China’s city-level carbon emissions during 1992–2017 based on the inter-calibration of nighttime light data

Abstract Accurate, long-term, full-coverage carbon dioxide (CO2) data in units of prefecture-level cities are necessary for evaluations of CO2 emission reductions in China, which has become one of the world’s largest carbon-emitting countries. This study develops a novel method to match satellite-ba...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiandong Chen, Ming Gao, Shulei Cheng, Xin Liu, Wenxuan Hou, Malin Song, Ding Li, Wei Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81754-y
Description
Summary:Abstract Accurate, long-term, full-coverage carbon dioxide (CO2) data in units of prefecture-level cities are necessary for evaluations of CO2 emission reductions in China, which has become one of the world’s largest carbon-emitting countries. This study develops a novel method to match satellite-based Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Landscan System (DMSP/OLS) and Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP/VIIRS) nighttime light data, and estimates the CO2 emissions of 334 prefecture-level cities in China from 1992 to 2017. Results indicated that the eastern and coastal regions had higher carbon emissions, but their carbon intensity decreased more rapidly than other regions. Compared to previous studies, we provide the most extensive and long-term CO2 dataset to date, and these data will be of great value for further socioeconomic research. Specifically, this dataset provides a foundational data source for China’s future CO2 research and emission reduction strategies. Additionally, the methodology can be applied to other regions around the world.
ISSN:2045-2322