Evaluating the Role of International Trade in the Growth of China＇s CO2 Emissions

International trade matters in assessing the extent of China’s responsibility for CO2 emissions. A determining factor is whether emissions are measured in production or in consumption terms. Based on a series of input-output tables, an empirical analysis is conducted to measure the impact of international trade on China’s emissions growth during the period 1997 to 2007. The authors also measure the impact on emissions of bilateral trade between China and US, European Union and Japan. As the largest of the developing countries, China has a trade surplus that can substantially influence its measured responsibility for emissions. The authors consider some policy implications for international negotiations to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.