Characteristics of transportation carbon emissions in China from 2018 to 2022
Qian Guo
Department of Architectural Engineering, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University/Key Laboratory of High Performance Repair Materials, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University
Xiaoyong Zhang
Department of Architectural Engineering, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University/Key Laboratory of High Performance Repair Materials, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University
Xingzhen Huang
Department of Architectural Engineering, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University/Key Laboratory of High Performance Repair Materials, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University
Libin Xu
Department of Architectural Engineering, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University/Key Laboratory of High Performance Repair Materials, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University
Zhuan Wang
Department of Architectural Engineering, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University/Key Laboratory of High Performance Repair Materials, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University
Jianxu Long
Department of Architectural Engineering, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University/Key Laboratory of High Performance Repair Materials, Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pest.v7i2.10389
Keywords: Transportation sector; Energy consumption; Carbon emissions; Carbon intensity
Abstract
The transportation sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, making its low-carbon transition essential for achieving China’s carbon neutrality objectives. Utilizing the IPCC emission model, this study quantitatively evaluates trends in energy consumption and carbon emissions in China’s transportation sector over the past five years. The findings indicate that gasoline and diesel remained the dominant energy sources from 2018 to 2022, while electricity and natural gas consumption exhibited sustained growth, with electricity consumption increasing by 27%. Total carbon emissions demonstrated a declining trajectory, decreasing by 6.1%. Gasoline and diesel continued to account for approximately 60% of total carbon emissions, although the proportion of emissions from electricity and natural gas rose by 5%. Meanwhile, GDP increased by 31%, and carbon emission intensity declined by 22%, reflecting advancements in energy efficiency and emissions mitigation technologies. Despite the positive outcomes of low-carbon policies and technological innovations, short-term economic fluctuations may pose challenges to sustaining emission reductions.
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