Coordinated Development and Coupling Mechanisms of Capital Flows and Carbon Emissions from the Perspective of Environmental Justice

Abstract

This study explores the coordination between capital flows and carbon emissions in China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) under an environmental justice framework. Using complex network analysis, coordination models, and multiple linear regression, we diagnose spatial disparities in coupling coordination levels across industries. Results reveal low coordination in manufacturing, power, and financial sectors, with most cities exhibiting incoordination, while construction and agriculture show higher synergy. The environmental justice framework highlights regional equity’s critical role in aligning economic activities with carbon neutrality goals. Findings emphasize balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability through equitable policies, offering insights for harmonizing industrial decarbonization with development priorities in economically advanced regions.