Open Access

ARTICLE

Impact of Greenization on the Marginal Utility of Intensity of Carbon Emissions and Factors Affecting it in China

Yu Liu¹, Ruiting Jiao¹, Liyao Zhao¹, Kai Liu^1,2,*

1 College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
2 Collaborative Innovation Center of Human-Nature and Green Development in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, 250358, China

* Corresponding Author: Kai Liu. Email:

(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Energy Systems Management and Climate Change)

Energy Engineering 2021, 118(2), 363-378. https://doi.org/10.32604/EE.2021.013472

Received 07 August 2020; Accepted 02 November 2020; Issue published 23 December 2020

Abstract

The impact of greenization on the marginal utility of the intensity of carbon emissions in China and factors influencing this relationship are explored in this study. China’s level of greenization is evaluated by using an index system developed based on the comprehensive index method. The intensity of carbon emissions is determined by using the standards for the coefficients of conversion of coal equivalent and coefficients of carbon emission. The impact of greenization on the marginal utility of the intensity of carbon emissions is then evaluated by using an elastic formula and factors affecting this relationship are verified by regression analysis. The results are as follows: (1) China’s level of greenization has exhibited a trend of constant increase. The intensity of carbon emissions has followed a continual downward trend while the impact of greenization on the marginal utility of the intensity of these emissions has been declining. (2) Urbanization as well as scientific and technological developments have slowed the reduction in the marginal utility of the intensity of carbon emissions, whereas the structure of energy consumption has expedited it under the diminishing impact of greenization. The standard of living of the population, intensity of environmental regulation, and environmental quality have had different influences under different conditions.

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