Does Income Inequality Affect Carbon Emissions ?

Over the past forty years,the Yangtze River Economic Belt has experienced rapid economic growth,which has significantly widened income inequality and boosted pressure to reduce emissions.In this context,this paper takes the Yangtze River Economic Belt as the research object,analyzes and discusses the influence of income inequality on carbon emissions,reviews relevant domestic and foreign literature on the relationship between income inequality and carbon emissions,and makes a certain sort and integration.Based on this,it further theoretically analyzes the influence effect and path of income inequality on carbon emissions,and proposes corresponding research hypotheses.Empirically,the Theil coefficient and urban-rural income ratio were used to measure the inequality of regional development,and the carbon emissions generated by the consumption of electric energy,liquefied petroleum gas,transportation,gas and heat energy in the Yangtze River Economic Belt were calculated respectively.The total carbon emissions of cities were obtained by the method of sum,using panel data from 11 prefecture-level cities within provincial administrative units in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2010 to 2019,an empirical two-way fixed-effect model was constructed,and regional heterogeneity was taken into account from the spatial and income levels.In the empirical process,in order to prevent the estimation bias that may occur in the basic regression,the robustness test is conducted by using alternative explanatory variables,alternative regression methods and sample deletion.Finally,the effect mechanism of income inequality on carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Economic Belt region is discussed further using the intermediary mechanism test.In the Yangtze River Economic Belt,the empirical findings indicate a significant positive link between income inequality and carbon emission,and there is a carbon emission EKC of type "N" existent.Several areas of the Yangtze River Economic Belt see varying consequences of income disparity on carbon emissions,income inequality in different regions of the Yangtze River Economic Belt has different effects on carbon emissions.In this process,mass consumption,industrial structure,and human capital all play different mediating roles,based on the preceding conclusions,this paper contends that cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt should reduce income inequality and strengthen carbon reduction policies;Take into account regional differences and tailor governance to local needs;implement multiple carbon-reduction measures at the same time.