Analysis of carbon emission and energy consumption transfer characteristics of China's iron and steel industry

China's iron and steel industry contributes to economic growth, and the associated consumption activities also creates a flow of carbon and energy footprints. The multi-regional input-output method was adopted to evaluate the consumption-based carbon and energy footprints of the Chinese iron and steel industry, as well as the virtual footprint transmission caused by interprovincial trade activity. Furthermore, the development plan for each province with distinctive characteristics was presented. The results show that Hebei, Jiangsu, Guangdong and other provinces with developed iron and steel industry and prosperous trade have a high consumption-based carbon footprint and energy footprint. The differences in China's regional development have led to great differences in the transfer of virtual footprints. The consumption-based carbon footprint and energy footprint exhibited a downward trend from 2012 to 2017, with the gap between regions decreasing. Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and other provinces with developed industries and prosperous trade are the absorbers of the virtual footprints, while Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi and other provinces, which provide raw materials and production, are the suppliers. The results reflect that there are still differences in the level of technology and the scale of economic development of China's iron and steel industry.