Abstract:

Carbon sources and sinks are key factors for low-carbon development. Carbon surplus and deficit caused by carbon sources and sinks is the basis for formulating low-carbon development strategy and policy. Based on energy consumption data, output of key industrial products, and the IPCC standard of carbon emissions, and using the results of other research, carbon sources from energy consumption and the productive process of cement, steel, and synthetic ammonia are calculated for Henan Province. On the basis of remote sensing image analysis, carbon sinks are divided into arable land, forest, and grassland. According to the carbon emission coefficient and carbon absorption coefficient and the amount of carbon sources and sinks , the spatial and temporal variation of carbon surplus and deficit are calculated and analyzed. Through the research, we reached the following conclusion: (1) Carbon emissions and per capita carbon emission in Henan Province showed a rising trend from 2005 to 2013, and the average annual growth rates were 11.22% and 10.72%, respectively. The spatial variation was also clear. Per capita carbon emissions for the western, northern, and central areas of Henan Province were relatively high, but were relatively low in the southern and southeastern areas. (2) Energy consumption was the key carbon source in Henan Province. Carbon emissions from energy consumption showed a gradually rising trend, but its share in total carbon emissions was decreasing. Cement and steel productions were another important source of carbon emissions. The related carbon emissions and share in total carbon emissions showed a gradually increasing trend. The emissions and share of ammonia production were relatively low. (3) Carbon sinks in Henan Province are mainly composed of arable land and forest, and the proportion of grassland is very low. Carbon sinks in Henan Province decreased from 6384.83 million tons to 6337.78 million tons from 2005 to 2013, with an average annual reduction rate of 5.88 million tons. This was primarily due to nonagricultural construction that converted part of the arable land and forest land into built-up areas. (4) Overall Henan Province was in a carbon deficit state. From 2005 to 2013, both the size of carbon deficit and the number of areas with carbon deficit status were increasing. The southeastern and western regions of Henan Province were in a carbon surplus or low deficit state, while other regions were in a carbon deficit state. (5) To facilitate low-carbon development, improving energy structure, adjusting industrial structure, and optimizing land use to reduce carbon sources and add carbon sinks should be promoted in Henan Province.

Key words: carbon source, carbon sink, carbon surplus and deficit, spatiotemporal change, Henan Province