Fairness analysis and compensation strategy in the Triangle of Central China driven by water-carbon-ecological footprints.

Yizhong Chen,Youfeng Qiao,Jing Li,Hongwei Lu,Jun Xia,Pengdong Yan,Lixia Ren

doi:10.1007/s11356-021-14688-7

Abstract

This study proposes water-carbon-ecological footprints to form footprint family indicators for identifying the ecological compensation and regional development equilibrium in the Triangle of Central China (TOCC). The occupation of natural capital stock and flow consumption can be illustrated using a three-dimensional ecological footprint model, and Gini coefficient is integrated into the evaluation framework for fairness measurement from various aspects. Quantificational ecological compensation standards can be given with considering indicators associated with ecological resource conversion efficiency and willingness to pay. Results reveal that ecological and carbon footprints in the TOCC demonstrate rising trends from 2000 to 2015, while its water footprint presents a fluctuating trend. The majority of average Gini coefficients exceed the threshold value of 0.4 under different footprints, thereby indicating poor overall fairness of regional development. Water footprint in Jingmen, Xiangtan, and Yichun show relatively higher compensation expenses, while Yichang, Zhuzhou, and Fuzhou exhibit higher received compensation values compared with other cities. Carbon footprint in Wuhan, Loudi, and Xinyu indicate high compensation expenses due to their overuse of biological resources. Maximum amounts of compensation expense appear in Nanchang and Wuhan from the perspective of ecological footprint. This study can provide a theoretical reference for sustainable development in the TOCC by performing a comparative analysis with Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration and developed countries.

Highlights

This study proposed a footprint family-based compensation approach, which can effectively avoid the influence of subjective factors
A footprint family-based compensation model is developed for descripting the spatial-temporal dynamics in water-carbon-ecological footprints and compensation strategies at the city scale across the Triangle of Central China (TOCC), China
Most of the ecological, water, and carbon footprints in the WMA&Xiang-Jing-Yi City Group (XJYCG) lie in the intervals of [2, 4], [0.5, 1.5], and [0, 0.5] hm2/cap, respectively; those in the Chang-Zhu-Tan City Group (CZTCG) appear in the intervals of [2, 4], [0.8, 1.0], and [0.2, 0.4] hm2/cap, respectively; those in the PLCG exist in the intervals of [1, 2], [0.6, 0.8], and [0, 0.5] hm2/cap, respectively; (b) in the view of water footprint, its average population, GDP, and water resources Gini coefficients reach 0.373, 0.450, and 0.442 from 2000 to 2015, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable development has become a common concern (Shulla et al, 2020), and involves three aspects (Fedele et al, 2019): (a) further development of biodiversity and ecosystem services, (b) coordinated development of the economic, social and human well-being, and (c) economic development and environmental protection complement each other. With these concerns, China’s sustainable development should maintain long-term ecological sustainability and regional equity. The concept of footprint family (FF), such as ecological, carbon and water footprints, has received much attention to integrate ecological conservation and socio-economic 68 development (Song et al, 2018; Dabkienė et al, 2020)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion