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Province-level convergence of China’s carbon dioxide emissions

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  • Zhao, Xueting
  • Wesley Burnett, J.
  • Lacombe, Donald J.

Abstract

This study offers a unique contribution to the literature by investigating the convergence of province-level carbon dioxide emission intensities among a panel of 30 provinces in China over the period 1990–2010. We use a novel, spatial dynamic panel data model to evaluate an empirically testable hypothesis of convergence among provinces. Our results suggest that: (1) CO2 emission intensities are converging across provinces in China; (2) the rate of convergence is higher with the dynamic panel data model than the cross-sectional regression models; and, (3) province-level CO2 emission intensities are spatially correlated and the rate of convergence, when controlling for spatial autocorrelation, is higher than with the non-spatial models.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Xueting & Wesley Burnett, J. & Lacombe, Donald J., 2015. "Province-level convergence of China’s carbon dioxide emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 286-295.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:150:y:2015:i:c:p:286-295
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.04.015
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