Administrative Region Research Articles

Exploring the impact of population urbanization on the green economy development: A case study of 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China

The green economy development (GED) has emerged as a paramount objective for urban progress in the 21st century, emphasizing the harmonious advancement across economic, social, and environmental domains. Yet, the impact of population urbanization, a pivotal driver of urban evolution, on GED remains ambiguous. Addressing this knowledge gap necessitates investigations at specific stages of rapid population urbanization in a certain country. In order to explore the relationship between them, this study focuses on China, a distinctive economic entity, utilizing the DEA-SBM model with unexpected outputs to assess its GED efficiency (GE). Additionally, employing the Tobit model, the study scrutinizes the impact of population urbanization on GE in China from 2000 to 2020. Mechanism analyses are further conducted to explore the key roles of environmental policies, population density, and R&D in fostering GE. Findings reveal: (1) a U-shaped relationship between population urbanization and GE; (2) significant enhancement of GE through green credit policy, alongside positive moderating the impact of environmental protection on GE; conversely, environmental assessment policy notably reduce GE, while positively moderating the impact of industrial structure rationalization on GE; (3) a U-shaped relationship between population urbanization and GE under low population density, with population urbanization significantly diminishing GE as population density reaches a critical level; (4) higher amount of R&D personnel corresponding to increased GE at equivalent population urbanization levels. Finally, several management strategies derived from these findings are offered, aiming to assist other developing nations in effectively improving their urban GE.

Speaking with attitude

Abstract Applying a qualitative discourse-based analysis, this paper discusses the attitudes towards the languages spoken in Macao based on their representation in the comic literature written in Macanese Creole. The texts consist of those collected by Leopoldo Danilo Barreiros and those written by José dos Santos Ferreira. They originated from the mid-1800s to the 1990s, just before the creation of the special administrative region of Macao in 1999. The attitudes towards different languages vary according to the ethnicity, gender, age and socioeconomic status of the characters. While celebrating the ethnic and linguistic diversity of Macao, the authors of the texts performatively express nostalgia about Macanese Creole and the Macao of the olden days with which the language is associated, as well as concern about the decreasing Portuguese influence on Macanese culture and fear about growing Chinese influence.

Relationship between investment in fixed capital and economic efficiency in the agrarian sector of Belarus

The relationship between investments in fixed capital and the efficiency of agricultural organizations in Belarus in 2013–2022 is analysed by groups of commodity producers depending on profitability and by administrative regions. The optimal share of own funds in the structure of investment sources is substantiated.

Japanese encephalitis in swine in San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines

ObjectivesA systematic review of multidisciplinary studies on Japanese encephalitis (JE) in the Philippines indicated that endemic foci may be found in all 17 administrative regions in the country. MethodsTo establish the etiology of the disease, virus detection and seroprevalence surveys in 198 pigs were conducted in 2010–2011 in four barangays (villages) in the Municipality of San Jose, Tarlac. Prior to the present study, JE virus genotype III (JEV GIII) was recovered from the mosquito, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, in the same municipality where backyard hog-raising and wet rice cultivation were common practices among households located within 1 km radius from the paddies. ResultsJEV GIII was detected from serum and nasal swabs from pigs, 3 to 5-month-old, from barangays Pao, Moriones, and Villa Aglipay. Immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in pigs < 4 to > 8 months old, with an overall total of 17.2 % and 62.1 %, respectively. The presence of these antibodies in all pigs during four observation periods indicated year-round transmission starting with the rainy season, which encompasses the months of July and September 2010. IgM represented new infections. IgG increased correspondingly with age with repeated infections in older pigs. IgG levels remained high in all barangays. The number of households with any one of the markers: IgM, IgG, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction averaged out at 82.5 %, reflecting as it were, vulnerability to JE in barangays where all 198 pigs were examined. This report contributes to knowledge on JE, whereby incidence in humans may be linked to its epizootic spillover from pigs. ConclusionsThe study has shown that four barangays, representing a rice-farming community, supported the enzootic cycle of JE in swine, with mosquitoes previously found to be infected with JEV GIII in San Jose. Thus, infected pigs, rainfall, and proximity of human habitation to breeding sites of vector mosquitoes constituted the risk factors for JE, as it were in other endemic countries in Asia. The finding of viral RNA in nasal swabs suggests the possibility of direct transmission among pigs via the oronasal route. From the standpoint of public health, JE immunization of children and periodic surveillance of swine are recommended.

Research on the Interactive Impact of Transportation Systems on Socio-Economic Development

This paper aims to explore the interactive impact between transportation systems and socio-economic development, employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions in China from 2013 to 2022. It comprehensively considers key indicators from the economic, social, and transportation sectors. The paper constructs a model encompassing 5 latent variables and 15 observed variables. Through in-depth analysis, it reveals the promoting role of transportation systems on economic growth and social development, as well as the demand for transportation system construction and optimization driven by socio-economic development levels. The results indicate that an efficient transportation system can not only directly drive economic growth but also indirectly promote social development by improving social welfare and enhancing quality of life. This paper provides new insights into understanding the complex relationship between transportation systems and socio-economic development and holds significant implications for policymakers in optimizing transportation infrastructure to foster economic and social development.

Modeling the co-circulation of influenza and COVID-19 in Hong Kong, China

BackgroundAfter abandoning the zero-case strategy for COVID-19 in December 2022 in mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (HKSAR) has undergone an anticipated surge of the prevalence of COVID-19, as well as other influenzas, such as influenza A/H1N1, influenza A/H3N2, and influenza B as well. Noteworthy, people are usually concerned about the mutual influences between two families of respiratory viruses, like co-circulation or co-infection.MethodsWe fitted a unified model to weekly reported severe COVID-19 cases and the confirmed influenza A laboratory cases in HKSAR, respectively, using the R package POMP to obtain the best fitting and parameter estimates. The reconstructed transmission rates of the COVID-19 (/influenza A) versus the weekly reported influenza A (/COVID-19) confirmations between April 2022 and April 2024 were also compared.ResultsOur numerical results suggest that influenza confirmations remained either at a very low level or were absent before 2023, while starting from 2023, the influenza epidemic re-emerged as expected because of the resumption of international travels and other social communications. Besides, the peak of influenza cases in April 2023 favored the form of the peak of COVID-19 between May–June, 2023.Additionally, during the sudden abolishment of the zero-case policy in mainland China (December 2022 to January 2023), we estimated that there were approximately 381 cases imported from mainland China into HKSAR.ConclusionsWe estimated the potential number of imported COVID-19 severe cases from mainland China to Hong Kong and revealed some potential population-level interference between the two families of respiratory viruses.

Assessing attitudes toward mental health illnesses in Saudi Arabia: A national cross-sectional study.

The study aimed to assess the national attitudes toward individuals with mental health illnesses in Saudi Arabia, exploring the relationship between these attitudes and various sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional design with computer-assisted telephone interviews was employed, covering all 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia. A total of 4,533 adults agreed to participate, and their attitudes toward people with mental illnesses (PWMI) were measured using an 11-item scale. The translation of the original English version of the PWMI to Arabic was validated and published previously. The scale used level of agreement on a 5-point Likert scale. The score varies from 11 to 55, where a higher score signifies higher stigma. The associations between total PWMI scores and sociodemographic variables were analyzed using linear regression. The mean age of participants was 35.92 ± 12.84, with equal distribution across regions. The linear regression model showed significant associations between total PWMI scores and gender, education level, marital status, living with, or being friends with someone diagnosed with a mental illness, and working in healthcare. No significant associations were found with age, income level, and previous mental health diagnosis. The study suggests that negative stereotypes about mental illness may be more prevalent in Saudi Arabia, while Saudi participants had a more optimistic view regarding the recovery and outcomes of mental illnesses. The study highlights the importance of assessing mental health stigma and its associations with sociodemographic factors in Saudi Arabia. The significant associations found point to the need for targeted interventions and public health campaigns to address misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding mental health, ultimately improving the societal acceptance and well-being of individuals with mental health illnesses.

Empowering Indigenous Communities: The Pursuit of Quality Education and Peaceful Societies

Educational Institutions in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) fervently advocate for Indigenous Peoples (IP) and Peace Studies Education in higher learning, aligning with the CHED Regional Memorandum No. 56 of 2023. The University of Baguio and other Higher Educational institutions actively integrate IP and Peace Studies into their academic programs. This paper addresses two objectives: explaining cultural misappropriation and introducing the Cordillera Heritage Project to address this issue. This study utilizes a qualitative-descriptive research method by participating in the different programs under Project Cordillera heritage. Project HERITAGE (Higher Education Regional Integration and Teaching of Appropriate, Genuine, and Exhaustive Studies on Indigenous Peoples) is a collaboration between the University of Baguio, CHED CAR, and regional Higher Education Institutions. It introduces Cordillera Heritage as a foundational course, Cordillera Heritage 101: ‘History and Socio-cultural Heritage’, preserving Cordilleran identity through knowledge, systems, practices, settlements and institutions. The Cordillera Heritage stands as a living legacy, relevant in contemporary society and vital to the region’s history. It culminates in the Cordillera Heritage Workbook, which enhances educational materials and includes faculty immersion and training services. The University of Baguio’s proactive approach earned commendation from the Commission on Higher Education for being the first to offer Cordillera Heritage 101 across all programs. The institution’s commitment reflects in successfully implementing the first regional HERITAGE Faculty Immersion Training Service, showcasing its dedication. The Cordillera Heritage Project responds to regional educational needs by integrating subjects that respect and promote Cordilleran knowledge, values, and culture. Aligned with the aspirations for autonomy and self-determination in Cordillera communities, this course is a significant step toward preserving and promoting the region’s heritage within the educational landscape.

Seeking a better path for the circular economy of solar panels: Global sensitivity analysis focused on socioeconomic and physical factors

As more solar photovoltaic panels are expected to be introduced globally to promote the stabilization and decarbonization of electricity supply, concerns have been raised about the associated resource constraints and the environmental impacts. To promote circular economy initiatives, this study aims to provide insight into the variables and the conditions that play a key role in the expression of environmental impacts and find the better path for a circular economy of solar panels, which requires analyzing impacts on multiple indicators as a result of various factors and their cross-interactions. To achieve this goal, we constructed a resource circulation simulator that considers factors related to the business environment as well as physical factors. The simulation model was then applied to the largest administrative region in Japan, and the parameter space was explored by combining Regional Sensitivity Analysis, a global sensitivity analysis method, and Random Forest to consider the interactions among these variables. As a result of 30,000 Monte Carlo simulations performed on 26 input variables, it was found that the key parameters in final disposal and resource consumption potential differ between the two purposes; avoiding catastrophic loads and achieving ambitious reductions. In contrast, for greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to maintain or increase the efficiency of photovoltaic panel power generation for both purposes. Additionally, in the case where the key variables were optimized in terms of final disposal/resource consumption potential, it will effectively reduce the two impacts to 0.7 % and 12.6 %, respectively, with a minimal negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, in the case when optimized in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, it has only a small impact on greenhouse gas emissions and large negative impacts on final disposal and resource consumption potential. Further refinement of the parameter space and thresholds in the analysis is a topic for future research.

The Influence of Parents’ Beliefs and Home Literacy Environment on Preschoolers’ Attitudes toward Learning English as a Foreign Language

There are concerns about the negative impact of early English instruction on preschoolers’ attitudes, especially regarding parents’ beliefs (PB) and certain home literacy environments (HLE). However, limited research exists on how these factors influence young children’s attitudes toward learning English. This study examined the impact of PB and HLE on preschoolers’ attitudes toward learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Purposive sampling was utilized to select potential respondents from 14 administrative regions within Zhengzhou, China. A survey was conducted among 405 primary caregivers of English preschool learners, focusing on family demographics, perceptions of early English education, HLE, and preschoolers’ learning attitudes. The data were analysed using partial least squares (PLS) analysis in structural equation modelling (SEM). Results affirmed how preschoolers’ HLE significantly and distinctly influences their EFL learning attitudes via formal and informal learning activities as well as resource availability. Specifically, English literacy resources were found to shape preschool-age children’s affective and cognitive attitudes, while caregiver reports on informal English learning at home has a predominant effect on preschoolers’ behavioural attitude. Moreover, access to literacy resources at home serves as a critical intermediary between PB about the value of English education and preschoolers’ cognitive attitude. These findings underline the importance of a supportive HLE and the benefits of interventions designed to modify parents’ beliefs in fostering preschoolers’ favorable attitudes toward EFL learning.

A nationwide study of heavy metal(loid)s in agricultural soils and the soil-grown black morel Morchella sextelata in China

The accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in soil-grown mushrooms poses potential health risks. Morchella sextelata (black morel) is a typical soil-grown mushroom with a rapidly expanding cultivation area. This study investigated the distribution of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, and zinc in 213 pairs of soil and morel samples collected from 29 provincial administrative regions in China, together with the nutritional contents in the morel samples. The HM contents in the arable soils used to cultivate morels were 2.4–33.1 times higher than those in desert soils, while the HM contents in arable-soil morels were 2.9–155.9 times higher than desert morels. The HM contents of morels and their cultivation soils were significantly correlated (0.465 ≤ R ≤ 0.778, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the enrichment factors of most HMs were higher in arable soils than in desert soils (P < 0.05), except Hg. A considerable proportion of the arable soils produced morels with HMs exceeding the risk control standards (RCSs) for food and the health-risk thresholds of dietary intake. In comparison, HMs in morels from desert soils were far below the RCSs and health-risk thresholds. In addition, desert morels contained higher contents of crude proteins, total polysaccharides, and free amino acids (P < 0.001). These findings indicate that growing morels in desert soils is a way of green production that provides mushroom products with improved safety and nutrition.

Fiscal multipliers in recession and expansion. An analysis for the Italian regions

This paper estimates the multipliers of two types of government spending in the 20 Italian administrative regions throughout 1960–2017, distinguishing between phases of expansion and recession. We derive regime- and region-specific multipliers through a nonlinear Bayesian heterogeneous panel threshold VAR model and provide a wide-ranging sensitivity analysis. We find that both government consumption and government investment multipliers are higher in recession than in expansion. In almost every region, government investment multipliers exceed unity in recession phases and are generally higher than their government consumption counterparts regardless of the business cycle. An exploratory analysis of the region-specific multipliers suggests that the difference between the region-specific multipliers in recession and expansion is positively associated with structural labour slack and negatively associated with trade openness. Factors related to the quality of local institutions, such as corruption and the relative size of the informal economy, also have a negative impact.

Burden of non-communicable diseases in China and its provinces, 1990-2021: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the primary causes of disability and death. The aim of this study is to analyze the disease burden of NCDs in China from 1990 to 2021. This study used data on NCDs in China and its provinces from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. The study analyzed the disease burden of NCDs in 2021 and its changes from 1990 to 2021 using indicators including deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Between 1990 and 2021, the NCD burden in China exhibited an upward trend. In 2021, China had 10.6 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 9.0-12.2)million deaths and 349.3 (95% UI: 301.5-401.2)million DALYs due to NCDs, accounting for 91.0% (95% UI: 90.4-91.7%) of all deaths and 86.7% (95% UI: 86.0-87.4%) of all DALYs. NCDs caused a lower disease burden in females than in males. Cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms were the main NCD level 2 causes of deaths and DALYs, resulting in 5.1 (95% UI: 4.3-5.9) and 2.8 (95% UI: 2.3-3.4) million deaths and 100.2 (95% UI: 84.6-116.6) million and 71.2 (95% UI: 59.3-85.2) million DALYs in 2021, respectively. Chronic respiratory diseases were the third leading cause of NCD deaths, while musculoskeletal disorders were the third leading cause of NCD DALYs. Qinghai, Xizang, and Heilongjiang had the highest age-standardized mortality rates and age-standardized DALY rates (per 100,000) for NCDs, while Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR), Macao SAR, and Shanghai recorded the lowest age-standardized mortality rates and age-standardized DALY rates. NCDs disease burden in China and exhibited heterogeneity across sexes provinces. China needs to focus on addressing key NCDs and implement intervention measures tailored to the disease distribution characteristics to reduce the NCD burden.

Epidemiological Mapping of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia: An Observational Descriptive Study

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease that affects individuals worldwide. An epidemiological observational population–cohort study was conducted on the basis of comprehensive research on CL incidence in Saudi and non-Saudi residents. The Ministry of Health recorded the incidence of CL between January 2020 and December 2022. The chi-square test was used to analyze the data and determine CL incidence rates in age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs) and gender between Saudi and non-Saudi residents in Saudi Arabia. The study found that between 2020 and 2022, there were 2280 cases of CL in Saudi Arabia, with 1367 and 913 cases in men and women, respectively. Of Saudi nationals, 64.26% and 12.91% were male and female, respectively. The frequency of CL was higher (87.09%) among non-Saudi residents than among Saudi nationals, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) between the two groups. The ASIRs for CL were higher in patients aged 15–45 years. This study revealed variations in CL incidence rates among the 13 administrative regions; Qassim, followed by Aseer, Ha’il, and Madinah, had higher rates than the other regions. These findings indicate the need for targeted interventions and public health strategies to reduce the burden on CL, particularly among non-Saudi residents.

CO2 Emissions Associated with Groundwater Storage Depletion in South Korea: Estimation and Vulnerability Assessment Using Satellite Data and Data-Driven Models

Groundwater is crucial in mediating the interactions between the carbon and water cycles. Recently, groundwater storage depletion has been identified as a significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Here, we developed two data-driven models—XGBoost and convolutional neural network–long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM)—based on multi-satellite and reanalysis data to monitor CO2 emissions resulting from groundwater storage depletion in South Korea. The data-driven models developed in this study provided reasonably accurate predictions compared with in situ groundwater storage anomaly (GWSA) observations, identifying relatively high groundwater storage depletion levels in several regions over the past decade. For each administrative region exhibiting a decreasing groundwater storage trend, the corresponding CO2 emissions were quantified based on the predicted GWSA and respective bicarbonate concentrations. For 2008–2019, XGBoost and CNN-LSTM estimated CO2 emissions to be 0.216 and 0.202 MMTCO2/year, respectively. Furthermore, groundwater storage depletion vulnerability was assessed using the entropy weight method and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to identify hotspots with a heightened potential risk of CO2 emissions. Western South Korean regions were particularly classified as high or very high regions and susceptible to groundwater storage depletion-associated CO2 emissions. This study provides a foundation for developing countermeasures to mitigate accelerating groundwater storage depletion and the consequent rise in CO2 emissions.

JOGOS DE LUTA CORPORAL COMO POSSIBILIDADE DE ENSINO NA EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA: UM ARTEFATO PEDAGÓGICO NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL

This experience report originates from Physical Education classes with a 5th-grade class at a rural school in the Federal District, located in the peripheral Administrative Region of São Sebastião. The experiment aimed to create, implement, and evaluate a Pedagogical Artifact for the fifth grade of elementary school, incorporating elements of body combat, such as conditional principles and classification by approach groups. This provided students with the opportunity to experience the diversity of content and motor actions related to the theme through playful games. The methodology of Educational Design was used, resulting in a pedagogical artifact for teaching body combat. The application was monitored through participant observation, as described by Gil (2002), along with field notebook entries and photographic records. The results showed that teaching and learning occurred through playful experiences in body combat games, as well as reflections in discussion circles, enabling students to initiate into the world of body combat before specialization.

A Review of the Human Trafficking Framework: Is the Law Sufficient to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking in the HKSAR?

ABSTRACT This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework surrounding human trafficking in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a region witnessing an alarming increase in such incidents. The study juxtaposes the legislative approach of the HKSAR with that of the United Kingdom and international law commitments, treaties, and resolutions. While highlighting the limitations in the HKSAR’s legal frame, primarily its nonparticipation in the Palermo Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 2000, it argues that legal deficiencies are not the sole contributors to the region’s human trafficking issues. It contends that underlying societal and criminal factors, such as organized crime and corruption, impede the law’s effectiveness. The study further identifies areas where HKSAR’s laws fail to define and criminalize elements of trafficking adequately. It discusses the potential of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015, despite its criticisms, and explores if such a reform could benefit Hong Kong. This study aims to stimulate dialogue and research to enhance legal frameworks combating human trafficking.

New bryological data from relict mires in the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park (Central Apennines) and their interpretation according to the EUNIS classification and Habitats Directive

During a phytosociological field-work campaign aimed at studying some relict Scheuchzerio-Caricetea boreal mires of the montane and subalpine belts of the Laga Mountains, the highest and largest siliceous massif of the Apennine range, several bryophyte taxa of particular biogeographic interest were collected. Among these taxa, Schljakovia kunzeana and Ptychostomum cernuum were found to be new records for the whole Apennine range while Hamatocaulis vernicosus (taxon included in annex II of Habitats Directive) and Scorpidium cossonii as new for the Central-Southern Apennines. Two further species, Bryum canariense, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, were found to be confirmations of old records for the Central Apennines dating back to the early 1900s. At the national and regional level, nine, out of the forty-four bryophyte taxa identified in this study, were found to be new for the Lazio administrative Region, and one taxon as new for the Abruzzo Region. The majority of these new records belong to the boreal chorotype, the Laga Mountains being one of the most important conservation sites for the relict circumboreal and arctic-alpine flora in the whole Mediterranean area. According to both the EUNIS Habitat classification and the EU Habitats Directive Annex I, several, out of the 44 bryophytes identified in this study, act as diagnostic species for European Community Habitats. Nevertheless, a complete correspondence between bryophyte taxon and habitat type was not found upon comparing these two environmental policy systems.

A study of the documentation of withholding and withdrawing life‐sustaining therapies in a tertiary intensive care unit in Hong Kong

AbstractBackgroundIn the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), recommended end‐of‐life (EOL) care practice encompasses do‐not‐attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR), withholding (WH), and withdrawing (WD) life‐sustaining treatment (LST).ObjectivesOur study aims to evaluate the adequacy of physicians' documentation of EOL care practices.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study, which evaluated the documentation of 18 pre‐identified critical components related to decision‐making, implementation, and communication of WD and WH of LST in a general medical‐surgical ICU of a tertiary hospital in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China. One hundred twenty‐nine patients with EOL care before death were enrolled from 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2015. For documentation to be considered clear, the responsible ICU physician had to record notes in written form on the medical record.ResultsIn documenting the decision‐making process, the indication of patients' decision‐making capacity was present in 6.2% of the reviewed records. DNACPR orders were documented substantially poorer (51.6%) than WH/WD other LSTs (71.4%–96.9%) in documenting the implementation process. Reviewing the communication documentation showed that 15.5% detailed the process of determining the patient's previously expressed wishes, 16.3% included explanations of shared decisions and 5.4% covered substituted decisions. None of the patient records met the complete documentation criteria while 17% met the minimal compliance level, defined as records missing 30% or fewer items.ConclusionsDespite following international standards for EOL care, documentation by ICU physicians for key aspects of decision‐making, implementation, and communication for LST limitations was inadequate. Strategies to improve documentation should be encouraged.

Investigating the spatiotemporal dynamics and interplay mechanisms between population urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in China

Population urbanization significantly influences urban carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. As urban areas expand and populations grow, the demand for energy and resources rises, contributing to higher CO2 emissions. Understanding the objective laws and mechanisms linking these factors is crucial for promoting low-carbon and environmentally sustainable urban practices. This study utilizes the Spatial Autoregressive (SAR) model to explore the impact of population urbanization on CO2 emissions and innovatively investigates the roles of policies and demographic factors in this process. By examining 30 representative provincial administrative regions in China, the results indicate: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the global Moran's I index for CO2 emissions generally shows a declining trend, with high-emission areas clustering increasingly in the northern regions; (2) CO2 emissions exhibit an accelerating upward trend with the progression of population urbanization, with significant regional disparities across eastern, central, and western China; (3) Energy transition policies and the establishment of a carbon emissions trading system are effective in reducing CO2 emissions; (4) During the process of population urbanization, it is essential to consider urban environmental carrying capacity and employment guidance to ensure a fair energy transition.