Regional unevenness and synergy of carbon emission reduction in China's green low-carbon circular economy

Abstract

This study draws upon general systems theory and Bronfenbrenner's theory of ecosystem studies. Utilizing panel data from 2000 to 2019 covering 30 provinces in China, this study applies the entropy value method to measure the index of high-quality development in China's Green Low-Carbon Circular Economy. Subsequently, the study employs the generalized matrix moment estimation to analyze the regional unevenness and synergistic pathways of carbon emission reduction in the low-carbon circular economy. Findings indicate that carbon emission reduction within China's green, low-carbon circular economy exhibited inter-regional variations from 2000 to 2019, accompanied by a significant non-equilibrium spatial distribution and a gradual evolutionary pattern. Except for the northeast region, the deviation of the high-quality development index in China's Green Low-Carbon Circular Economy from the national and regional averages converged across the eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions, assuming control of other factors. Therefore, China takes action to stimulate the development momentum of each region, expediting the adoption of green production methods. Furthermore, optimizing the policy system should be prioritized to address the regional development gap. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive and intensive strategy to enhance resource recycling efficiency is crucial. These measures aim to provide valuable insights for decision-makers in formulating strategies for the transformation toward China's Green Low-Carbon Circular Economy.