jismart2023013: Spatio-temporal Characteristics and Decoupling Relationship of New-type Urbanization and Carbon Emissions at the County Level: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province, China

Abstract

The substantial correlation exists between new-type urbanization (NTU) and carbon emissions (CE). The interplay and the degree of decoupling between them crucially influence the attainment of "Carbon Neutrality" objectives and the refined advancement of urbanization. Within the county dimension, adopting strategies for low-carbon emission reductions has surfaced as a novel trajectory for China’s green and sustainable advancement. This study undertakes an exhaustive quantification of CE and NTU and explores the spatio-temporal distribution features of the mentioned elements across 87 counties in Zhejiang province spanning 2007 to 2021. The Tapio decoupling model was applied to scrutinize the evolving decoupling relationship between CE and NTU at the county level. The results are shown as follows: (1) The CE levels in Zhejiang's counties are predominantly elevated in the northeast and reduced in the southwest, exhibiting minimal fluctuations temporally. (2) The collective NTU of Zhejiang's counties has experienced a swift elevation with an average yearly growth rate of 3.89%. The differentiation in NTU levels among counties is amplifying, with the counties possessing elevated NTU primarily situated in northern Zhejiang. (3) The Tapio decoupling index conveys a transition from "weak decoupling" to "strong decoupling" dominance, indicating a progression toward an intensive, low-carbon development archetype. These findings provide theoretical and empirical underpinnings for the high-quality attainment of NTU and the dual carbon objectives in China.