An empirical analysis of carbon emission efficiency in food production across the Yangtze River basin: Towards sustainable agricultural development and carbon neutrality

CONTEXT: The study investigates carbon emission efficiency in food production across 19 provinces situated in the Yangtze River Basin, working towards alignment with sustainability goals and carbon neutrality objectives. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to optimize food production efficiency, mitigate emissions, and promote low-carbon cultivation practices tailored to the network position of each province. METHODS: Various analytical techniques are utilized including the Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model, modified gravity model, and social network analysis to evaluate efficiency levels, determine spatial correlations, categorize network clusters, and identify influential drivers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal an overall upward trajectory in efficiency across the Yangtze River Basin, although substantial regional variations persist. Spatial spillovers are uncovered, whereby progress in one province can positively impact neighbors. The network comprises four key provincial clusters following broker, spillover, and beneficiary roles. CONTRIBUTIONS: This study contributes through its basin-specific efficiency assessment aligning sustainability and food security, recognition of collaborative advancement opportunities via spatial networks, categorization of complex provincial interlinkages, and strategic proposals for localized low-carbon food production practices. SIGNIFICANCE: Tailored strategies are vital for leveraging network positions to mitigate food production emissions. By emphasizing spatial proximities, this study informs policymakers in steering collaborative efforts among connected provinces towards carbon emission efficiency and sustainability.