Synergistic Management of Water, energy, and carbon: A case Study from Shandong Province, China

To explore the composite effects of water resource prices, carbon emission, water resource taxes, and their interactions on the socio-economic system, a dynamic Water-Energy-Carbon Nexus Equilibrium (WECCGE) model has been developed. By incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index assessment analysis, the sustainable development capacity of implementing different water resource policies have been evaluated under dual carbon goals. The WECCGE is applied to Shandong Province and concludes that the province is poised to achieve carbon peak by 2030 and a significant 79.3 % decrease in carbon intensity by 2060, in line with China's dual carbon objectives. The results indicate that the variations in sectoral carbon emissions due to water resource taxes are negligible, amounting to less than 0.06 %. Multivariate analyses demonstrate that water resource pricing and taxation, coupled with carbon emissions, positively influence provincial GDP, suggesting that environmental policies can yield economic benefits. Moreover, the research indicates that the enforcement of water resource policies, particularly raising water prices by 20 %, significantly amplifies Shandong Province's capability for sustainable development, leading to a 12.2 % enhancement. This research offers policymakers valuable insights into the strategic management of water resources, energy consumption, and carbon emissions, guiding the development of effective environmental policies and economic strategies that are in harmony with sustainable development goals.