Trade embodied CO2 transfers from transportation sector: A nested multi-scale input-output perspective

As a major carbon-emitting sector, transportation promotes regional linkages and triggers embodied CO2 flows that accompany trade. This paper first constructs a 'provincial-nationalglobal' multi-scale input-output (MSIO) model based on IO-nested technology. Then it evaluates the embodied CO2 in transportation-related trade (TTEC) flows between Chinese provinces and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, and assesses their driving factors from multi-scale regional and cross-sectoral. Empirical findings show that regions with large TTEC flows are mainly concentrated in the northeastern, eastern and southern areas of China. The construction sector is the largest contributor to exported TTEC, while the energy sector has the largest imported TTEC. Singapore and India are the main exporting countries of TTEC from China, and India and Russia occupy a dominant position in importing TTEC. Finally, policy implications are put forward, that should provide quantitative and theoretical support for decision-making on reducing carbon in transportation between China and BRI regions.