Urban Low-Carbon Consumption Performance Assessment: A Case Study of Yangtze River Delta Cities, China

Urban low carbonization has been an essential element in China’s carbon peak and neutrality strategies. An assessment of urban low-carbon performance could provide valuable information for monitoring guiding the transition cities. However, due to cross-regional transfer, actual level achievement would be masked, if was based only on a production-based index such as emission intensity (CEI). Focusing, instead, consumption-based performance, this study calculated levels consumption (CCI) city-level footprint accounting, investigated patterns drivers changes CCI 26 Yangtze River Delta (YRD) cities from 2012 2015, conducted comparative analysis CEI data both static dynamic viewpoints. It found that YRD decreased 1.254 1.153 over period. Cities at higher economic were have lower values. Decomposition results show shifts production structure, emissions changing contributed decline area. Richer greater declines decarbonizing structures consumption. The although generally correlated change, net transfer impacted correlation sensitivity between various Finally, our findings practical guidance achieving coordinated reductions inter-city perspectives.