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Inequality across China's Staple Crops in Energy Consumption and Related GHG Emissions

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  • Zhen, Wei
  • Qin, Quande
  • Qian, Xiaoying
  • Wei, Yi-Ming

Abstract

It is significant to investigate the inequalities between energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions for sustainable crop production in China. We adopt a hybrid economic input-output and life cycle assessment model, in order to examine the crop-specific embodied energy intensity (EEI) and energy consumption related greenhouse gas intensity (ECR-GHGI) of 29 staple crops from 1990 to 2010. A sensitivity analysis is employed to investigate the relationship between ECR-GHGI and the different components of EEI. We further determine, via a structural path analysis, product-specific energy management priorities for each agricultural production input (API). Our findings indicate the following: (1) The EEI and ECR-GHGI of cash crops are greater than those of grain crops. (2) The EEI and ECR-GHGI of most grain crops increased during the sample period, while the EEI and ECR-GHGI of most cash crops decreased. (3) Energy consumption of synthetic fertilizers is the primary driver of ECR-GHGI across the full range of crops. Agricultural machinery and pesticides are also important factors. (4) Potential energy-savings practices in the API production processes should be taken seriously. (5) Different actions should be implemented to reduce energy consumption levels and ECR-GHG emissions in terms of the production processes of different APIs.

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  • Zhen, Wei & Qin, Quande & Qian, Xiaoying & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "Inequality across China's Staple Crops in Energy Consumption and Related GHG Emissions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 17-30.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:153:y:2018:i:c:p:17-30
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.06.022
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