Measuring the Carbon Intensity of the South African Economy

Channing Arndt; Rob  Davies; Konstantin  Makrelov; James  Thurlow

doi:10.1111/j.1813-6982.2012.01324.x

Measuring the Carbon Intensity of the South African Economy

Channing Arndt, Rob Davies, Konstantin Makrelov , James Thurlow

Development Economics Research Group (DERG)

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We estimate the carbon intensity of industries, products and households in South Africa using data from a high resolution supply-use table. Direct and indirect carbon usage is measured using multiplier methods that capture inter-industry linkages and multi-product supply chains. Carbon intensity is found to be high for exports but low for major employing sectors. Middle-income households are the most carbon-intensive consumers. These results suggest that carbon pricing policies (without border tax adjustments) would adversely affect export earnings, but should not disproportionately hurt workers or poorer households. Seven percent of emissions arise through marketing margins, implying that carbon pricing should be accompanied by supporting public policies and investments.

Original language	English
Journal	South African Journal of Economics
Volume	81
Issue number	3
Pages (from-to)	393–415
ISSN	0038-2280
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1813-6982.2012.01324.x
Publication status	Published - Sept 2013

Keywords

Faculty of Social Sciences
Carbon emissions intensity
multiplier analysis
South Africa

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title = "Measuring the Carbon Intensity of the South African Economy",

abstract = "We estimate the carbon intensity of industries, products and households in South Africa using data from a high resolution supply-use table. Direct and indirect carbon usage is measured using multiplier methods that capture inter-industry linkages and multi-product supply chains. Carbon intensity is found to be high for exports but low for major employing sectors. Middle-income households are the most carbon-intensive consumers. These results suggest that carbon pricing policies (without border tax adjustments) would adversely affect export earnings, but should not disproportionately hurt workers or poorer households. Seven percent of emissions arise through marketing margins, implying that carbon pricing should be accompanied by supporting public policies and investments. ",

keywords = "Faculty of Social Sciences, Carbon emissions intensity, multiplier analysis, South Africa",

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AU - Davies, Rob

AU - Makrelov , Konstantin

AU - Thurlow, James

N1 - JEL Classification: C67;Q43;Q56

PY - 2013/9

Y1 - 2013/9

N2 - We estimate the carbon intensity of industries, products and households in South Africa using data from a high resolution supply-use table. Direct and indirect carbon usage is measured using multiplier methods that capture inter-industry linkages and multi-product supply chains. Carbon intensity is found to be high for exports but low for major employing sectors. Middle-income households are the most carbon-intensive consumers. These results suggest that carbon pricing policies (without border tax adjustments) would adversely affect export earnings, but should not disproportionately hurt workers or poorer households. Seven percent of emissions arise through marketing margins, implying that carbon pricing should be accompanied by supporting public policies and investments.

AB - We estimate the carbon intensity of industries, products and households in South Africa using data from a high resolution supply-use table. Direct and indirect carbon usage is measured using multiplier methods that capture inter-industry linkages and multi-product supply chains. Carbon intensity is found to be high for exports but low for major employing sectors. Middle-income households are the most carbon-intensive consumers. These results suggest that carbon pricing policies (without border tax adjustments) would adversely affect export earnings, but should not disproportionately hurt workers or poorer households. Seven percent of emissions arise through marketing margins, implying that carbon pricing should be accompanied by supporting public policies and investments.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Carbon emissions intensity

KW - multiplier analysis

KW - South Africa

U2 - 10.1111/j.1813-6982.2012.01324.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1813-6982.2012.01324.x

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SP - 393

EP - 415

JO - South African Journal of Economics

JF - South African Journal of Economics

IS - 3

ER -

Measuring the Carbon Intensity of the South African Economy

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Keywords

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