Use of Household Survey Data as a Tool to Assess the Carbon Footprint of Rural Tourist Accommodation and Related Services in China: A Case Study of Mount Qingcheng

A detailed analysis of carbon emissions from rural tourist accommodation and services at Mount Qingcheng reveals that emissions amount to 30.27 kg CO₂ per person per day, with indirect sources accounting for 74.99% of the total. The study highlights that previous underestimations stemmed from omitting emissions from construction and durable goods production, which contribute significantly (13.08% and 21.58%, respectively). Emissions increase by 1412.08 kg CO₂ for every additional 10,000 yuan in revenue, positioning the tourism industry's carbon footprint between agriculture and processing/manufacturing sectors. The research underscores the importance of tourist consumption behaviors, operational strategies, and infrastructure longevity in shaping emissions, suggesting targeted interventions like behavioral guidance and portfolio optimization to mitigate environmental impact.

Liu, J., Lin, C., Huang, L., Zhu, J., Wu, L., & Li, Y. (2017). Use of Household Survey Data as a Tool to Assess the Carbon Footprint of Rural Tourist Accommodation and Related Services in China: A Case Study of Mount Qingcheng. Sustainability, 9(10), 1680. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101680