پرویز حاجیانی

Background: In short, energy, economy, and environment factors are called E3 factors that affect each other either directly or indirectly. Increasing energy consumption and, consequently, reducing environmental standards will disrupt sustainable economic growth and as a result, general welfare will be affected. So paying attention to the efficiency and productivity of E3 factors is significant. Aim: The purpose of this study is to measurement the total factor efficiency E3 and the productivity changes of the E3 factors of oil-producing selected countries during the period of 2001 to 2015. Methodology: In this study, using the total factor efficiency index and considering education expenditure variable as a representative of knowledge-based economy and taking into account the variable returns to scale, the efficiency of E3 factors were evaluated and then the productivity changes of these factors were measured using Luenberger index. Findings: In E3 total factor efficiency index, Qatar was identified as fully efficient. Also India from energy (e1) perspective, the United Kingdom from the economic (e2) perspective and Norway from environmental (e3) perspective are efficient. Also in estimating efficiency changes, Norway, China, Kuwait and Qatar have improved in E3 total efficiency, while other countries experienced a decline in E3 total efficiency. The results also indicated that the education expenditure variable has a positive and significant impact on the GDP of selected countries. Conclusion: The results indicate that most OPEC member countries are inefficient in energy consumption. It is recommended to these countries to increase the efficiency of this important factor by modernizing energy infrastructure, upgrading the level of production technology and realizing energy prices. Most NON-OPEC countries are inefficient in the environmental factor. It is recommended to these countries to replace renewable energy sources with fossil fuels (especially coal) and fulfil