Abstract

Extensive research underscores that synergistic governance of air pollutants and GHGs has emerged as an essential strategy for mitigating environmental challenges amid climate change. This study integrates the concept of 'synergistic effect' in analysis the transfer of carbon and air pollution emissions embodied by trade. By constructing the Syn-MRIO model, the spatial and temporal characteristics of the embodied carbon and air pollution emission transfers due to inter-provincial trade in China in 2012, 2015 and 2017 were quantified on the basis of the input-output model, and the degree of synergy between the two embodied transfers was assessed using the synergistic control effect coordinate system method. The key findings are as follows: (1) At the interprovincial scale, China's 2017 carbon and air pollutant equivalent transfers exhibited two key trends: importer provinces increased numerically while transfer distribution demonstrated diversified concentration patterns. Notably, significant quadrant shifts in the synergistic control coordinate system enabled identification of environmentally underperforming provinces, informing spatially targeted policy interventions. (2) At the regional scale, the Middle Yellow River and Southwest Economic Zone have transitioned into primary net exporters and importers respectively of embodied carbon and air pollutant equivalents. The Northern Coastal Economic Zone has shifted to a carbon emission net exporter while maintaining net importer status across multiple sectors. Enhanced interregional coordination is recommended to optimize environmental resource distribution and mitigate regional environmental pressures.

Citation

Jingan Zhu, Yue Ling, Ping Jiang,Analysis of embodied carbon and air pollutant transfers in China’s interprovincial trade in the context of regional environmental collaborative governance,Sustainable Futures,Volume 10,2025,100997,ISSN 2666-1888,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100997.