Exploring urban household carbon inequality in terms of ecological and economic contributions: Empirical evidence based on nighttime light data

Yiwen Zhao and Yi Yang

Ecological Economics, 2026, vol. 239, issue C

Abstract: Managing and optimizing household carbon emissions has become an essential part of climate policy. Integrating a just transition into climate action holds profound significance for achieving sustainable development. In this study, nighttime light data are used to calculate household carbon emissions in 284 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2022. The equality of household carbon emissions is investigated in relation to income levels and ecological carrying capacity, revealing the underlying driving factors. The results indicate that household carbon emissions have been continuously increasing. Approximately 18 % of cities demonstrate a greater economic contribution, whereas 50 % of cities show a greater contribution to the ecological carrying capacity. The Gini coefficient between income levels and household carbon emissions demonstrated equality prior to 2017, whereas the Gini coefficient between the ecological carrying capacity and household carbon emissions indicated inequality. Some cities in the eastern and central regions in China bear the burden of economic contribution inequality, whereas cities in the northeastern and western regions bear the burden of ecological carrying capacity contribution inequality. Population density, economic growth, internet penetration, the industrial structure, and openness exert heterogeneous impacts on the inequality of household carbon emissions. It is recommended that carbon inclusion mechanisms be formulated for different income groups, fine-tuned household carbon emissions regulation and data stratification management be promoted, ecological compensation mechanisms be improved, and regional synergistic governance capacity and information-sharing mechanisms be upgraded. These measures aim to achieve the dual benefits of poverty alleviation and emission reduction.

Keywords: Household carbon emissions; Equality; Economic contribution; Ecological carrying capacity; Gini coefficient; Driving factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:239:y:2026:i:c:s092180092500237x

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108754

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