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The carbon footprint of the U.S. multinationals’ foreign affiliates

Author

Listed:
  • Luis-Antonio López

    (University of Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza de la Universidad)

  • María-Ángeles Cadarso

    (University of Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza de la Universidad)

  • Jorge Zafrilla

    (University of Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza de la Universidad)

  • Guadalupe Arce

    (Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas)

Abstract

Multinational enterprises (MNE) need to be a part of the solution in the fight against climate change, as claimed by investors and consumers, reducing emissions within their operations and supply chains. This paper measures the carbon footprint of U.S. MNE foreign affiliates (US-MNE) operating beyond the U.S. borders. Using a multiregional input-output model and information about US-MNE activities, the US-MNE carbon footprint ranks US-MNE as the 12th top emitter of the world. In relative terms, one dollar of value added generated by US-MNE affiliates operating abroad requires higher emissions than the domestic average and the ratio increases when only developing host countries are considered. Only 8% of total carbon footprint returns to the U.S. as virtual carbon embodied in the U.S. final consumption. Potential technology transfers between the U.S. parent company and affiliates to reduce US-MNE carbon footprint have been performed to evaluate potential rippled effects of mitigation actions.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis-Antonio López & María-Ángeles Cadarso & Jorge Zafrilla & Guadalupe Arce, 2019. "The carbon footprint of the U.S. multinationals’ foreign affiliates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-09473-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09473-7
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    Cited by:

    1. López, Luis-Antonio & Arce, Guadalupe & Cadarso, María-Ángeles & Ortiz, Mateo & Zafrilla, Jorge, 2023. "The global dissemination to multinationals of the carbon emissions ruling on Shell," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 406-416.
    2. Yan, Yunfeng & Li, Xiyuan & Wang, Ran & Zhao, Zhongxiu & Jiao, Aodong, 2023. "Decomposing the carbon footprints of multinational enterprises along global value chains," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 13-28.
    3. Yan, Yunfeng & Wang, Ran & Chen, Sida & Wang, Feifan & Zhao, Zhongxiu, 2022. "Mapping carbon footprint along global value chains: A study based on firm heterogeneity in China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 398-408.
    4. Mateo Ortiz & María‐Ángeles Cadarso & Luis‐Antonio López, 2020. "The carbon footprint of foreign multinationals within the European Union," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(6), pages 1287-1299, December.
    5. Ortiz, Mateo & Cadarso, María-Ángeles & López, Luis-Antonio & Jiang, Xuemei, 2022. "The trade-off between the economic and environmental footprints of multinationals’ foreign affiliates," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 85-97.
    6. Lei, Mingyu & Ding, Qun & Cai, Wenjia & Wang, Can, 2022. "The exploration of joint carbon mitigation actions between demand- and supply-side for specific household consumption behaviors — A case study in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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