To achieve more precise and regionally adaptive emission control, this study develops a dual-control framework that simultaneously constrains both total carbon emissions and pollutant concentration levels. Regional environmental heterogeneity is incorporated into the dispatch of generating units to balance emission reduction and operational efficiency. Based on this concept, a regional carbon emission allowance allocation model is constructed by integrating ecological pollutant concentration thresholds. A multi-source Gaussian plume dispersion model is further developed to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of pollutants from coal-fired power units. These pollutant concentration constraints are embedded into an environmental–economic dispatch model of a coupled electricity–hydrogen–carbon system supported by hybrid storage. By optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental damage at the energy-supply stage, the proposed model provides a low-carbon foundation for the entire industrial production cycle. This approach aligns with the sustainable development paradigm by integrating precision environmental management with circular economy principles. Simulation results reveal that incorporating pollutant concentration control can effectively reduce localized environmental pressure while maintaining overall system economy, highlighting the importance of region-specific environmental capacity in enhancing the overall environmental friendliness of the industrial chain.

Multi-criteria carbon emission allowance allocation for liner shipping companies in China: An integrated approach based on composite indicators and zero-sum gains DEA

ABSTRACT This study examines the industrial effects of two measures aimed at mitigating carbon leakage: the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the allocation of free emission allowances. Currently, the EU allocates free emission allowances based on output (known as output-based allocation, or OBA) to emission-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) sectors. This system is slated to be replaced by the CBAM, which imposes a tariff on imports of EITE goods and electricity into the EU. This paper analyses the effects of this transition using a computable general equilibrium model, focusing on EU EITE industries. OBA boosts output in the EU’s EITE sectors compared to a scenario without any anti-leakage policies. CBAM produces similar effects, except in the case of non-ferrous metals, where output declines. Beyond non-ferrous metals, the positive output effects of CBAM are modest for refined petroleum products and chemical products compared to OBA. Key factors influencing these differences include the sectors’ initial emission intensities, export shares, and reliance on intermediate inputs. These factors may also explain why some sectors are resisting the shift from OBA to CBAM. Whereas CBAM and particularly OBA increases EITE output overall, the macroeconomic effects are small. Last, implementation of CBAM reduces carbon leakage more than OBA as currently implemented. Key policy insights The EU ETS transition from free emission allowances to CBAM may reduce activity levels in the EU’s emission-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) sectors. The loss of competitiveness will be most pronounced in sectors that (i) export a large share of their goods to non-EU markets and (ii) rely on inputs covered by the CBAM. The macroeconomic effects are small for both instruments. CBAM reduces carbon leakage more than free emission allowances, because of lower EU electricity imports.

Digital twin-driven dynamic coordinated allocation of urban pollutant and carbon emission allowances for individual vehicles

Economic dispatch strategy of electricity–gas integrated energy system based on paid carbon emission allowance allocation

How does emission allowance allocation affect shipowners’ selection of emission reduction technologies?

This paper presents a mathematical approach to analyzing carbon abatement costs and the allocation of carbon emission allowances in China’s industrial sectors. We utilize input–output data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2009 and 2018 to estimate carbon abatement costs by applying the slack-based measure (SBM) efficiency model and its dual form. The SBM model captures inefficiencies and offers a rigorous framework for measuring abatement costs. Using these costs, we develop a centralized allocation data envelopment analysis (DEA) model, which maximizes sectoral benefits through optimal reallocation. This DEA model is formalized as a linear programming problem, with the aim of determining the efficient allocations of carbon allowances while maintaining the system’s economic productivity. Furthermore, we construct intertemporal, interregional, and spatiotemporal allocation DEA models to examine the dynamics of carbon emission allowance allocation over time, space, and combined spatiotemporal dimensions. These models offer insights into the efficiency of carbon markets under varying conditions. Our proposed new mathematical formulations reveal optimal allocation strategies that can balance emission reductions with industrial productivity. This study also provides novel mathematical frameworks for analyzing the carbon allowance distribution and contributions to both the theory and application of mathematical optimization in environmental policy design. Our findings reveal that China’s industrial carbon abatement costs exhibit significant interprovincial and regional differences. Developed provinces with higher levels of industrial development have higher carbon abatement costs, while provinces with less-developed industrial sectors have lower costs. Under the interregional allocation scenario of carbon emission allowances that consider abatement costs, developed provinces have smaller industrial carbon emission reductions, whereas less-developed provinces have larger reductions. In the intertemporal allocation scenario, provinces with larger industrial economies face greater emission reduction tasks. Under the combined interregional and intertemporal allocation scenario, industrial sectors in coastal developed provinces have lower carbon emission reductions, while those in inland less-developed provinces have higher reductions, mirroring the spatial allocation results of carbon emission allowances.

This study analyzes and synthesizes international experiences in allocating greenhouse gas emission quotas, drawing lessons for Viet Nam's developing carbon market. The research examines emission trading systems (ETS) and quota allocation methods from various countries and regions, including the European Union, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, China, Japan, and New Zealand. Key findings highlight the importance of diversifying allocation methods, combining free allocation, auctioning, and benchmarking approaches. The study emphasizes the need for flexibility in system design, adapting to specific economic and social conditions of each country. Lessons learned include prioritizing high-emission reduction potential sectors, setting reasonable emission caps based on actual data, ensuring transparency in information disclosure, and establishing effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The research also stresses the importance of providing technical support to businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, in complying with ETS regulations. Additionally, the study addresses concerns such as preventing carbon leakage, assessing social impacts, and ensuring international compatibility of the system. These insights provide a valuable foundation for Viet Nam to develop an effective greenhouse gas ETS that aligns with national conditions and sustainable development goals.

Cooperative operation for multiple virtual power plants considering energy-carbon trading: A Nash bargaining model

The initial allocation of carbon emission allowances is an important component of the carbon market. An equitable, scientific, and operational quota allocation method and quota management system are the cornerstones for ensuring the healthy operation of the carbon market. Owing to the high emissions, simple process, and good data foundation, the pilot and national carbon market in China have initially included the power industry in allowance management and introduced a common and differentiated quota allocation method. In this study, we compared the allowance allocation methods for the power industry and summarized the methods for key issues such as unit classification, correction factor, product measurement, and quota carry-over. We observed that there were concerns, such as lagging issuance time, lack of carry-over provisions, lack of regulatory mechanisms, and imperfect methods, in the first performance cycle of the national carbon market quota allocation. We improved the allowance allocation system for the power industry in the carbon market from the methodological and management perspectives, including establishing a total allowance constraint, clarifying quota carry-over provisions, improving the quota verification method for co-firing units, optimizing correction factors' selection, and introducing a compensatory distribution system in a timely manner.

The construction of carbon market is one of the important means for China to reach the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and the allocation of initial carbon emission right quota is the key link in carbon market transaction. At present, the historical method is the commonly used allocation method of initial carbon emission rights in China, and the use of this method is unfair and inefficient. Therefore, this paper proposes an allocation optimization model, selects a number of indicators, and optimizes the allocation of initial carbon emission rights based on the hierarchical analysis method and entropy weight method. Example analysis shows that the allocation optimization model helps to share the carbon emission responsibility and improve the allocation efficiency, realizes the optimal allocation of initial carbon emission rights among industrial sectors, and provides support for the emission reduction of industrial sectors.

Carbon and financial performance nexus of the heavily polluting companies in the context of resource management during COVID-19 period

An integrated zero-sum game and data envelopment analysis model for efficiency analysis and regional carbon emission allocation

ABSTRACT The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a market-based approach aiming at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It involves the allocation of emission allowances to entities that are permitted to emit certain levels of GHG, as well as the re-sale and re-allocation of these allowances among entities. Considering the uncertainty of urban traffic congestion, the problem of reserving and allocating Emission Trading Permits (ETP) under stochastic demand is investigated. The ETP reserve of each link is determined before congestion, the optimal allocation scheme of ETP is determined after congestion. A two-stage stochastic programming model is formulated to minimize the sum of the reserve cost of ETP before congestion and the expected total loss of ETP after congestion. First, the effectiveness of the stochastic programming model is verified by comparing with the traditional method. Second, the total cost increases with the increase of initial reserve cost and shortage cost, and decreases with the increase of selling price and the capacity of links by sensitivity analysis. The unit reserve cost has a negative effect on the reserve quantity, while shortage cost, selling price, and link capacity have a positive effect on the reserve quantity. At last, the validity of the stochastic programming solution can be verified by numerical analysis of the Nguyen-Dupuis network. The stochastic programming solution proposed in this study shows an 89% reduction in ETP reserve compared to the optimal initial capacity solution. When level E occurs, the total cost is correspondingly reduced by 11%.

In this study, we assessed the impacts of the benchmark designs of emissions allowance allocation in China's national carbon emissions trading system with plant-level data and further estimated the marginal clearing price and power supply cost in Guangdong power market under electricity-carbon market coupling with unit commitment and economic dispatch model. We find that the existing allowances benchmark would result in a considerable surplus of allowances at about 222 Mt. But the benchmarking and exemplary levels on the heat rate of power supply would motivate thermal power units to reduce CO2 emissions. Under a tight balance of supply and demand in Guangdong, peaking thermal power plants will become the marginal clearing units and higher clearing prices will add to the revenue of lower cost inframarginal renewable energy power units. However, the combined impact of electricity-carbon market coupling would cause the marginal clearing price fluctuates obviously from 0 to 1159 CNY/MWh. Compared to the baseline scenario with free CO2 allowances allocation, the efficiency of thermal power utilization would decrease by 23%-59% and the net revenue per MWh power supply of coal-fired power units would decrease by 275%-325% under the stress scenario. Our study suggests that setting a more stringent allowances allocation benchmark for carbon price discovery is necessary. As electricity-carbon market coupling changes the role of coal-fired power plants to provide flexibility service and decrease their revenues, it calls for further market designs on proper reimbursement of flexible resources, under which the electricity market can effectively achieve the synergy among accommodating new energy, ensuring resource adequacy, and delivering cost efficiency. In addition, the synergy can be enhanced by formulating a tax program, which can promote renewable energy investment.

Carbon emission allowance allocation based on a bi-level multi-objective model in maritime shipping

Emphasizing egalitarianism in the allocation of China's provincial carbon emission allowances

Greenhouse gas emission indicators, energy consumption efficiency, and optimal carbon emission allowance allocation of the EU countries in 2030

The European Commission has proposed a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) that would apply the carbon price prevailing in the EU emissions trading system to import-related emissions. We conducted a survey to study perceptions of an EU CBAM among German key stakeholders from industry, civil society, and research in July 2021. We find that substantial support for CBAM exists as well as the expectation that the mechanism will eventually be introduced. We identified divergent views on key design options among stakeholder groups. Stakeholders from industry generally favour the continuation of free allocation of emissions allowances, rebates for exporters from the EU, coverage of only scope 1 emissions, and use of revenues for domestic spending. Stakeholders from civil society prefer phasing out free allocation, coverage only of imports, an emissions scope including all indirect emissions, exempting low-income countries and countries that do implement non-price-based climate policies, and the use of revenues to finance green transformation in low-income countries. Respondents from research would generally rather see free allocation being phased out, emissions coverage of scope 1 and 2, exemptions for low-income countries and countries that do implement non-price-based policies with comparable effects in relevant sectors and a transfer of revenues to support clean technologies in low-income countries and green technologies in the EU. Our survey design allows us to identify three cross-stakeholder group clusters, one containing stakeholders who are comparably more hesitant towards CBAM, a second one with respondents most in favour of introducing CBAM, as well as a ‘middle ground’ cluster which contains views that are often in between the other two. We also compare the survey responses to the design of the Commission’s CBAM proposal to identify the most likely points of political disagreement.

Allocation of emission allowances considering strategic voting