Pathways to SO2 emissions reduction in China for 1995–2010: Based on decomposition analysis

• A systematical framework for analyzing pollution emissions reduction is presented.
• Economic spatial structure and trade were included into the analysis.
• Empirical studies on national and regional level of China were conducted.
• Economic spatial structure increased SO2 emission in the 11th five-year plan period.
• International trade increased emissions while inter-regional trade decreased emissions in the eastern region in 11th FYP.

To maintain sustained and rapid economic development will be China's strategic goals in a long time. Reducing pollution emission is an important means to coordinate economic development and environment. Identifying the main pathways of pollution reduction and analyzing their contributions has great significance to the pollution control strategies making. This article systematically identified the factors affecting pollution emissions of an open economy and analyzed how changes in pollution abatement, cleaner production, economic spatial structure and trade affect emissions based on decomposition analysis. Case study on China's SO2 emissions in 1995–2010 shows that: (i) on the national level, pollution abatement plays an increasingly significant role in pollution reduction. Cleaner production's contribution is instable, yet most years it declines the emissions. Economic spatial structure shows a positive contribution until 2006 it begins to increase emissions. International trade increases the domestic SO2 emissions in most of the years. (ii) On the regional level, pollution abatement is the most important factor reducing SO2 emissions for the eastern, middle and western China. Trade in the eastern region leads to pollution increase, while has an inverse contribution in the middle and western. The results yield important hints for China's pollution emission control policy making.