Growth in embodied energy transfers via China’s domestic trade: Evidence from multi-regional input–output analysis

This paper investigates the temporal and spatial changes of embodied energy transfers via China’s domestic trade over 2002–2007 based on the multi-regional input–output models. Interregional trade of total embodied energy uses approximately tripled between 2002 and 2007, and the total trade volumes in it were equivalent to 38.2% of the national total direct primary energy input in 2002 and 62.9% of that in 2007, respectively. Among all the eight regions, Northwest, Central, Northeast and Southwest were the interregional net exporters and deficit receivers of embodied energy in contrast to East Coast, South Coast, North Coast and Beijing–Tianjin as interregional net importers and surplus receivers. Significant growth of net embodied energy transfers can be identified from central and western inland regions to eastern coastal regions, and the Central region partly served as a “transmission channel”. By considering the interregional embodied energy transfers, regional energy use inventories changed largely, and the spatial and temporal differences between 2002 and 2007 were expanding. Industrial positions in domestic and global supply chains and inherent economic driving factors such as increasing regional consumption level, accelerated investment in fixed assets and rapidly expanding export were the major driving forces for the embodied energy transfers among regions. To form a set of useful tool for controlling energy consumption and achieving the goals for energy saving and emission reduction, China’s governors at all levels deserve to understand the relationships between energy producers and users from the view of demand-driven energy requirements.