Abstract
Mapping changes in carbon emissions and carbon storage (CECS) with high precision at a small scale (urban street-block level) can improve governmental policy decisions with respect to the construction of low-carbon cities. In this study, a methodological framework for assessing the carbon budget and its spatiotemporal changes from 2015 to 2017 in Wuhan is proposed, which is able to monitor a large area. To estimate the carbon storage, a comprehensive coefficient model was adopted with carbon density factors and corresponding land cover types. Details regarding land cover were extracted from the Geographic National Census Data (GNCD), including forests, grasslands, croplands, and gardens. For the carbon emissions, an emission-factor model was first used and a spatialization operation was subsequently performed using the geographic location that was obtained from the GNCD. The carbon emissions that were identified in the study are from fossil-fuel consumption, industrial production processes, disposal of urban domestic refuse, and transportation. The final dynamic changes in the CECS, in addition to the net carbon emissions, were monitored and analyzed, yielding temporal and spatial maps with a high-precision at a small scale. The results showed that the carbon storage in Wuhan declined by 2.70% over the three years, whereas the carbon emissions initially increased by 0.2%, and subsequently decreased by 3.1% over this period. The trend in the net carbon emission changes was similar to that of the carbon emissions, demonstrating that the efficiency of carbon reduction was improved during this period. Precise spatiotemporal results at the street-block level can offer insights to governments that are engaged in urban carbon cycle decision making processes, improving their capacities to more effectively manage the spatial distribution of CECS.
Highlights
The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group reported that 80% of the global anthropogenic greenhouse gases, which are mainly composed of carbon dioxide (CO2), are emitted from cities [1]
Monitoring the spatial and temporal changes in carbon emissions and carbon storage (CECS) in urban ecosystems is important for governments that are engaged in decision-making processes for low carbon cities
The Geographic National Census Data (GNCD) combined with factors affecting carbon emissions and carbon storage was successfully used to obtain the temporal and spatial carbon budget changes in an urban setting
Summary
The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group reported that 80% of the global anthropogenic greenhouse gases, which are mainly composed of carbon dioxide (CO2), are emitted from cities [1]. These cities are often characterized by high concentrations of population, vehicles, energy consumption, and industries. The reduction in the CO2 emissions from urban systems is, essential for the reduction in global greenhouse gas concentrations. The first is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in particular, energy consumption by improving energy efficiency and developing alternative energy sources [4,5]. Monitoring the spatial and temporal changes in carbon emissions and carbon storage (CECS) in urban ecosystems is important for governments that are engaged in decision-making processes for low carbon cities
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