Analyzing carbon emission transfer network structure among provinces in China: new evidence from social network analysis

Domestic trade plays a key role in China’s rapid economic progress. However, the increased domestic trade causes significant variations in carbon emission transfer among provinces. This study adopted the multi-region input-output (MRIO) model and social network analysis (SNA) to estimate the carbon emission transfer. Furthermore, the carbon emission transfer network characteristics among 30 provinces and 27 sectors were analyzed by using interprovincial input-output tables for 2007, 2010, and 2012. The results showed that (1) Large differences exist in carbon emission transfer flow and its network characteristics between provinces. (2) The three industrial sectors of metal smelting and pressing sector, power, heat production, and supply sector, petroleum processing, coking, and nuclear fuel processing sector have high carbon emission transfer and pose a strong influence on the carbon emission transfer network. (3) Provinces of the eastern region have a “bidirectional spillover” role, while those of the western region have a mediating role as an “agent.” Provinces of the central region have a “main inflow” role. Finally, useful policy implications and suggestions of this study are summarized.