Spatial analysis of China province-level CO2 emission intensity

This study offers a unique contribution to the literature by investigating the influential factors of energy-related, carbon dioxide emission intensity among a panel of 30 provinces in China covering the period 1991–2010. We use novel spatial panel data models to analyze the drivers of energy-related emission intensity, which we posit are characterized by spatial dependence. Our results suggest (1) emission intensities are negatively affected by per-capita, province-level GDP and population density; (2) emission intensities are positively affected by the structure of energy consumption and the transportation sector; and, (3) energy prices have no effect on emission intensities.