• Opaque Skies over China

    Trade Balances Impact Global Emissions Accounting

    Without a doubt, emissions in China will have to be addressed if we are to solve climate change. China is currently adding two coal plants to its electricity grid every week. If this pace continues, global emissions will rise above any stabilization threshold, whether its James Hansen’s 450 ppm or the more conventional 550ppm.

    However, what few people are pointing out today is what sectors China’s emissions are coming from. A recently released Tyndall Center report found that China’s net exports account for more than 23% of GHG emissions. These emissions are roughly equal to all of the UK. While the concept of exporting emissions isn’t a new topic, this is, as far as I know, the first time a number was estimated for China.

    The Tyndall Report illustrates how the current GHG accounting process fails to fully account for western nations’ emissions and consumption. If US, UK, or Canadian products are produced in China, I don’t think we should be let off the hook for those emissions. If the US does implement legislation for reducing GHG emissions, in most scenarios, these exports will not be counted. Furthermore, if this is the case, will it not become an incentive to take more manufacturing jobs offshore? Perhaps this is good for development and growth in those countries, but shouldn’t the developing countries be allowed to increase emissions for their own economies but not for western nations’ consumption?

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