Evaluating carbon emissions reduction compliance based on 'dual control' policies of energy consumption and carbon emissions in China

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluating carbon emissions reduction compliance based on 'dual control' policies of energy consumption and carbon emissions in China

AU - Wen, Wen

AU - Su, Yang

AU - Tang, Ying er

AU - Zhang, Xingman

AU - Hu, Yuchen

AU - Ben, Yawen

AU - Qu, Shen

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2024/9

Y1 - 2024/9

N2 - Dual control policies aim to effectively reduce energy consumption and carbon emission by setting targets for total volume and intensity control. With global climate change becoming increasingly serious. China, as a large energy-consuming and carbon-emitting country, faces a huge challenge to reduce carbon emissions. The transition from the “dual control of energy consumption” to the “dual control of carbon emissions” in China is necessary to optimize energy structures, promote energy conservation, reduce carbon emissions, and reach carbon neutrality. This study utilizes multi-regional input-output models to evaluate the results toward both goals from production-based, consumption-based, and income-based perspectives. The findings indicate that “dual control of carbon emissions” is a more precise approach than “dual control of energy consumption”. Some provinces have met the latter goal while still falling short of the former. Provinces having met their production-based energy intensity and carbon emission intensity targets, but having failed their consumption-based and income-based targets, are identified to develop a comprehensive and accurate assessment of these targets. A net outflow of embodied energy and carbon emissions is observed among provinces in less-developed central and southern regions to more-developed eastern and northern regions. Suggestions and policy implications based on these findings include establishing a comprehensive evaluation of energy and carbon intensity, considering both consumption-based and income-based perspectives, as well as facilitating enhanced cooperation among developed and developing provinces.

AB - Dual control policies aim to effectively reduce energy consumption and carbon emission by setting targets for total volume and intensity control. With global climate change becoming increasingly serious. China, as a large energy-consuming and carbon-emitting country, faces a huge challenge to reduce carbon emissions. The transition from the “dual control of energy consumption” to the “dual control of carbon emissions” in China is necessary to optimize energy structures, promote energy conservation, reduce carbon emissions, and reach carbon neutrality. This study utilizes multi-regional input-output models to evaluate the results toward both goals from production-based, consumption-based, and income-based perspectives. The findings indicate that “dual control of carbon emissions” is a more precise approach than “dual control of energy consumption”. Some provinces have met the latter goal while still falling short of the former. Provinces having met their production-based energy intensity and carbon emission intensity targets, but having failed their consumption-based and income-based targets, are identified to develop a comprehensive and accurate assessment of these targets. A net outflow of embodied energy and carbon emissions is observed among provinces in less-developed central and southern regions to more-developed eastern and northern regions. Suggestions and policy implications based on these findings include establishing a comprehensive evaluation of energy and carbon intensity, considering both consumption-based and income-based perspectives, as well as facilitating enhanced cooperation among developed and developing provinces.

KW - Carbon emissions reduction

KW - Carbon leakage

KW - Compliance

KW - Dual control policies

KW - Input-output analysis

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85199939976

U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121990

DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121990

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85199939976

SN - 0301-4797

VL - 367

JO - Journal of Environmental Management

JF - Journal of Environmental Management

M1 - 121990

ER -