Measuring the Carbon Intensity of the South African Economy

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Channing Arndt
  • Rob Davies
  • Konstantin Makrelov
  • James Thurlow
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 languageEnglish
JournalSouth African Journal of Economics
Volume81
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)393–415
ISSN0038-2280
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Bibliographical note

JEL Classification: C67;Q43;Q56

ID: 37636384