Methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction and embodied in fossil fuel trade in China

Jin, Y., Zhong, X., Yuan, R., Feng, C., & Tang, X. (2025). Methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction and embodied in fossil fuel trade in China. Journal of Cleaner Production 516 e145802. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145802.

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Abstract

The fossil fuel sector significantly contributes to methane emissions, a potent driver of climate change. Previously, assessments of methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction were primarily conducted at the national and provincial levels, while the heterogeneities in methane emissions across fossil fuel sites and fuel types (coal, oil, gas) have not yet been fully understood. Here, we present a detailed evaluation of methane emissions from China's fossil fuel extraction using an inventory of 994 coal mines, 761 oil fields, and 896 gas fields. The results show that in 2017, fossil fuel extraction emitted 23.2 Mt of methane emissions, with coal, oil, and gas contributing 95 %, 2.7 %, and 2.3 %, respectively. Further, we quantify the methane emissions embodied in intercity fossil fuel trade by integrating the emission assessment with an environmentally extended intercity input-output model. We find that 17.1 Mt (74 % of methane emissions from extraction) is embodied in the intercity fossil fuel trade, with the remaining 26 % not embodied in intercity trade but driven by the local fossil fuel demand of cities. Compared with the production-based perspective, 243 cities result in more methane emissions from the consumption perspective, while 70 cities see the opposite. This study shows the heterogeneity in methane emissions across regions and opportunities for intercity collaborations on emission mitigation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Energy system, Input-output, Greenhouse gas, Climate change, Energy transition, Nomenclature Abbreviations
Research Programs:	Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) > Integrated Assessment and Climate Change (IACC)
Depositing User:	Luke Kirwan
Date Deposited:	10 Jun 2025 11:52
Last Modified:	10 Jun 2025 11:52
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/20662

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