Difference Analysis of Coal Carbon Emission Coefficient in China and Its Effects on Carbon Emission Calculation, Quota Allocation, and Enterprise Costs

Jingyu Lei, Feng Chen, Yinchu Wang, Zilong Liu, Xingchuang Xiong () and Xiaoping Song ()
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Jingyu Lei: National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
Feng Chen: National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
Yinchu Wang: National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
Zilong Liu: National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
Xingchuang Xiong: National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
Xiaoping Song: National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: China is a leading producer and consumer of coal, with coal being the dominant energy source. The accurate calculation of the mass carbon emission factor (EF m ) of coal is crucial as the carbon emissions from its combustion influence carbon emission assessment and policy formulation. However, discrepancies in EF m values across documents, due to varying net calorific values (NCVs), carbon contents (CCs), and carbon oxidation factors (COFs), have posed challenges for enterprises in carbon emission calculations. By analyzing different coal types, it is found that for anthracite, the EF m difference in different documents can reach 38.5%; for bituminous coal, it can reach 42.3%; and for lignite, it can reach 18.6%. These differences significantly affect carbon emission calculation accuracy, carbon allowance allocation fairness, and enterprise costs under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). For instance, in 2023, the calculated carbon emissions of anthracite vary by over 300 million tons depending on the EF m used. To address these issues, relevant departments should establish a unified EF m release system, build a data sharing platform, and standardize enterprise testing standards to enhance the accuracy of carbon-related calculations and drive the low-carbon development of the coal industry.

Keywords: coal; mass carbon emission factor; CBAM; carbon allowance; low-carbon development; sustainable development; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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