Research on Carbon Emission Reduction and Preservation Strategies for Fresh Agricultural Products Under Different Cost-Sharing Mechanisms

This study investigates the dynamic carbon emission reduction strategies in a three-tier cold chain supply system consisting of producer, third-party logistics (TPL) provider, and retailer. Using differential game theory, it explores the emission reduction and preservation strategies of supply chain members under different cost-sharing mechanisms. This study finds that when the entity with higher marginal profits shares the costs, the TPL provider increases its efforts in emission reductions and research and development (R&D) investment. The producer and retailer are more willing to enhance their emission reduction efforts when sharing emission reduction costs, which increases carbon emission reduction and decreases overall emissions. Cost-sharing for preservation enhances the TPL provider’s R&D enthusiasm but does not affect the total emission reduction. When the marginal profits of the producer and retailer reach a certain level, sharing both emission reductions and preservation costs can simultaneously improve carbon reduction and preservation quality. An emission reduction cost-sharing contract can increase corporate profits, while a preservation cost-sharing contract further enhances profitability based on emission reduction cost sharing. Furthermore, the carbon emission reduction and preservation quality of fresh products gradually increase over time and eventually stabilize.