Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Driving Factors of Carbon Emissions in China's Energy Industry

This study focuses on carbon emissions from 2012 to 2021.The main objective is to examine the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of carbon emissions in China's energy industry and the various driving factors influencing these emissions, as well as to propose emission reduction strategies. The findings reveal that: (1) Energy intensity is the primary positive driving factor for carbon emissions in the energy industry, with spatial spillover effects; (2) The total industrial output value of the energy industry and energy structure are positive driving factors; (3) Environmental regulation is a negative driving factor with spatial spillover effects; (4) Investment structure and investment dependency are negative driving factors without significant spatial spillover effects. Based on these positive and negative driving factors and their spillover effects, the study proposes the following low-carbon emission reduction strategies for China's energy industry: (1) Improve energy utilization efficiency and enhance inter-regional exchange of low-carbon technologies; (2) Optimize the energy consumption structure of the energy industry; (3) Strengthen regulation of emissions in the energy industry and enhance inter-regional cooperation; (4) Reduce the investment proportion in the coal industry and increase investment in clean energy technologies.