Decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth in agricultural sector across 30 Chinese provinces from 1997 to 2014

Abstract

This paper investigates the decoupling of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from agricultural economic growth in 30 Chinese provinces from 1997 to 2014. First, CO2 emissions from agricultural production activities, farming, and livestock husbandry are computed. Then, this paper explores the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of CO2 emissions and their intensity in China’s agricultural sector. Finally, this paper compares decoupling of China’s agricultural CO2 emissions from agricultural output value across different regions and years. The results indicate that fertilizer, in-season rice cultivation, and cattle generated the most CO2 emissions in the categories of agricultural production activities, farming, and livestock husbandry, respectively. The results also show that East China covered more periods of the strong decoupling of CO2 emissions from agricultural output value between 1997 and 2014. To decrease CO2 emissions, this paper suggests imposing a higher value-added tax on fertilizer producers, while waiving value-added tax for organic fertilizer and substituting animal manure for conventional fertilizers where possible.