Re-calculation of responsibility distribution and spatiotemporal patterns of global production carbon emissions from the perspective of global value chain

This study proposes a non-differentiated producer responsibility (NDPR) principle to assign carbon dioxide emission responsibility. The NDPR principle redistributes carbon dioxide emissions along a value chain according to the proportion of profits obtained, which can eliminate the unfairness of carbon dioxide emissions transfers caused by transnational production processes. Compared with existing models, the NDPR model can be directly applied to a multi-region input-output table (MRIO), thereby improving the practical value of the method. Furthermore, this study applies the NDPR model to a long-term MRIO to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon emission responsibility worldwide. We found that both the volume and growth of carbon emissions are highly concentrated in European countries, the United States, and emerging market countries, and the basic emission pattern is stable. Both the producer and consumer responsibility principles lead to most developing countries in Asia bearing a greater proportion of the emission responsibility than the proportion of value they capture from global value chains. This study suggests that countries with the highest carbon emissions should assume the greatest responsibilities for global carbon emission reduction targets and develop measures and policies that significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. More attention should be paid to correcting the unfairness of carbon dioxide emission transfers within the global value chain and providing middle-income and low-income countries with more rights for development in future carbon emissions accounting. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study introduces a non-differentiated producer responsibility (NDPR) principle for carbon dioxide emission allocation, aiming to address the unfairness in emission transfers caused by transnational production processes. The research reveals that carbon emissions are concentrated in European countries, the United States, and emerging markets, suggesting that countries with the highest emissions should bear more responsibility for global emission reduction.