Ecological compensation of grain trade within urban, rural areas and provinces in China: a prospect of a carbon transfer mechanism

Abstract

In order to solve regional ecological inequity in carbon emissions, building a balanced ecological compensation mechanism is paramountly important. With the help of the carbon transfer mechanism, the study is designed to evaluate the ecological compensation of grain trade within urban, rural areas, and provinces in China. This current study applied the carbon footprint model of grain crops in various provinces and measures d the inter-provincial and urban–rural carbon transfer through a multi-objective optimization model. Obtained results show that the carbon footprint of crops for per-unit production of corn, wheat, and rice is higher in the southwest and northeast region than that of the northwest and southeast region, but across the regions, a net carbon sink trend was observed. The carbon footprint of wheat production in Inner Mongolia and rice in Shandong showed a net carbon emission effect and had negative externalities toward environmental protection. Carbon balance can be attained with a balance carbon payment system, but a proper carbon payment mechanism is not developed in China. Hence, concerning establishing a scientific and reasonable time-worthy carbon ecological compensation policy is urged by this current study.