Temporal-spatial characteristics and driver pattern of methane emission in heterogeneous Chinese cities

Abstract

Methane, the second largest greenhouse gas, significantly impacts climate change mitigation. Despite its importance, the spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of methane emissions at the city level are less known, impeding effective policy formulation. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the spatiotemporal characteristics and driver pattern of methane emission across 289 Chinese cities classified by economic structure and population size over 2005–2022 using diverse empirical models. We found 12 convergence clubs in city-level methane emissions, with population dynamics as the main driver of emission inequality. The network analysis revealed varying roles and influences of methane emissions across different city types. Moreover, economic growth's scale and level were identified as the primary drivers of methane emissions. This research underscores the need for targeted methane emission reduction strategies based on new insights into spatiotemporal characteristics and driver patterns.