Impact Factors of Industrial Pollution and Carbon Reduction under the “Dual Carbon” Target: A Case Study of Urban Aggregation in the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta

Xiaoyi Wen, Shangjiu Wang (), Shaoyong Li, Liang Cheng, Keqiang Li (), Qing Zheng and Baoreng Zhang
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Xiaoyi Wen: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
Shangjiu Wang: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
Shaoyong Li: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
Liang Cheng: School of Political Science and Law, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
Keqiang Li: College of Digital Technology and Engineering, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, Ningbo 315175, China
Qing Zheng: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
Baoreng Zhang: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: China is facing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and control pollution. Promoting the synergy between pollution reduction and carbon reduction has become an inevitable choice to achieve the construction of a beautiful China and meet the dual carbon target. This study examines the main factors influencing industrial pollution and carbon reduction in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomerations based on data on industrial CO 2 and local air pollutants (LAP) from 2002 to 2021, using the random forest regression model. The results indicate that (1) industrial CO 2 emissions have increased overall, while intensity has decreased. Additionally, both industrial LAP emissions and intensity have decreased. (2) The main factor influencing industrial CO 2 and LAP emissions is the proportion of industrial value added above the scale. Additionally, the proportion of R&D internal expenditure in GDP and total trade imports and exports are the main influencing factors of industrial CO 2 emissions. The industrial fume and dust removal rate mainly affects industrial LAP emissions. (3) There is a clear non-linear relationship between industrial CO 2 - and LAP-influencing factors and emissions, which can be attributed to the scale effect factor, the lagging effect of R&D expenditure, and the inappropriate treatment of the “three wastes” by relevant departments that is non-linear. The urban agglomerations of PRD and YRD should prioritize the reduction of carbon emissions, upgrading and transforming their industrial structures, promoting the impact of foreign trade on pollution and carbon reduction, and achieving a balance between sustainable economic development and environmental protection.

Keywords: pollution and carbon reduction; random forest regression model; Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration; Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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