Impact of household size and structure on carbon emissions in China

• China’s total household carbon footprint was 3,252 million tons of CO 2 in 2017. • Residence, transport and food contribute the most to the household carbon footprint. • The per capita household carbon footprint decreases with increasing household size. • Households with few children tend to generate fewer per capita household emissions. • Regional & urban‒rural gaps in household emissions narrow as household size expands. China's household dynamics are shifting towards smaller household sizes and lower fertility rates, trends that significantly influence consumption patterns and carbon emissions. This study investigates the discrepancies in household consumption and carbon footprint among different household sizes and structures in China by utilizing an environmentally extended multiregional input‒output model and a China’s household consumption survey. The results reveal that the per capita household carbon footprint decreases with increasing household size. However, even within households of the same size, the per capita carbon footprint varies among different household structures, with households having fewer children typically generating lower emissions. We also found regional and urban‒rural disparities in the household carbon footprint, and these gaps narrow as household size expands. This paper underscores the importance of considering household size and structure when formulating policies aimed at mitigating climate change.