Factors that influence carbon emissions due to energy consumption based on different stages and sectors in China

This study analyzes carbon emissions due to energy consumption based on different stages and sectors in China, and by applying the logarithmic mean Divisia index decomposition method, carbon emissions were decomposed into energy structure, energy intensity, economic structure, and economic output effects. The study period was divided into "high efficiency and high output", "low efficiency and low output", "high efficiency and low output" and "low efficiency and high output" considering different carbon emission characteristics and economic development. Carbon emissions exhibit different characteristics at different stages. The degree of increase in carbon emissions at these stages depends on the combined effect of the energy efficiency and the economic output. The main factor driving carbon emissions was the economic output effect in each stage and the main factor inhibiting carbon emissions was the energy intensity effect. The economic and energy structures had only a modest effect on carbon emissions at each stage. The industry sector was the top contributor to carbon emissions, followed by the transport sector. The policy implications in terms of economic growth, the economic structure, and energy consumption are discussed in relation to the different stages. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.