Page 159 - AJWEP-22-5

Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. Vol. 22, No. 5 (2025), pp. 153-164.
doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025160117

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Analyzing emission and carbon reduction support
policies using latent Dirichlet allocation and a

Sankey-bubble chart

Na Li* and Xiaoming Wu
School of Economics and Management, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
*Corresponding author: Na Li (1486096069@qq.com)

Received: April 14, 2025; Revised: June 17, 2025; Accepted: June 27, 2025; Published online: July 22, 2025

Abstract: This study presents an in-depth analysis of China’s emission and carbon reduction support policies from
2016 to 2023 using text mining techniques. The main objective is to examine the evolution, thematic focus, and
implementation outcomes of these policies across different stages, thereby providing insights into their development
patterns and potential future direction. Based on the latent Dirichlet allocation model implemented in Python
3.7, the study identified and refined 14 initial topic terms spanning three policy phases, which were subsequently
integrated and interpreted. Through topic clustering and visualization using the Sankey-bubble chart, the research
simulated the evolution of policy themes over time. The results reveal a clear shift in policy focus – from market-
driven mechanisms to green development and technology-led approaches. In the later stages, policies exhibit more
comprehensive and systematic characteristics. In conclusion, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of
the development trajectory, orientation, and implementation effectiveness of China’s carbon reduction policies,
offering valuable insights for future policy development.

Keywords: Emission and carbon reduction support policies; Evolutionary trends; Latent Dirichlet allocation;
Sankey-bubble chart

1. Introduction perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride – have the
strongest ability to cause the greenhouse effect. Among
The growing global climate change has become a these gases, CO accounts for the highest proportion
2
widespread concern. According to the United Nations and contributes the most to global warming. As a
Framework Convention on Climate Change (https:// result, carbon reduction has become a central focus
www.un.org/zh/node/181981) and China’s national of international discourse. At present, more than 120
standard General Rules for Accounting and Reporting countries and regions around the world have committed
of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Industrial to reducing carbon emissions, with most setting 2050
Enterprises (GB/T 32150-2015) (https://openstd.samr. as the target year. At the 75 United Nations General
1
th
gov.cn/bzgk/gb/newGbInfo?hcno=29DE620206A26 Assembly on September 22, 2020, Xi Jinping, General
8D0E27B8739E332D70E), the seven identified Secretary of the Communist Party of China, announced
greenhouse gases – namely carbon dioxide (CO ), methane, China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030
2
nitrous oxide, nitrogen trifluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Subsequently,

Volume 22 Issue 5 (2025) 153 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025160117