Analysis of Regional Differences of Energy Footprint in China Based on STIRPAT Model

On the basis of the previous researches and the ecological footprint theory, we use the cross-sectional data of Chinese energy consumption in 2007 to calculate the regional differences of energy consumption footprint of 30 provinces in China; by using the method of EEF calculation method, we calculate the regional distribution of EFI and analyze its law; through the construction of STIRPAT model, we reveal the relationship between EEF and factors of population and economy. The results show that provinces with higher EFF are mainly concentrate in the Middle Eastern China, which have a developed industry, such as Shandong, Hebei, and Liaoning Province and so on. However, provinces with lower EFF mainly concentrated in Western China, which have a relatively lag economy, such as Ningxia, Qinghai province and so on. These results are in accordance with the area distribution of China’s economic development level. The EFI decreases gradually from west to east. As the level of regional economy is improved, the EFI has the downward trend. The quantity of population shows notable impact on EFI . The per capita GDP does not show the negative relationship with EFI, which can not prove the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curve.