A hierarchical Graph Model of a two-level carbon emission conflict in China

A two-level carbon emission conflict is investigated using Graph Model for Conflict Resolution. Chinese central government has conflict with local authorities at provincial levels regarding the implementation of new carbon emission reduction policy. As the conflict takes place in multiple regions, the governments at a higher level should form strategies to interact with governments at the lower level. The resolution of this conflict obtained by calculating the stabilities in the corresponding graph model can be used as guidance of actions for each decision maker to follow. The stabilities indicate that the central government should form distinct strategies to deal with provinces with different levels of economic development. Hierarchical graph model can provide decision makers a comprehensive understanding of the carbon emission conflict taking place at different locations.