Research on the influence of environmental regulation on the total factor energy efficiency of China’s construction industry

In order to reduce the global carbon emission pressure and improve the energy efficiency of the construction industry, this paper establishes the Un-Super-SBM model to measure the total factor energy efficiency of the construction industry in China, which based on the 2012–2019 Chinese provincial panel data with CO 2 emissions as the non-desired output, and uses the panel data model to empirically analyze the impact of formal and informal environmental regulations on the energy efficiency of the construction industry. The results show that, from the national level, the impact of formal environmental regulation on energy efficiency of the construction industry shows an inverted U-shaped trend of promotion followed by inhibition, while the impact of informal environmental regulation on energy efficiency of the construction industry shows a U-shaped trend of inhibition followed by promotion. From the regional level, there are regional differences in the impact of formal and informal environmental regulations on the energy efficiency of the construction industry. Finally, the paper puts forward relevant policy suggestions to promote the improvement of energy utilization efficiency of China’s construction industry and achieve sustainable development.