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Uncovering CO 2 Emissions Patterns from China-Oriented International Maritime Transport: Decomposition and Decoupling Analysis

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  • Hualong Yang

    (Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Xuefei Ma

    (Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

Abstract

Given that most commodity transportation depends on the maritime industry, the growing economy and increasing international trade volume are expected to accelerate the development of shipping activities and thus increase associated CO 2 emissions. In order to identify the driving factors of CO 2 emissions from China’s international shipping and find efficient mitigation strategies, this paper first estimates the CO 2 emissions and presents the CO 2 emissions features from 2000 to 2017. Second, the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method is applied to decompose the changes in CO 2 emissions. Finally, the decoupling index is introduced to quantitatively examine the decoupling relationship between economic growth and CO 2 emissions. The factors affecting the decoupling relationship are analyzed according to the LMDI results. The results indicate that CO 2 emissions in maritime transport activities have experienced rapid growth during the study period. Economic growth appears to be the principal factor driving the CO 2 emissions growth, whereas the overall effects of energy intensity and the commodity structure play a significant role in inhibiting CO 2 emissions. The decoupling state over the study period has experienced four decoupling stages, with a distinct tendency towards weak decoupling. Economic activity has proven to be the most significant indicator influencing the decoupling relationship during the study period.

Suggested Citation

  • Hualong Yang & Xuefei Ma, 2019. "Uncovering CO 2 Emissions Patterns from China-Oriented International Maritime Transport: Decomposition and Decoupling Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:10:p:2826-:d:232182
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    6. Sou, Weng Sut & Goh, Tian & Lee, Xin Ni & Ng, Szu Hui & Chai, Kah-Hin, 2022. "Reducing the carbon intensity of international shipping – The impact of energy efficiency measures," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).

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