Changes of production and consumption structures in coastal regions lead to mercury emission control in China

Qiumeng Zhong, Hui Li, Sai Liang, Jetashree, Xiaohui Wu, Jianchuan Qi and Shuxiao Wang

Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2022, vol. 26, issue 5, 1760-1770

Abstract: China is important in the global mercury (Hg) cycle and is experiencing substantial economic structure transitions. There are pronounced differences in economic development, industrial structure, and consumption patterns across regions in China. However, the impacts of regional economic structure transitions (i.e., production and final demand structures) on Hg emissions in China remain unknown. Here, we reveal the transboundary impacts of changes in regional economic structures on provincial Hg emissions in China. We found that the transitions of production and final demand structures in coastal regions led to Hg emission reductions in China during 2007–2017. In particular, production structure changes in East Coast contributed to 36 metric tons of national Hg emission reduction, where 28 metric tons occurred in other regions (especially Hebei). Its final demand structure transition contributed to 19 metric tons of national emission reduction, where 15 metric tons occurred in other regions (especially Henan). Unfortunately, production structure changes in Northwest and final demand structure changes in Southwest contributed to Hg emission increments in China during 2007–2017. For instance, changes in the final demand structure of Southwest caused 34 metric tons of emission increments, mainly from provinces within the region. Thus, spatially explicit measures for China's Hg emission control can focus on the optimizations of production structure in Northwest and final demand structure in Southwest, as well as the promotion of interregional joint actions between East Coast and North China (especially Hebei and Henan). The findings of this study can inform region‐specific policy decisions and interregional joint efforts to control Hg emissions around the world.

Date: 2022
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