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| Conception, Evolution, and Practices of Synergistic Decarbonization Across Regions |
| Fang Kai Chen Zhenxi Li Chenglin Cheng Mianmian |
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Abstract Given the heterogeneity in regional development across China, it is critical to explore how regional synergies can facilitate the carbon peak and neutrality goals. Research into synergistic decarbonization across regions has emerged as a novel but underexplored field that has received limited scholarly attention. Therefore, this paper starts with tracing the conceptions of synergistic decarbonization across regions, followed by a review of the evolution of synergistic decarbonization across regions, and ends up with practical approaches to improving the synergistic decarbonization across regions. We find that: (1) Synergistic decarbonization across regions serves as a systematic decarbonization process as a result of regional synergies. It spans multiple dimensions (including market, energy, industry, and technology) across national, provincial, and urban agglomeration levels, and is guided by the logic of “targets alignment-pathways coordination-effects balancing”. (2) China’s synergistic decarbonization across regions can be divided into three stages: the pre-carbon market period (1978-2010), the local carbon market period (2011-2020), and the national carbon market period (2021-present). (3) Over time, policy focus has evolved from the dual control of energy consumption with a single dimension to the dual control of carbon emissions with multiple dimensions in targets, from administrative-led to both administrative- and market-led in pathways, and from efficiency-prioritized to the balance of efficiency and equity in effects, with the ultimate goal of establishing a market mechanism based on the fundamental principle of “those who emit are responsible, and those who reduce emissions benefit”. (4) Practical approaches to synergistic decarbonization across regions include: the advance of a phased and orderly strategy for carbon peak and synergistic decarbonization in urban agglomerations; the implementation of national emissions trading system through cap-setting and a multi-regional, cross-sectoral allocation system; the optimization of energy system layouts and the construction of energy storage and power transmission infrastructure; and the promotion of regional synergies in low-carbon industry and collaborative research and development in related technologies. In conclusion, by discussing the conceptual origins, evolution and practical approaches of synergistic decarbonization across regions, our paper offers a theoretical framework and policy insights into achieving the carbon peak and neutrality goals through regional synergies.
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Published: 06 May 2026
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