Unveiling the Intrinsic Linkages Between “Water–Carbon–Ecology” Footprints in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin

Daiwei Zhang (), Ming Jing, Weiwei Chen, Buhui Chang, Ting Li, Shuai Zhang, En Liu, Ziming Li and Chang Liu
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Daiwei Zhang: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Ming Jing: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Weiwei Chen: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Buhui Chang: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Ting Li: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Shuai Zhang: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
En Liu: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Ziming Li: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Chang Liu: Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 450003, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Unveiling the relationship between the “Water–Carbon–Ecology” (W-C-E) footprints embodied in regional trade and resource flows is crucial for enhancing the synergistic benefits between economic development and environmental protection. This study constructs an association framework based on the Multi-Regional Input–Output (MRIO) model to systematically evaluate the “W-C-E” footprints and resource flow characteristics of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin. By integrating import and export trade data, this study reveals the patterns of resource flows within and outside these regions. This research delineates the connection patterns between the “W-C-E” footprints and resource flows across three dimensions: spatial, sectoral, and environmental–economic factors. The results indicate that the Yangtze River Economic Belt has gained significant economic benefits from regional trade but also bears substantial environmental costs. Import and export trade further exacerbate the imbalance in regional resource flows, with the Yangtze River Economic Belt exporting many embodied resources through high-energy-consuming products, while the Yellow River Basin increases resource input by importing products such as food and tobacco. Sectoral analysis reveals that agriculture, electricity and water supply, and mining are the sectors with the highest net output of “W-C-E” footprints in both regions, whereas services, food and tobacco, and construction are the sectors with the highest net input. The comprehensive framework of this study can be extended to the analysis of resource–environment–economic systems in other regions, providing methodological support for depicting complex human–land system linkage patterns.

Keywords: Yangtze Economic Belt; Yellow River basin; “W-C-E” footprints; MRIO; input–output (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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