Coupling Coordination and Spatiotemporal Evolution between Carbon Emissions, Industrial Structure, and Regional Innovation of Counties in Shandong Province

Abstract

Industrial structure and regional innovation have a significant impact on emissions. This study explores, from the multivariate coupling and spatial perspectives, the degree of coupling coordination between three factors: industrial structure, carbon emissions, and regional innovation of 97 counties in Shandong Province, China from 2000 to 2017. On the basis of global spatial autocorrelation and cold and hot spots, this article analyzes the spatial characteristics and aggregation effects of coupled and coordinated development within each region. The results are as follows. (1) The coupling degree between carbon emissions, industrial structure, and regional innovation in these counties fluctuated upward from 2000 to 2017. Coupling coordination progressed from low coordination to basic coordination. Regional differences in coupling coordination degree are evident, showing a stepped spatial distribution pattern with high levels in the east and low levels in the west. (2) During the study period, the coupling coordination showed a positive correlation in spatial distribution. Moran’s I varies from 0.057 to 0.305 on a global basis. Spatial clustering is characterized by agglomeration of cold spots and hot spots. (3) The coupling coordination exhibited significant spatial differentiation. The hot spots were distributed in the eastern part, while the cold spots were located in the western part. The results of this study suggest that the counties in Shandong Province should promote industrial structure upgrades and enhance regional innovation to reduce carbon emissions.