Work

Which countries have offshored carbon dioxide emissions in net terms?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We estimate the extent of emission offshoring at the country level in net terms. We define net emission onshoring as the difference between the emissions domestic producers generate by exporting and the emissions they avoid by importing. Using the multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model and the OECD Inter-Country Input-Output (ICIO) Table, we report levels and trends in net emission onshoring for 45 countries between 1995–2018. Service-oriented economies with trade deficits (USA, UK, India) are net offshoring emissions. China is net onshoring emissions. The scale of net onshoring is small relative to production-based emissions. National emissions and GDP have decoupled in many developed countries, even when accounting for trade. In a cross-section of countries, there is no robust association between net onshoring and per-capita income.

Source: Ecological Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108597

Authors: Aldy Darwili, Enno Schröder

Institution: Delft University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730