Tracing carbon emissions embodied in 2012 Chinese supply chains

Abstract

As the largest carbon emitter, China is facing huge pressure and has a heavy task to control emissions. Previous studies have mainly focused on the production- and consumption-based sectors with large emissions, but few draw the whole picture of emission flows in Chinese supply chains in which direct carbon emissions (DCE) become embodied carbon emissions (ECE).This study aims to combine input-output model and structural path analysis to trace carbon emission flows from primary producer sectors to final consumer sectors based on the data of China in 2012. The results show that the total carbon emissions were 9208.33 Mt, and capital formation was the main final demand with the share of 44.22%. Production and Supply of Electricity released the largest DCE, and Construction was responsible for the largest ECE. Nearly 90% of emissions occurred in upstream sectors of the supply chains, Manufacturing and Electricity/Gas/Water are the important transfer sectors. The distribution of DCE and ECE of different sectors have different patterns. Electricity/Gas/Water released most of its DCE for its two-step downstream sectors (22.64%). Construction got more ECE indirectly from its one-step upstream sectors (29%) and two-step upstream sectors (26%). Controlling inputs from upstream or outputs to downstream can help to develop more effective measures to reduce emissions, especially for achieving the reduction target of one certain sector. Furthermore, some supply chain paths with more emissions, such as “Metal Smelting→ Construction→ Capital formation”, should be paid more attention. Reducing intermediate purchases or using cleaner alternatives can stimulate sectors along the supply chains to control emissions together and construct green supply chains.