Embedded carbon footprint of Chinese urban households: structure and changes

作者：Fan Jin; Guo Xiumei; Marinova Dora^*; Wu Yanrui; Zhao Dingtao

来源：Journal of Cleaner Production, 2012, 33: 50-59.

DOI：10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.05.018

• Input-output model of carbon emissions
• Life style
• Urban residents
• Carbon quota system

Reducing environmental pressure is a major concern for China but despite the improvements in energy efficiency, its gross carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have maintained an upward trend, consistent with the Jevons Paradox. A fundamental shift is thus needed at all levels, including the household. %26lt;br%26gt;This paper explores the embedded carbon footprint (ECF) of Chinese urban households associated with activities, such as food, personal transport, communications, education, recreation, health and hygiene. It uses an input output model for carbon emissions and 2003-2009 urban household data. The results show that the total ECF emission intensity increases when an individual%26apos;s consumption is higher than 10,000 Yuan (sic). Structural changes are further observed with consumption expenditure above Y10,000: food, clothing and other survival-oriented emissions intensities as well as education, health and development-oriented emissions intensities reduce; transport, recreation, housing and enjoymentoriented emissions intensities increase or remain stable and the total emissions intensity increases. Currently per capita consumption expenditure of Chinese urban residents exceeds (sic)10,000 and as income continues to rise, China will remain on a high-carbon track. There is a need for better policies, management and behavioural change and the study provides some policy suggestions, including a carbon quota system to guide individual consumption. C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

• 出版日期2012-9
• 单位中国科学技术大学