Transmission centers of global embodied mercury emissions are moving from developed to developing regions

Mercury (Hg) can accumulate in the food chain, posing significant threats to human health and biodiversity. Existing studies have identified critical primary suppliers, producers, and final consumers driving Hg emissions in global supply chains. However, the hotspots in the intermediate transmission stages of global supply chains remain unknown. This study reveals critical transmission sectors and transactions of global embodied Hg emissions during 1995–2022. Results show that the critical transmission sectors and transactions of global embodied Hg emissions have been moving from developed (e.g., Japan and Russia) to developing (e.g., China and India) economies. Critical transmission sectors were primarily concentrated in the metal products, transportation, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and construction industries. Domestic transactions were the primary transmission pathways for embodied Hg emissions, with nearly half of these being intra-sectoral transactions. These findings can help policymakers develop transmission-bound Hg reduction policies and multi-level cooperation to support joint Hg emission reduction. •Transmission hotspots of embodied Hg emissions in global supply chains are revealed.•Transmission hotspots have been moving from developed to developing economies.•Transmission-bound policies can help further reduce global Hg emissions.•Propose a multi-level cooperation framework to promote joint emission reduction.