Examining embodied carbon emission flow relationships among different industrial sectors in China

Abstract

Similar to the carbon transfer among regions and countries, the embodied carbon emissions among industries also have serious carbon leakage problems. It is important to determine the embodied carbon flow relationships among industrial sectors, to clarify the responsibilities of each sector, and to adjust the sectoral structure accordingly. Given that, an embodied carbon emission flow relationships network among industrial sectors (ECEFRN) is developed in this paper. In detail, an environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) model is applied to quantitatively estimate the embodied carbon emission flow relationships among industrial sectors in China. The roles and functions of each industrial sector in the network and the evolution characteristics of the embodied carbon emission flow relationships are determined by the social network analysis (SNA) method. Results show that ECEFRN has the small-world characteristics, and key industrial sectors in the network are identified based on the analysis of degree centrality and betweenness centrality. During the study period, in the ECEFRN, “Processing of petroleum, coking, and nuclear fuel”, “Smelting and pressing of metals”, “Production and supply of electricity and heat” are important “suppliers”. “Construction”, “Other service” and “Manufacture of transport equipment” are important “importers”. “Manufacture of foods and tobacco”, “Manufacture of transport equipment”, “Manufacture of computers, communication and other electronic equipment” are important “intermediaries”. Based on the aforementioned research results, this paper proposes corresponding policy suggestions. Network-based research has contributed more insights to the understanding of carbon emission reduction responsibilities among industrial sectors. These findings will provide certain theoretical support and policy references for policymakers when formulating policies for carbon emission reduction and industrial structure adjustment.