Global carbon footprints

Peters, Glen P.; Solli, Christian

doi:10.6027/tn2010-592

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 100 publications

(200 reference statements)

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“…But in practice, the quality of the underlying data has to be considered (regarding data quality of the MRIO model, see discussion in the Supporting Information on adjusting EXIOBASE data). In cases where the data quality of highly regionalized model is impaired, aggregation of data may have the effect of compensating errors (a compensation for similar types of errors is discussed by Peters and Solli). It has to be a concern that the above quantitative differences between both models are not purely reflecting the aggregation error as problems of data availability and data quality tend to increase with the level of regional disaggregation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating Raw Material Equivalents on a Macro-Level: Comparison of Multi-Regional Input–Output Analysis and Hybrid LCI-IO

Schoer¹,

Wood

Arto

et al. 2013

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The mass of material consumed by a population has become a useful proxy for measuring environmental pressure. The "raw material equivalents" (RME) metric of material consumption addresses the issue of including the full supply chain (including imports) when calculating national or product level material impacts. The RME calculation suffers from data availability, however, as quantitative data on production practices along the full supply chain (in different regions) is required. Hence, the RME is currently being estimated by three main approaches: (1) assuming domestic technology in foreign economies, (2) utilizing region-specific life-cycle inventories (in a hybrid framework), and (3) utilizing multi-regional input-output (MRIO) analysis to explicitly cover all regions of the supply chain. While the first approach has been shown to give inaccurate results, this paper focuses on the benefits and costs of the latter two approaches. We analyze results from two key (MRIO and hybrid) projects modeling raw material equivalents, adjusting the models in a stepwise manner in order to quantify the effects of individual conceptual elements. We attempt to isolate the MRIO gap, which denotes the quantitative impact of calculating the RME of imports by an MRIO approach instead of the hybrid model, focusing on the RME of EU external trade imports. While, the models give quantitatively similar results, differences become more pronounced when tracking more detailed material flows. We assess the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches and look forward to ways to further harmonize data and approaches.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating Raw Material Equivalents on a Macro-Level: Comparison of Multi-Regional Input–Output Analysis and Hybrid LCI-IO

Schoer¹,

Wood

Arto

et al. 2013

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…This is particularly true for country comparisons and trade balances, since these are possible policy measures for determining the allocation of financial burdens across countries. At present, there are inconsistencies in the definition and application of trade balances and emissions comparisons, and a harmonization of understandings and standardization of concepts is needed to enhance the credibility and robustness of estimates for emissions embodied in international trade.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frameworks for Comparing Emissions Associated with Production, Consumption, And International Trade

Kanemoto

Lenzen

Peters

et al. 2011

Environ. Sci. Technol.

204

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While the problem of climate change is being perceived as increasingly urgent, decision-makers struggle to agree on the distribution of responsibility across countries. In particular, representatives from countries hosting emissions-intensive exporting industries have argued that the importers of emissions-intensive goods should bear the responsibility, and ensuing penalties. Indeed, international trade and carbon leakage appear to play an increasingly important role in the carbon emissions debate. However, definitions of quantities describing the embodiment of carbon emissions in internationally traded products, and their measurement, have to be sufficiently robust before being able to underpin global policy. In this paper we critically examine a number of emissions accounting concepts, examine whether the ensuing carbon balances are compatible with monetary trade balances, discuss their different interpretations, and highlight implications for policy. In particular, we compare the emissions embodied in bilateral trade (EEBT) method which considers total trade flows with domestic emission intensities, with the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) method which considers trade only into final consumption with global emission intensities. If consumption-based emissions of different countries were to be compared, we would suggest an MRIO approach because of the global emissions coverage inherent in this method. If trade-adjusted emission inventories were to be compared, we would suggest an EEBT approach due to the consistency with a monetary trade balance.

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“…A Nordic Council of Minister's report on carbon footprints demonstrates some of these methodological requirements (multiregional input-output modelling), including the need for sectorally disaggregated data of exactly the type offered by the environmental accounts (Peters & Solli, 2010). This means, that if national accounts type input-output tables are used, then the data on e.g.…”

Section: The Nordic Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reason for this is that the air emission accounts follow the same definitions and scope as the national accounts. The above mentioned report (Peters & Solli, 2010) recommended that future studies in the field of demand based environmental impacts should be benchmarked against multiregional input-output modelling. This is highly commendable in order to reach a global balanced input-output model.…”

Section: The Nordic Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%