RESOURCES POLICY, vol.86, 2023 (SSCI)
China, the most populous nation on earth and a significant force in the world economy, faced the difficult task of balancing environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. To better understand how the efficiency of the natural resource market contributes to economic growth and environmental sustainability, this study looks at China from 2009 to 2019. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is utilized to assess the effectiveness of China's natural resource markets over the past ten years. The study's findings demonstrate the critical role that market efficiency plays in recovering the green economy. China managed to attain environmental sustainability and economic growth through effective resource allocation. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to implement legislative measures that boost resource efficiency and cut waste. During the studied period, China's attempts to balance environmental concerns and economic growth produced positive results, showing that effective resource management can lead to sustainable development.