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Environmental efficiency and equality embodied in China's inter-regional trade
Xue Yang1, Kuishuang Feng2, Bin Su3
1Centre for Maritime Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
China's inter-regional trade increased sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by 28%, demonstrating environmental inefficiency. Trade benefited eastern regions while central regions suffered significant environmental losses due to pollution-intensive goods outsourcing.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Economics
- Industrial Ecology
- Regional Science
Background:
- Embodied emissions in trade are well-researched, but the environmental benefits of inter-regional trade remain understudied.
- Understanding the environmental implications of domestic trade is crucial for sustainable development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions under trade and no-trade scenarios in China.
- To investigate the environmental efficiency and equality of inter-regional trade in China for the year 2010.
Main Methods:
- Utilized modified input-output (MIO) and traditional input-output (IO) models.
- Quantified SO2 emissions associated with inter-regional trade flows.
Main Results:
- Inter-regional trade increased SO2 emissions by 28% compared to a no-trade scenario, indicating environmental inefficiency.
- Regions with advanced technology outsourced pollution-intensive, low value-added production to regions with higher emission intensities.
- Eastern regions generally benefited environmentally from trade, while central regions experienced substantial environmental degradation.
Conclusions:
- Inter-regional trade in China led to significant environmental inequities, with eastern regions gaining benefits and central regions incurring losses.
- Policy recommendations include differentiated emission intensity reduction criteria and adjusted trade patterns to enhance environmental efficiency and equality.