Promoting the "Chinese experience" of carbon neutrality—Evidence of carbon emission pilot governance in Guangdong Province based on the EIO-LCA model

• Published in: Energy strategy reviews 2024-05, Vol.53, p.101393, Article 101393
• Main Authors: Sun, Hongying, Chen, Yisen, Chen, Siqing, Zhao, Zikun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon emission reduction model; Carbon emissions; Carbon-neutral governance; Economic input-output-life cycle assessment model; Guangdong province
• ISSN: 2211-467X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2024.101393

With the increasing global consensus on promoting carbon neutrality, China's efforts in carbon reduction governance are particularly prominent in Guangdong Province. This study focuses on utilizing data from 29 production sectors in Guangdong Province for the period of 2007–2020. The IPCC 2006 methodology was applied to estimate sectoral carbon emissions, and the Economic Input-Output-Life Cycle Assessment model was used to calculate the direct, indirect, and implied carbon emissions of each sector in Guangdong Province. In-depth analysis was conducted using the Carbon Emission Reduction Potential model. According to the findings, direct carbon emissions from the food sector have increased by 232.2 %. The manufacturing of specialized equipment and the apparel industry have successfully reduced their overall carbon emissions by 97.68 % and 73.15 %, respectively. Additionally, it is worth noting that architecture plays a significant role in driving the increase in carbon emissions within the electric power industry; the fluctuation of implied carbon emissions is more pronounced in the energy industry and non-metal products industry on the supply side, as well as in the chemical industry and electric power industry on the demand side; the potential emission reduction benefits of the electronics manufacturing industry have not been fully explored. In terms of carbon emission reduction potential, the first tier is primarily in the energy supply and metal processing sectors, while the second tier is mainly in the mining industry and electronic equipment manufacturing sector. The third tier focuses on the light industry and transportation sectors. •A small view of the big picture: the sustainable development of mineral resources in the context of carbon neutrality, starting from the governance of carbon emission reduction policies in Guangdong Province, China.•Comprehensive perspective: focusing on both direct carbon emissions from production inputs and implied carbon emissions driven by consumption demand.•Novel theory: focusing on the whole process of the industrial chain from raw material collection to final recycling of the products, using the Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA) model and relevant data for analysis.•Carbon emission reduction potential assessment: Evaluate the carbon emission reduction potential of various production sectors in Guangdong Province, China, and explore governance orientations under different potential gradients.