Carbon Balance Matching Relationships and Spatiotemporal Evolution Patterns in China’s National-Level Metropolitan Areas

Mengqi Liu, Yang Yu, Maomao Zhang, Pengtao Wang (), Nuo Shi, Yichen Ren and Di Zhang
Additional contact information
Mengqi Liu: School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Yang Yu: School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Maomao Zhang: College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430079, China
Pengtao Wang: School of Tourism, Xi’an International Studies University, Xi’an 710128, China
Nuo Shi: School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Yichen Ren: School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Di Zhang: School of Asian and African Studies, Xi’an International Studies University, Xi’an 710128, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-26

Abstract: In the urgent context of global climate change and carbon neutrality goals, effective carbon balance regulation is critical for achieving temperature control targets. Metropolitan areas encounter significant challenges in carbon emission reduction, energy transition advancement, and enhancement of sequestration capabilities. However, traditional carbon balance analysis methods have limitations in capturing dynamic changes and guiding precise regulation. Therefore, this study developed a dynamic–static classification system for carbon balance based on the Ecological Support Coefficient (ESC) and the Economic Contributive Coefficient (ECC). This system examined carbon emissions and carbon sequestration in China’s 14 national-level metropolitan areas from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that: (1) Carbon emissions showed an increasing trend, exhibiting a spatial distribution with higher levels in the north, moderate levels in the central region, and the lowest levels in the southeast. In contrast, carbon sequestration exhibited a spatial pattern with higher levels in the east, moderate levels in the central region, and lower levels in the west. (2) Static classification revealed that the ECC and ESC of metropolitan areas in the central and northern regions were relatively weaker than those in other regions. Dynamic classification further showed an upward trend in the economic and ecological capabilities of these central and northern metropolitan areas. In contrast, metropolitan areas along the coast and within the Yangtze River Economic Belt needed to optimize their economic–ecological coordination efficiency. Although southern coastal metropolitan areas demonstrated robust economic vitality, they encountered significant ecological support pressures. (3) Economic development level and ecological environmental quality were the predominant factors in metropolitan area classification. Regions with a higher ECC tended to exhibit an enhanced ESC, while regions with a stronger ESC prioritized economic growth. This classification system provided a solid scientific basis for formulating differentiated low-carbon transformation strategies, thereby supporting high-quality development in China’s metropolitan areas while maintaining a dynamic balance between economic and ecologic objectives. Moreover, it offered both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for optimizing sustainable development pathways in similar metropolitan areas globally.

Keywords: carbon emissions; carbon balance zoning; national metropolitan areas; ecological support coefficient; economic contributive coefficient (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/800/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/800/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:800-:d:1630068

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().