Decomposition of factors affecting copper consumption in major countries in light of green economy and its trend characteristics

Abstract

Our study focused on analyzing copper resource consumption and its decoupling from economic development in the top 25 consuming countries, using LMDI and Tapio methods. Results revealed a shift among developed nations towards strong decoupling, whereas most developing countries exhibited weak decoupling. Income effects counteracted decoupling, while intensity effects played a significant role, particularly in driving strong decoupling in developed nations. These findings underscore the importance of sustainable national environmental policies, especially for developing countries, where attention to structural effects on economic development and green growth is crucial. Developed nations should prioritize monitoring intensity effects, supporting technological advancements, and improving resource efficiency. Developing countries should pay more attention to structural effects, formulate diversified development strategies, and give full play to the role of natural resource utilization in economic structural transformation.