Tracing environmental footprint of copper wire rod manufacturing in China

Copper wire rod (CWR) is an indispensable processed material for electrification. However, CWR's environmental impacts and emission reduction pathway haven't been clearly investigated, especially for China where most CWRs are produced. This study quantified provincial environmental impacts and emission reduction potentials of China CWR manufacturing. Key findings are: (1) Most of gate-to-gate environmental impacts of CWR come from energy use, including electricity and natural gas; (2) 42 % of Global Warming Potential of CWR manufacturing can be reduced by electricity transition and energy efficiency increase; (3) There are regional disparities in the environmental impacts and emission reduction potentials of CWR, due to the differences in regional electricity structure, energy efficiency, and production capacities; (4) Cumulative carbon emission reduction of China CWR industry during 2022–2050 can reach 22 Mt CO2 eq., of which Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Guangdong provinces totally account for 71 %. This study supports the green transition of CWR industry.