Operational carbon transition in the megalopolises' commercial buildings

Megalopolises are important political and economic centers and offer the best opportunities for decarbonizing commercial building operations. This study estimates the decarbonization level of commercial buildings from China's five major megalopolises (Jing-Jin-Ji, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Middle Reach, and Cheng-Yu) through the generalized Divisia index method, considering the impacts of socio-economy, technology evolution, and climate. Results found the following: First, economic growth effects [service industry added value (42.2%) and gross domestic product (36.5%)] and energy consumption (23.8%) were the main drivers of the spike in operational carbon emissions of the megalopolises from 2000 to 2018. Second, except for Cheng-Yu, operational carbon emissions were decoupled from economic growth effects since 2009, with the most significant decoupling status occurring in Jing-Jin-Ji, and technical effects being the main factor leading to the decoupling. Third, the five megalopolises cumulatively decarbonized 233.1 mega-tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2), offsetting 4.4% of the operational carbon of commercial buildings, with the highest decarbonization level in Jing-Jin-Ji (5.7 MtCO2 per yr, 7.8 kg of carbon dioxide per square meter per yr, and 55.6 kg of carbon dioxide per capita per yr). Furthermore, current decarbonization strategies for megalopolises are reviewed to plan for future low-carbon developments. Overall, this study assesses the operational decarbonization change of commercial buildings in Chinese megalopolises. The findings help inform building of sector pathways toward China's carbon peaking and neutral goals and develop global low-carbon cities.

Automated summary

This study assesses the decarbonization level of commercial buildings in China's major megalopolises. The findings indicate that economic growth effects and energy consumption are the main drivers of carbon emissions, and the decarbonization levels have improved in some megalopolises. The research provides valuable insights for planning low-carbon development and achieving carbon neutrality goals.