Unfolding the evolution of carbon inequality embodied in inter-provincial trade of China: Network perspective analysis

The mismatch between carbon transfer and economic benefits embodied in inter-provincial trade generates carbon inequality among provinces. Exacerbating carbon inequality would diminish the effectiveness of carbon policy, thereby challenging the realization of carbon neutrality target in China. Combining the network analysis and multi-regional input-output (MRIO) analysis, this paper depicted the unbalanced relationship between carbon transfer and value-added flow embodied in inter-provincial trade of China during 2012-2017 to shed light on the evolution features of trade-attributed carbon inequality from a multi-dimensional perspective. The research findings reveal that the carbon inequality embodied in inter-provincial trade of China has increased significantly during the study period, as the coefficient of structural equivalence between carbon transfer network and value-added transfer network decreased from 0.772 in 2012 to 0.634 in 2017. Different environ-mental regulation intensities and economic development levels among provinces are the main factors triggering the trade-attributed carbon inequality. During the surveyed years, some provinces such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Jiangsu have changed their roles from the drivers of carbon inequality to the leaders of green trade. Whilst some provinces located in the Northwest China which include Ningxia, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia are still placed in inferior positions in trade, and remain as the victims suffering from carbon inequality. The detected provincial communities present geographic adhesiveness and they are basically consistent with national urban agglomeration development planning. The research findings urge the need to shift from local carbon reduction to collective governance of carbon reduction, and provide supportive references for Chinese governments to develop integrated solutions and tailor-made policies towards equitable and sustainable development.

Automated summary

The mismatch between carbon transfer and economic benefits in inter-provincial trade in China has led to carbon inequality among provinces. This study uses network analysis and multi-regional input-output analysis to examine the unbalanced relationship between carbon transfer and value-added flow in inter-provincial trade from 2012 to 2017. The findings reveal a significant increase in carbon inequality during this period, with environmental regulation and economic development levels as the main factors. The study highlights the need for collective governance of carbon reduction and provides guidance for the development of equitable and sustainable policies.