Abstract:

Using the Eora database and Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) model, this study calculated the embodied carbon emissions induced by domestic demand, export, and import of 189 countries (regions) in the world in 2000 and 2015. Based on this, net flow networks of embodied carbon emissions in global trade were constructed, carbon emissions flow problem was analyzed globally from the network perspective, and the status and relationship evolution trend of different countries (regions) in the global trade embodied carbon network was revealed. It is found that the net export of embodied carbon emission in trade was one of the key reasons for the rapid growth of carbon emissions in China, India, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and other developing countries (regions), while the net import of embodied carbon emission through trade contributed to the decline of carbon emissions in the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and other developed countries (regions). Although the total net imports of embodied carbon emission in the United States, Japan, France, and other countries (regions) tend to decline, the embodied carbon emissions they import from China, India, and other major embodied carbon net export places have been increasing, and the sources of net imports are concentrated. In 2000 and 2015, there are four major communities in the global net embodied carbon flow network. The core of community changes from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The core status of China and India is strengthened, the size of their leading communities has continued to expand, while the community radiation capacity of Russia and Saudi Arabia has been weakened. Community core plays an important role in controlling and reducing embodied carbon emissions in global trade. China, India and other core countries (regions) should strive to reduce the carbon content per unit of energy-intensive products. Because the embodied carbon flow of trading countries (regions) in the same community is closer, the member countries of the same community can be the key support object of international response to climate change.

Key words: embodied carbon emission in trade, Multi- Regional Input- Output (MRIO) model, Input-Output technology, network analysis, community finding algorithm