long A, Deng X, et al. Spatiotemporal changes and influencing factors of the intensity of the agricultural water footprint in Xinjiang, China. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 2023, 16(3): 262-272.

[6] Yang L, Li X, Wang B, et al. Measurement and Spatio-Temporal Evolution Analysis of Green Water Efficiency in Shaanxi Province Based on the SBM-Malmquist Model. Water, 2025, 17(17): 2603.

[7] Liu H, Liu H, Geng L. Analysis of industrial water use efficiency based on SFA–Tobit panel model in China. Sustainability, 2024, 16(19): 8708.

[8] Li J, Xie H. Green Water Resources Utilization Efficiency, Spatio-Temporal Difference and Driving Factors in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region. Journal of Water Resources and Water Engineering, 2021, 32(06): 10-18.

[9] Wang F, Ying Z, Lü S, et al. Evaluation on Characteristics of Coordinated Development of Water-Economy-Ecology Coupling in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region. Water Resources Protection, 2022, 38(05): 80-86.

[10] Tone K. Dealing with undesirable outputs in DEA: A slacks-based measure (SBM) approach. GRIPS Discussion Papers, 2015, 1.

[11] Tobin J. Estimation of relationships for limited dependent variables. Econometrica: journal of the Econometric Society, 1958: 24-36.

[12] Yin Y. Research on the Change of Water Resource Utilization Efficiency in Anhui Province Based on SBM-Malmquist. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2025, 34(3).

[13] Deng G, Li L, Song Y. Provincial water use efficiency measurement and factor analysis in China: based on SBM-DEA model. Ecological Indicators, 2016, 69: 12-18.

[14] Wang M, Sun C, Wang X. Analysis of the water-energy coupling efficiency in China: Based on the three-stage SBM-DEA model with undesirable outputs. Water, 2019, 11(4): 632.

[15] Mu Y, Cheng Y, Wang J. Calculation and Influencing Factors of Water Resources Utilization Efficiency in Receiving Area of Bailong River Water Diversion Project. Journal of Hohai University (Natural Sciences), 2025, 53(04): 38-46+134.

[16] Xiao Y, Ci X, Yang B, et al. Green Efficiency Measurement and Influencing Factors of Water Resources in Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of Yangtze River. Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, 2023, 40(09): 8-16.

[17] Sun Z, Lu S, Liu B. Research on the Evaluation and Improvement Path of Provincial Regional Ecological Efficiency: Based on Super-Efficiency SBM Model and Tobit Regression. Ecological Economy, 2021, 37(01): 124-129.

[18] Li G, Liu J, Li T. Regional Differences of Manufacturing Energy Eco-Efficiency Considering Undesirable Outputs: A Two-Stage Analysis Based on SBM and Tobit Model. Chinese Journal of Management Science, 2019, 27(11): 76-87.

[19] Liu H. Study on the Green Economic Efficiency Measurement and Influencing Factors in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region: Based on the Analysis of Super-Efficiency SBM and Tobit Model. Ecological Economy, 2023, 39(04): 67-73.

[20] Liu T, Tian X. Coordinated Development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region: Progress, Effect and Prospect. China Business and Market, 2019, 33(11): 116-128.