Liu Ranbin, Ma Yan, Zhang Huanlun, Han Dingrong, Hao Xiaodi, Li Shuang, Geng Xiao
Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, PR China; Beijing Energy Conservation & Sustainable Urban and Rural Development Provincial and Ministry Co-construction Collaboration Innovation Center, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, PR China.
Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, PR China.
J Environ Manage. 2025 Apr;380:124869. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124869. Epub 2025 Mar 12.
Under China's "Dual Carbon Goal", the wastewater treatment system plays a crucial role in the country's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, a lack of baseline emissions data poses challenges for decarbonization efforts. This study aims to profile and diagnose the GHG emissions of China's entire wastewater system and identify key contributing factors. Our findings show that China's wastewater system, including wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and septic tanks, is responsible for significant emissions, with baseline estimates at 108.26 ± 47.37 Mt CO-eq/a. Septic tanks and WWTPs emerged as the major GHG hotspots, contributing the most to the total emissions. This study highlights the variability in emission results from previous literature, stressing the need for consistent accounting methods and scientific emission factors. Additionally, current on-site monitoring practices in China show gaps, which hinder the accurate determination of baseline emissions. To guide future emission reduction strategies, regulatory frameworks and improved monitoring practices are recommended for the wastewater sector in China.
在中国的“双碳目标”下，污水处理系统在国家减少温室气体（GHG）排放的努力中发挥着关键作用。然而，缺乏基线排放数据给脱碳工作带来了挑战。本研究旨在剖析和诊断中国整个污水系统的温室气体排放，并确定关键影响因素。我们的研究结果表明，中国的污水系统，包括污水处理厂（WWTPs）和化粪池，产生了大量排放，基线估计为108.26±47.37 Mt CO2-eq/a。化粪池和污水处理厂成为主要的温室气体排放热点，对总排放量的贡献最大。本研究强调了以往文献中排放结果的可变性，强调需要统一的核算方法和科学的排放因子。此外，中国目前的现场监测做法存在差距，这阻碍了对基线排放的准确测定。为指导未来的减排战略，建议为中国污水行业建立监管框架并改进监测做法。
