Models and applications of nonparametric environmental production technology: A survey

Nonparametric data envelopment analysis has recently gained much popularity in energy and environmental efficiency measurement, shadow price estimation for pollutants and emission permits allocation. A theoretical basis for such applications is to characterize the environmental production technology. This paper aims to review the theory, models and applications of nonparametric environmental production technology in a systematical way. First, we summarize and classify the commonly used technologies and evaluate their main characteristics and weaknesses. Then, we review the relevant journal articles and show their features in application by disposability, application area and pollutant type. Finally, the possible topics for future research have been identified which may help to promote the development of environmental production technology in theory and applications. © 2020, Editorial Board of Journal of Systems Engineering Society of China. All right reserved.