An inter-provincial carbon quota study in China based on the contribution of clean energy to carbon reduction

Abstract

Energy consumption is the main source of carbon dioxide emissions. Vigorously promoting the development and utilisation of clean energy and the reasonable distribution of carbon amounts between regions is an important measure for carbon emission reduction. In this paper, the geodetector method is used to quantitatively analyse the impact of the development and utilisation of clean energy on China’s overall carbon emissions. And the carbon quota calculated under the three principles of efficiency, responsibility, and comprehensiveness are compared, and a reasonable inter-provincial carbon quota allocation scheme considering the contribution of clean energy carbon reduction is put forward. Research indicates: (1) Among the driving factors studied in this paper, the proportion of clean energy power generation has the greatest impact on carbon emissions. (2) The development and utilisation of clean energy has a strong impact on the carbon quota in low-value regions. (3) The comprehensive principle carbon quota allocation (which takes into responsibility principle reflecting clean energy factors and efficiency principle) is the most reasonable. A carbon quota scheme that reflects the contribution of clean energy to carbon emission reduction is of great significance for advancing the realization of China's regional and national carbon peaking targets.