Using a new two-dimensional decoupling model to evaluate the decoupling state of global energy footprint

The current decoupling theory cannot distinguish the decoupling state of a country with different economic development level. This will make the decoupling status of different countries unable to be intuitively compared. To overcome this problem, this paper combines the Tapio index with economic development indicators for the first time to establish a Two-dimensional Decoupling Model of economic growth and energy footprint. Through the analysis of the two-dimensional decoupling status of 39 countries in the world over the period 1995−2014, it is found that the dependence of economic development on energy has not been worse for the world in terms of increasing economic and energy consumption. To improve the economic-energy structure, many countries have been making efforts. The model established in this paper can more accurately judge the economic and energy characteristics of each country, and visually compare and analyze the differences among different countries.