Dynamic Assessment of Carbon Emissions and Carbon Sequestration in China's Tourism Industry-Path Optimization and Policy Recommendations Under the "Dual Carbon" Goals

Yuping Long¹Feng Li^2*

• ¹Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
• ²University of Sanya, Sanya, China

This study focuses on the carbon emissions and carbon sinks of the tourism industry in China under the realization of the "dual carbon" goals, taking into account the tourism sector's contribution to socio-economic development and its environmental impact. By utilizing the Tourism Satellite Account and the Environmental-Economic Integrated Account, this study quantifies the carbon emissions and carbon sinks of China's tourism industry from 2000 to 2022, aiming to provide strategies for achieving sustainable development. In conjunction with input-output tables and land use change data, it offers a detailed analysis of the characteristics of tourism-related carbon emissions and carbon sink volumes, thereby supplying data support for policymaking in emission reduction and carbon absorption in the tourism sector. The research findings indicate that from 2000 to 2022, carbon emissions from China's tourism industry have increased significantly, with direct carbon emissions rising from 43.10278 million tons to 196.07865 million tons, and indirect carbon emissions increasing from 124.55475 million tons to 492.5438 million tons. In addition, the carbon sink volumes of forestland and water bodies have increased, from 1,319.95987 million tons to 1,330.28288 million tons and from 7.08013 million tons to 7.71895 million tons, respectively, demonstrating their important contribution to carbon absorption. The slight decline in grassland carbon sink volume highlights the need for its protection. The carbon sink of unused land showed a minor increase, indicating the potential contribution of unused land. The carbon sink volume of the tourism sector slightly increased from 23.3391 million tons in 2000 to 23.51601 million tons in 2022, reflecting the tourism industry's positive impact on mitigating climate change through carbon sink management. Sustainable development strategies for the tourism industry should place greater emphasis on emission reduction and enhancing carbon sink capacity, including promoting green tourism, improving energy efficiency, and protecting natural ecosystems. Continuous monitoring and research on carbon emissions and carbon sinks in the tourism industry are of great significance for formulating effective policies to achieve the "dual carbon" goals.