Indirect carbon emissions of urban households in China: Patterns, determinants and inequality

The urban household sector is considered to be an essential source of climate change. In order to obtain detailed information concerning the description of household consumption activities, this paper combined consumer lifestyle approach and input-output analysis to estimate indirect carbon emissions of urban household from 2002 to 2012. Besides, we further analysed the driving forces and inequality of indirect carbon emissions. The results showed that the total indirect carbon emissions during the study period increased rapidly, rising from 894.08 MtCO2 to 1957.03 MtCO2. ¬ More than 58% of carbon emissions were from 40% of the high income population. The highest income group, 10% of total urban households, deduced 21% of urban indirect carbon emissions. The per capita carbon emissions of different households showed a remarkable disparity, and the per capita carbon emissions of high income groups decreased from 2011 to 2012. The effective mitigation efforts should focus on reducing carbon intensity and shifting consumption structure. For high inequality consumption activities caused by rich households, rich urban households should consume less goods and services from this consumption activities. For high inequality consumption activities caused by low income households, the redistribution of income from rich to poor and low carbon intensity lifestyles may be better options to reduce carbon emissions and inequalities of urban households. [Display omitted] •The total indirect carbon emissions during the study period increased rapidly.•More than 58% of carbon emissions were from 40% of the high income population.•Carbon emission patterns in different income households are various.•The redistribution of income and low carbon intensity lifestyles reduced inequality.