Drivers of CO2 emissions in China

By combining data from population growth, energy intensity per unit of GDP, per capita GDP, and emission per unit of energy consumed, researchers determined the major drivers of energy-related CO₂ emissions in China since 1978, when the country experienced significant economic reforms, and found that economic growth followed by population growth were the biggest contributors to a 6-fold increase in energy-related CO₂ emissions; carbon and energy intensity slowed growth of energy-related CO₂ emissions, suggesting that although emissions may continue to increase, the growth rate is likely to remain low.

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Article #19-08513: "Drivers of change in China's energy-related CO₂ emissions," by Xiaoqi Zheng et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Yonglong Lu, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CHINA; tel: +86-013601335183; email: yllu@rcees.ac.cn; Nils Chr. Stenseth, University of Oslo, NORWAY; tel: +47-22854584, +47-22854400; email: n.c.stenseth@mn.uio.no