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A Method for Analyzing Energy-Related Carbon Emissions and the Structural Changes: A Case Study of China from 2005 to 2015

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  • Honghua Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua-BP Clean Energy Research and Education Centre, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua-Rio Tinto Joint Research Centre for Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Linwei Ma

    (State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua-BP Clean Energy Research and Education Centre, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua-Rio Tinto Joint Research Centre for Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Zheng Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua-BP Clean Energy Research and Education Centre, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

To systematically analyze energy-related carbon emissions from the perspective of comprehensive energy flow and allocate emissions responsibility, we introduce energy allocation analysis to carbon flow process based on Sankey diagrams. Then, to quantitatively compare different diagrams and evaluate the structural changes of carbon flow, we define changes from three dimensions including total amount change, relative growth rate and occupation ratio change (TRO), propose TRO index. The method is applied to China’s case study from 2005 to 2015. We map China’s energy-related carbon flow Sankey diagrams with high technical resolution from energy sources, intermediate conversion, end-use devices, passive systems to final services, and conduct TRO index decomposition by stages. The results indicate that in energy sources, the emission share of coal has declined due to energy transition although coal is still the largest contributor to China’s energy-related carbon emissions. In passive systems, the factory passive systems are the largest contributors, among them, emission reduction should focus on the steel, non-ferrous and chemical industries; the building passive systems should pay attention to household appliances; the vehicle passive systems should focus on cars. In final services, the demand for structural materials is the strongest driving force for carbon emissions growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Honghua Yang & Linwei Ma & Zheng Li, 2020. "A Method for Analyzing Energy-Related Carbon Emissions and the Structural Changes: A Case Study of China from 2005 to 2015," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:8:p:2076-:d:348393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yuancheng Lin & Chinhao Chong & Linwei Ma & Zheng Li & Weidou Ni, 2021. "Analysis of Changes in the Aggregate Exergy Efficiency of China’s Energy System from 2005 to 2015," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Yang, Honghua & Ma, Linwei & Li, Zheng, 2023. "Tracing China's steel use from steel flows in the production system to steel footprints in the consumption system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    3. Yayu Xiao & Honghua Yang & Yunlong Zhao & Geng Kong & Linwei Ma & Zheng Li & Weidou Ni, 2022. "A Comprehensive Planning Method for Low-Carbon Energy Transition in Rapidly Growing Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Yunlong Zhao & Linwei Ma & Zheng Li & Weidou Ni, 2022. "A Calculation and Decomposition Method Embedding Sectoral Energy Structure for Embodied Carbon: A Case Study of China’s 28 Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-29, February.
    5. Yuancheng Lin & Honghua Yang & Linwei Ma & Zheng Li & Weidou Ni, 2021. "Low-Carbon Development for the Iron and Steel Industry in China and the World: Status Quo, Future Vision, and Key Actions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-28, November.
    6. Yee Van Fan & Zorka Novak Pintarič & Jiří Jaromír Klemeš, 2020. "Emerging Tools for Energy System Design Increasing Economic and Environmental Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-25, August.

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