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Emissions and health impacts from global shipping embodied in US–China bilateral trade

Author

Listed:
  • Huan Liu

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Zhi-Hang Meng

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Zhao-Feng Lv

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Xiao-Tong Wang

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Fan-Yuan Deng

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Yang Liu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yan-Ni Zhang

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Meng-Shuang Shi

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

  • Qiang Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Ke-Bin He

    (Tsinghua University
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex)

Abstract

Global shipping activity emits 938 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, surpassing the eighth highest emitting country. Although the impacts from the shipping industry have been investigated over the past three decades, allocating responsibilities remains a difficult issue. Numerous parties should share the responsibility and quantitative analysis is therefore required when considering the interaction between the global economy, shipping and ecological connectivity. Here, beginning with our shipping emission inventory model based on satellite-observed vessel activities, we evaluated trade-embodied shipping emissions and their impacts on human health. Combined with international trade databases, we traced shipping impacts back to responsible bilateral trade and proposed an integrated trade–shipping–air quality–health impact nexus. Quantitative analysis shows that the US–China bilateral trade is responsible for 2.5% of the global shipping carbon dioxide emissions and 4.8% of ship-related global premature deaths caused by air pollution. Our research provides the methodology to allocate intercontinental responsibilities to trade pairs and ships.

Suggested Citation

  • Huan Liu & Zhi-Hang Meng & Zhao-Feng Lv & Xiao-Tong Wang & Fan-Yuan Deng & Yang Liu & Yan-Ni Zhang & Meng-Shuang Shi & Qiang Zhang & Ke-Bin He, 2019. "Emissions and health impacts from global shipping embodied in US–China bilateral trade," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(11), pages 1027-1033, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:2:y:2019:i:11:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0414-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0414-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Cai, Xiaomei & Liu, Chan & Zheng, Shuxian & Hu, Han & Tan, Zhanglu, 2023. "Analysis on the evolution characteristics of barite international trade pattern based on complex networks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    2. Xu, Dongxiao & Li, Yaoguang & Zhao, Mingyuan & Wang, Xinjing & Zhang, Yan & Chen, Bin & Yang, Zhifeng, 2022. "Spatial characteristics analysis of sectoral carbon transfer path in international trade: A comparison of the United States and China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Xinyi Fu & Dongsheng Chen & Xiurui Guo & Jianlei Lang & Ying Zhou, 2022. "Improving the estimation of ship emissions using the high‐spatiotemporal resolution wind fields simulated by the Weather Research and Forecast model: A case study in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 1871-1881, December.
    4. Yiqi Zhang & Yuan Chang & Changbo Wang & Jimmy C. H. Fung & Alexis K. H. Lau, 2022. "Life‐cycle energy and environmental emissions of cargo ships," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 2057-2068, December.
    5. J. Verschuur & E. E. Koks & J. W. Hall, 2022. "Ports’ criticality in international trade and global supply-chains," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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