An Empirical Study on the Influence Factors of Regional Carbon Emissions in China

Abstract

Based on the panel data of related variables of 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China from 2005 to 2011, this paper uses partially linear single index panel model (PLSIPM) to study the influence factors of regional carbon emissions, and their linear and nonlinear influence strengths. The research results are summarized as follows: (1) Current energy and industry structures in China have positive linear influences to carbon emissions, this means they exacerbate carbon emissions and should be adjusted; (2) Trade openness and urbanization ratio have negative nonlinear influences to carbon emissions, they current play roles of nonlinear inhibition to carbon emissions; (3) GDP has positive nonlinear influences to carbon emissions, current growth of GDP is not helpful to reduce carbon emissions in China.