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Research Themes, Evolution Trends, and Future Challenges in China’s Carbon Emission Studies

Author

Listed:
  • Haiqiao Wang

    (Asset Management Office, Sanjiang University, Nanjing 210012, China)

  • Li Shang

    (School of Business, Jiangsu Second Normal University, Nanjing 211200, China)

  • Decai Tang

    (School of Law and Business, Sanjiang University, Nanjing 210012, China)

  • Zhijiang Li

    (School of Management Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

Abstract

A profound analysis of China’s research achievements in the realm of carbon emissions holds the potential to furnish insightful references for analogous endeavors and inquiries in other nations. Employing the CiteSpace tool, this paper identifies five major focal points in Chinese scholars’ research on carbon emissions: carbon emission computation and prediction, influencing factors of carbon emissions, carbon footprint, carbon emission efficiency, and differential analysis of carbon emissions. Subsequently, this article systematically scrutinizes and dissects the outcomes of Chinese scholars’ endeavors in the aforementioned five focal points, culminating in recommending China’s forthcoming research on carbon emissions. (1) The research findings reveal a diversified evolution in the methods employed for calculating and predicting carbon emissions in China. However, due to the limited exploration of delineating carbon emission boundaries, instances of overlap and deviation in carbon emission quantification have emerged. (2) Factors influencing carbon emissions can be categorized into five major classes: economic, demographic, energy-related, policy-driven, and others. Yet, studies investigating industry-specific influencing factors remain relatively scarce. (3) Overcoming challenges associated with cross-boundary measurements, comprehensive effects, and policy applications is imperative in carbon footprint research. (4) Significantly disparate levels of carbon emission efficiency prevail across distinct regions or industries, with intricacies characterizing the influencing factors and a notable dearth of micro-level investigations. (5) The analysis of carbon emission differentials primarily encompasses regional disparities, industrial differentials, and temporal variations, lacking sustained tracking studies on the nuances of carbon emission disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Haiqiao Wang & Li Shang & Decai Tang & Zhijiang Li, 2024. "Research Themes, Evolution Trends, and Future Challenges in China’s Carbon Emission Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:5:p:2080-:d:1350020
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