Urban carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) accounting based on the GPC framework: A case of the underdeveloped city of Nanchang, China

Purpose - This paper aims to provide a typical example of accounting for the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in underdeveloped cities, especially for the Poyang Lake area in China. The accounting can increase public understanding and trust in climate mitigation strategies by showing more detailed data. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses the “Global Protocol for Community-scale greenhouse gas emission inventories (GPC)” method, a worldwide comparable framework for calculating urban CO2e emission (CE). The empirical case is an underdeveloped city, Nanchang, in China. Findings - The results show the total CE of Nanchang, containing the electricity CE of Scope 2, grew rapidly from 12.49 Mt in 1994 to 55.00 Mt in 2014, with the only recession caused by the global financial crisis in 2008. The biggest three contributors were industrial energy consumption, transportation and industrial processes, which contributed 44.71-72.06, 4.10-25.07 and 9.07-22.28 per cent, respectively, to the total CE. Almost always, more than 74.41 per cent of Nanchang’s CE was related to coal. When considering only the CEs from coal, oil and gas, these CEs per unit area of Nanchang were always greater than those of China and the world. Similarly, these CEs per gross domestic product of Nanchang were always bigger than those of the world. Thus, based on these conclusions, some specific countermeasures were recommended. Originality/value - This paper argues that the CO2e accounting of underdeveloped cities by using the GPC framework should be promoted when designing climate mitigation policies. They can provide more scientific data to justify related countermeasures

Japan's Role in Rebuilding the Rules-Based International Order

There exists some consensus that the liberal international order now is in crisis. It is both urgent and important to rebuild the rules-based international order. If the liberal international order is based on the Pax Americana, then the rules-based international order is based on the shared norms and consensus of most members of the international community. Given the strategic rivalry between the US and China, Japan should take the duty and leadership to rebuild the rules-based international order. Specifically speaking, Japan can play the following roles to contribute to the rebuilding of the rules-based international order: taking the leadership; promoting summit diplomacy; practicing the middle power strategy; and strengthening the rule of law