scholarly journals Uncovering Household Carbon Footprint Drivers in an Aging, Shrinking Society

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 3745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhuo Huang ◽  
Yosuke Shigetomi ◽  
Andrew Chapman ◽  
Ken’ichi Matsumoto
Keyword(s):  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Demographic Shifts ◽  
Elderly Households ◽  
The Impact

In order to meet climate change mitigation goals, nations such as Japan need to consider strategies to reduce the impact that lifestyles have on overall emission levels. This study analyzes carbon footprints from household consumption (i.e., lifestyles) using index and structural decomposition analysis for the time period from 1990 to 2005. The analysis identified that households in their 40s and 50s had the highest levels of both direct and indirect CO2 emissions, with decomposition identifying consumption patterns as the driving force behind these emissions and advances in CO2 reduction technology having a reducing effect on lifestyle emissions. An additional challenge addressed by this study is the aging, shrinking population phenomenon in Japan. The increase in the number of few-member and elderly households places upward pressure on emissions as the aging population and declining national birth rate continues. The analysis results offer two mitigatory policy suggestions: the focusing of carbon reduction policies on older and smaller households, and the education of consumers toward low-carbon consumption habits. As the aging, shrinking population phenomenon is not unique to Japan, the findings of this research have broad applications globally where these demographic shifts are being experienced.

scholarly journals Why Are the Carbon Footprints of China’s Urban Households Rising? An Input–Output Analysis and Structural Decomposition Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 7157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Liu ◽  
Xian’en Wang ◽  
Junnian Song ◽  
Haiyan Duan ◽  
Shuo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Output Analysis ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Urban Households ◽  
Consumption Structure ◽  
Input Output Analysis ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Impact

A rise in China’s economy and urbanization has brought about obvious growth in the carbon footprints of urban households over the past years. In this study, input–output analysis was adopted to calculate the carbon footprints of urban households in China. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the impact factors on indirect carbon footprints was carried out by using the structural decomposition analysis at both holistic and sectoral levels. The results showed that the carbon footprints of urban households were 941.37 MtCO2 in 2002, 1498.11 MtCO2 in 2007, and 2139.50 MtCO2 in 2012. Electricity was the main contributor to the direct urban household carbon footprints, accounting for over 40%. The category of “household facilities” contributed the most to indirect carbon footprints (306.00 MtCO2) in 2012, and the “transportation” had the fastest growth rate (395%) during 2002–2012. The industrial sector of “wearing apparel” had the largest increments (139.92 MtCO2) in carbon footprints during the past decade. Generally, consumption level and population size presented positive effects on the increments in indirect carbon footprints, while emission intensity decreased indirect carbon footprints. However, the impact of consumption structure and intermediate demand on indirect carbon footprints varied at holistic and sectoral levels. The mitigation efforts should focus on reducing emission intensity, shifting consumption structure and changing intermediate demand.

scholarly journals Incentive Strategies for Low-Carbon Supply Chains with Asymmetric Information of Carbon Reduction Efficiency

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinpeng Wang ◽  
Longfei He
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Private Information ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Carbon Supply ◽  
Reduction Efficiency ◽  
Information Rent ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Information concerning carbon reduction efficiency is of great significance to supply chain operations. Considering the impact of information asymmetry on the performance of low-carbon supply chain, we therefore analyze a chain system with a single product designer and a single manufacturer. The manufacturer owns information on carbon reduction efficiency, whereas the product designer only knows that the carbon reduction efficiency of the manufacturer is either high or low. To induce the manufacturer to reveal his true private information of carbon-reduction efficiency to the product designer, we devise the pooling and separating equilibrium models to compare the impacts of these two models on supply chain performance, respectively. We find that the high-efficiency manufacturer gets his first-best choice at the equilibrium decision in the separating model, and obtains the information rent in the pooling model. The information rent increases in the efficiency difference between the two emission-reduction types. Additionally, we examine how the probability of the high (or low)-efficiency manufacturer being chosen impacts on both the profits of chain members and carbon-reduction levels. The research provides a reference for companies about how to cooperate with partner who possess private information of carbon emissions.

scholarly journals Drivers of global nitrogen emissions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arunima Malik ◽  
Azusa Oita ◽  
Emily Shaw ◽  
Mengyu Li ◽  
Panittra Ninpanit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Final Demand ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Time Period

Abstract Nitrogen is crucial for sustaining life. However, excessive reactive nitrogen (Nr) in the form of ammonia, nitrates, nitrogen oxides or nitrous oxides affects the quality of water, air and soil, resulting in human health risks. This study aims to assess the drivers of Nr emissions by analysing six determinants: nitrogen efficiency (Nr emissions per unit of production), production recipe (inter-sectoral dependencies), final demand composition (consumption baskets of households), final demand destination (consumption vs. investment balance), affluence (final consumption per capita) and population. To this end, we construct a detailed multi-regional input-output database featuring data on international trade between 186 countries to undertake a global structural decomposition analysis of a change in global Nr emissions from 1997-2017. Our analysis shows that nitrogen efficiency has improved over the assessed time-period, however affluence, final demand destination and population growth have resulted in an overall increase in Nr emissions. We provide a global perspective of the drivers of nitrogen emissions at a detailed country level, and breakdown the change in emissions into contribution from domestic footprint and rest-of-world footprint. We highlight that food production coupled with growing international trade is increasing Nr emissions worldwide.

scholarly journals The Spatiotemporal Pattern of Decoupling Transport CO2 Emissions from Economic Growth across 30 Provinces in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Zheng ◽  
Yingjie Hu ◽  
Suocheng Dong ◽  
Yu Li
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Spatiotemporal Pattern ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
International Panel ◽  
Local Practices

Since 2005, China has become the largest emitter of CO2. The transport sector is a major source of CO2 emissions, and the most rapidly growing sector in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in China. This paper estimated CO2 emissions in the transport sector across 30 provinces through the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) top-down method and identified the spatiotemporal pattern of the decoupling of transport CO2 emissions from economic growth during 1995 to 2016 by the modified Tapio’s decoupling model. The CO2 emissions in the transport sector increased from 103.10 million ton (Mt) in 1995 to 701.04 Mt in 2016. The year, 2005, was a turning point as the growth rate of transport CO2 emissions and the intensity of transport CO2 emissions declined. The spatial pattern of transport CO2 emissions and its decoupling status both exhibited an east-west differentiation. Nearly 80% of the provinces recently achieved decoupling, and absolute decoupling is beginning to take place. The local practices of Tianjin should be the subject of special attention. National carbon reduction policies have played a significant role in achieving a transition to low-carbon emissions in the Chinese transport sector, and the integration of multi-scale transport CO2 reduction policies will be promising for its decarbonisation.

Convergence in Global High Technology? / Konvergenz in der globalen Hochtechnologie?

1999 ◽  
Vol 218 (5-6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hariolf Grupp ◽  
Andre Jungmittag
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Economics ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Trade Theory ◽  
Foreign Product ◽  
Inventive Activity ◽  
Model Transfer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Empirical Analysis

SummaryThis paper investigates whether patterns of technological specialisation of advanced countries change over a period of time in which globalisation in technology occurs. The theoretical analysis of this question is based on models of new growth and trade theory - especially a model by Grossman/ Helpman (1991) - as well as on clues from evolutionary economics. The empirical analysis is divided into three parts. First, based on the patent applications in 42 R&D-intensive product groups of ten advanced countries, structural decomposition analysis is used to investigate the effects that determine growth in inventive activity. Secondly, the concepts of β- and σ-despecialisation (or specialisation), which are very similar to the concepts of β- and σ-convergence (or divergence), are applied to the same data to investigate whether the countries are converging in technology. Thirdly, for a longer but less disaggregated time series, the impact of the adaptation of technical knowledge on foreign product trade is examined by a multivariate autoregressive model (transfer function model). Taking all results together, evidence points to rather stable specialisations whereby the structural effects are not predominant. However, results indicating β-despecialisation also show that the majority of national innovation systems are now moving towards an average specialisation. Yet, country-specific economic structures seem to remain more important as global changes in technology, when their appropriation for international trade is concerned.

scholarly journals Promoting Low-Carbon Tourism through Adaptive Regional Certification

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Alex Baumber ◽  
John Merson ◽  
Chris Lockhart Smith
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Blue Mountains ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Impact

Climate change is a key issue in sustainable tourism, both in terms of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the tourism sector and the potential impacts of climate change on tourism-dependent regions. Low-carbon tourism is an emerging paradigm based around emissions reduction by tourism businesses, as well as broader values of adaptation, transition and behavioral change. This article presents the results of a low-carbon tourism case study in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, where the Low-Carbon Living Program has successfully designed and implemented a low-carbon rating and certification scheme. This scheme covers emissions related to energy, waste and water and is based on regionally-specific data. The program has also succeeded in its aim of using the tourism industry as a catalyst for broader community action, having been expanded to schools and retailers in the case study region. A transferable regional model has been developed that is being adapted for use in new regions under a modular and decentralised program structure. However, questions remain around the impact of the program on participants’ carbon footprints and customer levels over time, as well as the suitability of a common scorecard system to diverse participant types.

scholarly journals Measuring energy efficiency - structural and index decomposition analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Paulina Stachura
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Energy Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Index Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Index Decomposition ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
The Impact

Aim: The aim is to recognize the main determinants of the energy efficiency improvement in transport in Poland in the years 2000-2014 using structural and index decomposition analysis, and to identify areas where there is still potential for further reduction of energy consumption.Design / Research methods: Techniques used to analyse changes in energy use are: structural decomposition analysis and index decomposition analysis. Each of these two methods is characterized by distinctive, unique techniques and approaches, as they have developed quite independently. Index decomposition analysis measures the impact of energy efficiency gains on the level of energy consumption, at the most detailed sector disaggregation level allowed by the available data. Whereas structural decomposition analysis allows to analyse the impact of the external factors, such as technological, demand, and demographic effects, on the fluctuations of the total energy consumption. The similarities and differences between the two approaches are summarized and illustrated with a numerical example of Polish transport.Conclusions / findings: The article recognizes the main determinants of the energy efficiency improvement in transport sector in Poland in the years 2000-2014. In case of Poland ODEX shows an overall progress of energy efficiency in transport by 24.3%. Results obtained with decomposition analysis indicate large divergences in energy efficiency improvements between modes of transport and vehicle types and identify areas where there is still potential for further reduction of energy consumption. Results from decomposing structure of energy use, show activity effect to be main reason for energy use growth. The distribution of each mode in total traffic of passengers and goods changes toward less energy efficient modes. The only factor driving down the energy use is energy savings.Originality / value of the article: Using two methods of decomposition analysis and comparing obtained outcomes allows to get a broader view on energy use trends. Results presented in this article are a good starting point for further detailed analysis of changes in energy use of transport.

Impact of Global Economic Crisis on China’s Energy Consumption during 2008~2010

2012 ◽  
Vol 616-618 ◽  
pp. 1578-1584
Author(s):  
Fang Yi Li ◽  
Wei Dong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Structural Adjustment ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Global Economic Crisis ◽  
The Impact

As a driving force of economic growth, China’s export was affected by global economic crisis during 2008~2010. This paper aims to assess the impact of economic crisis on China’s energy consumption during the crisis. Contributions of energy efficiency, domestic final use, exports and imports to energy consumption change were clarified using methodology involves structural decomposition analysis based on input-output price model. In 2009, exports of energy-related and raw material sectors were seriously impacted by economic crisis, with energy use dramatically decreased. However, economic stimulus plan implemented by central government provided a great boost to energy consumption growth. According to the study, quantity and structural adjustment of export is one of the important ways to reduce energy consumption in a short time. But in a long term, consumption control and energy efficiency improvement are unsubstitutable.

scholarly journals Study on the Impact of the Export of China’s Final Use Products on Domestic SO2 Emissions

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenjie Zang ◽  
Hua Zhang ◽  
Huifang Liu ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Kealeboga Fredah Goetswang
Keyword(s):  
Scale Effect ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Structural Effect ◽  
Structural Decomposition Analysis ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Technical Effect ◽  
Export Volume ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Since China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), its export volume has achieved rapid growth. Meanwhile, the manufacturing of export products has also resulted in a large amount of SO2 emissions in China. To explore the relationship between the export of China’s final use products (ECFuP) and SO2 emissions, this paper first used the Multi-Regional Input–output (MRIO) model to study the SO2 emissions caused by ECFuP during 2003–2011. Then, this paper uses Structural Decomposition Analysis (SDA) to decompose the factors affecting SO2 emission into technical effect, structural effect and scale effect. The results showed that (1) the amounts of China’s SO2 emissions caused by the ECFuP have increased (2003–2007), declined (2007–2009), and increased again (2009–2011). (2) Scale effect is the main factor that causes the increase of SO2 emissions in China; technical effect mainly resulted in a decrease of emissions, whereas structural effect has less impact. Specifically, from 2003 to 2011, scale effect increased domestic SO2 emissions by 2.2 million tons; technical effect and structural effect reduced by 2.4 million tons and 0.5 million tons of emissions, respectively. (3) For different regions, there is a positive correlation between the consumption of the ECFuP and China’s SO2 emissions. Among them, NAFTA (accounting for 33.77%) leads to the largest SO2 emissions, and OTHER EU (5.79%) is the least. (4) From the industrial aspect, some industries with relatively small ECFuP have caused high SO2 emissions. The specific performance is as follows, among the 17 industries, Electricity, Gas and Water Supply (EGW) only occupied 0.6% of the total ECFuP, but it has the largest SO2 emissions (55%); in contrast, while Electrical and Optical Equipment (EOE) occupied 42% of the total ECFuP, its SO2 emissions only accounted for 0.2% of the total. In 2003–2011, the export trade volumes of all the industries increased, but the growth rates of less polluted industries are higher than that of heavy polluted industries. Based on the above findings, the paper also proposed some policy recommendations.

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