Regional Convergence of Low-Carbon Economic Development in China

Studying and comprehending low-carbon economic development in China is very important to make effective policies, which can help low-carbon economy to develop. This paper analyzes the characteristics and influencing factors of low-carbon economic development of the whole country and the eastern, central and western regions from 1995 to 2008 with the methods of a-convergence, club convergence and beta-convergence. The results indicate that (1)there is not a a-convergence trend of 29 provinces, the disparities of low-carbon economic development become larger; (2)there are not club convergence trends of the eastern, central and western regions; (3)low-carbon economic development of 29 provinces has trends of absolute and conditional beta-convergence. Based on the analysis, it represents some suggestions to speed up low carbon economy.