Work

Spatial heterogeneity in air pollution-carbon synergies: Global evidence of decoupled development and disordered coordination

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Global sustainability faces the dual challenge of mitigating air pollution and reducing carbon emissions, and understanding the synergistic effects between them is essential for effective joint prevention and control. This study employed the MAKENSENS model and the Tapio decoupling index to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of global CO2 emissions, PM2.5 concentrations, and O3 concentrations, as well as their decoupling relationships with GDP. The coupling coordination degree model was applied to quantify synergistic effects, and the multiscale geographically weighted regression model was used to identify influencing factors. Results show that high PM2.5 concentrations were concentrated in West Africa and South Asia, high O3 concentrations were concentrated in South Asia, and the highest cumulative CO2 emissions were recorded in East Asia. From 2010 to 2019, PM2.5 concentrations in over 97% of countries declined significantly, O3 exposure concentrations in about 59% of countries increased, and CO2 emissions in over 68% of countries rose markedly. PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were primarily strongly or weakly decoupled from GDP, whereas CO2 emissions exhibited multiple decoupling states. Additionally, both PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were generally in a disordered state with respect to CO2 emissions, with average coupling coordination degrees decreasing from 0.162 to 0.152 for PM2.5 and fluctuating around 0.194 for O3. CO2 emission intensity and CO2 per capita emissions were positively correlated with the coupling coordination degrees, whereas population density had negative effects. These findings provide a scientific basis for policymakers to develop integrated carbon reduction and air pollution control strategies.

Source: Ecological Indicators

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.114473

Authors: Chao He, Yanwen Wang, Zhouxiang Zhang, Pengju Zhang, Qian Wu

Institutions: Wuhan Business University, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan University

Language: English

Topic: Energy, Environment, Economic Growth

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,650