MEASURING POLICY EFFICIENCIES OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS FOR EU COUNTRIES AND TURKEY

The aim of this study is examining the environmental activities of the 19 countries of the European Union and Turkey by Data Envelopment Analysis method. The indicators considered in the analysis are Sulphur emissions, total coal and oil consumption, population, gross domestic product, and natural gas consumption. According to the results; Austria, Hungary, Lithuania, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Turkey were efficient in 1997 while the Czech Republic, Poland, and Greece were least efficient under constant returns to scale (CRS) and together with these countries, under variable rates to scale (VRS) assumption France, Italy, and the United Kingdom are also efficient. For the year 2007, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Turkey are considered efficient under CRS assumption and under VRS assumption Denmark and France became efficient. Poland, Greece and Czech Republic have rated as the least efficient in 2007 again. In comparison, it is observed that the countries have increased their environmental activities as a result of the steps taken to fight against air pollution.

Keywords

Data Envelopment Analysis, Sulphur Emissions, Environmental Efficiency, Fossil Fuel Consumption