IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v65y2016icp345-355.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An overview of mercury emissions by global fuel combustion: The impact of international trade

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, G.Q.
  • Li, J.S.
  • Chen, B.
  • Wen, C.
  • Yang, Q.
  • Alsaedi, A.
  • Hayat, T.

Abstract

This study provides an overview of mercury emissions by global fuel combustion by compiling the detailed inventory as well as elaborating the impact of international trade. Based on the global fuel-related mercury emissions inventory covering 26 sectors in 186 economies for the year of 2010, systems multi-region input-output analysis is employed for the first time to investigate international trade's impact on mercury emissions induced by each economy. The estimated mercury emissions mainly contributed by coal burning are 859.12t, approximately 30% of which are embodied in commodities transported to consumers in other economies via international trade. The emerging economies such as mainland China and India are the prominent net exporters of embodied mercury emissions while developed economies like Japan, Germany and the USA are the net importers, indicating that developed economies avoided a large amount of direct mercury emissions by transferring the production of emission-intensive commodities to developing economies. By integrating the direct emissions and the net trade effect, mainland China has the largest embodied mercury emissions, followed by the USA and India. This study verifies the significant role of international trade in drawing a holistic picture of global fuel-related mercury emissions. The findings also suggest that focusing on the atmospheric mercury pollution directly emitted by local producers in isolation may result in an absurd situation of “regional reduction at the cost of global rise”. It is anticipated that the current study provides insights for forming a reasonable emission responsibility sharing mechanism and facilitating comprehensive abatement strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, G.Q. & Li, J.S. & Chen, B. & Wen, C. & Yang, Q. & Alsaedi, A. & Hayat, T., 2016. "An overview of mercury emissions by global fuel combustion: The impact of international trade," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 345-355.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:65:y:2016:i:c:p:345-355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.06.049
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032116302817
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2016.06.049?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li, J.S. & Xia, X.H. & Chen, G.Q. & Alsaedi, A. & Hayat, T., 2016. "Optimal embodied energy abatement strategy for Beijing economy: Based on a three-scale input-output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1602-1610.
    2. Yang, Q. & Chen, G.Q., 2012. "Nonrenewable energy cost of corn-ethanol in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 340-347.
    3. Thomas Wiedmann & Richard Wood & Jan Minx & Manfred Lenzen & Dabo Guan & Rocky Harris, 2010. "A Carbon Footprint Time Series Of The Uk - Results From A Multi-Region Input-Output Model," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 19-42.
    4. Chen, G.Q. & Chen, Z.M., 2011. "Greenhouse gas emissions and natural resources use by the world economy: Ecological input–output modeling," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(14), pages 2362-2376.
    5. Chen, G.Q. & Yang, Q. & Zhao, Y.H. & Wang, Z.F., 2011. "Nonrenewable energy cost and greenhouse gas emissions of a 1.5Â MW solar power tower plant in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 1961-1967, May.
    6. Chen, Z.M. & Chen, G.Q., 2011. "Embodied carbon dioxide emission at supra-national scale: A coalition analysis for G7, BRIC, and the rest of the world," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2899-2909, May.
    7. M. Lenzen & D. Moran & K. Kanemoto & B. Foran & L. Lobefaro & A. Geschke, 2012. "International trade drives biodiversity threats in developing nations," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7401), pages 109-112, June.
    8. Peters, Glen P., 2008. "From production-based to consumption-based national emission inventories," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 13-23, March.
    9. John Barrett & Glen Peters & Thomas Wiedmann & Kate Scott & Manfred Lenzen & Katy Roelich & Corinne Le Qu�r�, 2013. "Consumption-based GHG emission accounting: a UK case study," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 451-470, July.
    10. Chen, Z.M. & Chen, G.Q., 2011. "An overview of energy consumption of the globalized world economy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 5920-5928, October.
    11. Li, J.S. & Alsaed, A. & Hayat, T. & Chen, G.Q., 2014. "Energy and carbon emission review for Macao's gaming industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 744-753.
    12. Lenzen, Manfred & Moran, Daniel & Bhaduri, Anik & Kanemoto, Keiichiro & Bekchanov, Maksud & Geschke, Arne & Foran, Barney, 2013. "International trade of scarce water," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 78-85.
    13. Su, Bin & Ang, B.W., 2014. "Input–output analysis of CO2 emissions embodied in trade: A multi-region model for China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 377-384.
    14. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Hayat, T. & Alsaedi, A., 2015. "Mercury emissions by Beijing׳s fossil energy consumption: Based on environmentally extended input–output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1167-1175.
    15. Chen, G.Q. & Zhang, Bo, 2010. "Greenhouse gas emissions in China 2007: Inventory and input-output analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 6180-6193, October.
    16. Zhang, Bo & Chen, G.Q., 2010. "Methane emissions by Chinese economy: Inventory and embodiment analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 4304-4316, August.
    17. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Wu, X.F. & Hayat, T. & Alsaedi, A. & Ahmad, B., 2014. "Embodied energy assessment for Macao׳s external trade," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 642-653.
    18. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q., 2013. "Energy and greenhouse gas emissions review for Macao," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 23-32.
    19. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Lai, T.M. & Ahmad, B. & Chen, Z.M. & Shao, L. & Ji, Xi, 2013. "Embodied greenhouse gas emission by Macao," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 819-833.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wu, X.D. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Energy and water nexus in power generation: The surprisingly high amount of industrial water use induced by solar power infrastructure in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 125-136.
    2. Chen, B. & Li, J.S. & Zhou, S.L. & Yang, Q. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "GHG emissions embodied in Macao's internal energy consumption and external trade: Driving forces via decomposition analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 4100-4106.
    3. Li, Yilin & Chen, Bin & Li, Chaohui & Li, Zhi & Chen, Guoqian, 2020. "Energy perspective of Sino-US trade imbalance in global supply chains," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    4. Zhongguo Li & Puqi Jia & Fu Zhao & Yikun Kang, 2018. "The Development Path of the Lighting Industry in Mainland China: Execution of Energy Conservation and Management on Mercury Emission," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Zhou, Sili & Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Urban economy's carbon flow through external trade: Spatial-temporal evolution for Macao," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 69-78.
    6. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "The striking amount of carbon emissions by the construction stage of coal-fired power generation system in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 358-369.
    7. Kan, S.Y. & Chen, B. & Wu, X.F. & Chen, Z.M. & Chen, G.Q., 2019. "Natural gas overview for world economy: From primary supply to final demand via global supply chains," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 215-225.
    8. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Wei, W.D. & Wang, P. & Dong, K.Q. & Chen, H.P., 2017. "The impact of trade on fuel-related mercury emissions in Beijing—evidence from three-scale input-output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 742-752.
    9. Wu, X.F. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Global primary energy use associated with production, consumption and international trade," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 85-94.
    10. Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Decoupling analysis on energy consumption, embodied GHG emissions and economic growth — The case study of Macao," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 662-672.
    11. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Han, M.Y. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "An overview of arable land use for the world economy: From source to sink via the global supply chain," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 201-214.
    12. Fang, Delin & Chen, Bin, 2019. "Information-based ecological network analysis for carbon emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 45-53.
    13. Wang, Xibo & Wei, Wendong & Ge, Jianping & Wu, Bin & Bu, Wei & Li, Jiashuo & Yao, Mingtao & Guan, Qing, 2017. "Embodied rare earths flow between industrial sectors in China: A complex network approach," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 363-374.
    14. Liu, Yitong & Chen, Bin & Wei, Wendong & Shao, Ling & Li, Zhi & Jiang, Weizhong & Chen, Guoqian, 2020. "Global water use associated with energy supply, demand and international trade of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    15. Wang, Saige & Cao, Tao & Chen, Bin, 2017. "Urban energy–water nexus based on modified input–output analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 208-217.
    16. Antuña-Nieto, C. & Rodríguez, E. & Lopez-Anton, M.A. & García, R. & Martínez-Tarazona, M.R., 2018. "A candidate material for mercury control in energy production processes: Carbon foams loaded with gold," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 630-637.
    17. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Ji, Xi & Chen, G.Q., 2019. "Energy use in world economy from household-consumption-based perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 287-298.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Hayat, T. & Alsaedi, A., 2015. "Mercury emissions by Beijing׳s fossil energy consumption: Based on environmentally extended input–output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1167-1175.
    2. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Wei, W.D. & Wang, P. & Dong, K.Q. & Chen, H.P., 2017. "The impact of trade on fuel-related mercury emissions in Beijing—evidence from three-scale input-output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 742-752.
    3. Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Decoupling analysis on energy consumption, embodied GHG emissions and economic growth — The case study of Macao," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 662-672.
    4. Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Zhou, Sili & Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Urban economy's carbon flow through external trade: Spatial-temporal evolution for Macao," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 69-78.
    5. Zhang, L.X. & Wang, C.B. & Bahaj, A.S., 2014. "Carbon emissions by rural energy in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 641-649.
    6. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Wu, X.F. & Hayat, T. & Alsaedi, A. & Ahmad, B., 2014. "Embodied energy assessment for Macao׳s external trade," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 642-653.
    7. Xia, X.H. & Hu, Y. & Chen, G.Q. & Alsaedi, A. & Hayat, T. & Wu, X.D., 2015. "Vertical specialization, global trade and energy consumption for an urban economy: A value added export perspective for Beijing," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 318(C), pages 49-58.
    8. Shao, Ling & Wu, Zi & Zeng, L. & Chen, Z.M. & Zhou, Y. & Chen, G.Q., 2013. "Embodied energy assessment for ecological wastewater treatment by a constructed wetland," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 63-71.
    9. Wu, X.D. & Xia, X.H. & Chen, G.Q. & Wu, X.F. & Chen, B., 2016. "Embodied energy analysis for coal-based power generation system-highlighting the role of indirect energy cost," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 936-950.
    10. Li, J.S. & Xia, X.H. & Chen, G.Q. & Alsaedi, A. & Hayat, T., 2016. "Optimal embodied energy abatement strategy for Beijing economy: Based on a three-scale input-output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1602-1610.
    11. Li, J.S. & Alsaed, A. & Hayat, T. & Chen, G.Q., 2014. "Energy and carbon emission review for Macao's gaming industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 744-753.
    12. Chen, G.Q. & Wu, X.F., 2017. "Energy overview for globalized world economy: Source, supply chain and sink," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 735-749.
    13. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "The striking amount of carbon emissions by the construction stage of coal-fired power generation system in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 358-369.
    14. Mi, Zhifu & Zhang, Yunkun & Guan, Dabo & Shan, Yuli & Liu, Zhu & Cong, Ronggang & Yuan, Xiao-Chen & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2016. "Consumption-based emission accounting for Chinese cities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 1073-1081.
    15. Li, Xue & Lin, Cong & Wang, Yang & Zhao, Lingying & Duan, Na & Wu, Xudong, 2015. "Analysis of rural household energy consumption and renewable energy systems in Zhangziying town of Beijing," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 318(C), pages 184-193.
    16. Zhong, Zhangqi & Jiang, Lei & Zhou, Peng, 2018. "Transnational transfer of carbon emissions embodied in trade: Characteristics and determinants from a spatial perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 858-875.
    17. Zhang, Bo & Chen, Z.M. & Xia, X.H. & Xu, X.Y. & Chen, Y.B., 2013. "The impact of domestic trade on China's regional energy uses: A multi-regional input–output modeling," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1169-1181.
    18. Li, Y.L. & Chen, B. & Chen, G.Q., 2020. "Carbon network embodied in international trade: Global structural evolution and its policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    19. Chen, B. & Li, J.S. & Zhou, S.L. & Yang, Q. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "GHG emissions embodied in Macao's internal energy consumption and external trade: Driving forces via decomposition analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 4100-4106.
    20. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Han, M.Y. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "An overview of arable land use for the world economy: From source to sink via the global supply chain," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 201-214.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:65:y:2016:i:c:p:345-355. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.