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Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2024) | Viewed by 12776

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Dr. Chao Wang

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Guest Editor

School of Labor Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China
Interests: land use/cover change; carbon emissions and carbon sequestration; ecosystem services
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Jinyan Zhan

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Interests: land use/cover change; ecosystem services; environmental impact scenario estimation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Xueting Zeng

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Guest Editor

Center for Economics and Law, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 10070, China
Interests: energy and environment policy analysis; water resources planning and management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the background of global climate changes and rapid economic growth, there are increasing problems threatening regional sustainable development. The 2 °C and 1.5 °C goals have been established in the Paris Agreement in 2015, requiring all nations to work together to reach net-zero emissions. Controlling carbon emission becomes an important way to realize regional sustainable development. Actually, carbon reduction is closed to the social-economic system, involving the industrial structure, energy consumption, economic scale, and so on. Meanwhile, carbon sequestration, as the important types of ecosystem services, can absorb the carbon emissions of human activities, and help to achieve carbon neutrality. Therefore, from the perspectives of carbon emission and carbon sequestration, exploring the variable sustainable pathways under the carbon neutrality target can help to achieve the SDGs and high-quality development. The existing literature has been carried out to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristic of the carbon sinks and carbon emissions based on the land dynamic system and econometric statistical method. However, the in-depth study about the spatio-temporal estimation of carbon emission, sequestration and carbon neutrality state should further carried out. The variable pathways and comprehensive framework should be proposed and verified to contribute to regional sustainable management. For this Special Issue, we are interested in contributions that link the regional sustainable development, either via conceptual/theoretical work or empirical research, identifying the solutions and pathways for carbon neutrality, including but not limited to:

Land dynamic system;
Ecosystem services;
Carbon emissions and carbon sequestration;
Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality;
Interactions of social- economic-ecological system;
Spatial modelling and simulation;
Regional sustainable development;
SDGs and high-quality development;
Nature-based solutions.

This special issue is a continuation of the Special Issue “Advances in Characterizing and Addressing Land Degradation and Associated Ecosystem Responses” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/Land_Degrad). Contributions in the field of land dynamic system are especially welcome, but research from other socio-economic fields that benefit the regional sustainable development are also highly welcome. Research regarding multi-scale analysis and field survey is also desired.

Dr. Chao Wang
Prof. Dr. Jinyan Zhan
Prof. Dr. Xueting Zeng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

land use/cover change (LUCC)
carbon emissions
ecosystem services
carbon neutrality
spatial modeling
scenario analysis
nature-based solutions

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differentiation of Carbon Sink Enhancement Potential in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region of China

by Huicai Yang, Shuqin Zhao, Zhanfei Qin, Zhiguo Qi, Xinying Jiao and Zhen Li

Land 2024, 13(3), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030375 - 16 Mar 2024

Viewed by 579

Abstract

Carbon sink enhancement is of great significance to achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This study firstly estimated the carbon sink in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region using the carbon absorption coefficient method. Then, this study explored the differentiation of carbon sink enhancement potential with a carbon sink–economic carrying capacity index matrix based on carbon sink carrying capacity and economic carrying capacity under the baseline scenario and target scenario of land use. The results suggested there was a remarkable differentiation in total carbon sink in the study area, reaching 2,056,400 and 1,528,300 tons in Chengde and Zhangjiakou and being below 500,000 tons in Langfang and Hengshui, while carbon sink per unit land area reached 0.66 ton/ha in Qinhuangdao and only 0.28 t/ha in Tianjin under the baseline scenario. Increasing area and optimizing spatial distribution of arable land, garden land, and forest, which made the greatest contribution to total carbon sinks, is an important way of enhancing regional carbon sinks. A hypothetical benchmark city can be constructed according to Qinhuangdao and Beijing, in comparison with which there is potential for carbon sink enhancement by improving carbon sink capacity in Beijing, promoting economic carrying capacity in Qinhuangdao, and improving both in the other cities in the study area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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20 pages, 15939 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Carbon Budgets and Carbon Balance Zoning: A Case Study of the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomerations, China

by Yiqi Fan, Ying Wang, Rumei Han and Xiaoqin Li

Land 2024, 13(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030297 - 27 Feb 2024

Viewed by 725

Abstract

Analysis of the spatial variation characteristics of regional carbon sources/sinks is a prerequisite for clarifying the position of carbon balance zones and formulating measures to reduce emissions and increase sinks. Studies of carbon sinks have often used the coefficient method, which is limited by sample size, measurement error, and low spatial resolution. In this study, 31 cities in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomerations (MRYRUA) were studied with the improved CASA (Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach) model to estimate the grid-scale net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and explore the spatial-temporal evolution of carbon budgets from 2005 to 2020. By calculating the carbon balance index (CBI), economic contribution coefficient (ECC), and ecological support coefficient (ESC), carbon balance zoning was conducted. Corresponding suggestions are based on the carbon balance zoning results. From 2005 to 2020, carbon budgets increased and were high in the north-central region and low in the south. In addition, carbon sink functional zones were distributed in cities with rich ecological resources. Low-carbon economic zones shifted from the Poyang Lake Urban Agglomeration to the Wuhan City Circle; low-carbon optimization zones occurred from the Wuhan City Circle to the Poyang Lake Urban Agglomeration. Carbon intensity control and high-carbon optimization zones were distributed in cities with rapid economic development. Our results support the MRYRUA in achieving “double carbon” targets and formulating regional collaborative emissions reduction policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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24 pages, 7881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Inquiry into the Characteristics of Carbon Emissions in Inter-Provincial Transportation in China: Aiming to Typological Strategies for Carbon Reduction in Regional Transportation

by Yuhao Yang and Fengying Yan

Land 2024, 13(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010015 - 20 Dec 2023

Viewed by 991

Abstract

The low-carbon development of the transportation sector is crucial for China to achieve its national goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Since China is a vast country with unbalanced regional development, there are considerable differences in the levels of carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector across regions. Therefore, revealing the influencing factors that shape the characteristics of transportation carbon dioxide emissions (TCO₂) can inform tailored sub-national carbon reduction strategies based on local conditions, which is an important technical approach for achieving national goals. Based on an extended Kaya identity, we derived indicators of the impacts on provincial TCO₂ from factors such as economic development, population density, energy structure, transportation efficiency, technology research and development (R&D), infrastructure construction, transportation operation conditions, and residents’ transportation behavior. Using a multi-indicator joint characterization method, we explored the characteristics of provincial TCO₂ in China in 2019. By applying Ward’s method to hierarchical clustering, the thirty provinces of China were classified into six characteristic types (Types I to VI). Based on the total TCO₂ (TC), the intensity of TCO₂ (TI), and the per capita TCO₂ (TP) calculated for each province in 2019, the priority control directions and indicators for carbon reduction in each type were obtained through relative relationships with provincial averages and correlation analysis with the indicators. Specifically, Type I and Type IV can be categorized as TP-controlled, Type II and Type III as TC-controlled, and Type V and Type VI as TI-controlled. Finally, we provided typological strategies and key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to local governments to better achieve carbon reduction goals in each provincial type. It can promote cooperative development and collaborative governance in carbon reduction across regions and the unified implementation of China’s dual-carbon goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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17 pages, 6669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scenario Prediction Analysis of Carbon Peak Based on STIRPAT Model-Take South-to-North Water Diversion Central Route Provinces and Cities as an Example

by Qingxiang Meng, Baolu Li, Yanna Zheng, Huimin Zhu, Ziyi Xiong, Yingchao Li and Qingsong Li

Land 2023, 12(11), 2035; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112035 - 08 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 811

Abstract

With the increase in energy demand, environmental issues such as carbon emissions are becoming more and more prominent. China will scale its intended nationally determined contributions by adopting more vigorous policies and measures. China aims to have CO₂ emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The current challenge and priority of China’s high-quality development is to ensure a harmonious balance between the ecological environment and the economy. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project passes through Beijing, Tianjin, Henan, and Hebei, which were chosen as the study sites. The carbon emission data was from the China Carbon Emission Database 2000–2019. Decoupling modeling using statistical yearbook data from four provinces and municipalities. KMO and Bartlett’s test used SPSS 27 software. The selection of indicators was based on relevance. Analyses were performed using the extended STIRPAT model and ridge regression. Moreover, projections of carbon peaks in the study area for 2020–2035 under different rates of change were simulated by the scenario analysis method. The results show that: (1) The decoupling analysis of the four provinces and cities from 2000-2019 gradually shifts to strong decoupling; (2) Resident population, energy structure, and secondary industry as a proportion of GDP significantly impact carbon emissions; (3) From 2000–2035, Beijing and Henan experienced carbon peaks. The peak time in Beijing was 96.836 million tons in 2010. The peak time in Henan was 654.1004 million tons in 2011; (4) There was no peak in Hebei from 2000–2035. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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16 pages, 1273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Forest Ecological Product Value Evaluation and Conversion Efficiency: Case Study from Pearl River Delta, China

by Jingyu Wang, Wei Liu and Fanbing Kong

Land 2023, 12(9), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091803 - 18 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 730

Abstract

Exploring an effective scientific method to measure the economic benefits of ecological products is of great significance for green development. Based on the InVEST model, this paper, taking the Pearl River Delta (PRD) as an example, evaluated the FEPs value in the PRD from 2000 to 2015; using a super-efficient DEA model, the conversion efficiency of ecological products was estimated, and its temporal and spatial variation characteristics were analyzed using the Malmquist index. The results showed that the value of FEPs in the PRD shot up during 2000–2015, and that the regulation services value is the main part of FEPs, followed by the value of cultural service. The overall conversion efficiency of FEPs is improving. However, cities differ greatly. Technical efficiency is the key driving factor for improving forest product conversion efficiency. The main reasons for the current efficiency loss are redundant inputs and insufficient outputs. This paper also suggests that conversion efficiency is a convincing method to evaluate the degree of transformation of ecological environment resources into economic benefits and the degree of ecological and economic coordinated development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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22 pages, 10605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Variation of Per Capita Carbon Emissions and Carbon Compensation Zoning in Chinese Counties

by Juan Chen, Sensen Wu and Laifu Zhang

Land 2023, 12(9), 1796; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091796 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 847

Abstract

The per capita carbon balance and carbon compensation zoning of Chinese counties from the perspective of major function-oriented zones is important for realizing the carbon peaking and carbon neutral target. In this study, the Kernel-K-means++ algorithm is used and a more comprehensive per capita carbon compensation zoning model is constructed. Based on this, combined with the major function-oriented zones, Chinese counties are divided into per capita carbon compensation-type zones. Further, spatial and temporal characteristics are detected, and suggestions for optimizing low-carbon development are put forward. The main results are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2017, the per capita carbon emissions (PCO₂) of Chinese counties were large and showed a trend of stable expansion and a southeast–northwest pattern; (2) the per capita carbon emissions of key development zones accounted for the largest proportion of emissions; (3) there were 1410 payment zones, 170 balanced zones, and 242 compensated zones among China’s counties; and (4) 11 types of carbon compensation space optimization zones were finally formed, and low-carbon development directions and strategies were proposed for each type of area. Based on this, this study promotes regional carbon emissions management and reduction in China and provides a reference for other regions to reduce emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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23 pages, 2486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Domestic Regional Synergy in Achieving National Climate Goals—The Role of Comparative Advantage in Emission Reduction

by Dongxu Chen, Xiaoying Chang, Tao Hong and Tao Ma

Land 2023, 12(9), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091723 - 04 Sep 2023

Viewed by 869

Abstract

Domestic regional synergistic emission reduction is important in achieving national climate goals. This study constructed a game theory-based model for regional synergistic emission reduction, modified the Basic Climate Game using the exact-hat algebra method, and expanded the game model using a general spatial equilibrium model to incorporate cross-regional economic impacts generated by emission reduction actions through factors and product flows. The formation of regional comparative advantages in emission reductions and their impact on synergistic emission reductions were revealed through regional characteristics such as emission elasticity, sectoral structure, regional trade shares, and green total factor productivity. A form of synergy was then proposed that utilizes the comparative advantages of different regions, allowing for synergistic emission reductions across different income regions and engagement with regions that are still at the carbon-peaking stage in cooperation. Moreover, the model was created to be as close to the economic reality as possible to provide a trade, industry, and economic growth policy that complements emission-reduction policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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20 pages, 5532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Variation and Development Stage of CO₂ Emissions of Urban Agglomerations in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

by Qikai Lu, Tiance Lv, Sirui Wang and Lifei Wei

Land 2023, 12(9), 1678; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091678 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 864

Abstract

As the world’s largest developing country, China has played an important role in the achievement of the global CO₂ emissions mitigation goal. The monitoring and analysis of CO₂ emissions in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) urban agglomerations is strategic to the carbon peak and carbon neutrality in China. In this paper, we revealed the spatial and temporal variations of CO₂ emissions in Cheng-Yu urban agglomeration (CY-UA), Yangtze River Middle-Reach urban agglomeration (YRMR-UA), and Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRD-UA) in YREB and investigated the carbon emission development stage of YREB urban agglomerations. Particularly, a carbon emission development stage framework that considered the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions was built based on Environmental Kuznets Curves (EKCs). Meanwhile, multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) was used to analyze the impact of different influencing factors, including population (POP), GDP per capita (GDPPC), the proportion of secondary industry (SI), carbon emission intensity (CI), and urbanization (UR), on the CO₂ emissions of three urban agglomerations. The results illustrate the following: (1) The CO₂ emissions of YREB urban agglomerations decreased, with YRD-UA having the highest CO₂ emissions among the three urban agglomerations and contributing 41.87% of YREB CO₂ emissions in 2017. (2) CY-UA, YRMR-UA, and YRD-UA reached the CO₂ emissions peak in 2012, 2011, and 2020, respectively, all of which are at the low-carbon stage. (3) POP and GDPPC show the greatest impact on the CO₂ emissions of the three YREB urban agglomerations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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19 pages, 3993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Correlation Analysis of Carbon Emissions in the Nine Provinces along the Yellow River since the 21st Century Using Nighttime Light Data

by Yaohui Liu, Wenyi Liu, Peiyuan Qiu, Jie Zhou and Linke Pang

Land 2023, 12(7), 1469; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071469 - 23 Jul 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1213

Abstract

Monitoring carbon emissions is crucial for assessing and addressing economic development and climate change, particularly in regions like the nine provinces along the Yellow River in China, which experiences significant urbanization and development. However, to the best of our knowledge, existing studies mainly focus on national and provincial scales, with fewer studies on municipal and county scales. To address this issue, we established a carbon emission assessment model based on the “NPP-VIIRS-like” nighttime light data, aiming to analyze the spatiotemporal variation of carbon emissions in three different levels of nine provinces along the Yellow River since the 21st century. Further, the spatial correlation of carbon emissions at the county level was explored using the Moran’s I spatial analysis method. Results show that, from 2000 to 2021, carbon emissions in this region continued to rise, but the growth rate declined, showing an overall convergence trend. Per capita carbon emission intensity showed an overall upward trend, while carbon emission intensity per unit of GDP showed an overall downward trend. Its spatial distribution generally showed high carbon emissions in the eastern region and low carbon emissions in the western region. The carbon emissions of each city mainly showed a trend of “several”; that is, the urban area around the Yellow River has higher carbon emissions. Meanwhile, there is a trend of higher carbon emissions in provincial capitals. Moran’s I showed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing and gradually tended to a stable state in the later stage, and the pattern of spatial agglomeration was relatively fixed. “High–High” and “Low–Low” were the main types of local spatial autocorrelation, and the number of counties with “High–High” agglomeration increased significantly, while the number of counties with “Low–Low” agglomeration gradually decreased. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the carbon emission trends of the study area, as well as the references that help to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals proposed by China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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17 pages, 3049 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Driving Mechanism of Urban Construction Land Expansion along with Rapid Urbanization and Carbon Neutrality in Beijing, China

by Huicai Yang, Jingtao Ma, Xinying Jiao, Guofei Shang and Haiming Yan

Land 2023, 12(7), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071388 - 12 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 964

Abstract

Escalating urban issues in Beijing call for comprehensive exploration of urban construction land expansion towards the goal of carbon neutrality. Firstly, urban construction land in Beijing during the period 2005–2020 was accurately detected using Landsat images and impervious surface data, and then its expansion characteristics were revealed. Finally, the driving mechanism of urban construction land expansion was explored using geographically and temporally weighted regression from the input–output perspective. The results showed that the expansion speed and intensity of urban construction land in Beijing showed an overall tendency to slow down, and the center of urban expansion shifted to the new urban development zone and ecological function conservation zone. Urban construction land expansion in the central urban area was first scattered and then compact, while that in the new urban development zone and ecological function conservation zone primarily followed an outward pattern. The permanent population, per capita GDP, and per capita retail sales of social consumer goods were the primary driving factors of urban construction land expansion in Beijing, the impacts of which varied significantly among different districts of Beijing. All these results can provide a solid foundation for improving land use policies towards the goal of carbon neutrality in highly urbanized areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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19 pages, 2525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eco-Efficiency of the Urban Agglomerations: Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Determinations

by Shuting Xue, Chao Wang, Shibin Zhang, Chuyao Weng and Yuxi Zhang

Land 2023, 12(7), 1275; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071275 - 23 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 948

Abstract

Attaining optimal eco-efficiency is of paramount importance in promoting the sustainable and harmonious development of the economy and environment within urban agglomerations. Firstly, this paper utilizes the Super-SBM model with undesirable output to measure the eco-efficiency (EE) of 64 cities in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei metropolitan region (BTHMR), the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), the Pearl River Delta (PRD), and the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Zone (CCEZ) from 2006 to 2019. Secondly, this study puts forth a novel and comprehensive index system aimed at evaluating the urbanization efficiency and sheds light on the spatiotemporal changes in EE and urbanization efficiency. Finally, the STIRPAT model is used to examine the influencing factors of EE and to investigate the correlation between EE and urbanization efficiency. The study found that the overall EE of the four typical urban agglomerations is high, but the trend varies with a decrease of about 12.9% from 2006 to 2019. The mean EE is in the order of CCEZ > PRD > BTHMR > YRD, with mean values of 0.941, 0.909, 0.842, and 0.732, respectively. The level of science and technology and the urbanization efficiency have a significant positive impact on EE, while population, industrial structure, FDI, and greening level have an inhibitory effect on urban eco-efficiency. Based on the results, policy suggestions such as paying attention to regional heterogeneity and giving full play to the government’s macro-regulatory role in shaping the economic and industrial structure are proposed to serve as a guide for the coordinated development of urban agglomerations under the Dual Carbon Target. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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18 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Carbon Emissions Reduction in China: Perspectives of Political Mobility

by Zhichao Li and Bojia Liu

Land 2023, 12(4), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040903 - 18 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1165

Abstract

Climate change is one of the largest challenges facing mankind, and the question of how to reduce carbon emissions has raised extensive concern all over the world. However, due to the lack of mechanisms to explain the impact of political factors on environmental regulatory tools, the evaluation of carbon emissions reduction is insufficient in the majority of previous studies. How to better explore the path of carbon emissions reduction has become the key for China to achieve carbon neutralization as soon as possible. Based on a quasi-natural experiment regarding China’s carbon emission trading policy, this paper adopts a difference-in-differences model to address the impact of political mobility on China’s carbon emissions trading policy, and the selected pilot and non-pilot provinces of this policy in China enabled the model to be matched. Using a panel database with 30 provincial administrative units as the observation objects, the results show that China’s carbon emissions trading policy and the horizontal mobility experience of the provincial governors exert a significant positive effect on carbon emission reduction. Additionally, this study identifies a latent factor previously ignored by the existing literature: the correlation between political factors and carbon emissions. This verifies our theoretical hypothesis that officials transferred from the provincial level tend to have higher performance regarding carbon emission reduction. This paper also provides suggestions for the central government to further plan and implement carbon emission reduction policies and mobilize the incentives of local officials in environmental governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Management Pathways to Carbon Neutrality)

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