Impact of Water-Saving Irrigation on Agricultural Carbon Emissions in China

This study analyzed the carbon reduction effects of water-saving irrigation based on panel data of Chinese provinces from 2010 to 2020. Carbon emissions from irrigation were calculated and decomposed using the Malmquist index and LMDI. Results indicate that, first, the accounting results show a downward trend in estimated agricultural irrigation carbon emissions over the study period under a fixed-parameter framework. The average irrigation carbon intensity exhibits a declining pattern, particularly after the mid-2010s, with differences between provinces narrowing. Second, water-saving irrigation is associated with lower levels of estimated agricultural irrigation carbon emissions within the accounting framework by improving water-use efficiency and reducing irrigation water consumption per unit area, ultimately leading to a decrease in total carbon emissions. Finally, the carbon reduction effects are more pronounced and stable in major grain-producing regions. This study highlights regional heterogeneity in the emission-accounting outcomes associated with water-saving irrigation, which may provide descriptive evidence for discussions on region-specific irrigation management under different regional contexts.