Development of carbon emission interactive network model: A case study of Northeast Industrial District

Urban carbon emission is one of the hotspots of global change research. The interactive relationships among the carbon emissions of various sectors within the social-economic system are often overlooked. The goal of this research is to take Northeast Industrial District (NID) including Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces as a special case study to explore the impact of different emission sources on the internal interaction of carbon emission system. To do so, a carbon emission interactive network (CEIN) model is developed to demonstrate the interactions of embodied carbon emissions within the system using factorial analysis and input output analysis. The control situation and mutual interactions between sectors within the system of NID were examined, and the impacts of different emission sources on the internal interaction of carbon emission system were discussed. Moreover, the utility indicators were revised to distinguish the impact of system boundaries on changes in system ecological relationships and evaluate the comprehensive properties of the system. It is found that the indirect emissions of NID were huge. Liaoning Province had the largest total emissions during the study period, with indirect emissions accounting for more than 60% of the total emissions. The pulling weights of the agricultural sector in three provinces of the system were significantly insufficient, with all weights less than 3%. The driving weights of the agricultural, mining and primary manufacture sectors in three provinces were insufficient, while the driving weight of the advanced manufacture sector was excessively strong. The most important transmission department did not have the most important effect on the network mutualism. The definition of system boundary had a huge impact on the accounting of system emissions. The results will provide a scientific basis for guiding the reform of the carbon emission system and achieving regional coordinated development.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the impact of different emission sources on the internal interaction of carbon emission system in Northeast Industrial District, finding huge indirect emissions, insufficient pulling weights of the agricultural sector, and excessively strong driving weight of the advanced manufacture sector as key issues. The results will provide a scientific basis for guiding the reform of the carbon emission system and achieving regional coordinated development.