A Framework of Carbon Emission Estimation and Allocation for Multi-Level Territories: A Case Study of Hinggan Prefecture.

It is proven a powerful tool to reduce carbon emissions by regulating urban land use structure. To leverage this tool, land-use carbon emission intensity (LUCEI) is the critical indicator to bridge carbon emissions effects of natural and human activities to land use structure. Current studies try to established the carbon emission allocation framework of "carbon emission inventory - land use category" and use it to estimate the LUCEI. However, none of the frameworks work at multiple spatial scales: the total carbon emissions and the land use category at different territorial levels do not conform with each other, impeding the synergetic effects of the low-carbon planning at different territorial levels. This study establishes a new framework of carbon emission estimation and allocation for the three territorial levels of municipality, city proper, and district and conducts a case study on Hinggan Prefecture. With the new framework, the carbon emission intensity of the entire land use category is being systematically differentiated, enabling the clarification of the linkages between LUCEI and the characteristics of energy structure, industrial structure, and urban forms of cities. The comparison of LUCEI of residential and transportation land between cities identifies the characteristics of urban form that are apt to high carbon emissions. The biggest contribution of the framework established in this study provides a technical tool to introduce carbon emission quantification into the territorial and spatial planning system. It may help deepen the understanding about the spatial pattern of carbon emissions and support a more refined estimation and comparison of the carbon effects of land use planning schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]