Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China

The power sector is the largest contributor to global carbon emissions, particularly in China, where decarbonizing electricity generation is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Understanding the drivers of carbon emissions in this sector is vital for formulating effective policy measures. This...

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Main Authors: Yanlu Huang, Zifei Wang, Fan Zhang, Junfeng Tan, Xudong Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1603809/full
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author Yanlu Huang
Zifei Wang
Fan Zhang
Junfeng Tan
Xudong Hu
author_facet Yanlu Huang
Zifei Wang
Fan Zhang
Junfeng Tan
Xudong Hu
author_sort Yanlu Huang
collection DOAJ
description The power sector is the largest contributor to global carbon emissions, particularly in China, where decarbonizing electricity generation is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Understanding the drivers of carbon emissions in this sector is vital for formulating effective policy measures. This study investigates carbon emissions from the Southern Power Grid of China between 2013 and 2021. It employs decomposition analysis techniques to identify the key driving factors across five provinces within the grid region. GDP per capita emerged as a major driver of electricity-related carbon emissions across provinces. Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan achieved reductions in per capita emissions from electricity supply, while Guizhou and Yunnan showed improvements through different mechanisms. The analysis revealed substantial provincial disparities in emission patterns, closely associated with differences in economic output and electricity generation structures. Contribution rate analysis further highlighted varied progress toward carbon peaking and heterogeneous supply methods. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing interprovincial differences in emission drivers within the Southern Power Grid. Tailored, region-specific policy interventions are essential to accelerate the sectoral transition toward carbon neutrality and to ensure balanced progress across provinces.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-665X
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-0622ea0e95324f9487918ad63ce177512025-08-25T11:27:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-08-011310.3389/fenvs.2025.16038091603809Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of ChinaYanlu HuangZifei WangFan ZhangJunfeng TanXudong HuThe power sector is the largest contributor to global carbon emissions, particularly in China, where decarbonizing electricity generation is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Understanding the drivers of carbon emissions in this sector is vital for formulating effective policy measures. This study investigates carbon emissions from the Southern Power Grid of China between 2013 and 2021. It employs decomposition analysis techniques to identify the key driving factors across five provinces within the grid region. GDP per capita emerged as a major driver of electricity-related carbon emissions across provinces. Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan achieved reductions in per capita emissions from electricity supply, while Guizhou and Yunnan showed improvements through different mechanisms. The analysis revealed substantial provincial disparities in emission patterns, closely associated with differences in economic output and electricity generation structures. Contribution rate analysis further highlighted varied progress toward carbon peaking and heterogeneous supply methods. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing interprovincial differences in emission drivers within the Southern Power Grid. Tailored, region-specific policy interventions are essential to accelerate the sectoral transition toward carbon neutrality and to ensure balanced progress across provinces.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1603809/fullcarbon emissionspower sectordecomposition analysisdriving factorscarbon neutrality
spellingShingle Yanlu Huang
Zifei Wang
Fan Zhang
Junfeng Tan
Xudong Hu
Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China
Frontiers in Environmental Science
carbon emissions
power sector
decomposition analysis
driving factors
carbon neutrality
title Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China
title_full Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China
title_fullStr Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China
title_full_unstemmed Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China
title_short Key factors influencing CO2 emissions in the southern power grid of China
title_sort key factors influencing co2 emissions in the southern power grid of china
topic carbon emissions
power sector
decomposition analysis
driving factors
carbon neutrality
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1603809/full
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AT junfengtan keyfactorsinfluencingco2emissionsinthesouthernpowergridofchina
AT xudonghu keyfactorsinfluencingco2emissionsinthesouthernpowergridofchina