Factor Decomposition of Energy Consumption Changes and Regional Differences in Selected Chinese Mega Cities
中国特大城市能耗变化的影响因素分解及其区域差异

The energy consumption of China's mega cities has transitioned from production areas to urban areas and, therefore, usage differs from that of small and medium-sized cities. Here, we analyze the spatial distribution of energy consumption for 61 Chinese metropolises in 2010 and using a logarithmic mean disivia index conduct a factor decomposition analysis on changes in energy consumption for 32 of these metropolises from 1996 to 2010. Energy consumption factors can be classified as five indicators: scale of GDP,energy consumption per unit of output value, energy consumption per capita,population density and energy spatial supporting coefficient. We found that regional differences and increases in total energy consumption are obvious and energy consumption in eastern China is increasing. Climatic conditions and local resource endowments impact energy consumption and energy utilization modes. Cities with high energy consumption per capita are mainly resource-dependent cities, mega cities and cities in cold regions. Economic factors still play a major role in energy consumption and energy consumption has increased due to growing GDP in northeastern and northern Chinese cities. Demographic factors make a positive contribution to energy consumption, and a low-carbon lifestyle is an important way to reduce energy consumption across mega cities. Compact urban space is also an effective way to conserve energy and urban development should follow a smart growth pattern.