Abstract
Given that most commodity transportation depends on the maritime industry, the growing economy and increasing international trade volume are expected to accelerate the development of shipping activities and thus increase associated CO2 emissions. In order to identify the driving factors of CO2 emissions from China’s international shipping and find efficient mitigation strategies, this paper first estimates the CO2 emissions and presents the CO2 emissions features from 2000 to 2017. Second, the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method is applied to decompose the changes in CO2 emissions. Finally, the decoupling index is introduced to quantitatively examine the decoupling relationship between economic growth and CO2 emissions. The factors affecting the decoupling relationship are analyzed according to the LMDI results. The results indicate that CO2 emissions in maritime transport activities have experienced rapid growth during the study period. Economic growth appears to be the principal factor driving the CO2 emissions growth, whereas the overall effects of energy intensity and the commodity structure play a significant role in inhibiting CO2 emissions. The decoupling state over the study period has experienced four decoupling stages, with a distinct tendency towards weak decoupling. Economic activity has proven to be the most significant indicator influencing the decoupling relationship during the study period.
Highlights
The international shipping sector is the backbone of global trade and facilitates transport among nations
The results indicate that CO2 emissions in maritime transport activities have experienced rapid growth during the study period
The relationship between China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth and its seaborne trade should be focused on, which is the prerequisite for the following research
Summary
The international shipping sector is the backbone of global trade and facilitates transport among nations. Given that over 80% of the global trade volume is operated by shipping, the significance of maritime transportation cannot be overemphasized [1]. Usually identified as an energy-efficient freight transportation mode, international shipping, relies on heavy fuel oil consumption, which increases contributions to both energy consumption and CO2 emissions [2]. Maritime transport contributes 3.1% of overall CO2 emissions due to fuel combustion, and approximately 84% of maritime transport CO2 emissions are generated by international shipping (trips between nations) [3]. It is predicted that CO2 emissions from international sea transportation will grow by up to 250% by 2050 if no action is taken [4]. The increasing fuel consumption and its associated carbon emissions have negative impacts on climate change and on human health [5]
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