Re-Evaluating the Value of Ecosystem Based on Carbon Benefit: A Case Study in Chengdu, China

Mengting Dong, Zeyuan Liu, Xiufeng Ni, Zhulin Qi, Jinnan Wang () and Qingyu Zhang ()
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Mengting Dong: College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Zeyuan Liu: College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Xiufeng Ni: College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Zhulin Qi: College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Jinnan Wang: College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Qingyu Zhang: College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Despite the acknowledged importance of terrestrial ecosystems in achieving carbon neutrality, current carbon accounting predominantly focuses on CO 2 uptake, neglecting indirect contributions from ecosystem services, such as temperature regulation and air purification. We established a carbon benefit (C benefit) accounting framework that integrated these services and analyzed the drivers influencing the spatial and temporal changes in the C benefit. It was found that the average annual growth rate of C benefits in Chengdu over the past 20 years was 0.91 Tg/a, and the CO 2 emissions reduction due to ecosystem services was 22.47 times that of carbon sinks. Therefore, the contribution of ecosystem regulating services to carbon neutrality cannot be ignored. In addition, the elevation, gross domestic product (GDP), and normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) are key factors affecting C benefits. It is worth noting that the intensive management of constructed ecosystems can result in significant reductions in ecosystem C benefits. Finally, our findings underline the need for low-carbon policies to not only promote carbon sink projects but also enhance the overall capacity of ecosystem services, which could substantially mitigate global climate change.

Keywords: carbon accounting models; carbon benefits; ecosystem service; influence mechanisms; low-carbon policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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