Examining PM2.5 Emissions Embodied in China’s Supply Chain Using a Multiregional Input-Output Analysis

Abstract

Abstract:Haze has become an urgent problem for China's highly populated cities. Regional collaboration is an effective method for controlling air pollution. Because air pollution diffuses freely, it is necessary to distribute the responsibility for pollution with a common and differentiated rule. Based on a multiregional input-output model, this article calculated the PM 2.5 emissions embodied in provincial trade (EEPT) of China's 30 provinces in 2007 and 2010. The results show that the PM 2.5 EEPT accounts for almost one-third of the production-based PM 2.5 emissions of China. The economic crisis lowered the EEPT, while the ratio between the EEPT and production-based PM 2.5 emissions has increased. The EEPT values of the eastern provinces are mainly due to the EEPT embodied in final consumption, while the EEPT values of the central, northeastern, and the western provinces are due to the EEPT embodied in the intermediate input. We also analyzed different compositions of EEPT, such as fixed capital formation and consumption. The emissions embodied in provincial imports are mainly due to fixed capital formation. Due to the policies of the West Development, the Rising of Central China, and Promoting the Old Industrial Base in the Northeast, the central government increased the investment to these areas. The ratios of the EEPT embodied in the fixed capital formation to the total EEPT of the central (0.64), northeastern (0.69), and the western provinces (0.65) are higher than that of the eastern provinces (0.62). This indicates that the government need to establish different policies to control the effects of EEPT. In addition to the challenges of regional collaboration, environmental damage and the EEPT should be taken into account. The importers in the collaboration should consider providing compensation to the exporters in the collaboration.

Beyond Strict Regulations to Achieve Environmental and Economic Health—An Optimal PM2.5 Mitigation Policy for Korea

“…The industry-specific effects were positive or negative depending on the volume of particulate matter emission. Similarly, Wu et al [ 14 ] calculated the change in PM 2.5 emissions resulting from trade across provinces, and concluded that more than 30% of particulate matter was caused by multiregional economic activities. Wu et al [ 14 ] concluded that the Chinese government needs to establish different air pollutant mitigating policies that consider heterogeneous needs across stakeholders.…”

“…Similarly, Wu et al [ 14 ] calculated the change in PM 2.5 emissions resulting from trade across provinces, and concluded that more than 30% of particulate matter was caused by multiregional economic activities. Wu et al [ 14 ] concluded that the Chinese government needs to establish different air pollutant mitigating policies that consider heterogeneous needs across stakeholders. Korea has a similar desire to reduce air pollutants, including PM 2.5 , due to its rapid economic growth fueled by a dramatic increase in energy consumption [ 15 ].…”

Analysis of Regional Differences in Energy-Related PM2.5 Emissions in China: Influencing Factors and Mitigation Countermeasures

“…Many scholars have carried out a large number of studies on PM 2.5 pollution in recent years. The research has mainly focused on the transboundary diffusion of PM 2.5 [14][15][16], the health effects of PM 2.5 [17][18][19][20], source analysis of PM 2.5 pollutants [21][22][23][24], simulation of PM 2.5 concentration [25][26][27][28], spatiotemporal changes and patterns of PM 2.5 pollution [29][30][31], contributing factors analysis of PM 2.5 concentration [32][33][34][35], establishing a PM 2.5 emissions inventory [36,37], and determining the dispersion of PM [38][39][40]. Total pollutant discharge control is a measure for environmental management, so reducing PM 2.5 emissions will be a commendable means of preventing PM 2.5 pollution.…”

Inter-Regional Spillover of Carbon Emissions and Employment in China: Is It Positive or Negative?

“…Virtual CO 2 and pollutants embodied in trade or consumption have attracted much attention in the recent literature [2][3][4][5][6]. Studies concerning the determinants of China's CO 2 emissions growth have used various approaches and databases, among which Structural Decomposition Analysis (or SDA), based on input-output tables, has been frequently used [7][8][9].…”