Estimation of Embodied Energy Flow and Embodied Carbon Emissions in China's Steel Trade — Based on LEAP Model

Abstract

This article uses the data from 2010-2020 World Steel Association Statistical Yearbook to calculate the main indicators of China's steel trade, eliminates the invisible carbon emissions from intermediate products in China's steel production based on Low Emissions Analysis Platform. Also, from the perspectives of the producer and consumers, this article uses the "process method" to calculate the embodied energy flow and embodied carbon emissions of China's steel industry. The study found that in the past ten years, the crude steel output of China's steel industry was greater than the direct steel consumption, and the direct steel consumption was further greater than the indirect steel consumption, which shows that China provides a large amount of steel products to countries around the world. Furthermore, the data of embodied energy consumption and embodied carbon emissions of China's steel industry shows that the export flow is greater than the import flow. The rising international demand for steel makes China's steel industry bear more carbon emissions.