Estimation of implicit carbon in energy trade between China and other countries along the belt and the road based on multi-regional input-output model

Abstract

Considering the transfer of carbon emissions between the countries along the Belt and the Road and the importance of responsibility sharing for carbon emissions to international trade, this paper measures the implicit carbon in the trade between China and other countries along the Belt and the Road by the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) method. The measured results show that the trade between the two sides accounts for 3%~21% of the total carbon emissions in China; China’s carbon responsibilities in its trade with the top trade partners along the Belt and the Road differs greatly with responsibility sharing principles; implicit carbon emissions mainly come from industries with relatively high emission intensities; China is advised to adopt the common responsibility mechanism. The research findings shed new light on the estimation of implicit carbon in international trade.