City-level transport decarbonization in China: A novel two-dimensional decoupling pathway analysis model

Abstract

This study uncovers the two-dimensional decoupling states along decoupling pathways of CO₂ emissions in the transport sector from economic growth for 327 Chinese cities during 2005–2020 by developing a new two-dimensional decoupling pathway analysis model. This study finds a diversification and differentiation trend in city-level two-dimensional transport CO₂ decoupling states in China. There is still a long way to achieve absolute decoupling of transport CO₂ emissions from economic growth, despite the improving trend of 327 Chinese cities' decoupling pathways. The transport CO₂ decoupling pathways of 56 % of cities are improving, yet 65 % of cities still fail to achieve absolute decoupling. The valuable local transport carbon reduction and low-carbon development successful practices in exerting the leading role of pilot cities, such as Wuhan, constructing an integrated transportation system, and enhancing international low-carbon cooperation of Hubei province, with 6 cities presenting the most desirable decoupling pathways and all 13 cities presenting improved decoupling pathways, are worth learning from for other cities and regions to achieve low-carbon transport and carbon neutrality.