The Evolution and Response of Space Utilization Efficiency and Carbon Emissions: A Comparative Analysis of Spaces and Regions

Abstract

Space utilization and climate change are related to human survival and development. Identifying the relationship between development and conservation is the foundation of sustainable development. We used the kernel density curve, spatial analysis, and the sensitivity model to study the spatial use efficiency and carbon emissions evolution characteristics at the provincial and regional levels in China from 1999 to 2019. The results show that a trend of high efficiency and low carbon emissions in southeast coastal cities and towns is gradually forming, and agricultural spaces are moving toward high efficiency and high carbon emissions patterns. The evolution paths of space utilization efficiency and carbon emissions differ significantly across spaces and regions. We also found similarities in how carbon emissions intensity responds to changes in spatial utilization efficiency in the Yangtze and Yellow River basin urban agglomeration. The study provides practical suggestions for the high-quality development of territorial space, ecological environment management, and sustainable development in light of spatiotemporal changes.