Decoupling Analysis of Carbon Emissions in the Korean Pulp-Paper Industry Using the Kaya Identity

Ho Sang Lee; Jin Ho Seo

doi:10.7584/JKTAPPI.2025.10.57.5.44

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2025 Vol.57, Issue 5 Preview Page Next Page

Original Paper

Decoupling Analysis of Carbon Emissions in the Korean Pulp-Paper Industry Using the Kaya Identity 한국 제지산업의 Kaya 항등식 기반 탄소 탈동조화 분석

30 October 2025. pp. 44-50

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Abstract

This study analyzes the decoupling relationship between carbon emissions and economic growth in Korea’s pulp and paper industry using the Kaya identity, Tapio’s decoupling elasticity, and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition. From 2012 to 2023, the Tapio elasticity was -0.380, indicating an overall deThe annual results revealed repeated strong decoupling (2013, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2023), weak decoupling in several years, and one case of negative decoupling in 2017. The LMDI results identified reductions in energy intensity as the dominant factor that offsets emission growth driven by increased output, while improvements in carbon intensity were limited and occasionally contributed to higher emissions. These findings highlight the importance of energy efficiency improvements at the process level, such as waste-heat recovery, boiler retrofitting, and operational control systems. Furthermore, greater utilization of biomass fuels and access to low-carbon electricity are essential to achieving sustainable emission reduction in the pulp and paper industry. A limitation of this study is that it focuses on direct emissions (Scope 1); therefore, future studies should incorporate indirect emissions (Scope 2) from purchased electricity to capture the full decarof the industry.

Keywords

Pulp and paper industry

Kaya identity

decoupling

Tapio elasticity

LMDI

CO₂ emissions

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Information

Publisher :Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
Publisher(Ko) :한국펄프종이공학회
Journal Title :Journal of Korea TAPPI
Journal Title(Ko) :펄프종이기술
Volume : 57
No :5
Pages :44-50
Received Date : 2025-09-16
Revised Date : 2025-10-10
Accepted Date : 2025-10-10
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7584/JKTAPPI.2025.10.57.5.44

Journal of Korea TAPPI ISSN:0253-3200(Print) 펄프종이기술

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