Impact of spatial structure of urban agglomeration on carbon emissions: An analysis of the Shandong Peninsula, China

Given that carbon emissions continue to contribute to global warming, strategies to achieve reductions in emissions have become a focus for research. The study of the impact of spatial structure of urban agglomeration on carbon emissions has important significance with respect to exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions. The urban agglomeration in the Shandong Peninsula, China was selected as a case study. The spatial structure of urban agglomeration was measured from the perspectives of single-center and multi-center, concentration and diffusion, spatial compactness, and transportation accessibility. Carbon emissions were measured using the standard energy conversion coefficient for coal as well as via coefficients for alternative energy sources. The impact of the spatial structure of urban agglomeration on carbon emissions was assessed via regression analysis. The results revealed that: (1) The impact of multi-center characteristics on carbon emissions was not significant and should be verified using more samples; (2) Concentration and transportation accessibility exerted a positive impact on carbon emissions, therefore, the mode of urban-rural integration and low carbon transportation systems must be taken into account; (3) Spatial compactness exerted a negative impact on carbon emissions, therefore, the patterns of compactness need to be adjusted and optimized.