Implications of Energy Intensity Ratio for Carbon Dioxide Emissions in China

Abstract

Industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are mainly derived from fossil energy use, which is composed of procedures involving extraction of energy from the natural system as well as its exchange and consumption in the social system. However, recent research on low-carbon transitions considers the cost of energy commodities from a separate perspective—a biophysical or monetary perspective. We introduce the energy intensity ratio (EIR), which is a novelty perspective combining biophysical and monetary metrics to estimate the cost of energy commodities in the low-carbon energy transitions. This combination is essential, since the feedback of energy into the biophysical system will influence the performance of energy in the economic system and vice versa. Based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI), we developed the EIR-LMDI method to explain the changes in CO2 emissions. The changes in CO2 emissions caused by the EIR are the net energy effect. In China, the net energy effect kept CO2 emissions at a compound annual growth rate of 6.15% during 2007–2018. Especially after 2014, the net energy effect has been the largest driver of the increase in CO2 emissions. During the study period, high net energy usually indicated high CO2 emissions. Coal is the most important energy commodity and dominates the net energy effect; the least volatile component is the EIR of natural gas. The EIR affects CO2 emissions by the price crowding-out effect and the scale expansion effect, which make the process of low-carbon transition uncertain. The results illuminate that policymakers should monitor the net energy effect to prevent it from offsetting efforts to reduce energy intensity.

Decomposition of carbon emission factors in china's power industry: considering transmission and distribution

“…Liao et al [10] identified that the influencing factors of carbon emissions in electricity generation primarily encompass per capita GDP, electricity production structure, energy efficiency, coal consumption in power generation, technological advancements, population size, and industrial composition. Chen et al [11] introduced the energy intensity ratio, developed the EIR-LMDI method to explain the changes in CO2 emission from 2007 to 2018, and the results showed that changes in CO2 emissions caused by the EIR are the net energy effect.…”

Analysis of carbon emission status in Gansu Province and suggestions on electric power transformation under the goal of "dual carbon"

“…In September 2020, at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, China proposed that "it will increase the intensity of its nationally determined contributions, adopt more powerful policies and measures, strive to reach the peak of CO2 emissions before 2030, and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060" [4][5][6] .To achieve the "double carbon" goal as soon as possible, China will accelerate the construction of a new power system to adapt to the gradual increase in the proportion of new energy [7][8]. As an essential ecological security barrier in the west of the country and the central hub of the Northwest power grid, Gansu Province plays a pivotal role in the country's environmental security [9][10][11]. The realization of the goal of carbon neutrality requires the joint efforts of various industries and departments in each province [12][13].…”