Solidarity or self-interest? Carbon footprint pressure measurement and spatial correlation in the Yangtze River Delta region.

The augmentation of collaborative governance, intertwining both emission mitigation and carbon sequestration enhancement, is pivotal for urban areas to manifest a leading role within the context of the "dual carbon" objectives. Notwithstanding, extant research exhibits an insufficiency in detail and a neglect of the intricate relationship and reciprocal dynamics between urban carbon emissions and ecological carbon sinks. In response to this gap, this study constructs and gauges the carbon footprint pressure (CFP) index of the Yangtze River Delta region over the period 2000–2020. Moreover, a comprehensive approach combining a modified gravity model, social network analysis, and the STIRPAT model is employed to systematically explore the evolution characteristics and effects of spatial correlations of CFP. The results show that the overall CFP predominantly displayed an oscillatory uptrend, underscored by stark spatial non-uniformity and an annually exacerbating divergence. The CFP exhibited a complex network structure, with continually intensifying stability and incremental convergence in its hierarchical framework. Nevertheless, the core-periphery attributes within this network remained pronounced, despite the low degree of network connectivity. Furthermore, the network incorporated four dynamically transmuting blocks. With the variable extent of the block's deconstruction and restructuring, the "club" spatial dispersion characteristic became increasingly evident. The degree centrality and betweenness centrality of urban nodes rendered an adverse impact on CFP, with the latter wielding a more potent effect. • Dynamics between carbon sources and sinks are considered. • Inherent mechanism of spatial correlation of carbon footprint pressure is revealed. • Structural evolution of the carbon footprint pressure network is characterized. • A collaborative mechanism of green governance around "carbon elements" is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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