The evolution of carbon footprint in the yangtze river delta city cluster during economic transition 2012-2015

China has been undergoing an industrial transformation, shifting from energy-intensive growth pattern. As the most developed region in China, Yangtze River Delta (YRD) city cluster is leading transformation. However, impact of transformation on carbon footprints YRD cities unclear. By a city-level environmentally extended input-output model, we quantify footprint 41 for 2012 and 2015 capture socioeconomic driving forces change by structural decomposition analysis (SDA). The results show that increased 1179.4 Mt (14.8% China's total) to 1329.6 (16.6%) over period. More than 60% concentrated 10 largest cities, construction sector made contribution, especially service-based megacities. production structure drove down except light industry cities. transfers coastal inland regions result leakage, where one-third embodied trade. We also find economic recession during transition period decreased emissions 154.2 cluster, value-added rate declined period, study highlights positive effects low transition, despite being highly heterogenous