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Embodied greenhouse gas emissions from building China’s large-scale power transmission infrastructure

Author

Listed:
  • Wendong Wei

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Jiashuo Li

    (Shandong University)

  • Bin Chen

    (Fudan University)

  • Meng Wang

    (University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Pengfei Zhang

    (Shandong University)

  • Dabo Guan

    (Tsinghua University
    University College London)

  • Jing Meng

    (University College London)

  • Haoqi Qian

    (Fudan University)

  • Yaohua Cheng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Chongqing Kang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Kuishuang Feng

    (Shandong University)

  • Qing Yang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Ning Zhang

    (Shandong University)

  • Xi Liang

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Jinjun Xue

    (Future Energy Center of Malardalen University
    Nagoya University
    Kunming University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

China has built the world’s largest power transmission infrastructure by consuming massive volumes of greenhouse gas- (GHG-) intensive products such as steel. A quantitative analysis of the carbon implications of expanding the transmission infrastructure would shed light on the trade-offs among three connected dimensions of sustainable development, namely, climate change mitigation, energy access and infrastructure development. By collecting a high-resolution inventory, we developed an assessment framework of, and analysed, the GHG emissions caused by China’s power transmission infrastructure construction during 1990–2017. We show that cumulative embodied GHG emissions have dramatically increased by more than 7.3 times those in 1990, reaching 0.89 GtCO2-equivalent in 2017. Over the same period, the gaps between the well-developed eastern and less-developed western regions in China have gradually narrowed. Voltage class, transmission-line length and terrain were important factors that influenced embodied GHG emissions. We discuss measures for the mitigation of GHG emissions from power transmission development that can inform global low-carbon infrastructure transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wendong Wei & Jiashuo Li & Bin Chen & Meng Wang & Pengfei Zhang & Dabo Guan & Jing Meng & Haoqi Qian & Yaohua Cheng & Chongqing Kang & Kuishuang Feng & Qing Yang & Ning Zhang & Xi Liang & Jinjun Xue, 2021. "Embodied greenhouse gas emissions from building China’s large-scale power transmission infrastructure," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(8), pages 739-747, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1038_s41893-021-00704-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00704-8
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Haoran & Li, Ruixiong & Cai, Xingrui & Zheng, Chaoyue & Liu, Laibao & Liu, Maodian & Zhang, Qianru & Lin, Huiming & Chen, Long & Wang, Xuejun, 2022. "Do electricity flows hamper regional economic–environmental equity?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    2. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Destek, Mehmet Akif & Dong, Kangyin & Jiao, Zhilun, 2021. "Time-varying impact of financial development on carbon emissions in G-7 countries: Evidence from the long history," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    3. Quanliang Ye & Maarten S. Krol & Yuli Shan & Joep F. Schyns & Markus Berger & Klaus Hubacek, 2023. "Allocating capital-associated CO2 emissions along the full lifespan of capital investments helps diffuse emission responsibility," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Ge, Zewen & Geng, Yong & Wei, Wendong & Jiang, Mingkun & Chen, Bin & Li, Jiashuo, 2023. "Embodied carbon emissions induced by the construction of hydropower infrastructure in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Wang, Hui & Zhang, Yunyun & Lin, Weifen & Wei, Wendong, 2023. "Transregional electricity transmission and carbon emissions: Evidence from ultra-high voltage transmission projects in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    6. Tan, Jing & Liu, Tianyi & Xu, Hao, 2024. "The environmental and economic consequences of environmental centralization: Evidence from China's environmental vertical management reform," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    7. Xueqing Kang & Farman Ullah Khan & Raza Ullah & Muhammad Arif & Shams Ur Rehman & Farid Ullah, 2021. "Does Foreign Direct Investment Influence Renewable Energy Consumption? Empirical Evidence from South Asian Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-15, June.
    8. Zhang, Shuo & Yu, Yadong & Kharrazi, Ali & Ren, Hongtao & Ma, Tieju, 2022. "How can structural change contribute to concurrent sustainability policy targets on GDP, emissions, energy, and employment in China?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    9. Huang, Ruting & Yao, Xin, 2023. "The role of power transmission infrastructure in income inequality: Fresh evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    10. He, Ruofan & Wan, Panbing & Yang, Mian, 2024. "The resource curse in energy-rich regions: Evidence from China's ultra-high voltage transmission," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).

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