Influencing Factors of Carbon Emissions in the Construction Industry Based on Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index: A Case Study of China

Abstract

Carbon emission is further intensified as urbanization and industrialization continue to accelerate. China has maintained its rapid economic development and urbanization in the last 2 decades. The development of the construction industry has not only consumed a large number of energy sources but also resulted in significant carbon emissions, causing some environmental damage. Recognizing the major influencing factors of carbon emissions in the construction industry has become a research hotspot to alleviate environmental pollution caused by the construction industry and meet industrial demands for energy saving and emission reduction. In this study, the factors that influence annual carbon emissions of different building types in China from 2011 to 2018 were decomposed by Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) through a case study in Henan Province. The major influencing factors of carbon emissions have been identified. Results demonstrate that the per capita carbon emission in the construction industry in Henan Province remains high from 2011 to 2018, but it decreases year by year. Carbon emissions from the construction industry in Henan Province increase due to economic development and energy structure. Energy efficiency can inhibit carbon emissions from the construction industry in Henan Province. The obtained conclusions have a positive effect on analyzing annual variations in carbon emissions from the construction industry in a region, identifying influencing factors, and proposing specific countermeasures of energy saving and emission reduction.