Global value chains participation and carbon emissions: Evidence from Belt and Road countries

Qiaoling Shi, Yuhuan Zhao*, Zhiling Qian, Lu Zheng, Song Wang

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    44 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This study attempts to investigate the impact of global value chains (GVCs) participation on carbon emissions in Belt and Road (B&R) countries. First, this study analyzes the carbon emissions and GVCs participation features of 33 B&R countries during 2005–2016. Second, the impact of GVCs position on carbon emissions are investigated, as well as considering the GVCs participation modes and national heterogeneity. Finally, the influence paths are discussed through scale, structure and technology effects. The main results are: (1) Carbon emissions grow fast from 100079.36 Mt to 147796.42 Mt in 2005–2016; most B&R countries are located at backward GVCs positions. (2) GVCs position has robust and negative correlation with carbon emissions. (3) The increase of forward GVCs participation degree would reduce more carbon emissions than that of backward mode. (4) Developed countries could reduce more carbon emissions with increase in GVCs position and forward GVCs participation degree; deepening in backward GVCs participation would reduce carbon emissions in developed countries, while increase it in developing countries. (5) GVCs position upgrading could reduce carbon emissions through scale and structure effects, while forward and backward GVCs participation mainly work through technology effect. Policy implications on reducing carbon emissions in B&R countries are finally suggested.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number118505
    JournalApplied Energy
    Volume310
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2022

    Keywords

    • Belt and Road countries
    • Carbon emissions
    • Forward and backward participation degree
    • Global value chains participation
    • Position index

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