Identifying the Main Emitters of Carbon Dioxide in Mexico: A Multi-Sectoral Study

In this paper, input-output and SAM-based multiplier models are formulated to identify the main emitters of direct, indirect, and induced carbon dioxide (CO2) for the Mexi- can economy. The models are based on a social accounting matrix for Mexico, with disaggre- gated household income and consumption patterns according to the of cial poverty line. The results show that the nal users of the inputs that embody high levels of CO2 emissions are the next ve sectors: (1) construction; (2) electricity, gas, and water supply; (3) inland transport; (4) food, beverages, and tobacco; and (5) coke, re ned petroleum, and nuclear fuel. The ndings suggest that the implementation of a carbon tax could damage poor families, since these families generate high direct, indirect, and induced CO2 emissions per unit of income, as a consequence of their consumption patterns of fuels and the products that embody high CO2 emissions levels (for example, agriculture, hunting, forestry, and shing).