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The role of vegetation carbon sequestration in offsetting energy carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Basin, China

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  • Wenle Yang

    (Northwest Normal University)

  • Jinghu Pan

    (Northwest Normal University)

Abstract

Carbon sequestration in terrestrial vegetation can’t be underestimated in terms of offsetting CO2 emissions from energy consumption. However, it is not clear to what extent terrestrial vegetation can offset energy-related CO2 emissions, and how effective it is to achieve regional carbon neutrality through vegetation carbon sinks. To clarify the offsetting effect of vegetation carbon sink on energy carbon emissions and support the promotion of achieving the goal of carbon neutrality, we selected the Yangtze River basin (YRB) as the research area, and explored the spatial distribution and service coverage of vegetation-energy carbon balance (VECB) in the basin at the grid scale. We also analyzed the ability of vegetation to maintain carbon balance within the basin, and estimated spatial distribution of energy carbon emissions by using nighttime light images and panel data model. Spatial distribution of vegetation carbon sequestration was calculated by using net primary productivity (NPP) and the Intelligent Urban Ecosystem Management System (IUEMS). Finally, the ability of vegetation to maintain carbon balance was quantified by introducing gas diffusion coefficient. Results showed that, on the whole, energy carbon emissions in YRB are distributed along the main Yangtze River and its main tributaries. Vegetation carbon sink in YRB mainly circulates around the Sichuan Basin and aggregates in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. From 2000 to 2019, VECB in 58% of the basin increased. In 85% of the basin, CO2 generated by energy consumption can be completely offset by vegetation carbon sinks alone. In 2000, 2010 and 2019, the average offset ratio of vegetation to energy carbon emissions in the carbon imbalance region was 51.8%, 40.5% and 39.7%, respectively. The ability of vegetation to maintain carbon balance in YRB decreased gradually from 2000 to 2019. Spatial service range of VECB in YRB decreased gradually in space, with a decrease of 175.22 km from 2000 to 2010 and 22.93 km from 2010 to 2019.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenle Yang & Jinghu Pan, 2024. "The role of vegetation carbon sequestration in offsetting energy carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Basin, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 22689-22714, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:9:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03572-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03572-8
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