Regional energy-related carbon emission characteristics and potential mitigation in eco-industrial parks in South Korea: Logarithmic mean Divisia index analysis based on the Kaya identity

This study undertakes a decomposition analysis to identify the factors driving energy-related CO2 emissions in five regions of South Korea, where substantial eco-industrial parks (EIPs) are operational. CO2 emissions are decomposed into five effects: production, population, energy intensity, emission, and fuel mix. We also investigated promising technologies and networks as means to reduce CO2 emissions in the EIPs. Finally, based on comparison with CO2 emission trends of other developed and developing countries, we suggest implications for CO2 reduction policies. It is found that increases in carbon emissions were due mainly to the production effect of both EIPs and the surrounding regions. Reduced energy intensity, on the other hand, was the main factor mitigating carbon emissions. LMDI (logarithmic mean Divisia index) analysis also confirmed the role of EIPs in reducing CO2 emissions, which showed reduced energy intensity in all EIPs. Therefore, it is believed that EIPs have great potential to reduce CO2 emissions in South Korea.