The energy-water nexus in interregional economic trade from both consumption and production perspectives

Abstract

Energy and water, serving as a critical part to support the goods and services provision, are highly interwoven in the social, economic and ecological system. To investigate the direct and indirect energy and water relationship in the complex economic trade, the trade-based energy-water nexus model is built. The regional energy and water consumption are inventoried for both consumption and production activities. Combining with the interregional monetary flows, the embodied energy and water flows are quantified. Finally, the pattern and mismatch of embodied energy and water trade is revealed. By the analyzing the pattern of the intermediate and final embodied water and energy trade, we aim to identify the synergies and tradeoffs in existing economic trade pathways. The results showed that Guangdong, Shandong, Zhejiang, Beijing, Liaoning are top 5 net embodied water (EW) importers, while Guangdong, Zhejiang, Beijing, Jiangsu and Shandong are the top 5 net embodied energy (EE) importers. Jiangsu is a main final EE exporter and intermediate EE importer. Meanwhile, Xinjiang and Heilongjiang are two main intermediate EW exporters. The pattern could provide insights for energy and water management from the perspective of suppliers and consumers.