Decoupling analysis on energy consumption, embodied GHG emissions and economic growth - The case study of Macao

Decoupling analysis is considered to be an appropriate approach to evaluate the process of sustainable development. However, decoupling indicator based on terminal measurement neglects the external effect such as trade, which couldn't reflect an economy's decoupling degree systematically and comprehensively. Thus, this paper adopts embodied (direct plus indirect) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to acquire the decoupling indicators in Macao from 2000 to 2013. As for total embodied GHG emissions (TEGE), the results reveal that Macao's economy has experienced four decoupling stages, with a distinct tendency towards strong decoupling. When comparing decoupling indicators of TEGE in terms of systematic accounting with that of direct accounting, many differences can be seen. As for total energy consumption (TEC), Macao's TEC has decoupled from its economic growth. The energy related GHG emissions, however, strongly coupled with TEC. As a result, energy-saving and emission mitigation measures can be devised for Macao according to the decoupling results. This work is the first assessment of Macao's decoupling degrees.