Road freight emission in China: From supply chain perspective

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Transportation Studies
• Supply Chain Management

Background:

• Freight emissions management is critical for environmental sustainability.
• Understanding road freight's contribution to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions is essential for effective policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify road freight emissions across different sectors in China from a supply chain perspective.
• To analyze the trends and drivers of road freight emissions between 2007 and 2012.
• To identify key sectors and consumption patterns contributing to these emissions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized China's multiregional input-output tables for 2007, 2010, and 2012.
• Quantified road freight emissions based on production and consumption perspectives.
• Analyzed emission flows and allocation patterns across Chinese provinces.

Main Results:

• Heavy industries, mining, and agriculture were major NOx emitters from a production standpoint (71%, 14%, 12% in 2012).
• Construction was the largest consuming sector (43%) for road freight emissions.
• Road freight emissions grew rapidly, with economic growth effects outweighing emission control measures.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities in road freight emissions exist across Chinese provinces.
• Mitigating freight emissions requires tailored strategies considering sector-specific supply chain features.
• Integrated supply chain approaches are crucial for effective freight emission management.