Carbon Emissions Embodied in China's International Trade Based on Input-Output Method

This paper uses input-output method and the energy consumption data by sectors to estimate the effects of international trade on carbon emissions of China in 2007. It is revealed that China is a net export nation in embodied carbon. The net exports of embodied carbon account for about 26.77% of the total carbon emissions in 2007. Sectors of Electrical Machinery and Communication Electronic Equipment (182.59Mt), Chemical Industry (89.96 Mt), Smelting and Processing of Metals (86.30Mt), Textile (50.60 Mt) and General and Special Purpose Machinery (47.40 Mt) are the largest five carbon emitters in foreign trade. About 61.30% of total exported carbon emission is from above five sectors. As producers and consumers, China and other nations that import from China gain much benefit from carbon emissions. They both should be responsible for climate change.