Towards Carbon Transparency: A High-Resolution Carbon Emissions Database for China's Listed Companies

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-resolution, AI-driven database of carbon emissions for Chinese listed companies, integrating multi-source data to improve accuracy and support climate risk management and policy goals.

Contribution

It introduces a novel methodology combining satellite data, self-reports, and AI algorithms to create a detailed, verifiable carbon emissions database for Chinese companies.

Findings

Enhanced accuracy of company emission data through AI and satellite integration

Robust validation of self-reported emissions

High-resolution data supports carbon management and market transactions

Abstract

The dual-carbon goals of China necessitate precise accounting of company carbon emissions, vital for green development across all industries. Not only the company itself but also financial investors require accurate and comprehensive company-level emissions data for climate risk management. This paper introduces the structure and methodology of the High-resolution Database for Carbon Emissions of China-listed companies, integrating three primary data sources: self-disclosed environmental data from listed companies, long-accumulated national power emission data, and regional high-precision emission data derived from multi-source satellites. The database's innovation lies in the employment of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to aggregate multi-source satellite data. This approach enables the precise identification of carbon emission sources and the prediction of company-level carbon emissions. Consequently, this methodology robustly cross-validates self-reported direct emissions, enhancing the accuracy and granularity of company-level emission records. Central to the database's utility includes the provision of high-resolution company carbon emission data, which is not only highly accurate but also instrumental in carbon management and emission market transactions. By offering a more nuanced and verifiable picture of company emissions, the database supports China's broader efforts to meet its ambitious dual-carbon targets and transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible economy.