Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: The rapid development of economy has led to extensive raw material consumption and relevant environmental damage in China. To analyze environmental impacts and identify materials resulting in these environmental effects via raw material extraction, we combine economy-wide material flow accounting and life-cycle analysis methods to estimate environmental impacts of Chinese domestic extraction (DE) during the period of 1992–2015. The relationship between these increasing environmental impacts and Chinese GDP was also explored by decoupling analysis. Outcomes: Results show that Chinese DE increased by 372% during 1992–2015. The global warming potential, abiotic depletion potential, and respiratory inorganics of Chinese DE increased by 195%, 46%, and 408%, respectively. In terms of specific materials, extraction of iron ores, gravel and sand, and coal induced the most environmental impacts. The relationship between environmental impacts and Chinese GDP/DE was characterized by relative decoupling. Conclusion: To minimize the environmental impacts of extraction, we recommend that the Chinese government improve its extraction techniques and reduce excess demand for materials with large extraction such as iron ores, gravel and sand, and coal. We also recommend researching alternative materials for scarce resources like molybdenum, gold, and fluorite.
Highlights
The rapid development of economy has led to extensive raw material consumption and relevant environmental damage in China
Our study focuses on the exploitation process of 49 kinds of raw materials in China during 1992–2015 to quantify the environmental impacts of raw material extraction and identify those resulting in major environmental impacts
With regard to specific material categories, non-metallic minerals were the main contributor to material extraction, contributing 80% (24billion tons) of Chinese domestic extraction (DE) in 2015 and approximately 82% (19 billion tons) of the DE increase during 1992–2015
Summary
To analyze environmental impacts and identify materials resulting in these environmental effects via raw material extraction, we combine economy-wide material flow accounting and life-cycle analysis methods to estimate environmental impacts of Chinese domestic extraction (DE) during the period of 1992–2015. The relationship between these increasing environmental impacts and Chinese GDP was explored by decoupling analysis. MFA refers to the analysis of the throughput of process chains comprising the extraction or harvesting, chemical transformation, manufacturing, consumption, recycling, and disposal of materials
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
