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Unsustainable imbalances and inequities in Carbon-Water-Energy flows across the EU27

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  • Wang, Xue-Chao
  • Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír
  • Wang, Yutao
  • Foley, Aoife
  • Huisingh, Donald
  • Guan, Dabo
  • Dong, Xiaobin
  • Varbanov, Petar Sabev

Abstract

The EU27 countries exert significant influence on the global patterns of the CO2-Emissions-Water-Energy (CWE) nexus. However, whether the associated benefits are similar for all countries is unclear. In this paper, an EU27 multiregional input-output model, at a sector level to identify the inter-regional and -sectoral CWE flows, and clarify the regional, sectoral and worldwide patterns of EU27 CWE network is presented. The results revealed an environmental inequality across the EU27 and impacts on the rest of the world. The EU27 countries contributed 1.4 Gt less CO2 emissions, 64.5 Gm3 less water utilisation and 49 EJ less energy consumption, compared to the rest of the world while generating the equivalent economic output in 2014. This has dramatic effects upon the global environment. Germany, France and Italy are the biggest beneficiaries in the CWE nexus in the EU27. It is recommended that the EU27 provide more technical support to upstream countries in the EU and elsewhere to strive to improve their resource utilisation efficiencies.

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  • Wang, Xue-Chao & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Wang, Yutao & Foley, Aoife & Huisingh, Donald & Guan, Dabo & Dong, Xiaobin & Varbanov, Petar Sabev, 2021. "Unsustainable imbalances and inequities in Carbon-Water-Energy flows across the EU27," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:138:y:2021:i:c:s1364032120308340
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110550
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    1. Misrol, Mohd Arif & Wan Alwi, Sharifah Rafidah & Lim, Jeng Shiun & Abd Manan, Zainuddin, 2021. "Optimization of energy-water-waste nexus at district level: A techno-economic approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Alexandra Plesu Popescu & Yen Keong Cheah & Petar Sabev Varbanov & Jiří Jaromír Klemeš & Mohammad Reda Kabli & Khurram Shahzad, 2021. "Exergy Footprint Assessment of Cotton Textile Recycling to Polyethylene," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Wang, Xue-Chao & Jiang, Peng & Yang, Lan & Fan, Yee Van & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Wang, Yutao, 2021. "Extended water-energy nexus contribution to environmentally-related sustainable development goals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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