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Co-Benefits Analysis of Coal De-Capacity in China

Author

Listed:
  • Guangyuan Cui

    (School of Marxism, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shuang Lu

    (College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Donglin Dong

    (College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yanan Zhao

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

Abstract

China is the world’s largest carbon emitter and coal de-capacity is a policy with immediate and substantial CO 2 reduction effects. However, the carbon emission reduction and health co-benefits arising from the coal de-capacity are often ignored. Here, we assessed the carbon emission reductions and quantified the health co-benefits from coal de-capacity based on an analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the mine closures and phase out during 2016–2022. Our findings show that China had closed/phased out a total of 4027 mines with a total de-capacity of 8.75 × 10 8 t, spatially concentrated in Southwest and North China from 2016 to 2022. The coal life cycle emitted 1859 million t of carbon during the coal de-capacity. Importantly, 11,775 premature deaths were avoided during 2016–2022 due to reduced PM 2.5 exposure as a result of coal mining. This study highlights the significant effects of coal de-capacity on carbon reduction and health co-benefits in China and provides scientific evidence and data to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals and the ‘dual carbon goals’.

Suggested Citation

  • Guangyuan Cui & Shuang Lu & Donglin Dong & Yanan Zhao, 2023. "Co-Benefits Analysis of Coal De-Capacity in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2023:i:1:p:115-:d:1305183
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    References listed on IDEAS

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