Inter-provincial sectoral embodied CO2 net-transfer analysis in China based on hypothetical extraction method and complex network analysis

Yuying Wang; Yalin Lei; Fengyan Fan; Li Li; Lingna Liu; Hongtao Wang

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147211

Inter-provincial sectoral embodied CO₂ net-transfer analysis in China based on hypothetical extraction method and complex network analysis

Sci Total Environ. 2021 Sep 10:786:147211. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147211. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Authors

Yuying Wang¹, Yalin Lei², Fengyan Fan³, Li Li¹, Lingna Liu¹, Hongtao Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Carrying Capacity Assessment for Resource and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100083, China.
² School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China; The College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Key Laboratory of Carrying Capacity Assessment for Resource and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address: leiyalin@cugb.edu.cn.
³ Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China; Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China; MNR Key Laboratory of Saline Lake Resources and Environments, Institute of Mineral Resources, GAGS, Beijing 100037, China.

PMID: 33965825
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147211

Abstract

To address the CO₂ emissions issue, China promised to increase its nationally determined contributions, trying to reach a CO₂ emissions peak by 2030. For optimizing emission reduction policies, it is important to clarify the CO₂ linkage structure and transfer characteristics. Previous research mainly focused on the calculation and comparison of CO₂ linkage at the national level or the regional level and lacked inter-provincial sector-sector transfer analysis. This study uses hypothetical extraction method (HEM) to calculate the inter-provincial sectoral linkages of embodied CO₂ in 2012 and 2015, providing a new perspective for sectoral CO₂ linkage studies in China. We use net transfer to reveal the impact of provincial trade on the embodied CO₂ emissions, and identify key CO₂ emitter sectors. Combined with complex networks, we describe the clustering feature visualized and identify the transfer media sectors. The results are as follows: (1) the key sectors with large linkage are mainly the heavy industries located in North China. The electricity industry has the largest net CO₂ outflow as the energy supplier, whereas the construction industry has the largest net inflow as the driving sector. (2) The CO₂ transfer networks present closely connected and spatial clustering features, reflecting the embodied CO₂ linkage between geographically adjacent sectors closer. (3) The important media sectors are mostly located in northwest China with small industrial scale and linkage degrees, such as the transport equipment industry in Shanxi. Emission reduction policies should be overall planned and tailored to local conditions. Consequently, possible policy implications of the results are discussed, which could provide additional insights for CO₂ mitigation.

Keywords: Complex network; Embodied CO(2) linkage; Embodied CO(2) net transfer; Hypothetical extraction method.