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Global warming

China's Coastal Provinces Face Challenges in Reducing Carbon Emissions from Logistics Industry

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research published in the journal Carbon Balance and Management suggests that China's coastal provinces are facing significant challenges in reducing carbon emissions from the logistics industry. The study, conducted by researchers from Northeast Forestry University, indicates that the logistics industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions in the region, with low carbon emission efficiency (LCEE) values observed in most years between 2007 and 2022.

The research found that the primary obstacle to improving LCEE was low technical efficiency, and that the development of technology was crucial for enhancing LCEE. The study also revealed significant spatial clustering features in the distribution of LCEE, with high-high clustering indicating an obvious trend of regional coordinated development. The researchers concluded that each province needs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the logistics industry and improve LCEE through regional cooperation, technological investment, and targeted policies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The logistics industry in China's coastal provinces is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with low LCEE values observed in most years between 2007 and 2022.
  • The primary obstacle to improving LCEE was low technical efficiency, and that the development of technology was crucial for enhancing LCEE.
  • Significant spatial clustering features were found in the distribution of LCEE, with high-high clustering indicating an obvious trend of regional coordinated development.
  • Regional cooperation, technological investment, and targeted policies are necessary to improve LCEE and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the logistics industry.
  • The study emphasizes the need for each province to take action to reduce carbon emissions and improve LCEE.
  • The spatial spillover effects in neighboring provinces were evident, indicating that the carbon emission efficiency of one province can influence the carbon emission efficiency of its neighboring provinces.

Statistics:

  • The LCEE values in China's eleven coastal provinces were less than one for most years between 2007 and 2022.
  • The spatial distribution of LCEE exhibited significant spatial clustering features in 2007-2011 and 2015.
  • The primary type of spatial clustering was high-high clustering, indicating an obvious trend of regional coordinated development.
  • The LCEE of neighboring provinces influenced the state transition probabilities of their own states, with spatial spillover effects evident in these provinces.

Sources:

  • Temporal-spatial evolution analysis of carbon emission efficiency in the logistics industry of coastal provinces in China based on the super-efficiency SBM model. Carbon Balance and Management, 2025;20(1):8.
  • Carbon Balance and Management, 2025;20(1):1-12.
  • NewsRx. Northeast Forestry University Reports Findings in Carbon Balance and Management (Temporal-spatial evolution analysis of carbon emission efficiency in the logistics industry of coastal provinces in China based on the super-efficiency SBM model). Global Warming Focus. May 26, 2025; p 325.

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