Low-carbon development in the least developed region:A case study of Guangyuan, Sichuan province, southwest China

Guan, Dabo and Barker, Terry (2012) Low-carbon development in the least developed region:A case study of Guangyuan, Sichuan province, southwest China. Natural Hazards, 62 (2). pp. 243-254. ISSN 0921-030X

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Abstract

The Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 has resulted in 50% of Guangyuan city facing recovery from different extents of damages. The massive reconstruction provides a good opportunity for Guangyuan city to response to the National Council's call for tackling climate change by developing a harmonised and low-carbon economy. However, there are many arguments about the definition of 'low carbon' and the framework that low-carbon development should follow. Low-carbon development in an economically least developed region such as Guangyuan would provide evidence and contribute to the discussion. The paper employs CO 2 emissions as an environmental indicator in scenario analysis to investigate Guangyuan's future carbon performance in following the national call of reducing 40% of carbon intensity by 2020 and an alternative low-carbon development path. The results have demonstrated that a 'win-win' solution can be reached-keeping rapid economic growth while reducing CO 2 emissions, however, only by addressing the 'correct' determining factors. Technology improvements and production structure changes have been identified as the key determining factors to affect both carbon intensity and CO 2 emissions in the future. The two factors are also interdependent. Governmental policies should give appropriate guideline to address both factors but with strong emphasis on production structure decarbonisation in order to avoid the mistake of 'polluting first and deal with the pollution later' during the emission-intensive industrialisation processes that many western countries and China's coastal regions have followed.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: carbon intensity,china,co emission,low-carbon development,earth and planetary sciences (miscellaneous),atmospheric science,water science and technology,sdg 8 - decent work and economic growth,sdg 11 - sustainable cities and communities,sdg 12 - responsible consumption and production,sdg 13 - climate action ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1900/1901
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Water Security Research Centre
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 23 Jun 2016 23:09
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2024 11:25
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/59518
DOI: 10.1007/s11069-011-9993-3

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