Dynamic analysis of carbon dioxide emissions in China's petroleum refining and coking industry

Abstract

As one of the energy-intensive industries, the CO2 emissions of China's petroleum refining and coking industry (PRCI) put significant pressure on China's emission reduction target. Considering this, the main purpose of this paper is to clarify the determinants of emission growth in China's PRCI and predict the emissions change trend in future. Based on an extended Kaya identity, this paper dynamically analyzed the impacts of investment scale, investment efficiency, energy intensity, energy structure and carbon dioxide emission factor on CO2 emissions from China's PRCI. Then, the possible CO2 emissions of China's PRCI in 2030 were dynamically predicted based on the application of probabilistic scenario analysis. The main findings include: (1) during 2000–2016, China's PRCI suffered 130.82 million tons CO2 emissions growth, investment scale expansion was the principal contributor stimulating CO2 emissions. Fortunately, the promoting effects exerted from this factor showed a downtrend along with the decreasing fixed-asset investment growth rate since China's economy has entered a new normal. (2) During the entire study period, energy structure adjustment brought about a mild increase in CO2 emissions rather than taking an active role in emission abatement. (3) Investment efficiency and energy intensity were two crucial inhibitors, followed by the carbon dioxide emission factor. However, the inhibiting effects resulting from these factors cannot completely counteract the promoting effects in most cases. (4). Scenario analysis indicates that the mitigation pathway of CO2 emissions in China's PRCI include properly curbing the fixed-asset investment, increasing the green investment for technology and equipment, paying more attention to the R&D of energy saving technology in PRCI and its downstream industry, and facilitating the use of clean electricity.