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Impact of affluence and fossil energy on China carbon emissions using STIRPAT model

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Abstract

Using the extended STIRPAT model, this research examines the influence of various factors on China carbon emission from 1971 to 2014, including total nuclear and alternative energy, total fossil energy, GDP per capita, total population, total urban population, merchandise trade of GDP, and services value added of GDP. Ridge regression was employed to perform the study. The research results show the positivity and significance of all factors on carbon emission. The estimated elastic coefficients reveal the most important factor influencing carbon emission is GDP per capita. Total fossil energy, total urban population, and nuclear energy of total energy use are also prominent influencing factors, while other factors such as value-added services of GDP and merchandise trade of GDP have less significant impacts on carbon emission in China. These findings of the research will be of great significance for China to control its carbon emission in the future and to mitigate global warming to some extent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Management, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China

    Yulong Zhang & Qingyu Zhang

  2. College of Finance, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guiyang, Guizhou, China

    Binbin Pan

Authors
  1. Yulong Zhang
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  2. Qingyu Zhang
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  3. Binbin Pan
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Correspondence to Yulong Zhang.

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Responsible editor: Muhammad Shahbaz

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Zhang, Y., Zhang, Q. & Pan, B. Impact of affluence and fossil energy on China carbon emissions using STIRPAT model. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 18814–18824 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04950-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04950-4

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