Synergistic effects and influencing factors of reducing atmospheric pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions in China

Abstract

Atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide share common roots, sources, and processes. Promoting the synergistic reduction of carbon dioxide and air pollutants offers numerous environmental and health benefits. Based on atmospheric pollutant and carbon emission data from 285 cities in China and seven regional perspectives between 2000 and 2020, this study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to analyze the current status of carbon and pollution. The coupling coordination degree model and Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model are used to measure the synergistic status and influencing factors of atmospheric pollutant and carbon emission reduction. The results indicate that: (1) from 2000 to 2020, atmospheric pollutants and carbon emissions in 285 Chinese cities initially increased and then decreased, with higher levels in coastal regions compared to inland areas. (2) The coordination of atmospheric pollutant and carbon emission reduction in Chinese cities is generally low, with mild to moderate imbalance. However, the overall coordination level shows a gradual upward trend, with a spatial distribution pattern of higher levels in the east and north, and lower levels in the west and south. (3) Since 2010, China's synergistic reduction strategies for atmospheric pollutants and carbon dioxide have transitioned their core focus from air pollution control to carbon dioxide mitigation, with a spatial gradient decreasing from the southeastern coast to the northwestern inland regions. Carbon reduction is a key focus for future ecological and environmental governance in China. (4) Total energy consumption, energy consumption intensity, employment in the secondary industry, and the proportion of secondary industry value added to regional GDP inhibit the synergistic reduction of atmospheric pollutants and carbon dioxide, with energy consumption intensity being the primary inhibitory factor. Built-up area green coverage, per capita GDP, and the proportion of science and technology expenditure in local general public budgets promote the synergistic reduction, with the proportion of science and technology expenditure being the primary promoting factor. Urbanization rate exhibits a reverse inhibitory effect in eastern China and a positive promoting effect in western China.