Environmental risks from tourism carbon emissions in China

The examination of environmental risks associated with carbon emissions in the tourism industry is a crucial research topic within the framework of sustainable tourism development. To effectively identify these risks and advance low-carbon development in the tourism sector, it is essential to adopt a perspective that encompasses both carbon emissions and carbon sinks. This study employed a novel index to evaluate the environmental risks caused by carbon emissions from tourism in China between 2004 and 2019. The index was based on a threshold model of forest carbon sinks affected by tourism activities. Furthermore, the study aimed to identify the spatiotemporal characteristics and influential factors contributing to environmental risks associated with tourism-related carbon emissions. The study reveals four major findings. First, between 2004 and 2019, the total carbon emissions from tourism increased significantly, growing by 10.63 times from 51.4946 million tons to 598.8768 million tons. The average carbon emissions from tourism in Eastern and Central China were higher than the national average, whereas Western and Northeastern China had lower emissions. Second, the total forest carbon sink from tourism increased drastically over 16 years, growing by 28.70 times from 17.6478 million tons to 524.1758 million tons, with an annual average growth of 33.7685 million tons. The forest carbon sink threshold of tourism in Western and Northeastern China was higher than the national average, which in turn was higher than that in Eastern and Central China. Third, the environmental risks from tourism carbon emissions improved, with the highest risk in the eastern region. On the other hand, the western and northeastern regions have significantly improved, resulting in safer environments. Finally, regional economic development, industrial structure, tourism development and urban environmental governance affect environmental risks from carbon emissions. This study provided theoretical and managerial implications based on these findings.