Identification of Key Carbon Emission Sectors and Analysis of Emission Effects in China

Yongke Yuan, Yixing Wang, Yuanying Chi and Feng Jin
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Yongke Yuan: School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China
Yixing Wang: School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China
Yuanying Chi: School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China
Feng Jin: School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: Analysis of sectors’ emission effects is crucial for identifying key emission sectors and reducing carbon. Current literature for calculating sectors’ emission effects in China ignore intermediate demand. This might introduce inaccuracy into the analyzed results. To solve this gap, this paper used an alternative input–output method to analyze sectors’ emission effects in China. Firstly, it identifies the key emission sectors and their emission effect characteristics from 2005 to 2017. Then, the reasons for the changes in these sectors’ emission effects are analyzed. Lastly, emission effects were further decomposed so that the driving relationships of emissions among these sectors can be sorted out. The results show that the overall key emission sectors were metal smelting and processing and nonmetal mineral products. The backward-emission-dominant sectors were construction, chemical products, other services (such as finance, health and education), metal products, and so on. The forward-emission-dominant sectors were production and supply of electricity and heat, transportation, storage, postal, and telecommunications services. In 2017, transportation, storage, postal, and telecommunications services’ own final demand emissions and forward emissions accounted for 41.7% and 58.3%, respectively, of this sector’s direct emissions. Moreover, from 2005 to 2017, the main sector emission paths affecting the growth of China’s emissions shifted from manufacturing and construction industries to service industries. Accordingly, strategies for emission reduction, such as substituting pollution inputs, were proposed and analyzed. The research provides an important reference for the Chinese government to adopt appropriate measures to reduce carbon.

Keywords: carbon emissions; input–output; key sectors; emission reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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