Unveiling interconnected carbon flows: a demand-driven perspective on industrial emissions

In the context of global efforts to mitigate climate change, the precise mapping and management of industrial carbon emissions are paramount, particularly in China, the world’s largest emitter. This study shifts the focus from traditional producer-centric carbon accounting to a demand-driven model, aiming to refine the representation of carbon responsibilities within China’s expansive industrial sectors. Utilizing a complex network model, the analysis spans embodied carbon emissions across 28 sectors from 2002 to 2020, enabling a detailed understanding of sectoral interactions and dependencies. Findings reveal a growing disparity between economic activities and carbon emissions, with sectors such as electricity and construction emerging as major nodes of supply and receipt. The analysis also highlights a “Matthew effect,” with dominant sectors increasingly centralizing influence over network interactions. The study concludes with the urgent need for sector-specific emission reduction strategies, advocating collaborative policies for high-emission sectors and technological upgrades in critical areas. These strategies are vital for optimizing carbon management and supporting China’s goals of achieving carbon peak and neutrality, thereby contributing significantly to global climate change mitigation efforts.