Decomposition analysis of the greenhouse gas emissions in Korea’s Transportation sector

Abstract

This study analyzed GHG emissions from the transportation sector in Korea from 1990 to 2013 using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) factor decomposition methods. We decomposed these emissions into six factors: The population effect, the economic growth effect due to changes in the gross domestic product per capita, the energy intensity effect due to changes in energy consumption per gross domestic product, the transportation mode effect, the energy mix effect, and the emission factor effect. The results show that some factors can cause an increase in GHG emissions, predominantly influenced by economic followed by population growth effects. By contrast, other factors can cause a decrease in GHG, predominantly via the energy intensity effect. Even though the transportation mode effect has contributed to a reduction in GHG emissions, it remains relatively small compared to other factors. Prior to 2000, the energy mix and emission factor effect contributed to the reduction of GHG emissions, however, reports indicate their association with increased GHG emissions since the mid-2000s. Altogether, based on our results, we suggest some GHG mitigation policies aimed at achieving the national target for this sector.