Drivers of consumption-based PM2.5 emission of Beijing: A structural decomposition analysis

Abstract

Haze is one of the most serious environmental problems in China, of which Beijing has been suffered from frequent haze events for years. As the major contributor of haze, PM2.5 emission needs more investigation, especially its driving forces that is crucial for mitigation and pollution control. In this study, the main contributors of PM2.5 emissions in Beijing were identified. By using the emission inventory and environmentally extended input–output framework, a structural decomposition model was employed to figure out the key drivers of the primary PM2.5 emissions in Beijing. The results showed that measures to control air pollution (e.g., the Beijing Clean Air Action Plan (2013–2017)) have caused PM2.5 emissions to decrease in recent years, indicating that emission mitigation strategies in Beijing are having preliminary success. Among all emission sources, due to large amounts of coke consumption, direct emission from residential energy consumption constitutes the largest proportion (31.05%–44.48%). Driven by fast urbanization and economic growth, high contribution of capital was invested to construction activities, which makes capital formation the largest driver of PM2.5 emissions from consumption perspective. PM2.5 emissions embodied in imports and exports also make a large proportion of consumption-based emission. Consumption volume and population growth are the main socioeconomic drivers to PM2.5 emissions increase, while emission intensity and consumption patterns offset the increase of emissions. The results will be useful developing PM2.5 emission mitigation measures and policies for Beijing and similar cities around the world.