Abstract:

The total amount and intensity of carbon emission from energy consumption in Anhui Province from 2000 to 2011 were calculated in this paper. Based on the STIRPAT model, a model of driving factors on carbon emission in urbanization was developed. A quantitative analysis was further conducted to reveal the driving factors of carbon emission from energy consumption in the process of urbanization. The contribution of each index to the growth of carbon emissions was comparatively analyzed. The results are as follows. Firstly, there was an increasing tendency of carbon emission from energy consumption but a decreasing tendency of carbon emission intensity and energy intensity. Secondly, every 1% increase in the second industry output value, the tertiary industry output value, proportion of urban population, urban construction area, urban per capita disposable income or energy intensity was achieved at the cost of increasing carbon emission by 1208 8%, 0202 0%, 0502 3%, 4793 8%, and 1066 0%, respectively. On the other hand, every 1% decrease in energy intensity was companioned by a decrease of 0120 2% in carbon emission. Thirdly, it was found that in the process of urbanization the expanding town area and the increasing industrialization level which became the main driving factors of carbon emissions promoted the consumption of energy. In view of the abovementioned results and in consideration of the conditions and the development trend of urbanization in Anhui Province, several corresponding suggestions on policy were then put forward. For example, the scale of land use in urbanization should be strictly controlled. Besides, with the help of scientific innovation, energy could be more efficiently taken into use and more new energies would be explored and utilized. Moreover, industrial structure is supposed to be optimized, the proportion of the third industry in GDP should be increased and lowcarbon city of compact style should be constructed. In addition, last but not the least, the green and lowcarbon pattern in production and expense should be advocated. This article is expected to contribute to the achievement of the target of constructing ecological civilization, “ecological Anhui” and “beautiful Anhui”. It is also hoped to play a sample role in studying the driving factors of carbon emissions in other provincial administrative regions