Analysis of Energy Use and Related Carbon Emissions in Beijing and Shanghai

Abstract

Most Chinese cities are experiencing rapid urbanization and economic growth. It is needed to explore how a city’s energy system evolves and how it can be altered to reduce carbon emissions. This paper analyzed energy consumption and related CO2 emissions in Beijing and Shanghai. A rapid growth in energy consumption during the last two decades is evident. Shanghai presents higher energy intensity than Beijing, mainly due to the larger share of the secondary industry in economy. Energy consumption by the residential sector is higher in Beijing, despite a larger population in Shanghai. The CO2 emissions by the end-use energy in 2010 are 152 and 259 million ton in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. Electricity usage presents an important share of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Thus, development of renewable energy for electricity generation and improvement of the technologies in thermal power plants are important to reduce the future carbon emissions.