Carbon Emissions Decomposition Analysis of Yangtze River Delta Area in China: 2001-2012

Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, carbon emissions of Yangtze River Delta Area are calculated from 2001 to 2012. Based on LMDI method, aggregated carbon emissions in this area are decomposed into five effects: energy structure, energy intensity, industrial structure, economic output and population scale effects. The decomposition results reveal that of the five factors, energy output factor contributed most to carbon emissions (147.30%), energy intensity was the most negative contributor (68.43%). Population scale contributed 22.26%. The energy structure and industrial structure contributed insignificantly, which reveals that structure adjustment is the potential factor to release their effects. Under the national strategy of the Yangtze River Delta region Regional planning (2009-2020), many opportunities maybe obtained for three provinces in this region. Regional integration can promote industrial structure adjustment better and avoid repeated construction and conquer internal industrial isomorphism. Spatial industrial layout will be optimized, i.e. Nucleus nine belt layouts, a core with two wings city groups strategy. Prior to developing modern service industry, strengthen advanced manufacturing industry, accelerate emerging industries development, consolidate and upgrade traditional industries. This policies not only will stimulate economic growth, but will bring structure adjustment to reduce energy consumption and cut down carbon emissions.