Decomposition and Spatial Clustering Analysis of China's SO2 Emissions

Based on the LMDI method, the variations of regional SO2 emissions in China are decomposed into five factors: demographic factor, scale factor, structural factor, technical factor and governance factor. With the analysis of different decomposition of every province in China, the results show that scale factor is the main factor driving the increase of SO2 emissions, while technical factor and governance factor reduce SO2 emissions. As for SO2 emissions, mid south and southwest China are at the same level, while other regions are at the same level. Last but not least, SO2 emission reduction policies are suggested in accordance with the actual situations of various regions in China. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.