Start Over

Tracing global N 2 O emission mitigation strategies through trade networks.

Authors :: Liu K
Ma R
Yan K
Zhang B
Xu S
Feng C
Source :: Journal of environmental management [J Environ Manage] 2023 Oct 15; Vol. 344, pp. 118455. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jun 30.
Publication Year :: 2023
Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N <subscript>2</subscript> O) is the third most potent greenhouse gas (GHG) and the most important ozone depleting substance. But how global N <subscript>2</subscript> O emissions are connected through the interwoven trade network remains unclear. This paper attempts to specifically trace anthropogenic N <subscript>2</subscript> O emissions via global trade networks using a multi-regional input-output model and a complex network model. Nearly one quarter of global N <subscript>2</subscript> O emissions can be linked to products traded internationally in 2014. The top 20 economies contribute to about 70% of the total embodied N <subscript>2</subscript> O emission flows. In terms of the trade embodied emissions classified by sources, cropland-, livestock-, chemistry-, and other industries-related embodied N <subscript>2</subscript> O emissions account for 41.9%, 31.2%, 19.9%, and 7.0%, respectively. Clustering structure of the global N <subscript>2</subscript> O flow network is revealed by the regional integration of 5 trading communities. Hub economies such as mainland China and the USA are collectors and distributors, and some emerging countries, such as Mexico, Brazil, India, and Russia, also exhibit dominance in different kinds of networks. This study selects the cattle sector to further verify that low production-side emission intensities and trade cooperation can lead to N <subscript>2</subscript> O emission reduction. In view of the impact of trade networks on global N <subscript>2</subscript> O emissions, achieving N <subscript>2</subscript> O emission reduction calls for vigorous international cooperation.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)