Carbon Reduction Countermeasure from a System Perspective for the Electricity Sector of Yangtze River Delta (China) by an Extended Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI)

Abstract

The electricity sector is a complex system, especially in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) of China. Thus, the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission of YRD’s electricity sector during 2000–2020 was first calculated and then evaluated from two systematical dimensions of cross-region and the whole process (production, trade, transmission, and consumption) by an extended logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI). (1) During 2000–2020, the CO2 emission of YRD’s electricity sector increased from 228.12 Mt to 807.55 Mt, with an average annual growth rate of 6.52%. Compared to other regions, the YRD’s electricity mix effect had the strongest mitigation impact on CO2 growth. Therefore, it is important for YRD to build a low-carbon electricity system itself, including the de-carbonization of electricity production and the carbon reduction of the electricity-use process. (2) Nationally, electricity trade had an overall mitigating impact on emission growth during 2000–2020. This result means that cross-regional cooperation or trade in the electricity sector is beneficial to emission reduction. So, it is important to improve the national power grids to promote trade. (3) Jiangsu had the largest CO2 emissions, while Anhui had the fastest average annual growth rate (9.71%). Moreover, the economic activity effect was the most significant driver in all provinces, especially in Jiangsu and Anhui. Thus, Jiangsu and Anhui should strive to improve the quality of economic growth while vigorously cutting carbon emissions. (4) Electricity transmission loss had an overall driving impact on emission growth in each YRD province, especially in Zhejiang and Anhui. Meanwhile, electricity structure, electricity trade, and electricity intensity were the inhibiting factors. Particularly, the inhibiting effect of Shanghai’s electricity structure was notably weak (−2.17 Mt). So, Shanghai should try hard to increase the proportion of renewable energy, while Zhejiang and Anhui should upgrade their electricity transmission equipment.