Measuring structural characteristics and evolutionary patterns of an industrial carbon footprint network: A social network analysis approach

Abstract

AbstractThe formation of an industrial network is inevitable because an industrial structure evolves to a higher level. The continuous material exchange among sectors creates a path for the embodied carbon in products to flow freely among industries. With the gradual complication of industrial networks, however, the emission reduction behavior of sectors not only becomes rooted in individual conduct, but also originates from the interaction forces between individuals. Therefore, carbon management in industries in the real economy needs to be explored from the perspective of these complex networks. On the basis of these considerations, this study utilized a hybrid model, the Economic Input–Output Life Cycle Assessment model, to construct the carbon footprint network of China's industries in 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017. We also applied social network analysis to quantify the structural characteristics and evolutionary patterns of the network. Results showed that the transmission efficiency of resources and the subgroup‐integrated degree of the actors within the carbon footprint network were excellent, which was conducive to coordinated carbon emission reduction of these sectors from a network perspective. Agriculture and services were the engines driving sector‐wide carbon emission reduction through links within the network. Furthermore, some sectors, such as transportation and the warehousing industry, basic chemicals and chemical products manufacturing, and metal smelting and rolling processing industry, act as bridges and brokers. These sectors are keys to ensuring network cohesion and reducing the risk of network fragmentation. Finally, the industrial block network presented a hierarchical structure of a core–edge network. The network followed a trend of structural changes in which the network core became increasingly clear, and the network distribution pattern gradually concentrated on a single block. This finding revealed a new pathway for collaborative carbon mitigation in the industry from the perspective of the industrial community.