Xinfang Wang

University of Manchester

Current Position
PhD Researcher

Thesis's Supervisor
Kevin Anderson, Carly McLachlan

Funder
University of Manchester

My Thesis' Abstract
Aiming to hold the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius which was set in Copenhagen in 2009, actions are required to be taken out as soon as possible in each nation who has signed the Accord to meet this target. In addition to the policies paying attention to the society as a whole or concentrating on specific sectors, this project innovates upon a new angle of view to identify particular groups within the society who are producing high emissions. Furthermore, policies are suggested to pay more attention to these specific groups in order to establish a more effective and efficient route towards a low carbon society. Including case studies in China, UK and Sweden, this project starts with a review of both academic and grey literature on estimations of individual or household emission budgets, followed by identifying and compiling applicable data sets both currently and historically related to these budgets. The data sets will be analysed to determine the causal links between emissions and a variety of factors including socioeconomic indicators, specific technologies and specific behaviours. Various modelling techniques such as linear regression, instrument variables analysis and cointegration analysis will be used in this stage to identify the linkages. The project is composed of three main phases. The first one aims at establishing relationship between individual or household emissions and socio-demographic or lifestyle variables. The second step is to identify characteristics of high emission group based on the technologies and behaviours. The third step is to discover emission reduction potential and to offer suggestions for policy strategy concentrated on high emission groups. Conclusively, after both quantitative and qualitative analysis being undertaken in all the stages, potential policies tailored towards a rapid transition of high emission groups consistent with the Copenhagen Accord 2 degrees Celsius target are summarised with a distinction of culture and economic background in each nation within the case studies.

Research areas

Contact information

E-mail: Xinfang.wang@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

Postal Address
H1j Pariser Building, Sackville Street, Manchester. M1 3QJ