The Dynamics of Energy-Related Carbon Emissions and Their Influencing Factors in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Xiang’er Li, Jiajun Gong, Xuan Ni, Zhiyi Zheng, Qingshan Zhao and Yi’na Hu ()
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Xiang’er Li: School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
Jiajun Gong: School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
Xuan Ni: School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
Zhiyi Zheng: School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
Qingshan Zhao: School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
Yi’na Hu: School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Chinese cities are pursuing an energy transition to decouple energy-related carbon emissions (ERCEs) from economic growth. Despite numerous studies focusing on the factors influencing carbon emissions, few have quantitatively analyzed their respective contribution rates, thus leaving a gap in effectively guiding policies. This study took 16 cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as the study area. The decoupling between ERCEs and economic growth was analyzed during 2000–2020, and the contribution rates of different factors were explored. The results showed that the total ERCEs increased from 413.40 million to 1265.86 million tons during 2000–2020, increasing by over three times. Coal and oil were the dominant energy sources in most cities, but natural gas consumption increased from 0.15% to 5.96%. Moreover, 14 cities showed a decoupling status, indicating a certain win–win situation between economic growth and ERCE reduction. Economic growth greatly increased ERCEs, with its contribution rate ranging from 114.65% to 493.27% during 2000–2020. On the contrary, energy structure and energy intensity both contributed to reducing ERCEs in most cities, and their maximum contribution rates reached −32.29% and −449.13%, respectively, which were the main forces for the win–win situation. Finally, carbon reduction proposals are put forward, which provide theoretical support for achieving the “Double Carbon” goal in the YRD.

Keywords: carbon emission; decoupling; energy structure and intensity; influencing factors; Yangtze River Delta (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (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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