Carbon emissions of coal supply chain: An innovative perspective from physical to economic

Carbon emissions reduction is not only physical, but also rooted in powerful economic actions. Coal-related emissions reduction strategies mainly focus on the physical quantity of carbon emissions, rather than the economic efficiency. So it’s necessary to strengthen the analysis of carbon emission reduction strategies from the perspective of economic value. Based on the theory of coal supply chain management, this study builds a carbon dioxide accounting model of China’s coal supply chain. The indicators for the process-based carbon emissions and carbon emissions per unit of economic value of various coal products are evaluated from the perspective of the whole coal life cycle. The results show that the processing and conversion of coal are the most important sources of carbon emissions in the coal life cycle. Coal-fueled electricity is the largest contributor to carbon emissions of all coal products. The coal-to-heat process has the highest carbon emissions per unit of economic value. Emission reduction strategies for coal supply chain are given in this research from both the physical and economic perspective. To realize emission reduction based on the physical perspective, it’s helpful to decrease coal consumption by reducing the proportion of coal-fired power and the gas capture technology should be promoted to facilitate gas utilization. Implementing the coal transition to natural gas policy and developing heat recovery technology have an effect on carbon emissions reduction from the economic viewpoint of coal supply chain. • Life cycle and supply chain are integrated to study carbon footprint of coal industry. • Carbon emission accounting is creatively established by process and product branch. • Economic value is used to analyze the profitability of coal carbon footprint. • The processing and transformation is the major emission source in coal life cycle. • Coal to electricity and heat contribute to physical and economic carbon emissions.