Development and application of energy decoupling index as Cartesian Vector: evidence from world-wide regional data

Economic growth and energy consumed is critical for sustainable global development. In this paper, an extended Vector version of the commonly used Decoupling Index De of energy elasticity to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Decoupling Ratio of Energy Intensity of GDP are used to investigate decoupling phenomenon for the period 1990 to 2014 in the main regions of the World. Using Vector properties, this study overcomes some well-known deficiencies of Energy to Growth elasticity Decoupling Index and suggests the Decoupling Angle as a suitable indicator when describing decoupling. The relationships with aggregate and per capita indicators are also examined. A general finding was that in emerging economies, even when moving to “disconnected” states of decoupling, reduced energy rates were paired with reduced growth rates and accelerated growth rates with increased energy consumption rates. This statement raises questions over long-term decoupling of energy consumption from economic growth.

Energy Security Assessment of Emerging Economies under Global and Local Challenges

This paper proposes methodological approaches to assessing the impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency development on emerging economies’ energy security. It is suggested to supplement the current methodology for assessing energy security with the decoupling index of the renewable energy financial burden on the state budget, the energy efficiency decoupling index, the households’ energy poverty indicator, the index of capacity development for balancing electricity generation volumes, and the energy fluctuations indicator. These indices provide a comprehensive assessment of energy security under the latest challenges. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic in the Ukrainian energy sector led to the “green and coal paradox”, when the government decided to keep green electricity generation but limit nuclear generation. It required increased flexible capacities (thermal generation) and led to a rise in electricity prices and environmental pollution. Forecasting energy fluctuations with Butterworth filters allows minimizing the risks of maximum peak loads on the grid and timely prevention of emergencies. The energy fluctuations within the 20% range guarantee energy security and optimal energy companies’ operation. It is proposed to smooth out energy consumption fluctuations through green energy development, smart grids formation, energy efficiency improvements, and energy capacities balancing to ensure energy and economic sustainability.

Analysis of the Agricultural Economy and Agricultural Pollution Using the Decoupling Index in Chengdu, China

The development of the agricultural economy has brought the agricultural pollution, and agricultural pollution has restrained the growth of the agricultural economy and endangered public health. Since the Economic Reform opened up, China has promulgated many policies that have benefited farmers, developed the agricultural economy, and improved agricultural material levels. However, the growth in the agricultural economy has also resulted in significant environmental pollution from pesticides, agricultural fertilizers and agricultural plastic film. Agricultural pollution can affect public health, therefore it is necessary to study the relationship between agricultural economy and agricultural pollution. In this paper, the relationship between the agricultural economy and agricultural pollution is studied by using decoupling index method, taking Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China as an example, and verified by the data of 2008–2017 years of Chengdu. It was found that the decoupling index for pesticide use and per capita gross agricultural production showed “strong decoupling” ideal states in six years. From 2009–2017, the value of it increased from 0.065743–1.597385, and its decoupling state gradually transited to stable strong decoupling. The chemical fertilizer use was found to have a “strong decoupling” ideal state in five years. The value of it decreased from 1.028854–(−0.512702), while its state gradually changed to strong decoupling. However, agricultural plastic film only has one “strong decoupling” state with its value of decoupling index changed from −0.380824–(−0.250250). The increased use of plastic film has resulted in increased agricultural pollution. The research results show that growing with the development of Chengdu’s agricultural economy, the use of pesticides and fertilizers has been decreasing. Chengdu’s agricultural economy and agricultural pollution were found to have a healthy and coordinated development. The development of agricultural economy has not caused much damage to the agricultural environment. In addition, with the decline of agricultural pollution, public health problems will also be reduced.

An Analysis of a Water Use Decoupling Index and Its Spatial Migration Characteristics Based on Extracting Trend Components: A Case Study of the Poyang Lake Basin

Water resources and their utilization perform a critical role in sustainable development. A full comprehension of the decoupling relationship between water consumption and economic development is a prerequisite for sustainable water resource management. This thesis developed a decoupling index analysis model based on Hodrick–Prescott filtering; analyzed the spatial aggregation characteristics of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), water consumption, and the decoupling index by the Global and Local Moran’s Index; and calculated the spatial gravity migration characteristics of GDP, water consumption, and the decoupling index. A case study in the Poyang Lake basin was selected to analyze the relationship between water and the economy. The results indicated that decoupling status was steadier after extracting trend components. The decoupling index exhibited spatial outlier characteristics. The spatial gravity center migration directions of GDP and water consumption were opposite. Furthermore, the Poyang Lake basin was in a weak decoupling status, and its water use pattern was sustainable to a certain extent.