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A regional analysis of carbon intensities of electricity generation in China

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  • Liu, Nan
  • Ma, Zujun
  • Kang, Jidong

Abstract

Index decomposition analysis (IDA) has been widely applied to study CO2 emissions from electricity generation. However, most have focused on emissions at the country level, less attention has been given to emissions at the regional level. To fill the gap, this study firstly utilized a Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method to analyze the driving forces of aggregate carbon intensity (ACI) of electricity generation in China from 2000 to 2014. A regional attribution analysis was introduced to look into the contributions from 30 provinces to the driving forces. Then, a multi-regional spatial-IDA was further adopted to assess the emission performance of electricity generation in 30 provinces. The results of temporal-IDA and regional attribution analysis show that the ACI in China dropped notably by 14.5% from 2000 to 2014. Thermal efficiency improvement was a major driver for the decrease, due largely to the significant improvement in thermal generation efficiency in the eastern coastal regions. Clean power penetration reduced ACI remarkably as well, of which the western regions were the main contributors. The spatial-IDA results indicate that the emission performance of electricity generation in different regions varied significantly. While the western regions performed better in clean power penetration, the eastern regions performed better in thermal generation efficiency. Based on the findings, several regional policy strategies were recommended to further lower down ACI of electricity in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Nan & Ma, Zujun & Kang, Jidong, 2017. "A regional analysis of carbon intensities of electricity generation in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 268-277.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:67:y:2017:i:c:p:268-277
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2017.08.018
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; Regions; Carbon intensity of electricity; Temporal-IDA; Regional attribution analysis; Spatial-IDA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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