Embodied Carbon Emissions and Regional Transfer Characteristics—Evidence from China

Hehua Zhao,Hongwen Chen,Lei He

doi:10.3390/su14041969

Hehua Zhao, Hongwen Chen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14041969

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Feb 9, 2022
Citations: 5	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Xiamen University, Central South University

Abstract

China has a considerable impact on climate change, as it is the world’s largest developing country. Its carbon emissions are also a global concern. This research employed a multi-region input–output model to estimate the local emission effect and the regional spillover effect caused by the demand for intermediate and final products, to analyze the interregional flow of carbon emissions, and to identify the main industries causing domestic carbon emissions in China from 2007 to 2012. A structural path analysis model was used to evaluate the contribution of different factors and demand types to changes in carbon emissions. The following findings were obtained in this study: (1) The regional spillover effect of carbon emissions driven by domestic demand is characterized by inland provinces’ demand leading to emissions in coastal provinces. (2) Electricity, nonmetallic minerals, and metals are the key industries for carbon emissions. (3) The results of the SDA indicate that the scale effect is the main driving force for the growth in carbon emissions caused by domestic demand in China. Fixed capital formation is the most critical demand factor influencing carbon emissions. This study provides new insights into the characteristics of regional emission transfer in China. The conclusion of this paper is helpful to China in achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

Highlights

Academic Editors: Ting Chi andAfter China’s reform and opening-up, especially its accession to the WTO, its economy has achieved rapid development
Based on the multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model, this study calculates and analyzes the local and interregional spillover effects of emissions caused by domestic demand in various provinces, discusses the flow direction of interregional emissions, and evaluates the contribution of multiple factors and demand types to emissions changes by using the MRIO–SDA
We used the MRIO model to evaluate the local emission effect and regional spillover of carbon emissions generated by the demand for intermediate and final products in China, the transfer flow of regional emissions, and the characteristics of emissions at the industry level

Summary

Introduction

After China’s reform and opening-up, especially its accession to the WTO, its economy has achieved rapid development. China became the world’s second largest economy in 2010 when its nominal GDP surpassed that of Japan [1]. China’s economy has been accompanied by increasing environmental problems, including significant amounts of carbon emissions. The Chinese government has taken a series of policies and actions aimed at reducing carbon emissions in order to deal with global climate change. The Chinese government has adopted a new development strategy that combines the domestic cycle as its main component with the domestic and international double cycles that mutually reinforce each other because of economic development and changes in the international environment. It is essential to understand the impact of domestic demand on carbon emissions in order to ensure sustainable development of the environment

Results

Discussion

Conclusion