Abstract
To clarify whether there is a spatial correlation problem among China’s provincial energy consumption, economic growth, and ecological environment, this paper adopts the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2008 to 2019 and uses a spatial data analysis method. This work studies economic growth and the spatial distribution pattern of the ecological environment, as well as the spatial effects of its energy consumption and economic growth on the ecological environment. Moreover, the spatial autocorrelation model, spatial-temporal transition method, and generalized moment estimation method are adopted to conduct empirical analysis on the research object. The results show that (1) there are spatial correlations among energy consumption, economic growth, and the ecological environment in China’s provinces, and there are obviously different agglomeration areas in spatial distribution; (2) energy consumption, economic growth, and the ecological environment level show different growth trends, and the differences between different provinces in provincial units are shrinking; and (3) regarding energy consumption, the spatial impact of economic growth on the ecological environment is obvious, and there are obvious “path dependence” characteristics in the spatial distribution and positive correlations. Finally, this paper puts forward research conclusions and relevant suggestions on the basis of empirical analysis.
Highlights
Since its reform and opening up, China’s sustained and rapid economic growth has attracted much attention. e country’s total economic volume has achieved development-byleaps growth, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 9.26% and an annual per-capita GDP growth rate of 8.3%
According to data released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reached a historical high of 33 billion tons in 2019, and China’s CO2 emissions accounted for 23% of the world’s total, far higher than that of the United States (11%)
The caliber of different statistical agencies in the world is different, and the conclusions drawn are different to some extent, it is undeniable that China’s total energy consumption, total carbon emissions, and total economic volume show a trend of synchronous high-speed growth. e energy consumption, environmental pollution, and ecological destruction of China’s economic growth have attracted great attention worldwide. e World Bank’s Development Report lists China and India as countries with both high economic growth and high environmental pollution. e extensive economic growth mode of “high energy consumption, low efficiency, and high emissions” can no Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society longer adapt to the current situation of resource shortages and environmental restrictions in China
Summary
Since its reform and opening up, China’s sustained and rapid economic growth has attracted much attention. e country’s total economic volume has achieved development-byleaps growth, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 9.26% and an annual per-capita GDP growth rate of 8.3%. E extensive economic growth mode of “high energy consumption, low efficiency, and high emissions” can no Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society longer adapt to the current situation of resource shortages and environmental restrictions in China. From 2017 to 2019, China’s energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 3.7%, 3.1%, and 5%, respectively, compared with the previous year, it showed a downward trend year by year; China’s energy consumption per unit of GDP is still far higher than that of developed countries such as the United States, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom, at 2.5 times the world average, exceeding most emerging economies, such as Brazil, India, and Mexico. China’s economic growth mode is still an extensive growth state of “high consumption, high emissions, and low output.” e lack of efficient energy consumption and an unscientific energy structure have brought about severe environmental pollution problems. In the process of economic development, it is necessary to find the best balance between the protection and governance of the regional economy and the environment to give overall consideration to the protection and governance of the regional economy and the environment, which is a key topic that scholars need to consider. erefore, starting from the actual situation of the dual constraints of China’s regional energy consumption and environmental pollution, this paper uses the spatial econometric method to explore the spatial correlations among China’s provincial energy consumption, economic growth, and ecological environment, which has both theoretical and practical significance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
