EMERGING-E: A global multi-regional input-output model with renewable electricity disaggregation

Huo, J., Guo, R., Meng, J., Lindner, S., Li, J., He, Y., Wang, Z., & Guan, D. (2026). EMERGING-E: A global multi-regional input-output model with renewable electricity disaggregation. One Earth 9 (6) e101659. 10.1016/j.oneear.2026.101659.

Preview

Text 1-s2.0-S2590332226000606-main.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Multi-regional input-output (MRIO) models are a key tool for examining socioeconomic activity and environmental impacts across global supply chains. Because electricity generation accounts for a large share of fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions, a more detailed representation of electricity is essential for analyzing changes in electricity generation structure and the role of renewable technologies. Here, we develop EMERGING-E, an MRIO model covering 146 sectors and 245 economies that separates electricity into one transmission sector, one distribution sector, and 12 technology-specific generation subsectors. Compared with the existing electricity-disaggregated MRIO databases, EXIOBASE 3 and GTAP-Power 11, EMERGING-E more closely reproduces officially reported national electricity mixes. Our results show that EXIOBASE 3 and GTAP-Power 11 tend to overestimate fossil-fuel-based generation, especially coal and gas, while also misrepresenting renewable sources such as hydropower and wind. Electricity is a fundamental input across supply chains, so misrepresenting its structure can affect assessments of socioeconomic and environmental impacts across the entire supply chain. Accounting with EMERGING-E shows that electricity disaggregation shifts national consumption-based carbon footprints by up to ±15%, increasing in some fossil-intensive economies and decreasing in cleaner-energy economies. EMERGING-E therefore provides a more robust and transparent basis for sustainability assessment and for energy and climate governance.

Actions (login required)

View Item