Rethinking on regional CO2 allocation in China: A consideration of the carbon sink

A fair regional CO₂ allocation scheme is an important guarantee to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Most existing studies on CO₂ allocation focus on carbon sources while ignore the role of carbon sinks. By combining the carbon sinks estimated by remote sensing technology with the carbon sources identified from multiple dimensions, this paper first analyzes the characteristics of China's net CO₂ emissions in 2015. Then a centralized DEA model is developed to construct a net CO₂ allocation scheme in 2020 and 2030 using historical data in 2015 with the help of the Python programming. On this basis, the allocation schemes considering carbon sinks or not are further compared to verify the rationality of the proposed allocation results. It concludes that a net CO₂ allocation scheme considering carbon sinks delivers significantly better results as it eases the dispersion of inter-provincial carbon quota and balances the development among regions. Geographically, Southwest China, rich in carbon sinks but less developed, will be given more quotas if carbon sinks are included than if they are not, while North China, poor in carbon sinks but more developed, will assume more responsibility for reducing emissions. Our paper sheds light on the importance of incorporating carbon sinks into the CO₂ allocation issue.