Analysis of multiple drivers of air pollution emissions in China via interregional trade

Severe haze problems in China have attracted substantial attention. End-of-pipe measures have been implemented to mitigate air pollutant emissions in different industrial sectors. However, interregional trade can lead to geological separation of the stages of supply chains (i.e., primary input, production, final sale and consumption), and thus, emissions can be driven by cross-regional drivers (i.e., primary inputs, final sales and consumption), and pollutants can transfer among regions via supply chains. Inequity exists in production-side measures of emission reductions, which do not account for the effects of cross-regional drivers. In this study, we use a multiregional input-output model in the year 2012 to calculate the emissions driven by cross-regional drivers and to trace emission flows along supply chains in China, aiming to inform policymaking on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mitigation and to provide additional information about shared responsibilities among provinces. We find that the Central (including Anhui and Henan) is the largest emitter outside the Central Coast in order to meet the demand for sales within the Central Coast. Specifically, the cross-provincial sale of products from the construction sector drives massive emissions, especially in Jiangsu province (located in the Central Coast). Therefore, the Central Coast should bear some responsibility to help provinces located in the Central reduce emissions. About half of emissions driven by primary inputs in Beijing-Tianjin are emitted in other regions. However, in general, emissions (except for ammonia) are more likely to be driven by final sales of other provinces than by primary inputs. The supply chain perspective can help gain a better understanding of the impacts of trade-related drivers on emission patterns and advocate just and effective policies considering cleaner production and shared responsibilities. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.