Dynamic change of energy ecological footprint and its influencing factors in Shaanxi province

Economic development has closely relationship with energy consumption in Shaanxi province, while energy ecological footprint (EEF) is an important method to quantitatively evaluate energy consumption and economic development sustainably. Analysis of dynamic change of EEF and influencing factors would provide theoretical guidance for sustainable economic development of Shaanxi province. Calculated model of EEF and STIRPAT model were used to analyze dynamic change of EEF and influencing factors on the basis of energy consumption data from 1999 to 2014 in Shaanxi province. Result showed: ① EEF showed an increasing trend and it was the rapid increase period during 2007-2014 year. The increase of EEF was higher than per person capacity of EEF, which leaded to deficit of EEF of Shaanxi province. With the deficit enlarging, the ecological pressure of EEF and the risk of ecological security were increase and the natural ecosystem was in a serious state of insecurity. ② Coal and coal products was the most contribution to EEF of Shaanxi province with more than 80% in an average from 1999 to 2014. EEF should be cut down by the reduction of consumption of coal and coal products. ③ The output of million GDP of per unit EEF showed increasing trend, while EEF intensity showed decrease trend, which all indicated that the efficiency of energy intensive use was gradually improved. ④ The correlation between EEF and ratio of the secondary industry in GDP, per capital GDP was positive. It is an effective way to reduce EEF by increasing the ratio of the third industry in GDP and cutting down the consumption of coal and coal products.