Evolution of carbon dioxide emissions in Chinese cities: trends and transitional dynamics

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to examine the transitional dynamics of carbon dioxide emission in China by using a prefecture-level database. Convergence analysis is conducted and mobility probability plots (MPPs) are employed to examine the distribution dynamics of 286 cities from 2002 to 2011. The empirical investigation is conducted in three steps. In the first step, the research is carried out at the national level, and it provides an overall view of the evolution of carbon dioxide emission in China. In step two, the database is divided into smaller spatial groupings so as to investigate the relationship between carbon dioxide emission and geographical location. In the third step, the evolution of carbon dioxide emission in the key cities and in other non-key cities is examined, along with its implications for environmental protection. This study offers valuable information on convergence of carbon dioxide emission in China.

KEYWORDS:

• Chinese cities
• CO₂ emissions
• distribution dynamics
• convergence
• mobility probability plot

JEL codes:

• D30
• O53
• Q53
• Q58
• R11

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation [grant number 1333007], National Social Science Foundation [grant number 15ZDA054], National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 71473105], and Jinan University's Institute of Resource, Environment and Sustainable Development Project [grant number 13JNIRESD01].

Notes on contributors

Tsun Se Cheong

Tsun Se Cheong is an assistant professor at the Hang Seng Management College. His main research interests are development economics, socioeconomics, macroeconomics, environmental economics, and inequality in China.

Yanrui Wu

Yanrui Wu is a professor at the University of Western Australia. He is an economist specializing in development economics, international trade and applied econometric modelling. His research interests include the Chinese and Asian economies, productivity analysis, economic growth, resource and environmental economics.

Jianxin Wu

Jianxin Wu is an associate professor at Jinan University. His main research interests include resource economics, environmental economics, and sustainable development.