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Environmental impact of China: analysis based on the STIRPAT model

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Open access
Authors
Lin, Shoufu
Zhao, D.
Marinova, Dora
Date
2008
Type
Conference Paper

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Citation
Lin, Shoufu and Zhao, Dingtao and Marinova, Dora. 2008. Environmental impact of China: analysis based on the STIRPAT model, in Cabalu, H. and Marinova, D. (ed), Second International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) Asian Conference, Nov 5 2008, pp. 164-192, Perth, WA: Curtin University of Technology.
Source Title
Second International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) Asian Conference
Source Conference
Energy Security and Economic Development under Environmental Constraints in the Asia-Pacific Region
ISBN
Faculty
Curtin University Sustainable Policy Institute (CUSP)
Faculty of Humanities
School
Sustainable Policy Institute (CUSP)
Remarks

This article copyrighted and reprinted by permission from the International Association for Energy Economics. The material first appeared in the proceedings of the 2008 2nd International Association for Energy Economics Asian Conference IAEE.

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Abstract

Assuming that energy consumption is the main source of emissions in China, this article considers the influence on the environment of the exhaust emissions producedin the process of consuming energy as China's environmental impact. It then analyzes the influence of population, urbanization level, GDP per capita, industrialization level and energy intensity on the environmental impact using the STIRPAT model with data from 1978 to 2006. The analysis shows that population had the largest influence onthe environmental impact, followed by urbanization level, industrialization level, GDP per capita and energy intensity. Hence China's Family Planning Policy, which restrains rapid population growth, has been a very effective way of reducing the country's environmental impact. However due to the difference in growth rates, GDP per capita had a higher effect on environmental impact, contributing 38% of its increase (while population's contribution was at 32%). Finally, the rapid decrease inenergy intensity (through optimizing industrial and energy structures, increasing theproportion of clean energy sources and improving energy efficiency) was the main cause of restraining the increase in China's environmental impact.