Decoupling CO 2 Emissions from Economic Growth in China’s Cities from 2000 to 2020: A Case Study of the Pearl River Delta Agglomeration

Zhixiong Wang, Fuhan Li, Zihan Xie (), Qingyin Li, Yongli Zhang and Meilin Dai
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Zhixiong Wang: Guangdong Urban & Rural Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510290, China
Fuhan Li: Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
Zihan Xie: Guangzhou Institute of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urbanization and Geo-Simulation, Guangzhou 510699, China
Qingyin Li: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510062, China
Yongli Zhang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510062, China
Meilin Dai: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510062, China

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: As one of the most densely populated, economically developed, and outwardly open urban agglomerations in China, the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration is a key player in achieving China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets. This study analyzes low-emission development by examining the evolutionary patterns of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and the decoupling relationship between economic growth and CO 2 emissions, using the latest available data from 2000 to 2020. Here are the main findings: (1) We found a significant fluctuation in the decoupling statuses between economic advancements and CO 2 emissions within the PRD domain. Predominantly, a weak decoupling scenario was observed, where economic proliferations were paralleled by nearly equivalent increments in CO 2 emissions. (2) The growth rate of carbon emissions increased significantly relative to economic expansion during 2015–2020, especially pronounced in cities such as Guangdong, Zhuhai, Foshan, and Dongguan. This delineates the persistent challenges in steering towards a pathway of energy conservation and emission abatement in the region. (3) Furthermore, a differential role of elasticity factors was noted across cities: Guangzhou and Shenzhen witnessed a significant influence of energy-saving elasticity in fostering a decoupling between economic surge and CO 2 emissions, whereas in other cities, the emphasis shifted towards emission-reduction elasticity as a more vital determinant. The results of this study are of great significance for guiding policy makers and stakeholders in urban clusters across China and in similar regions globally to achieve low carbon development goals.

Keywords: CO 2 emissions; decoupling; tapio indicator; urban agglomeration; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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