Influencing Factors of Energy-Related CO2 Emissions in China: A Decomposition Analysis

Resumen

China is the largest CO₂ emitter in the world and is still reliant on energy consumption for economic growth. Research has focused on effective approaches of reducing and mitigating CO₂ emissions. This paper undertakes a decomposition study of energy-related CO₂ emissions from the industrial and household sectors during the period 1996?2012, with the objectives of investigating trends of the changes in energy-related CO₂ emissions, the driving forces of these changes, and approaches of mitigating CO₂ emission. Results show the following: (1) the expansion of economic activity is the dominant stimulatory factor of the increase of CO₂ emissions in China and that a sustained increase in CO₂ emissions can be expected; (2) the decline in energy intensity and the adjustment of energy mix and industrial structure effectively mitigate CO₂ emissions; and (3) the government should give more attention to enhancing the energy utility efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions in rural households.