Proposing a carbon emission responsibility allocation method with benchmark approach

Abstract

Scientific and feasible carbon emission sharing responsibility approach is essential to leading carbon emission reduction from both producer and consumer side. Shortcomings in existing production-based, consumption-based, and certain shared method were reviewed. This study proposed a novel carbon emission responsibility sharing method with benchmark approach, which could fit effectiveness, normalization, monotony, and feasibility principles. Two case applications on production side and consumption side were implemented in this study, to verify the feasibility of this method. Results indicate that benchmark approach is more feasible compared with previous approaches, and effective to leading carbon emission intensity-oriented measures from producer side without constraining total production quantity, and enhancing carbon emission quantity-oriented actions from consumer side. Establishment on benchmark value system and corresponding carbon emission reduction policy instruments are recommended to be researched in this future.