Abstract:
The proposal of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals has injected new green momentum into the rural revitalization strategy. Promoting the achievement of carbon neutrality in agriculture and rural areas is not only an essential step for implementing this strategy but also a core component of green and high-quality development. To explore integrated pathways for achieving both rural revitalization and carbon neutrality in Guangdong and to provide scientific evidence and policy recommendations, this paper calculated the greenhouse gas emissions in rural areas of Guangdong from 2015 to 2022 based on the emission factor method and forecasted the emission trend from 2023 to 2035. The results indicated that the greenhouse gas emissions in rural areas of Guangdong reached approximately 102.28 million t(CO
2-eq) in 2022. Notably, non-CO
2 greenhouse gases, primarily CH
4 and N
2O from agricultural activities, accounted for over 50% of the total emissions, highlighting the critical importance of addressing these sources. The study further modeled the potential emission reductions achievable through the implementation of targeted mitigation measures. The findings demonstrated that by optimizing the energy structure, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening non-CO
2 greenhouse gas emission reductions, GHG emissions in rural Guangdong could be reduced by approximately 80% by 2035 compared with the level in 2022. Furthermore, the high-value utilization of agricultural biomass resources could enhance rural resource value and promote rural industrial upgrading and economic development. This study underscores that the synergistic achievement of rural revitalization and carbon neutrality is feasible through a well-designed top-level integration mechanism. Key implementation pathways include establishing a cohesive policy framework that aligns climate goals with rural development, accelerating rural electrification and enhancing energy efficiency, promoting the multi-scenario application of rural photovoltaic systems, advancing the high-value utilization of forestry and agricultural biomass resources, and implementing precise technologies and management practices to control CH
4 and N
2O emissions from agriculture. This integrated approach offers a reference for coordinating climate action and rural development, with practical significance for policymakers and stakeholders in Guangdong and other regions pursuing low-carbon transitions.