IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/nathaz/v99y2019i3d10.1007_s11069-019-03589-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

CO2 emissions accounting for the chemical industry: an empirical analysis for China

Author

Listed:
  • Jing-Ming Chen

    (Beijing Institute of Technology
    Beijing Institute of Technology
    Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management)

  • Biying Yu

    (Beijing Institute of Technology
    Beijing Institute of Technology
    Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management
    Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing)

  • Yi-Ming Wei

    (Beijing Institute of Technology
    Beijing Institute of Technology
    Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management
    Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing)

Abstract

The chemical industry is one of the most important industry sectors in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emissions in China. However, few studies have undertaken accounting of the CO2 emissions in the chemical industry. In addition, there are some shortcomings in the traditional accounting method as a result of poor data availability, such as the incomplete consideration of emission sources and overestimation of actual emissions. Based on the traditional accounting method and the actual situation of the chemical industry, this study proposes a method called the Emission Accounting Model in the Chemical Industry, which covers fossil energy-related emission, indirect emission generated by electricity and heat, carbonate-related process emission and the reuse of CO2. In particular, fossil energy used as feedstock is included. By applying the Emission Accounting Model in the Chemical Industry in China, the calculated CO2 emissions would be 19–30% less than the result from the traditional method. In addition, it is found that the indirect CO2 emissions generated by electricity and heat account for 67% of the total amount, the fossil energy-related emissions account for approximately 37%, the process-related emissions accounted for 2%, and reuse of CO2 accounts for − 6% in 2016. The production of ammonia, ethylene and calcium carbide generated approximately half of the total CO2 emissions in 2016. In addition, in view of emission sources and carbon source flow, two other bottom-up accounting methods are proposed that can take effect when the chemical plant-level data are available.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing-Ming Chen & Biying Yu & Yi-Ming Wei, 2019. "CO2 emissions accounting for the chemical industry: an empirical analysis for China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(3), pages 1327-1343, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:99:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-019-03589-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-019-03589-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11069-019-03589-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11069-019-03589-1?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. Chen, Hao & Tang, Bao-Jun & Liao, Hua & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2016. "A multi-period power generation planning model incorporating the non-carbon external costs: A case study of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1333-1345.
    2. Zhu, Bing & Zhou, Wenji & Hu, Shanying & Li, Qiang & Griffy-Brown, Charla & Jin, Yong, 2010. "CO2 emissions and reduction potential in China’s chemical industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 4663-4670.
    3. Martin, Ralf & de Preux, Laure B. & Wagner, Ulrich J., 2014. "The impact of a carbon tax on manufacturing: Evidence from microdata," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 1-14.
    4. Ru Li & Bao-Jun Tang, 2016. "Initial carbon quota allocation methods of power sectors: a China case study," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 84(2), pages 1075-1089, November.
    5. Zhou, P. & Wang, M., 2016. "Carbon dioxide emissions allocation: A review," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 47-59.
    6. An, Runying & Yu, Biying & Li, Ru & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "Potential of energy savings and CO2 emission reduction in China’s iron and steel industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 862-880.
    7. Selvakkumaran, Sujeetha & Limmeechokchai, Bundit, 2015. "Low carbon society scenario analysis of transport sector of an emerging economy—The AIM/Enduse modelling approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 199-214.
    8. Yi-Ming Wei & Rong Han & Qiao-Mei Liang & Bi-Ying Yu & Yun-Fei Yao & Mei-Mei Xue & Kun Zhang & Li-Jing Liu & Juan Peng & Pu Yang & Zhi-Fu Mi & Yun-Fei Du & Ce Wang & Jun-Jie Chang & Qian-Ru Yang & Zil, 2018. "An integrated assessment of INDCs under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways: an implementation of C3IAM," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 92(2), pages 585-618, June.
    9. Zhou, Wenji & Zhu, Bing & Li, Qiang & Ma, Tieju & Hu, Shanying & Griffy-Brown, Charla, 2010. "CO2 emissions and mitigation potential in China's ammonia industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(7), pages 3701-3709, July.
    10. Broeren, M.L.M. & Saygin, D. & Patel, M.K., 2014. "Forecasting global developments in the basic chemical industry for environmental policy analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 273-287.
    11. Tang, Baojun & Li, Ru & Yu, Biying & An, Runying & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "How to peak carbon emissions in China's power sector: A regional perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 365-381.
    12. Chen, Jing-Ming & Yu, Biying & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "Energy technology roadmap for ethylene industry in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 160-174.
    13. Chen, Hao & Kang, Jia-Ning & Liao, Hua & Tang, Bao-Jun & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2017. "Costs and potentials of energy conservation in China's coal-fired power industry: A bottom-up approach considering price uncertainties," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 23-32.
    14. Worrell, Ernst & Price, Lynn & Martin, Nathan, 2001. "Energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions reduction opportunities in the US iron and steel sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 513-536.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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, Xi & Yu, Biying, 2019. "Peaking CO2 emissions for China's urban passenger transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. Cui, Qi & He, Ling & Han, Guoyi & Chen, Hao & Cao, Juanjuan, 2020. "Review on climate and water resource implications of reducing renewable power curtailment in China: A nexus perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    3. Tang, Bao-Jun & Li, Xiao-Yi & Yu, Biying & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2019. "Sustainable development pathway for intercity passenger transport: A case study of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    4. Tang, Bao-Jun & Guo, Yang-Yang & Yu, Biying & Harvey, L.D. Danny, 2021. "Pathways for decarbonizing China’s building sector under global warming thresholds," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    5. Tang, Baojun & Li, Ru & Yu, Biying & An, Runying & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "How to peak carbon emissions in China's power sector: A regional perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 365-381.
    6. Chen, Jing-Ming & Yu, Biying & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "Energy technology roadmap for ethylene industry in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 160-174.
    7. Yue, Hui & Worrell, Ernst & Crijns-Graus, Wina, 2018. "Modeling the multiple benefits of electricity savings for emissions reduction on power grid level: A case study of China’s chemical industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 1603-1632.
    8. Wang, Xiaoyang & Yu, Biying & An, Runying & Sun, Feihu & Xu, Shuo, 2022. "An integrated analysis of China’s iron and steel industry towards carbon neutrality," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    9. Zhang, You & Yuan, Zengwei & Margni, Manuele & Bulle, Cécile & Hua, Hui & Jiang, Songyan & Liu, Xuewei, 2019. "Intensive carbon dioxide emission of coal chemical industry in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 540-550.
    10. Yu, Biying & Zhao, Zihao & Zhang, Shuai & An, Runying & Chen, Jingming & Li, Ru & Zhao, Guangpu, 2021. "Technological development pathway for a low-carbon primary aluminum industry in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    11. Wang, Yihan & Chen, Chen & Tao, Yuan & Wen, Zongguo & Chen, Bin & Zhang, Hong, 2019. "A many-objective optimization of industrial environmental management using NSGA-III: A case of China’s iron and steel industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 46-56.
    12. Biying Yu & Guangpu Zhao & Runying An, 2019. "Framing the picture of energy consumption in China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(3), pages 1469-1490, December.
    13. Hao Chen & Chi Kong Chyong & Jia-Ning Kang & Yi-Ming Wei, 2018. "Economic dispatch in the electricity sector in China: potential benefits and challenges ahead," Working Papers EPRG 1819, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    14. Chen, Hao & Kang, Jia-Ning & Liao, Hua & Tang, Bao-Jun & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2017. "Costs and potentials of energy conservation in China's coal-fired power industry: A bottom-up approach considering price uncertainties," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 23-32.
    15. Kang, Jia-Ning & Wei, Yi-Ming & Liu, Lan-Cui & Han, Rong & Yu, Bi-Ying & Wang, Jin-Wei, 2020. "Energy systems for climate change mitigation: A systematic review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    16. Tingru Yang & Wenling Liu, 2019. "Health Effects of Energy Intensive Sectors and the Potential Health Co-Benefits of a Low Carbon Industrial Transition in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, August.
    17. Tang, Bao-Jun & Li, Ru & Li, Xiao-Yi & Chen, Hao, 2017. "An optimal production planning model of coal-fired power industry in China: Considering the process of closing down inefficient units and developing CCS technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 519-530.
    18. Wang, Yongpei & Yan, Weilong & Komonpipat, Supak, 2019. "How does the capacity utilization of thermal power generation affect pollutant emissions? Evidence from the panel data of China's provinces," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 440-451.
    19. Chen, Xiaotong & Yang, Fang & Zhang, Shining & Zakeri, Behnam & Chen, Xing & Liu, Changyi & Hou, Fangxin, 2021. "Regional emission pathways, energy transition paths and cost analysis under various effort-sharing approaches for meeting Paris Agreement goals," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    20. Wang, Yihan & Wen, Zongguo & Cao, Xin & Dinga, Christian Doh, 2022. "Is information and communications technology effective for industrial energy conservation and emission reduction? Evidence from three energy-intensive industries in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).

    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:spr:nathaz:v:99:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-019-03589-1. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    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.