Research on China’s Carbon Footprint Accounting Based on a High-Precision CO 2 Emission Inventory

Jiaying Li, Xiaoye Zhang (), Lifeng Guo (), Junting Zhong, Liangke Liu, Chongyuan Wu, Da Zhang, Fei Yu and Bo Peng
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Jiaying Li: Monitoring and Assessment Center for Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Neutrality of CMA, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Xiaoye Zhang: Monitoring and Assessment Center for Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Neutrality of CMA, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Lifeng Guo: Monitoring and Assessment Center for Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Neutrality of CMA, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Junting Zhong: Monitoring and Assessment Center for Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Neutrality of CMA, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Liangke Liu: Chinese Meteorological Administration Earth System Modeling and Prediction Centre, Beijing 100081, China
Chongyuan Wu: Monitoring and Assessment Center for Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Neutrality of CMA, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Da Zhang: Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Fei Yu: Guizhou Institute of Mountains Meteorological Science, Guiyang 550002, China
Bo Peng: Guizhou Institute of Mountains Meteorological Science, Guiyang 550002, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: Calculating carbon footprints can aid in clarifying the emission reduction responsibilities in various regions. Using an input–output model and the high-precision top-down carbon emission inventory provided by the China Carbon Monitoring, Verification, and Support System for Regional (CCMVS-R), carbon footprint size and transfer direction in China were estimated. From a production responsibility perspective, Shandong, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia presented the greatest carbon footprints, while the production and distribution of electric power and heat power constituted the sector with the highest carbon footprint. From a consumption responsibility perspective, Guangdong, Shandong, and Jiangsu displayed the highest carbon footprints, whereas the construction sector presented the greatest carbon footprint. From the perspective of shared responsibility, Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu experienced the greatest pressure to reduce emissions, and carbon footprint reductions in the production and distribution of electric power and heat power sector are critical for mitigating climate warming. Carbon footprints were generally transferred from economically developed regions with limited natural resources to industrially developed regions with abundant natural resources, and from developed provinces to neighboring provinces. On the basis of these results, it would be helpful for the government to formulate reasonable emission reduction measures to achieve sustainable development.

Keywords: carbon footprint; multi-regional input–output; shared responsibility; carbon emission reduction; carbon neutrality (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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