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A review on carbon emission accounting approaches for the electricity power industry

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  • Li, Yaowang
  • Yang, Xuxin
  • Du, Ershun
  • Liu, Yuliang
  • Zhang, Shixu
  • Yang, Chen
  • Zhang, Ning
  • Liu, Chang

Abstract

The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have reached their highest levels since measurements began in recent years. This is widely regarded as one of the primary factors contributing to the increasing frequency of extreme climate events. Consequently, accurate and reliable CO2 emission data becomes the benchmark in shaping policies and setting targets aimed at reducing emissions, which are essential for carbon emission-related research. Among all industries, the electric power sector takes the highest proportion of CO2 emissions, making the carbon emission accounting for this sector a crucial component of overall carbon emissions accounting. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the applied technologies and research progress in electricity carbon emissions accounting. The paper begins by introducing the fundamental concept of electricity carbon emission accounting. Electricity carbon emissions are categorized into two types: direct carbon emissions from electricity production and indirect carbon emissions from electricity consumption. Then, the current applied approaches for accounting for these two types of emissions are reviewed separately. After analyzing the shortages of existing applied carbon emission accounting approaches, the paper proceeds to review the research on the improved approaches of direct and indirect carbon emission accounting. Finally, the paper outlines the future development prospects of carbon emission accounting technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Yaowang & Yang, Xuxin & Du, Ershun & Liu, Yuliang & Zhang, Shixu & Yang, Chen & Zhang, Ning & Liu, Chang, 2024. "A review on carbon emission accounting approaches for the electricity power industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:359:y:2024:i:c:s0306261924000643
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.122681
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    Cited by:

    1. Bing Zhang & Yiling Zong & Fang Liu, 2025. "Carbon Emission Prediction of the Transportation Industry in Jiangsu Province Based on the WOA-SVM Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Lv, Quanpeng & Wang, Luhao & Li, Zhengmao & Song, Wen & Bu, Fanpeng & Wang, Linlin, 2025. "Robust optimization for integrated production and energy scheduling in low-carbon factories with captive power plants under decision-dependent uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 379(C).
    3. An, Yimeng & Dang, Yaoguo & Wang, Junjie & Zhou, Huimin & Mai, Son T., 2024. "Mixed-frequency data Sampling Grey system Model: Forecasting annual CO2 emissions in China with quarterly and monthly economic-energy indicators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 370(C).
    4. Xi Zhao & Siqin Zhang & Najid Ahmad & Shuangguo Wang & Jiaxing Zhao, 2024. "Unlocking Sustainable Growth: The Transformative Impact of Green Finance on Industrial Carbon Emissions in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-21, September.
    5. Wang, Peng-Tao & Xu, Qing-Chuang & Wang, Fei-Yin & Xu, Mao, 2025. "Study on the coupling of the iron and steel industry with renewable energy for low-carbon production: A case study of matching steel plants with photovoltaic power plants in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    6. Yuanying Chi & Chenfeng Zhang & Mengwan Zhang & Yanzhao Zhang & Yuxi Wu, 2025. "The Impact of Renewable Energy Subsidy Policies on Indirect Carbon Emissions in the Power System," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 15(4), pages 1-3.
    7. Kim, Jee Young & Park, Gyeongnam & Jung, Sungyup & Tsang, Yiu Fai & Kwon, Eilhann E., 2025. "Direct conversion process for enhancing biodiesel production from insect biomass waste," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    8. Li, Yanbin & Liu, Chang & Wang, Jiani & Wang, Yuan & Yang, Xiuqi & Li, Yun, 2024. "Data fraud in the carbon emissions trading market: A tripartite evolutionary game analysis from China," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    9. Nilges, B. & Haese, A. & Reinert, C. & von der Assen, N., 2025. "Validity ranges of locational marginal emission factors for the environmental assessment of electric load shifting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    10. Ling, Chen & Yang, Qing & Wang, Qingrui & Bartocci, Pietro & Jiang, Lei & Xu, Zishuo & Wang, Luyao, 2024. "A comprehensive consumption-based carbon accounting framework for power system towards low-carbon transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    11. Le Ren & Sihong Cheng & Yali Tong & Yifeng Zhang & Fan Zhu & Yi Tian & Tao Yue, 2025. "Study on Carbon Emission Accounting Method System and Its Application in the Iron and Steel Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-36, April.
    12. Chen, Haoyu & Chen, Xi & Zhou, Guanwen & Zheng, Linghong & Xu, Ming & Yu, Li & Zhang, Hong, 2025. "Carbon emission accounting method for coal-fired power units of different coal types under peak shaving conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    13. Pinjie Xie & Sheng Wang & Jie Liao & Feihu Sun, 2024. "Study on Spatial-Temporal Disparities and Factors Influencing Electricity Consumption Carbon Emissions in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-20, May.
    14. Yong Cui & Jian Zheng & Wenying Wu & Kun Xu & Desen Ji & Tian Di, 2024. "Framework and Outlooks of Multi-Source–Grid–Load Coordinated Low-Carbon Operational Systems Considering Demand-Side Hierarchical Response," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, December.
    15. Wang, Peng-Tao & Xu, Qing-Chuang & Wang, Fei-Yin & Xu, Mao, 2024. "Investigating the impacts of the Dual Carbon Targets on energy and carbon flows in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    16. Guoli Qu & Chengwei Guo & Jindong Cui, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Evolution of Carbon Emissions and Carbon Allowance Prices in China: Implications for Sustainable Low-Carbon Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-24, June.
    17. Qingyun Xu & Kongqing Li, 2024. "Land Use Carbon Emission Estimation and Simulation of Carbon-Neutral Scenarios Based on System Dynamics in Coastal City: A Case Study of Nantong, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-22, July.
    18. Waranya Thepsaskul & Wongkot Wongsapai & Tassawan Jaitiang & Panuwich Jaekhajad, 2025. "Prospects of Attaining Thailand’s Carbon Neutrality Target Through Carbon Capture and Storage by Public Power Utility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-21, January.
    19. Hakan Alıcı & Beyza Nur Yiğit & Betül Menemencioğlu & Kübra Tümay Ateş & Özge Demirdelen & Tuğçe Demirdelen & Ziya Kıvanç, 2024. "Analysis of Carbon Footprint Including Process-Level Calculation and Its Influencing Factors of Process for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-24, November.
    20. Shi, Shouyuan & Yu, Tao & Lan, Chaofan & Pan, Zhenning, 2024. "Estimating the actual emission cost in an annual compliance cycle: Synergistic generation and carbon trading optimization for price-taking generation companies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 376(PA).

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