Research on Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Characteristics, Decoupling Relationship and LMDI Factor Decomposition in Qinghai

Based on the statistical data from 1997 to 2017, with the utilization of the IPCC carbon accounting method, Tapio decoupling model, and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI), the temporal evolution characteristics of Qinghai's energy-related carbon emissions, the decoupling relationship, and its driving factors were analyzed. The results indicated that 1) The carbon emissions of Qinghai showed a trend of first slowly increasing, then rapidly increasing, and finally fluctuating and decreasing. It increased from 3.85 million tons in 1997 to 14.33 million tons in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 6.79%. The carbon emission intensity revealed a steady downward trend, from 189.82 tons/million CNY in 1997 to 54.6 tons/million CNY in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of -6.04%. 2) The relationship between carbon emissions and economic growth was represented by four types: weak decoupling, strong decoupling, expansion negative decoupling, and expansion coupling. Among them, a strong decoupling was achieved only in the five periods of 1997-1998, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2013-2015, and 2016-2017. 3) The structural effect of energy consumption was the paramount factor in restraining carbon emissions, followed by the energy intensity effect, while economic growth, and population size were important factors facilitating the increase in carbon emissions. To this end, Qinghai should continuously optimize its energy structure and improve energy utilization efficiency, thus achieving economic green and high-quality development.