Primary Suppliers Driving Atmospheric Mercury Emissions through Global Supply Chains

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, which came into force in 2017, aims to control mercury-related risks to human beings and ecosystems by reducing anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions. Existing studies have identified direct atmospheric Hg emitters and final consumers causing atmospheric Hg emissions but overlooked primary suppliers driving atmospheric Hg emissions through global supply chains. Here, we identify critical primary suppliers and supply-chain paths for global atmospheric Hg emissions in 2015. Results show that China, Indonesia, and India are major primary suppliers causing global atmospheric Hg emissions. Major sectors and critical supply-chain paths from the supply viewpoint are related to resource extraction and power generation. Findings of this study can support supply-side measures to implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury, such as the optimization of labor and capital input structures and the optimization of product-allocation behaviors to downstream producers.