Assessing Embodied Carbon Emission and Its Intensities in the ICT Industry: The Global Case
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model to explore the flow of embodied carbon emissions and embodied carbon emission intensities in the ICT sector triggered by trade in 15 major economies around the world from 2000 to 2014.
Abstract: With the intensification of globalization, the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector, as one of the emerging industrial sectors, has played an important role in reducing carbon emissions in regional trade and improving the energy efficiency of traded products. This article uses a multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model to explore the flow of embodied carbon emissions and embodied carbon emission intensities in the ICT sector triggered by trade in 15 major economies around the world from 2000 to 2014. The article further discusses the emission-reduction strategies of each ICT sector. The results show that: (1) The overall embodied carbon emissions of ICT have demonstrated a significant downward trend, but the proportion of embodied carbon emissions caused by trade is increasing; (2) The embodied carbon emissions in the ICT sector of most developed countries in 2014 are significantly lower than in 2000, but in developing countries such as China and India they show an upward trend during this period; (3) The ICT sector’s export embodied carbon emission intensity in Indonesia is much higher than that of other countries, and the embodied carbon emissions of ICT exported by Mexico have increased significantly; (4) The manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (S1) is the main contributor to the ICT sector's embodied carbon emissions, while import embodied carbon emission intensities among publishing activities (S2) are increasing significantly in most countries. The conclusion of this paper has important implications for how to reduce ICT’s embodied carbon emissions of major countries.
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TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors explored how information and communication technology (ICT) agglomeration affects the region's carbon emissions by employing a balanced dataset of 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region for the period 2003-2016.
55 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors constructed a comprehensive digital economy index of 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2017, and estimated the relationship between the digital economy and CO 2 emissions by using the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) technique.
54 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors decompose the production structure factors of the digital industry on China's embodied carbon emissions into a direct structural effect and indirect structural effect of DI between 2002 and 2018.
53 citations
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors explored the global ICT-embodied CO 2 emissions changes and intensities from 2000 to 2014, and the driving factors behind ICT embodied CO2 emissions changes in 15 countries by using the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) method and structural decomposition analysis (SDA) method.
7 citations
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TL;DR: The World Input-Output Database (WIOD) as mentioned in this paper contains annual time-series of world input-output tables and factor requirements covering the period from 1995 to 2011, and illustrates its usefulness by analyzing the geographical and factorial distribution of value added in global automotive production.
Abstract: This article provides guidance to prudent use of the World Input–Output Database (WIOD) in analyses of international trade. The WIOD contains annual time-series of world input–output tables and factor requirements covering the period from 1995 to 2011. Underlying concepts, construction methods and data sources are introduced, pointing out particular strengths and weaknesses. We illustrate its usefulness by analyzing the geographical and factorial distribution of value added in global automotive production and show increasing fragmentation, both within and across regions. Possible improvements and extensions to the data are discussed.
1,910 citations
TL;DR: The CO2 emissions embodied in international trade among 87 countries for the year 2001 is determined and it is found that globally there are over 5.3 Gt of CO2 embodied in trade and that Annex B countries are net importers ofCO2 emissions.
Abstract: The flow of pollution through international trade flows has the ability to undermine environmental policies, particularly for global pollutants. In this article we determine the CO2 emissions embodied in international trade among 87 countries for the year 2001. We find that globally there are over 5.3 Gt of CO2 embodied in trade and that Annex B countries are net importers of CO2 emissions. Depending on country characteristics—such as size variables and geographic location—there are considerable variations in the embodied emissions. We argue that emissions embodied in trade may have a significant impact on participation in and effectiveness of global climate policies such as the Kyoto Protocol. We discuss several policy options to reduce the impact of trade in global climate policy. If countries take binding commitments as a part of a coalition, instead of as individual countries, then the impacts of trade can be substantially reduced. Adjusting emission inventories for trade gives a more consistent descr...
1,170 citations
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380 citations
TL;DR: A failure to recognize the factors behind continued emissions growth could limit the world's ability to shift to a pathway consistent with 1.5 °C or 2 °C of global warming as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A failure to recognize the factors behind continued emissions growth could limit the world’s ability to shift to a pathway consistent with 1.5 °C or 2 °C of global warming. Continued support for low-carbon technologies needs to be combined with policies directed at phasing out the use of fossil fuels.
317 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the dynamic causal links among per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, per capita gross domestic product (GDP), per capita fossil fuels consumption, per per capita nuclear energy consumption, and per capita renewable energy consumption within the framework of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for the case of China.
281 citations