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An Analysis of the Synergistic Effects of Air Pollutant Reduction and Carbon Mitigation in Major Emission Reduction Policies in China’s Transportation Sector

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  • Jingan Zhu

    (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Tyndall Centre, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Ping Jiang

    (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Tyndall Centre, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Yuanxiang Chen

    (Yunnan Research Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, Kunming 650034, China)

Abstract

As of 2023, China’s transportation energy carbon emissions account for over 10%, which has a significant impact on achieving “dual carbon” goals. China has successively issued various policies to address pollution emissions in the transportation industry. This study mainly analyzes the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon reduction measures implemented in this industry. We selected 2023 as the base year, focused on promoting new energy vehicles (NEVs), advocating bus transit (ABT), and advancing rail transit (ART) as the three major emission reduction policies, and analyzed their synergistic effects on air pollutant control and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Based on national scale data on driving conditions, energy consumption, and emission factors, the synergistic emission reductions in greenhouse gases and air pollutants brought about by the three policies were first calculated. Then, using the coordinate system of synergistic control effects, cross elasticity analysis of pollutants, and normalization evaluation methods, the multi pollutant synergistic control capabilities of each policy were quantified. Quantitative results revealed that the NEV substitution policy achieved a CO 2 reduction of 100.966 million tons in 2023, alongside reductions of 1.0196 million tons (CO), 59,506 tons (NO x ), 103,500 tons (NMHC), 6266 tons (PM 10 ), and 3071 tons (SO 2 ). Based on the AP eq ranking, its comprehensive benefits (AP eq = 166,734.52) significantly outperform ART (AP eq = 97,414.89) and ABT (AP eq = 19,796.80). The main research conclusion shows that replacing private gasoline cars with new energy vehicles can have a synergistic emission reduction effect on all five types of air pollutants and greenhouse gases involved in this study, with a positive synergistic effect. Moreover, the policy development priority is relatively better based on the synergistic emission reduction equivalent. Both buses and rail transit have not brought about SO 2 emission reduction, nor have they had a positive synergistic effect on SO 2 and CO 2 emission reduction. On this basis, buses also contribute to NO x emissions. For other air pollutants, both rail transit and buses can have a synergistic effect of reducing pollution and carbon emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingan Zhu & Ping Jiang & Yuanxiang Chen, 2025. "An Analysis of the Synergistic Effects of Air Pollutant Reduction and Carbon Mitigation in Major Emission Reduction Policies in China’s Transportation Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:1980-:d:1633326
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bing Wang & Yifan Wang & Yuqing Zhao, 2021. "Collaborative Governance Mechanism of Climate Change and Air Pollution: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Li, Jiachen & Jiang, Meiru & Li, Ge, 2024. "Does the new energy vehicles subsidy policy decrease the carbon emissions of the urban transport industry? Evidence from Chinese cities in Yangtze River Delta," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    3. Zeng, Qing-Hua & He, Ling-Yun, 2023. "Study on the synergistic effect of air pollution prevention and carbon emission reduction in the context of "dual carbon": Evidence from China's transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
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