Unequal household carbon footprints in the peak-and-decline pattern of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. peaked and declined first decade of 21st century, largely attributed to increased use natural renewable energy replacing coal. However, if what extent household consumption also played a role this trend is still debated. Finding demand-side options necessary hedge against risks technology solutions failing materialize. To fill gap, study analyzes change GHG driven by consumption, explores drivers contribution different income groups. end, combined consumer expenditure survey with an environmentally-extended multi-regional input-output framework analyze changes induced between 2001 2015. This further analyzed how much population, volume patterns drove emission quintile The results show that contributed approximately one-third national decline. decline from households was mainly associated decrease carbon-intensive products, including gasoline, electricity, animal-based food products. top were main contributors increase before peak, while third fourth quintiles became mitigation leaders after 2010. Carbon inequality during 2001–2006 period, wealth high-income households, relatively stable peak. Emissions certain categories group are significantly higher than bottom four increasing trends, especially leisure-related services goods, which require more attention future policymaking for reduction.