Study on the relationship between fossil energy consumption and carbon emission in Sichuan Province

Since the second industrial revolution, the widespread use of various fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, has boosted the rapid development of society and economy. However, the greenhouse gases emitted by the extensive use of energy have caused more and more serious environmental problems. In this context, optimization of the energy structure and accomplishment of the carbon-reduction targets are not just the focus and difficulty faced by China but even by the world. As a center in southwest China and a big province in energy consumption, Sichuan province’s energy consumption structure in the future will deeply influence its development under the background of accelerating industrialization and urbanization. And furthermore, the study on the relationship between energy consumption structure and carbon emissions in Sichuan province also provides a theoretical basis for the establishment of development planning in Southwest China. This paper is composed of the following parts: firstly, the characteristics of energy structure in Sichuan Province are analyzed by collecting the data of energy production and consumption over the years. Then, using the calculation method provided by IPCC, this paper calculates the carbon emissions generated by fossil energy consumption in Sichuan Province from 2005 to 2019, and analyzes its characteristics and trends. Finally, by analyzing the characteristics of the energy endowment and fossil energy consumption structure of Sichuan Province, this paper puts forward the “coal-gas transition balance theory” to discuss the impact of fossil energy consumption transition on carbon emissions, and provides guidance and ideas for the realization of emission reduction.