Exploring spatial patterns of carbon dioxide emission abatement via energy service companies in China

The disparity of carbon dioxide emission abatement (CDEA) has been impeding more balanced improvement of energy efficiency worldwide. Energy service companies (ESCOs), which are present to varying degrees, have come to play an increasingly key role in reducing CO2 emission via energy efficiency retrofit projects. China, as the main contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, has been promoting ESCOs for decades. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the spatial differences for CDEA and assess the provincial-level potentials for reducing CO2 emissions through ESCOs. Data from 3225 ESCO projects in Mainland China spanning from 2011 to 2015 were examined to map out the spatial patterns of CDEA using local Moran's I index and local indicator spatial autocorrelation. Influencing factors were identified through spatial analysis based on Kaya identity and ordinary least squares. The results indicate that the national progress of CDEA can be attributed to the high efficiency of ESCO projects in coastal and northern China. It was observed that population, consumption of coal, and research & development input have a positive influence on CDEA, whereas per-capita GDP, energy industry investment, and industry value added have an inhibitory effect on CDEA.