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Trade and Embodied CO 2 Emissions: Analysis from a Global Input–Output Perspective

Author

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  • Xinsheng Zhou

    (Faculty of International Trade, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

  • Qinyang Guo

    (Faculty of International Trade, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

  • Yuanyuan Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

  • Guofeng Wang

    (Faculty of International Trade, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

Abstract

Global trade drives the world’s economic development, while a large amount of embodied carbon is transferred among different countries and regions. Based on a multi-regional input–output model, the trade embodied carbon transfers of bilateral trade between 185 countries/regions around the world were calculated. On the basis, regional trade embodied carbon transfer patterns and major national trade patterns in six continents, eight major economic cooperation organizations, and six representative countries/regions were further analyzed. The results showed that Europe was the continent with the largest embodied carbon inflows from trade and Africa was the continent with the largest embodied carbon outflows from trade. China was the country which had the largest embodied carbon outflows from trade, while the United States, France, Japan, and Germany were countries which had embodied carbon inflows from trade. OECD, EU, and NAFTA were the economic cooperation organizations with embodied carbon inflows from trade, while BRICS, SCO, RCEP, OPEC, and ASEAN were economic cooperation organizations with embodied carbon outflows from trade. Developed countries such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom protected their environment by exporting high-value products and importing low-value and carbon-intensive products. Developing countries such as China and Russia earned foreign exchange by exporting carbon-intensive and commodity products at a huge environmental cost. In contrast, Germany, China, and Russia played different roles in the global industrial chain, while Germany exchanged more trade surpluses at lower environmental costs. Therefore, for different countries and regions, their own industries should be actively upgraded to adjust the import and export structure, the cooperation and coordination in all regions of the world should be strengthened, and the transfers of embodied carbon needs to be reduced to make the trade model sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinsheng Zhou & Qinyang Guo & Yuanyuan Wang & Guofeng Wang, 2022. "Trade and Embodied CO 2 Emissions: Analysis from a Global Input–Output Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14605-:d:965842
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Zhang, Hui & Fahlevi, Mochammad & Aljuaid, Mohammed & Beşer, Nazife Özge & Cabas, Meral & lominchar, Jose, 2024. "A machine learning and quantile analysis of FINTECH and resource efficiency in achieving sustainable development in OECD countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
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    4. Peirui Wu & Haining Chen, 2025. "Assessing the Global Environmental Benefits of Global-Value-Chain Integration Through the Lens of Embodied Carbon: An Empirical Study Based on the Trading of Intermediate Goods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.

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