Evaluation system and case study for carbon emission of villages in Yangtze River Delta region of China

Abstract Using data on carbon emissions and carbon sinks in the villages of the Yangtze River Delta region of China, this research utilised the management function of grassroots government and selected four factors of these villages’ carbon emissions: natural ecology, economic industry, residential development and infrastructure. Then, a carbon-emissions inventory of these villages was conducted, collecting data on the emissions-activity levels and emissions factors. Finally, a method of evaluating the villages’ carbon emissions was developed. Meanwhile, four types of landforms (mountains, hills, plains and islands) and eight villages with different industry types in the Yangtze River Delta region were selected for the case study and evaluation of carbon emissions. These villages’ carbon emissions had a range of 1.302–3.296 t per capita, except for Xinligang, which had the highest emissions, at 36.206 t per capita. The mountain villages had the highest carbon sinks (0.7–1.89 t per capita), while the sinks of villages in other landforms were much lower (0–0.43 t per capita). Based on the evaluation results, the villages’ carbon emissions were divided into four types. The villages’ characteristics were analysed according to the different types of carbon emissions, and then optimisation suggestions to reduce emissions and increase sinks were proposed. The study results can support low-carbon planning and development for villages in the Yangtze River Delta region.