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Land, as an essential resource for social, economic and ecological activities, is regarded as a key factor in material production. Against the background of rapid social and economic transition, land-use carbon emissions have gradually drawn due attention. However, few studies have been conducted to explore the spatial relationship of land-use carbon emissions at the sub-regional level, especially within Sichuan Province, China. This study is aimed at unpacking the spatial network of land-use carbon emissions in Sichuan Province by employing the panel data from 2006 to 2021 and using the method of Social Network Analysis. The results indicate that the net land-use carbon emissions of various prefecture-level divisions in Sichuan generally showed an inverse and asymmetrical "V-shaped" trend. The network correlation was improved and the stability was enhanced, gradually developing into a multi-centric structure. In addition, the spatial relationship among different clusters in the network undergoes a transition from intra-regional to inter-regional spillover. Based on these findings, the carbon balance zoning policy was discussed to provide references for how to coordinate roles and positions in the network when optimizing land-use carbon emission management policies in sub-regional areas with rapid social and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land, as an essential resource for social, economic and ecological activities, is regarded as a key factor in material production. Against the background of rapid social and economic transition, land-use carbon emissions have gradually drawn due attention. However, few studies have been conducted to explore the spatial relationship of land-use carbon emissions at the sub-regional level, especially within Sichuan Province, China. This study is aimed at unpacking the spatial network of land-use carbon emissions in Sichuan Province by employing the panel data from 2006 to 2021 and using the method of Social Network Analysis. The results indicate that the net land-use carbon emissions of various prefecture-level divisions in Sichuan generally showed an inverse and asymmetrical “V-shaped” trend. The network correlation was improved and the stability was enhanced, gradually developing into a multi-centric structure. In addition, the spatial relationship among different clusters in the network undergoes a transition from intra-regional to inter-regional spillover. Based on these findings, the carbon balance zoning policy was discussed to provide references for how to coordinate roles and positions in the network when optimizing land-use carbon emission management policies in sub-regional areas with rapid social and economic development.

The use and transformation of land by humans are the main cause of the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Using land-use data and socioeconomic statistics for 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018, this study examines the carbon emissions from land use and their intensity in the entire Yangtze River Delta Region. We constructed a spatial correlation network of land-use carbon emissions by using a modified gravity model to analyze the characteristics of the spatial correlations and spillover effects of land-use carbon emissions. Results reveal that: (1) the spatial differences in land-use carbon emissions gradually increased, whereas those in land-use carbon emission intensity gradually narrowed from 1995 to 2018; (2) the high-degree centrality of Shanghai, Wuxi, and Suzhou indicated that they had always played leading roles in the network from 1995 to 2018. Moreover, Shanghai and Wuxi had large land-use carbon radiation ranges and together with Suzhou, Hangzhou, Changzhou, and Nanjing, exhibited above-average betweenness centrality from 1995 to 2018 and strong bridging capabilities across the entire network; (3) the land-use carbon emissions had obvious spatial correlations and spillover effects. Our results can provide a scientific basis from an urban agglomeration perspective for the transformation of China’s current economy into a low-carbon one, as well as the realization of regionally differentiated and coordinated emission reduction.

• The network structure characteristics of land-use carbon emissions (LUCE) are explored. • The problems of synergistic CO 2 reduction in Jiangxi province were identified. • The LUCE network structure in study areas becomes increasingly intricate and stable. • The LUCE spatial correlation network exhibited pronounced spatial spillover effects. • The study combines new relevant indicators to conduct carbon balance zoning. Exploring the spatial network structure of land-use carbon emissions (LUCE) and the carbon balance in developing regions is pivotal for climate change mitigation in these areas. Using socio-economic and land-use data from 2000 to 2020, this study focused on Jiangxi Province as a representative case to elucidate the spatial network structure of LUCE and conduct carbon balance zoning. The primary findings were as follows: (1) The LUCE distribution in Jiangxi Province demonstrated a spatial pattern with high values in the northwest and low values in the southeast. An increasing trend was observed in the total amount of LUCE. Furthermore, there were evident regional differences in the Ecological Support Coefficient (ESC), indicating a weakening regional carbon sink capacity. (2) The spatial network structure of LUCE was intricate but stable. Although the gravitational interactions of LUCE between cities have intensified, overall network connectivity remained moderately correlated, indicating a prominent regional development imbalance. (3) There was a pronounced "core-periphery" structure in the LUCE spatial correlation network. Northern Jiangxi was the "core" of the network, taking an "initiator" role, whereas most cities in southern Jiangxi played a "passive" role, and resided at the "periphery" of the network. The inter-regional LUCE network exhibited pronounced spatial spillover, with inter-block correlations surpassing those within blocks. (4) By leveraging empirical data and spatial metrics, we categorized Jiangxi Province into five distinct carbon balance zoning types and subsequently proposed land-use optimization strategies. From the perspective of social network analysis (SNA), this study offers methodological insights into low-carbon development and synergistic emission reduction in developing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]