Toward Sustainable Production and Consumption: Exploring the Structural Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of the Intermediate Goods Embodied Carbon Emissions

ABSTRACT Trade‐induced embodied carbon emissions from intermediate goods exacerbate regional carbon imbalances and thereby impede the achievement of SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production. From a network perspective, this study explores the structural characteristics and formation mechanisms of China's intermediate goods embodied carbon emissions (IEC) using environmentally extended multi‐regional input–output, social network analysis, and exponential random graph models. The results show that: (1) IEC transfers exhibit a geographical divergence, with coastal regions being net outflows and central/western regions net inflows. (2) The degree of mutual influence gradually increases and the number of IEC associations between regions is either 9 or 10. The macro roles of regional have changed. (3) Energy intensity and industrial structure facilitate the formation of IEC associations, while the permanent resident population promotes the formation of IEC receiving associations. Geographical distance hinders the formation of IEC associations. This study contributes to SDG 12 by providing a network‐based framework for cross‐regional carbon governance.