The characteristics and driving factors of household CO2 and non-CO2 emissions in China

Abstract

Approximately 60% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to household consumption. This presents a great opportunity to reduce them. However, most research has focused only on CO2 emissions and paid limited attention to non-CO2 emissions which account for a quarter of household emissions. This study investigates key characteristics and driving factors associated with Chinese household emissions, which include CO2, CH4, N2O, and F-gases. Our work also combines detailed household survey data, GHG inventory, and input-output tables. The empirical results suggest that household GHG emissions per capita in 2015 were 2.74 tCO2eq, of which non-CO2 gases accounted for 27%, mainly from food (48%) and dwelling-related consumption (18%). Urban households emit 4.02 tCO2eq per capita—nearly twice that of rural households—and have a higher rate of non-CO2 emissions. Consumption expenditure is the primary driver of emissions differences between rural and urban households, while consumption structure only plays a minor role. The reduction in CO2 emissions resulting from urban homes switching from coal to natural gas has been offset by an increase in CH4 emissions from gas production and supply. These findings highlight the significance of non-CO2 emissions in policy-making, as well as the important potential of adjusting households' consumption structure.