Investigating Carbon Emission Situations and Low carbon Development in the Northwest of China:A Case Study of Shaanxi Province
The northwest of China is currently facing dual pressures and a series of challenges with three major characteristics. First, the Western Region Development Strategy has been implementing for ten years, and basic infrastructures necessary for regional rapid development have been progressively completed, such as transportation and electricity. Second, the international financial crisis breaking out in 2007 has leaded resources and traditional industries of the northwest areas to a grim situation. Third, China is currently facing an increasing pressure on CO2 emission reductions, so is the northwest areas. Therefore, on the one hand, it is time for the northwest areas to strive for development rights to maintain regional and local economy prosperous; to this end, it is inevitable to increase CO2 emissions. On the other hand, it is also necessary for the northwest areas to contribute to China's CO2 emission reductions. In the present study, the authors documented the quantitative and structural evolutions of CO2 emissions of Shaanxi province in the northwest areas since 1949, and analyzed in detail the primary factors affecting changes in CO2 emissions from the aspects of GDP, industrial structure, consumption characteristics, energy consumption structure and efficiency. Then, in consideration of Shaanxi province's current situations, it was indicated that low carbon development should be taken in the future. Measures for low carbon development should be taken from both carbon sources and carbon absorption, including five aspects, i.e. agriculture, industry, service industry, living style, and CO2 absorption. Low carbon development generally embodies following components: 1) creating an organic, ecological, and efficient new agriculture; 2) optimizing the industrial and energy structure, and improving energy efficiency; 3) focusing on the both ends of industrial chains, and developing modern service industry actively; 4) advocating green consumption, and creating low carbon life; and 5) planting trees and grass to fix carbon element and expand carbon absorption. The results of this paper would provide meaningful reference theoretically and practically for saving energy, reducing CO2 emissions and promoting sustainable development for China, particularly for the northwest areas.