能源活动CO2排放不同核算方法比较和减排策略选择

能源活动CO₂排放是温室气体排放的最重要部分,这部分CO₂排放量的核算是温室气体清单编制和减排方案制定的关键和基础。采用直接法、电热终端法和隐含终端法核算了2009年中国能源消费的CO₂排放量,对不同核算法的CO₂排放部门分布、部门排放强度进行了比较,明确不同核算方法的差异和适用范围。采用电热终端法的核算结果定量分析了各产业部门和工业行业的经济增长和排放强度变化对中国能源活动CO₂排放增长的影响。结果表明,中国2009年隐含终端CO₂排放量为65.6亿t,略高于直接和电热终端CO₂排放量62.2亿t。3种核算方法的CO₂排放部门分布和排放强度有明显的差异:电、热力生产与供应业的直接排放占比为45.2%,而电热终端CO₂排放仅占4.5%;制造业的直接法、电热终端法和隐含终端法核算的CO₂排放占比分别为35.3% 、61.1%和65.5%,是终端能源消费CO₂排放最主要的部门;制造业、电热力生产与供应业和交通运输业的电热终端CO₂排放强度分别为2.166、1.72和1.622 t CO₂/万元GDP,是排放强度较高的部门。在产业部门中,制造业的色金属冶炼及压延加工业、非金属矿物制品业等5个行业以9.8%的经济增长贡献,排放了52.4%的CO₂,是产业结构调整、技术和工程减排的重点;服务业以7.2%的CO₂排放,贡献了38.4%的经济增长,应作为中国低碳经济优先发展的产业。     

中国电力行业CO2减排潜力及其贡献因素

电力行业低碳转型是中国低碳经济转型进程中关键行业之一,如何科学分析电力行业的碳减排潜力,确定操作性强的低碳转型路线、提出有效的政策措施是中国政府亟待解决的焦点问题之一。考虑终端电力消费、低碳能源发电占比、火力发电结构、火力发电效率、线损率等因素,构建了自底向上的电力行业CO2排放核算模型,在此基础上,利用情景分析方法探索中国电力行业2015和2020年的CO2减排潜力,进一步利用对数平均权重分解法(LMDI,Logarithmic Mean weight Divisia Index method)对电力行业CO2减排影响因素的贡献度做了归因分析。结果显示,相比基准情景,在当前政策情景和低碳政策情景下,电力行业将分别带来27.0亿t和36.9亿t的CO2减排量。低碳能源发电和火力发电效率是未来对CO2减排最重要的两个贡献因素。终端电力消费量一直是促进电力行业CO2排放增长最重要的贡献因素,因此通过电力需求侧管理等手段控制电力消费量对电力行业的低碳发展至关重要。最后结合减排贡献因素分析的结果为中国电力行业低碳发展提出了相应的政策建议。     

基于假设抽取法的黑河流域中游行业用水关联分析

基于2000—2012年张掖市混合型水资源投入产出模型,运用改进的假设抽取法,分析了张掖市6部门水资源关联效应,揭示了水资源在行业间的消耗规律,为调整产业结构提供有利的参考。研究结果表明:(1)各部门水资源直接消耗量与满足自身所需的水资源量不对等,种植业的水资源直接消耗量和纵向集成消耗量均为最大,且其纵向集成消耗水量小于直接消耗量,是张掖市经济系统中真正的水资源净输出部门。(2)种植业的内部效应和复合效应均最大,对自身的依赖性极强。服务业的净后项关联最大,对其他部门的依赖程度最高。(3)水资源在各部门之间发生了转移,种植业是张掖市经济系统中最大的水资源供给者,服务业是各部门中最大的受水者,通过中间投入的方式,由种植业到服务业的路径是最大的水转移途径,而建筑业是"纯"输入部门。(4)2000—2012年间,各部门的内部效应、复合效应、净前项关联和净后项关联均变化显著,进一步反映了产业部门水资源利用的动态关联。     

我国典型城市化石能源消费CO2排放及其影响因素比较研究

城市是化石能源消费和CO₂排放的主要区域。分析典型城市化石能源消费CO₂排放特征,明确不同城市CO₂排放动态及主要影响因素的差异,是开展城市减排行动的重要科学依据。采用IPCC推荐方法及中国的排放参数核算11个典型城市2006—2015年间化石能源消费产生的CO₂排放量。根据各城市经济发展和CO₂排放特征将之分为四类:经济高度发达城市(北京、上海、广州)、高碳排放城市(重庆、乌鲁木齐、唐山)、低排放低增长城市(哈尔滨、呼和浩特和大庆)和低排放高增长城市(贵阳、合肥),并运用对数平均迪氏指数法(Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index,即LMDI分解法)对比分析了四类城市CO₂排放量的影响因素。结果表明:(1)研究期内大部分城市CO₂排放总量有所增加,仅北京和广州呈下降趋势,工业部门CO₂排放在城市排放总量及其变化中占据主导地位;四类城市的人均CO₂排放量表现出与排放总量相...     

Inter-regional linkage analysis of industrial CO2 emissions in China: An application of a hypothetical extraction method

As the largest CO₂ emitter in the world, China has faced great pressure to mitigate its CO₂ emissions. Thus, issues related to CO₂ emissions in China have been widely studied. However, the industrial linkages of CO₂ emissions at the regional level have been less concerned. This study integrates hypothetical extraction method with the multi-regional input–output model, and investigates industrial CO₂ emission linkages of China at the regional level. Based on the data of China in 2007, which decomposes China into eight regions, this study first analyzes the production-based emission (PBE) and consumption-based emission (CBE) of each region. The PBE and CBE of 10 branches are then analyzed and decomposed into three parts. Finally, this study decomposes the externally produced embodied emission (EPEE) and internally produced embodied emission (IPEE) of Petrochemicals and Minerals in the East Coast, to illustrate how these two indicators of a branch affect other branches in the economy. Results show that regions with large PBE, such as coastal regions and Central, usually have large CBE, whereas Jing-jin has the smallest PBE and CBE. Branches such as Mining and Petrochemicals and Minerals, have large PBE and are net CO₂ emission exporters; while Construction and Other Services are net importers. According to the decomposition results of PBE and CBE, branches can be classified into four groups. The decomposed IPEE and EPEE of Petrochemicals and Minerals in the East Coast show that from the perspective of regions, CO₂ emissions this branch exports to and imports from East Coast are most. From the perspective of branches, decomposition of IPEE shows that Petrochemicals and Minerals in the East Coast exports a large amount of CO₂ emissions to Construction, while the decomposition results of EPEE show that the studied branch imports least CO₂ emissions from Construction. Policy implications deduced from this study are discussed.     

Industrial fisheries have reversed the carbon sequestration by tuna carcasses into emissions

To limit climate warming to 2°C above preindustrial levels, most economic sectors will need a rapid transformation toward a net zero emission of CO₂. Tuna fisheries is a key food production sector that burns fossil fuel to operate but also reduces the deadfall of large-bodied fish so the capacity of this natural carbon pump to deep sea. Yet, the carbon balance of tuna populations, so the net difference between CO₂ emission due to industrial exploitation and CO₂ sequestration by fish deadfall after natural mortality, is still unknown. Here, by considering the dynamics of two main contrasting tuna species (Katsuwonus pelamis and Thunnus obesus) across the Pacific since the 1980s, we show that most tuna populations became CO₂ sources instead of remaining natural sinks. Without considering the supply chain, the main factors associated with this shift are exploitation rate, transshipment intensity, fuel consumption, and climate change. Our study urges for a better global ocean stewardship, by curbing subsidies and limiting transshipment in remote international waters, to quickly rebuild most pelagic fish stocks above their target management reference points and reactivate a neglected carbon pump toward the deep sea as an additional Nature Climate Solution in our portfolio. Even if this potential carbon sequestration by surface unit may appear low compared to that of coastal ecosystems or tropical forests, the ocean covers a vast area and the sinking biomass of dead vertebrates can sequester carbon for around 1000 years in the deep sea. We also highlight the multiple co-benefits and trade-offs from engaging the industrial fisheries sector with carbon neutrality.     

CO2 emissions from the Chinese cement sector: Analysis from both the supply and demand sides

China is the largest producer and consumer of cement worldwide, and cement production entails the release of substantial carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. As the cement sector is a crucial sector of the Chinese economy, understanding the role of supply‐ and demand‐side factors may help accelerate efforts to mitigate CO₂ emissions. However, few studies have analyzed the critical factors affecting CO₂ emissions in the sector based on a combined supply‐ and demand‐side perspective. In this study, we developed an integrated framework that included eleven indicators covering both the supply and demand sides. Results revealed that improving cement production technology cannot offset CO₂ emissions from the growth in demand for cement. Improving technology on the supply side would considerably reduce CO₂ emissions from Chinese cement production; nevertheless, the combination of rapid urbanization, GDP growth, and an ultra‐high fixed capital formation ratio on the demand side increased CO₂ emissions nearly 25‐fold from 1990 to 2015. Notably, some demand‐side factors also had an effect that reduced CO₂ emissions. The in‐use stock per unit of fixed capital formation and output per in‐use stock reduced CO₂ emissions by 332 million metric tons, which is comparable to the contribution of technological progress. Based on these results, we examine why these demand‐side factors substantially influence CO₂ emissions in the Chinese cement sector, and we provide recommendations for policy‐makers on carbon‐reduction measures in this CO₂‐intensive sector.     

共享社会经济路径下中国2020—2100年碳排放预测研究

碳排放和减碳经济代价研究日益受到学术界和决策者的关注,中国政府做出的关于争取在2060年前实现碳中和的表态引起了国际社会的热议。在此背景下,开展中国未来长时间序列碳排放的情景预测具有切实意义。基于可拓展的随机性环境影响评估模型（STIRPAT）评估了人口、经济和受教育程度对碳排放的影响,对比历史数据并验证了碳排放预测模型的准确性,结合共享社会经济路径（SSPs）情景的设定和模型参数,预测了5种情景下中国2020年至2100年的碳排放轨迹及经济代价。结果表明：（1）考虑碳排放达峰目标的实现,SSP3情景是中国未来发展的最佳情景,在此情景下,中国有望提前三年实现碳排放达峰目标;（2） SSP3情景可使中国年度总碳排放量和人均碳排放量处于相对其他四种情景的最低值,但需要付出累积GDP下降5.49%至8.80%的代价;（3）为完成在2060年前实现碳中和的承诺,中国政府在未来的40年需面对409.36-467.42 Gt的碳中和量;（4）2020年中国的碳排放强度将会较2005年水平下降40.52%至41.39%,2030年碳排放强度将会较2005年水平下降59.64%至60.75%。5种情境中,SSP5情景是降低碳排放强度的最佳情景,可最大程度地超额实现碳排放强度目标。未来,受经济发展、人口增长等重要因素影响,中国政府减碳压力将进一步加大。后疫情时代,考虑到能源供应的减少和高科技产业的发展,碳排放社会成本的上升将为中国创造一个使能源系统脱碳的机遇。中国应在"十四五"期间继续提升能源利用效率、升级产业结构、提倡低碳消费、实施隐含碳战略,以尽快实现碳减排目标。     

Greenhouse gas balance due to the conversion of sugarcane areas from burned to green harvest,considering other conservationist management practices

There is a growing need for all productive sectors to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation techniques to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect. However, the challenge to the agricultural sector is reducing net emissions while increasing production to meet growing demands for food, fiber, and biofuel. This study focuses on the changes in the GHG balance when sugarcane areas are converted from burned harvest (BH) to green harvest (GH, mechanized harvest), including the changes caused by the adoption of conservationist practices such as reduced tillage and a 4‐month crop rotation with Crotalaria juncea L. during sugarcane replanting. Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2006) methodologies, the annual emission balance includes both agricultural and mobile sources of GHG, according to the mean annual consumption of supplies per hectare. The potential soil carbon accumulation was also considered in the GH plot. The total amounts of GHG were 2651.9 and 2316.4 kg CO₂eq ha^?1 yr^?1 for BH and GH, respectively. Factoring in a mean annual soil carbon accumulation rate of 888.1 kg CO₂ ha^?1 yr^?1 due to the input from long‐term crop residues associated with the conversion from BH to GH, the emission balance in GH decreased to 1428.3 kg CO₂eq ha^?1 yr^?1. A second decrease occurs when a reduced tillage strategy is adopted instead of conventional tillage during the replanting season in the GH plot, which helps reduce the total emission balance to 1180.3 kg CO₂eq ha^?1 yr^?1. Moreover, the conversion of sugarcane from BH to GH, with the adoption of a crop rotation with Crotalaria juncea L. as well as reduced tillage during sugarcane replanting, would result in a smaller GHG balance of 1064.6 kg CO₂eq ha^?1 yr^?1, providing an effect strategy for GHG mitigation while still providing cleaner sugar and ethanol production in southern Brazil.     

Emission scenario of non-CO2 gases from energy activities and other sources in China

This paper gives a quantitative analysis on the non-CO₂ emissions related to energy demand, energy activities and land use change of six scenarios with different development pattern in 2030 and 2050 based on IPAC emission model. The various mitigation technologies and policies are assessed to understand the corresponding non-CO₂ emission reduction effect. The research shows that the future non-CO₂ emissions of China will grow along with increasing energy demand, in which thermal power and transportation will be the major emission and mitigation sectors. During the cause of future social and economic development, the control and mitigation of non-CO₂ emissions is a problem as challenging and pressing as that of CO₂ emissions. This study indicates that the energy efficiency improvement, renewable energy, advanced nuclear power generation, fuel cell, coal-fired combined cycle, clean coal and motor vehicle emission control technologies will contribute to non-CO₂ emissions control and mitigation.

     

Emission scenario of non-CO2 gases from energy activities and other sources in China

This paper gives a quantitative analysis on the non-CO₂ emissions related to energy demand, energy activities and land use change of six scenarios with different development pattern in 2030 and 2050 based on IPAC emission model. The various mitigation technologies and policies are assessed to understand the corresponding non-CO₂ emission reduction effect. The research shows that the future non-CO₂ emissions of China will grow along with increasing energy demand, in which thermal power and transportation will be the major emission and mitigation sectors. During the cause of future social and economic development, the control and mitigation of non-CO₂ emissions is a problem as challenging and pressing as that of CO₂ emissions. This study indicates that the energy efficiency improvement, renewable energy, advanced nuclear power generation, fuel cell, coal-fired combined cycle, clean coal and motor vehicle emission control technologies will contribute to non-CO₂ emissions control and mitigation.     

Technology gap and CO2 emission reduction potential by technical efficiency measures: A meta-frontier modeling for the Chinese agricultural sector

The purpose of this paper is to explore CO₂ emission efficiency in china’s agricultural sector during the period 2001–2012. We also analyze the CO₂ emission reduction potential as well as its two main contributors (i.e. technology gap inefficiency and managerial failure). The meta-frontier framework is adopted to reflect technology heterogeneities in China’s agricultural sector among the eastern, central and western regions. Based on the DEA (data envelopment analysis) method, the models are estimated by means of linear programming. Empirical results indicate that CO₂ emission efficiency of the agricultural sector in western China is the lowest compared with eastern and central China; stemming from the fact that most provinces in western China generally fall behind in terms of technology. The total potential agricultural CO₂ emissions reduction is estimated at 1161.33 million tons, which can be attributed to managerial failure in the case of eastern and central China. For western China, it can be attributed to both technological gap inefficiency and managerial failure.     

Calculation model of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emissions for Japanese passenger cars

The quantitative macroscopic model for the CO₂ emission by Japanese passenger cars is proposed in which the CO₂ emission in production, use and end of life stage is analyzed in a different manner from the internationally standardized LCA according to ISO 14040s. Passenger cars are classified into regular cars, compact cars and mini cars based on their air volume displacement. These cars are scrapped from society according to their scrapping rate distribution. The effect of the change in the usage pattern of passenger cars on the amount of CO₂ emission is examined and it turns out that it is not effective enough. Moreover, how much improvement of fuel economy is necessary in order to achieve the goal of the CO₂ emission reduction by COP3 is also estimated. Consequently, it turns out that it must be improved by 2.42 times of the fuel economy in 1995 by the year 2010.     

Decouple indicators on the CO2 emission-economic growth linkage: The Jiangsu Province case

Jiangsu Province has become one of the most developed regions in China. Economic growth in Jiangsu has occurred along with rising energy-related CO₂ emission levels. Thus, the link between economic activity and environmental pressure represents a risk to the global efforts toward CO₂ emission reductions. This paper examines the occurrence of a decoupling between the growth rates in economic activity and CO₂ emission from energy consumption in Jiangsu from 1995 to 2009. The results indicate that: (1) Along with the rapid economic development, CO₂ emission in Jiangsu rose from 18,781.46 × 10⁴ t in 1995 to 52,029.24 × 10⁴ t in 2009, with an average annual growth rate of 7.54%. Our results also show that CO₂ emission in Jiangsu Province is dominated by the secondary, which accounts for about 80% of total CO₂ emission. (2) During the study period, the whole Jiangsu economy experienced weak decoupling and strong decoupling except 2003–2005. However the decoupling states for the secondary and tertiary industries are similar to that of the whole economy.     

青藏高原东缘生态过渡带碳中和评估与预测

青藏高原东缘生态过渡带是我国重要的生态功能区和碳库,对该区域碳中和的评估和预测对于中国乃至亚洲的碳排放管理具有重要意义。基于率定的CASA模型估算了2001-2019年青藏高原东缘生态过渡带栅格尺度碳汇量,结合中国碳排放数据库分析近20年碳排放时空演变规律;然后,采用STIRPAT模型和岭回归建立碳排放与人口等6个社会经济指标的弹性关系,并讨论库兹涅兹曲线对碳排放的影响。之后采用情景分析法,设计包括绿色发展等5种不同经济发展情景预测研究区2020-2060年碳排放变化特征;最后,提出假性碳中和并进行定义,结合GM （1,1）模型预测所得碳汇量,探究青藏高原东缘生态过渡带净碳汇量未来不同情景演变趋势,预测与评估不同发展情景研究区碳中和状况。结果表明：研究区碳汇量在2001-2019年间呈波动缓慢上升趋势,研究区碳汇量东南部高西北部较低;而碳排放量增长速率迅速,于2019年达到108Mt左右,是2001年的3.07倍;近20年,研究区碳汇量均大于碳排放量,但二者差距呈减少趋势。STIRPAT模型岭回归系数表明,研究区内存在城镇化率环境库兹涅兹曲线（EKC）效应,随着城镇化率的提升,区域碳排放呈先增加后减少趋势,而对于富裕度无显著EKC效应;在6个影响因素中,人口变量对碳排放的影响最显著,每增加1%的人口,碳排放将增加1.03%左右;在预测的五种不同发展情景中,可持续发展情景（ST）与基准情景（BL）、节能情景（ES）与绿色发展情景（GD）分别在2050年、2040年实现碳达峰,碳达峰时间随着能耗的减少逐渐提前。粗放情景（ETS）在2060年仍未实现碳达峰,并且其碳排放将于2040年左右超过碳汇量,而其余四种情景预测2020-2060年碳汇量始终大于碳排放量,但其净碳汇量均呈先减少后增加的趋势。因此,青藏高原东缘生态过渡带具有较强固碳能力,但如采用不加管制的发展模式,其碳汇量将无法抵消其碳排放量。因此,在规划发展模式与保护生态的同时,应重点控制人口、畜牧业等因素,提高人民与产业的节能减排意识。     

Competing uses of biomass for energy and chemicals: implications for long‐term global CO2 mitigation potential

Biomass is considered a low carbon source for various energy or chemical options. This paper assesses it's different possible uses, the competition between these uses, and the implications for long‐term global energy demand and energy system emissions. A scenario analysis is performed using the TIMER energy system model. Under baseline conditions, 170 EJ yr^?1 of secondary bioenergy is consumed in 2100 (approximately 18% of total secondary energy demand), used primarily in the transport, buildings and nonenergy (chemical production) sectors. This leads to a reduction of 9% of CO₂ emissions compared to a counterfactual scenario where no bioenergy is used. Bioenergy can contribute up to 40% reduction in emissions at carbon taxes greater than 500/tC. As higher CO₂ taxes are applied, bioenergy is increasingly diverted towards electricity generation. Results are more sensitive to assumptions about resource availability than technological parameters. To estimate the effectiveness of bioenergy in specific sectors, experiments are performed in which bioenergy is only allowed in one sector at a time. The results show that cross‐sectoral leakage and emissions from biomass conversion limit the total emission reduction possible in each sector. In terms of reducing emissions per unit of bioenergy use, we show that the use of bioelectricity is the most effective, especially when used with carbon capture and storage. However, this technology only penetrates at a high carbon price (>100/tC) and competition with transport fuels may limit its adoption.     

Changes in annual CO2 fluxes estimated from inventory data in South Korea

Using a slightly modified IPCC method, we examined changes in annual fluxes of CO₂ and contributions of energy consumption, limestone use, waste combustion, land-use change, and forest growth to the fluxes in South Korea from 1990 to 1997. Our method required less data and resulted in a larger estimate of CO₂ released by industrial processes, comparing with the original IPCC guideline. However, net CO₂ emission is not substantially different from the estimates of IPCC and modified methods. Net CO₂ emission is intimately related to GDP as Korean economy has heavily relied on energy consumption and industrial activities, which are major sources of CO₂. Total efflux of CO₂ was estimated to be 63.6 Tg C/a in 1990 and amounted to 112.9 Tg C/a in 1997. Land-use change contributed to annual budget of CO₂ in a relatively small portion. Carbon dioxide was sequestered by forest biomass at the rate of 6.5 Tg C/a in 1990 and 8.5 Tg C/a in 1997. Although CO₂ storage in the forests increased, the sink effect was overwhelmed by extensive energy consumption, suggesting that energy-saving strategies will be more effective in reducing CO₂ emission in Korea than any other practices. It is presumed that plant uptake of CO₂ is underestimated as carbon contained in plant detritus and belowground living biomass were not fully considered. Furthermore, the soil organic carbon stored in forest decomposes in various ways in rugged mountains depending on their conditions, such as slope, aspect and elevation, which could have an effect on decomposition rate and carbon stores in soils. Thus, carbon sequestration of forests deserves further attention.     

Relationships among Isoprene Emission Rate, Photosynthesis, and Isoprene Synthase Activity as Influenced by Temperature

Isoprene emissions from the leaves of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L. var utilis) plants exhibited temperature response patterns that were dependent on the plant's growth temperature. Plants grown in a warm regimen (34/28°C, day/night) exhibited a temperature optimum for emissions of 45°C, whereas those grown in a cooler regimen (26/20°C, day/night) exhibited an optimum of 40°C. Several previous studies have provided evidence of a linkage between isoprene emissions and photosynthesis, and more recent studies have demonstrated that isoprene emissions are linked to the activity of isoprene synthase in plant leaves. To further explore this linkage within the context of the temperature dependence of isoprene emissions, we determined the relative temperature dependencies of photosynthetic electron transport, CO₂ assimilation, and isoprene synthase activity. When measured over a broad range of temperatures, the temperature dependence of isoprene emission rate was not closely correlated with either the electron transport rate or the CO₂ assimilation rate. The temperature optima for electron transport rate and CO₂ assimilation rate were 5 to 10°C lower than that for the isoprene emission rate. The dependence of isoprene emissions on photon flux density was also affected by measurement temperature in a pattern independent of those exhibited for electron transport rate and CO₂ assimilation rate. Thus, despite no change in the electron transport rate or CO₂ assimilation rate at 26 and 34°C, the isoprene emission rate changed markedly. The quantum yield of isoprene emissions was stimulated by a temperature increase from 26 to 34°C, whereas the quantum yield for CO₂ assimilation was inhibited. In greenhouse-grown aspen leaves (Populus tremuloides Michaux.), the high temperature threshold for inhibition of isoprene emissions was closely correlated with the high temperature-induced decrease in the in vitro activity of isoprene synthase. When taken together, the results indicate that although there may be a linkage between isoprene emission rate and photosynthesis, the temperature dependence of isoprene emission is not determined solely by the rates of CO₂ assimilation or electron transport. Rather, we propose that regulation is accomplished primarily through the enzyme isoprene synthase.     

The elasticity of the potential of emission reduction to energy saving: Definition,measurement, and evidence from China

Based on energy and CO₂ emission efficiencies, this paper proposes a definition of the elasticity of the potential of emission reduction to energy saving (E_peres), and measures the elasticity in China’s 30 provincial regions. Although E_peres is a relative definition, it can be used (1) to measure the amount of reduced CO₂ emissions per unit fossil energy saving, (2) to reflect the effectiveness of fossil energy saving for CO₂ emission reduction in different regions, and (3) to provide decision-making criteria for selecting pathways for emission reductions in different regions. The results show that compared with energy saving, emission reduction is a more serious issue in China. This indicates that energy saving policies have been highly effective since their implementation during the 11th “Five-Year Plan”. With respect to provincial disparities, the emission reductions caused by fossil energy saving are not significant in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong. Fujian province has significant E_peres, indicating that emission reduction causing by fossil energy saving is effective. E_peres has been increasing over time in Hunan and Hubei. Hainan’s E_peres has remained less than 1, indicating that its emission-reduction effect of fossil energy saving is worse than in other provinces. Moreover, the elasticity of Eastern China is greater than that of Central China and Western China. This finding sheds light on pathway selection for energy saving and emission reduction in China: it would be more appropriate to encourage fossil energy saving in Eastern China, and to promote clean energy use (e.g., water electricity and solar energy) in Central China and Western China.     

How do 28 European Union Member States perform in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions? It depends on what we look at: Application of the multi-criteria analysis

European Union (EU) Member States have agreed to limit their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, including emissions from agricultural sector. The aggregated GHG emission rate (i.e. t CO₂ eq. from agricultural sector per country) is commonly used to measure the overall size of agriculture’s influence on climate. And indeed, since 2005, EU has managed to decrease its aggregated GHG emissions by 3.1%. However, the question is—does that mean that EU’s agriculture has become less emission intensive? This paper answers the question by providing a different perspective for the assessment and comparison of the agricultural GHG emissions in 28 EU Member States. It is done by applying three different approaches, including creation of derived indicators and application of multi-criteria analysis (TOPSIS), which is a novel approach for comparison of agricultural GHG emission mitigation performance. The results show that each EU Member State performs very differently in emission intensities. Even more, the emission intensity results show an alarming tendency of increase in most of the EU Member States, which indicates that the measured changes in aggregate agricultural GHG emission rates are misleading. Therefore, the paper suggests reconsidering the policy targets for GHG emission limits.