The indirect energy consumption and CO2 emission caused by household consumption in China: an analysis based on the input-output method

In recent decades, China's rapid economy development has been coupling with the steadily increasing household consumption, which, in turn, leads to ever-growing energy consumption and CO2 emission. With a focus on the decade of 2000-2010, this study examines the energy consumption and CO2 emission caused by household consumption using the Input-Output method, as well as the influencing factors of the indirect CO2 emission. The results show that, first, the indirect energy consumption and CO2 emission appear the main parts of total energy consumption and CO2 emission caused by household consumption, accounting for 69%-77% and 77%-84%, respectively. Second, the indirect CO2 emission indicates an increasing trend mainly driven by per capita household consumption and energy intensity. Finally, the five sectors with relatively higher direct or total CO2 emission intensity are the key sectors for reducing CO2 emission in China, i.e., (1) Production and Distribution of Electric Power and Heat Power (PDEH), (2) Smelting and Pressing of Metals (SPM), (3) Processing of Petroleum, Coking, Processing of Nuclear Fuel (PPCPN), (4) Manufacture of Non-metallic Mineral Products (MNM), and (5) Manufacture of Chemical Materials (MCM). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.