Based on social network and regression analyses, this study conducted research with regard to the spatial correlation and effect of carbon emissions in urban agglomerations of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) with the data of prefecture-level cities in Pearl River Delta urban agglomerations from 2001 to 2019. As the results suggested, ① the carbon emission links among cities in PRD urban agglomerations were relatively loose, the subordinate structure changed frequently, and the carbon emission exchanges and cooperation among cities need to be strengthened. ② The core-periphery structure of the spatial correlation network of carbon emissions was loose to a certain extent, the control ability of the central city to the overall network structure was weakened, and the marginal cities gradually changed from being controlled to adopting a controlling role. ③ The improvement in the overall network tightness and stability and the breaking of the network hierarchical structure significantly reduced regional carbon emissions, whereas the improvement in individual network centrality significantly promoted urban carbon emission reduction. The above analysis will help to provide reference for coordinating carbon dioxide emission reduction and low-carbon city development policies.
Keywords: carbon emission network; carbon emission reduction effect; collaborative emission reduction; core-periphery structure; social network analysis(SNA).