Comparative analysis of driving forces behind carbon emissions among regions in China during 2002-2014

Abstract

By using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method, this paper decomposed the factors that affect carbon emissions both at a national and multi-regional level, and comparatively analysed the difference of driving factors between 2002-2008 and 2008-2014. It is found that economic growth and the energy intensity are two major factors that drive up carbon emissions in the two periods. The economic structure effect and the energy structure effect had little influence on national carbon emissions, and the inhibitory impact was more obvious in 2008-2014 than the first period in most regions. Both the change of economic structure and energy structure can result in the change of national carbon emissions. Also, the variety of different regions can be attributed to the effect of economic growth and the energy intensity.