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Embodied Energy Use in China’s Transportation Sector: A Multi-Regional Input–Output Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Li

    (College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China)

  • Hong Fang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Siran Fang

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China)

  • Zhiming Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Pengyuan Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China)

Abstract

Energy transition in the transport sector (TS) is important for the goals of achieving carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 in China. A number of scholars have conducted studies to identify the potential energy savings of the TS and to improve its energy efficiency. Most of them concentrate on the direct energy use (EU). The indirect EU along the supply chain of the TS is often neglected. In this paper, the direct and indirect energy use, i.e., the embodied EU, of China’s TS is measured by applying a multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model, where they are investigated from both the provincial and sectoral perspectives. Results show that intermediate use is the major driving force for the TS’s embodied EU in China. From the sectoral level, supply from sectors such as petroleum refining and coking and demand from the service sector are the main reasons of the TS’s embodied EU. From the provincial perspective, the TS’s embodied EU is driven by low transportation technologies in most provinces located in central and western China. By contrast, abundant economic and social activities are the primary reason for the TS’s embodied EU in most provinces in eastern China. In the terms of interprovincial transfer, the energy embodied in the TS flows from resource-intensive provinces located in central and western China to resource-deficient provinces in eastern China. In addition, a close geographical connection exists in the transfer. Finally, several strategies from the sectoral and provincial levels are provided for policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Li & Hong Fang & Siran Fang & Zhiming Zhang & Pengyuan Zhang, 2021. "Embodied Energy Use in China’s Transportation Sector: A Multi-Regional Input–Output Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7873-:d:601004
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