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International trade, FDI (foreign direct investment) and embodied CO2 emissions: A case study of Chinas industrial sectors

Author

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  • Ren, Shenggang
  • Yuan, Baolong
  • Ma, Xie
  • Chen, Xiaohong

Abstract

This paper calculates CO2 emissions embodied in China's international trade using an input–output analysis, for the period 2000–2010. Based on industrial panel data, the two-step GMM estimation is used to test the impacts of FDI, trade openness, exports, imports and per capita income on CO2 emissions. The results suggest that: (1) China's growing trade surplus is one of the important reasons for the rapidly rising CO2 emissions; (2) large FDI inflows further aggravate China's CO2 emissions; and (3) the industrial sector's per capita income and CO2 emission relationship show inverted-U environmental Kuznets curve. Therefore, in order to achieve environmentally sustainable development of the economy, China should make efforts to transform its trade growth mode, adjust foreign investment structure, strengthen energy efficiency and develop a low-carbon economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ren, Shenggang & Yuan, Baolong & Ma, Xie & Chen, Xiaohong, 2014. "International trade, FDI (foreign direct investment) and embodied CO2 emissions: A case study of Chinas industrial sectors," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 123-134.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:28:y:2014:i:c:p:123-134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2014.01.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International trade; FDI; Embodied CO2 emissions; EKC hypothesis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment

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