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An overview of mercury emissions by global fuel combustion: The impact of international trade

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  • Chen, G.Q.
  • Li, J.S.
  • Chen, B.
  • Wen, C.
  • Yang, Q.
  • Alsaedi, A.
  • Hayat, T.

Abstract

This study provides an overview of mercury emissions by global fuel combustion by compiling the detailed inventory as well as elaborating the impact of international trade. Based on the global fuel-related mercury emissions inventory covering 26 sectors in 186 economies for the year of 2010, systems multi-region input-output analysis is employed for the first time to investigate international trade's impact on mercury emissions induced by each economy. The estimated mercury emissions mainly contributed by coal burning are 859.12t, approximately 30% of which are embodied in commodities transported to consumers in other economies via international trade. The emerging economies such as mainland China and India are the prominent net exporters of embodied mercury emissions while developed economies like Japan, Germany and the USA are the net importers, indicating that developed economies avoided a large amount of direct mercury emissions by transferring the production of emission-intensive commodities to developing economies. By integrating the direct emissions and the net trade effect, mainland China has the largest embodied mercury emissions, followed by the USA and India. This study verifies the significant role of international trade in drawing a holistic picture of global fuel-related mercury emissions. The findings also suggest that focusing on the atmospheric mercury pollution directly emitted by local producers in isolation may result in an absurd situation of “regional reduction at the cost of global rise”. It is anticipated that the current study provides insights for forming a reasonable emission responsibility sharing mechanism and facilitating comprehensive abatement strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, G.Q. & Li, J.S. & Chen, B. & Wen, C. & Yang, Q. & Alsaedi, A. & Hayat, T., 2016. "An overview of mercury emissions by global fuel combustion: The impact of international trade," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 345-355.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:65:y:2016:i:c:p:345-355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.06.049
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    6. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Han, M.Y. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "An overview of arable land use for the world economy: From source to sink via the global supply chain," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 201-214.
    7. Fang, Delin & Chen, Bin, 2019. "Information-based ecological network analysis for carbon emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 45-53.
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    9. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Chen, G.Q., 2018. "The striking amount of carbon emissions by the construction stage of coal-fired power generation system in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 358-369.
    10. Liu, Yitong & Chen, Bin & Wei, Wendong & Shao, Ling & Li, Zhi & Jiang, Weizhong & Chen, Guoqian, 2020. "Global water use associated with energy supply, demand and international trade of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    11. Kan, S.Y. & Chen, B. & Wu, X.F. & Chen, Z.M. & Chen, G.Q., 2019. "Natural gas overview for world economy: From primary supply to final demand via global supply chains," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 215-225.
    12. Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q. & Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Wei, W.D. & Wang, P. & Dong, K.Q. & Chen, H.P., 2017. "The impact of trade on fuel-related mercury emissions in Beijing—evidence from three-scale input-output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 742-752.
    13. Wu, X.F. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Global primary energy use associated with production, consumption and international trade," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 85-94.
    14. Chen, B. & Yang, Q. & Li, J.S. & Chen, G.Q., 2017. "Decoupling analysis on energy consumption, embodied GHG emissions and economic growth — The case study of Macao," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 662-672.
    15. Wang, Saige & Cao, Tao & Chen, Bin, 2017. "Urban energy–water nexus based on modified input–output analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 208-217.
    16. Antuña-Nieto, C. & Rodríguez, E. & Lopez-Anton, M.A. & García, R. & Martínez-Tarazona, M.R., 2018. "A candidate material for mercury control in energy production processes: Carbon foams loaded with gold," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 630-637.
    17. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Ji, Xi & Chen, G.Q., 2019. "Energy use in world economy from household-consumption-based perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 287-298.

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