Synergetic carbon emission reduction in the construction industry: A spatial correlation perspective from urban agglomerations in southeast coastal China

Abstract

The construction industry is a key stakeholder in mitigating climate change both in China and globally. Understanding the link between spatial network carbon emissions in the construction industry (CECI) and synergy levels in urban agglomerations is crucial for regional emission reduction efforts. This study investigates the Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang Coastal Urban Agglomeration (GFZ-CUA) in southeast China, using panel data from 2012 to 2021 to assess CECI. Social network analysis is applied to examine the spatial structure of CECI, supplemented by an analysis of carbon emission coordination discrepancies to empirically reveal both quantitative and relational effects of spatial correlations. Results indicate that the GFZ-CUA exhibits a spatial pattern of “high emissions in the north, low in the south, high along the coast, and low inland,” forming a “core-periphery” structure. Despite broad spatial coverage, relationships among cities frequently shift, revealing fragmented emission reduction efforts between core coastal and peripheral inland cities. Significant disparities are evident in provincial coordination levels. While increasing network density strengthens collaborative emission reduction, the influence of hierarchical structures remains minimal. This study presents a new methodological blueprint for collaborative carbon reduction in urban agglomerations and offers practical policy recommendations and strategies for the low-carbon development of the construction industry.