Evaluation of low-carbon development level for Yangtze River Delta city group

A set of evaluation index system including 13 indexes of low-carbon city development level was established based on the driving forces-pressure-state-impact-response model. The development level of low-carbon economy of 25 cities in Yangtze River Delta was evaluated by factor analysis. The results showed that the development level of low-carbon economy in Shanghai was the highest, and the average levels of low-carbon economy of Zhejiang and Jiangsu province were similar. But there is much difference between the north part and the south part in a same province. In Zhejiang province the level of the north part was higher than the south part. Conversely, the level of the north part was lower than the south part in Jiangsu province. Lastly, the adjustment of industrial structure, increasing of the environmental investments and the awareness of low-carton ideas to the public are suggested to promote the development level of low-carbon economy.