Spatial Differentiation of Carbon Budgets and Carbon Balance Zoning in China Based on the Land Use Perspective

Abstract

Carbon emission reduction in China is of great significance to curb global warming. Based on the land use perspective, the spatial characteristics of carbon emissions and carbon sinks in 30 Chinese provinces were analyzed and the carbon balance was partitioned by combining the economic contribution coefficient (ECC) and ecological support coefficient (ESC). It was found that (1) the intensity of land use in China is strong, being high in the southeast and low in the northwest, divided by the Heihe–Tengchong Line, and carbon source and carbon sink lands show clear spatial heterogeneity. (2) Total carbon emissions show clear spatial heterogeneity. Carbon emissions from construction land are the main source of carbon emissions. The carbon emission intensity and per capita carbon emissions are both high in the north and low in the south. (3) The total carbon sink is high in the north–south and low in the middle of the country, and woodland and grassland are the main sites of terrestrial carbon absorption. The overall carbon sink intensity shows a continuous decrease from southeast to northwest. (4) Based on the ECC and ESC indicators, 30 provinces were divided into four carbon zones and differentiated low-carbon development suggestions are proposed.