Regional Convergence of Carbon Emissions in China

To explore efficient ways to reduce emissions, the analysis draws on provincial-level data from 30 regions in China spanning 2002–2018 and adopts β Convergence to reveal the current situation of China's carbon emissions. The findings show that: (1) Although the total carbon emissions have been growing, the growth rate has slowed down since 2011. (2) Carbon emission intensity displays a persistent downward pattern. (3) The total amount and intensity of carbon emissions show exhibit spatial positive correlation. Total carbon emissions do not exist β convergence, but carbon emission intensity not only exists in traditional β Convergence but there is still space β Convergence also has a spatial spillover effect.