Analysis of Transportation Carbon Emission Transfer Network and Influencing Factors in China

Carbon emissions from the transportation sector exhibit significant mobility. To examine the transportation carbon emission transfer network and its influencing factors in China, the network is initially constructed using the environmentally extended multiregion input-output model. The local and overall features of the network’s structure are then analyzed. Finally, the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) model is applied to assess the impact of factors such as urbanization rate, economic development, and transportation infrastructure. The findings are as follows: the total volume of transfers within the network has seen substantial growth, with Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Henan serving as key hubs. A weighted outward and inward flow distribution follows an “east–central–west” gradient. Centrality analyses reveal a distinct “core-periphery” structure. The network exhibits shorter average path lengths, higher average clustering coefficients, and reduced density. The number of provinces acting as brokers increased, while those in the net gain block decreased. Provinces tend to shift transportation carbon emissions through economic activities with other regions. Urbanization and economic development drive carbon emissions within the network, while transportation energy intensity mitigates them.