China's commercial building carbon emissions toward 2060: An integrated dynamic emission assessment model

Carbon-mitigation in the commercial building sector is critical to carbon peaking and carbon neutral commit-ment. However, there has been little scientific focus on long-term evolutionary trajectories and peak path in this sector. This study innovatively develops an integrated dynamic emission assessment model (IDEAM) by combining the system dynamics model with the bottom-up end-use energy model. Moreover, the IDEAM is combined with the scenario analysis approach to model the dynamic evolution of Chinese commercial building carbon emissions toward 2060. The results show that commercial building carbon emissions will peak at 1.28 Gigatons (Gt) of CO2 in 2037 under the baseline scenario and will advance toward 2029 with an emissions peak of 0.98 Gt CO2 under the low-carbon scenario. Cooling and lighting are the two end-uses that contribute most to the growth of carbon emissions at over 70%. These two end-uses indicate different carbon-abatement potentials across climate zones. Sensitivity analysis reveals that promoting technological progress, increasing the share of clean energy, and improving low-carbon awareness are major ways to facilitate the early realization of carbon peaks and carbon neutrality. This study provides a deeper understanding of possible emission pathways and could assist policy-makers in devising scientific carbon mitigation plans.

Automated summary

Carbon mitigation in the commercial building sector is crucial for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. However, there is limited scientific research on the long-term evolutionary trajectories and peak path in this sector. This study develops an integrated dynamic emission assessment model and uses scenario analysis to model the dynamic evolution of Chinese commercial building carbon emissions until 2060. The results indicate that cooling and lighting are the main contributors to carbon emissions growth, with varying carbon abatement potentials across climate zones. Promoting technological progress, increasing clean energy use, and raising low-carbon awareness are identified as major strategies for early carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.