carbon dioxide emissions

power industry

electric carbon productivity

decoupling analysis

provincial level

Environmental management

Policies for economically sustainable development

Policies for environmentally sustainable development

In China, the power industry is a major fossil-energy consumption sector and carbon dioxide emitter putting great pressure on the environment. To realize the sustainable development of the power industry and economy, it is necessary to investigate the decoupling relationship between the economic and the power industry-related indicators (i.e., the power generation of carbon dioxide emissions and electric carbon productivity). This study employs the Tapio decoupling technique to conduct the analysis at national and provincial levels, covering the period of 2000-2016. Empirical results show that:
1) In our work there are four decoupling statuses existing among the total eight decoupling statuses, showing alternating and periodic characteristics.
2) The decoupling status evolution between the economy and carbon dioxide emissions for 30 provinces shows regional features, with similarities and differences due to the local economic mode, natural resources and the echo to the central government policies.
3) The decoupling status can also reflect the impact of national and even international policies. The results could help the central and local governments formulate targeted measures to reduce carbon dioxide from the power industry and increase electric carbon productivity without compromising the economy to achieve the coordination of the economy and the environment.