Research on the Evolution of Carbon Emissions Embodied in International Trade Network and Its Determinants

On the basis of measuring the scale of carbon emissions embodied in trade of 62 countries (regions), we established networks of carbon emissions embodied in trade by using social network analysis method, examined patterns of the networks from 2005 to 2015, and analyzed the determinants the networks by using QAP method. We found that, first of all, from the perspective of network characteristics, the global distribution of carbon emissions embodied in trade among countries (regions) has a long tail feature, and the networks have scale-free and small-world properties. Second, emerging economies such as China and India became increasingly network-centric, while developed economies were demoted. Thirdly, the main determinants of the network relationships are trade scale and energy structure differences. The spatial proximity among countries and the ability of logistics clearance have a certain impact on embodied carbon emissions. The results show that China is under great pressure to control the scale of embodied carbon emissions in trade. China should attach great importance to carbon emissions transfer in UN climate negotiations, pay attention to the transformation and upgrading of processing trade, accelerate the efforts of low-carbon transformation, and improve the efficiency of energy utilization.