Understanding changes in household carbon footprint during rapid urbanization in China

Amidst unprecedented urbanization, China's large-scale population migrated from rural to urban. The updated study on the change of household carbon footprints (HCF) of three groups is needed for understanding urban-rural disparities in the context of the hukou system. We calculated consumption-based HCF based on 22 indicators. Three main urban-rural groups were distinguished based on hukou status, to unravel urban-rural HCF differences. Findings showed that, average per capita HCF of urban non-agricultural households (UNAHs) was greatly higher, while that of urban agricultural households (UAHs) increased more rapidly. Thus, they should be key groups to mitigate HCFs. Notably, there were significant HCF disparities across consumption categories among different urban-rural groups. Electricity consumption, eating at home and car purchase were the largest contributors to HCF disparities. Thus, the carbon reduction potential of these categories was large. Moreover, both UAHs and rural agricultural households exhibited significantly higher within-group HCFs inequalities compared to UNAHs, highlighting the polarization effects. Narrowing HCF inequality necessitates reforming hukou system to assist UAHs in enjoying more basic urban benefits. The study hopes contribute to understanding urban-rural HCF change based on China's hukou system and to reduce HCF and its inequality during rapid urbanization.