Imbalances in virtual energy transfer network of China and carbon emissions neutrality implications

It has been increasingly crucial for China to identify the critical regional transmission of embodied energy and the key sectors it flows, especially aiming toward the carbon neutrality target. However, there are still very limited works that have focused on a similar topic. This study took 31 of the 34 provinces of China as cases, covered all economic sectors, explored the regional and sectoral embodied energy flow patterns and discussed the implications for carbon neutrality. The results reveal that: ⅰ) The current embodied energy network in China is inequitable and imbalanced; ⅱ) Most of the beneficiaries with positive net values of embodied energy import/export are mainly located in the coastal area and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and only Beijing is in northern China; ⅲ) Megacities increasingly rely on the upstream regions in terms of energy supply, transferring significant environmental pressure to other regions; ⅳ) Regional carbon compensation should be seriously considered while making both regional and national carbon neutrality strategies. This study provides a clear version of the regional and sectoral embodied energy network system in China. • The regional pattern of embodied energy critical flows in China is identified. • The critical sectors that embodied energy transmit among different provinces are explored. • The embodied energy source structure of different provinces is revealed. • The implications for national carbon neutral are discussed.