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Towards Carbon Neutrality: A Comprehensive Analysis on Total Factor Carbon Productivity of the Yellow River Basin, China

Author

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  • Mingjuan Ma

    (School of Agricultural and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
    School of Economics, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750030, China)

  • Shuifa Ke

    (School of Agricultural and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Qiang Li

    (School of Computer Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750030, China)

  • Yaqi Wu

    (School of Economics, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750030, China)

Abstract

Increasing total factor carbon productivity (TFCP) is crucial to mitigate global climate change and achieve carbon neutrality target. The Yellow River Basin is a critical energy area in China, but its TFCP is relatively low, which results in particularly prominent environmental problems. This paper investigates TFCP using MCPI, Global Moran’s I and kernel density estimation based on panel data of the 9 provinces along this vast basin in 2007–2017. The results demonstrate that: the average value of TFCP fluctuates around 1 and overall TFCP evolution exhibits significant spatial aggregation effect, and technological progress is the dominant impetus for TFCP growth. At regional level, regional heterogeneities of TFCP change and its dynamics exactly exist, with Qinghai the lowest performance and Shandong the highest performance. Moreover, global Moran’s I index reflects there is a significant positive spatial correlation between provincial TFCP, and cumulative TFCP takes on a certain degree of club convergence features. Furthermore, specific and targeted recommendations have drawn from this paper, in particular for the Yellow River Basin, to increase TFCP and achieve sustainable development in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingjuan Ma & Shuifa Ke & Qiang Li & Yaqi Wu, 2023. "Towards Carbon Neutrality: A Comprehensive Analysis on Total Factor Carbon Productivity of the Yellow River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6591-:d:1122684
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