In the quest for a low-carbon future, the construction industry stands at a crossroads. Prefabricated construction, once hailed as a panacea for reducing emissions and conserving energy, is now under scrutiny. Recent investigations reveal that its environmental benefits are not as consistent as initially believed, and the lack of data has hindered comprehensive research. This is where a groundbreaking study steps in, utilizing crawler technology to gather crucial data and employing the super-efficiency slack-based measure (SBM) model to assess the comprehensive energy-saving and emission-reduction (ECER) efficiency of China’s construction industry.
The findings are eye-opening. China’s construction industry’s ECER efficiency shows a fluctuating growth trend, with the national average efficiency ranging between 0.6 and 0.8. However, significant regional disparities exist, highlighting the uneven progress in adopting sustainable practices. The study identifies the prefabrication rate, policy effectiveness, and the number of patent applications as key factors affecting ECER efficiency. Notably, the prefabrication rate and policy effectiveness exhibit a double-threshold effect, with the optimum ECER outcomes achieved when the prefabrication rate is kept between 50% and 60%.
This research is not just about numbers; it’s about understanding the human element behind the data. It’s about the workers on the ground, the policymakers shaping the future, and the communities that will live in these buildings. The study underscores the need for a balanced approach, where the prefabrication rate is carefully controlled, policy standards are thoroughly understood, and the technological level of prefabricated construction is continuously raised.
The implications are profound. For industry professionals, this means rethinking strategies and embracing a more nuanced understanding of prefabricated construction. For policymakers, it’s a call to action—to refine policies, ensure their effectiveness, and foster an environment where innovation thrives. For communities, it’s a promise of a future where their homes and workplaces are not only modern and efficient but also sustainable and resilient.
The study offers a theoretical foundation and a decision-making basis for relevant authorities. It provides a roadmap for formulating measures and quantifying indicators, contributing to the development of prefabricated construction and enhancing ECER efficiency in the construction industry. As we stand on the brink of a low-carbon transformation, this research is a beacon, guiding us towards a future where construction is not just about building structures but about building a sustainable world.