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Does urban concentration mitigate CO2 emissions? Evidence from China 1998–2008

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  • QIN, Bo
  • WU, Jianfeng

Abstract

We provide evidence of first increasing and then decreasing CO2 emission intensity as the degree of urban concentration increases, based on data from 25 provincial regions in China over the period 1998–2008. This evidence is consistent with the environmentally desirable urban concentration argument identified in recent literature. Our findings indicate the importance of the spatial organization of activities and people in addressing regional CO2 emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • QIN, Bo & WU, Jianfeng, 2015. "Does urban concentration mitigate CO2 emissions? Evidence from China 1998–2008," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 220-231.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:35:y:2015:i:c:p:220-231
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2014.02.006
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    8. Shuddhasattwa Rafiq & Ingrid Nielsen & Russell Smyth, 2016. "Effect of Internal Migration on Air and Water Pollution in China," Monash Economics Working Papers 27-16, Monash University, Department of Economics.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Urban concentration; CO2 emission intensity; Nonparametric estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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