Rigidity-elasticity-toughness mechanism for low-carbon utilization of environmentally-regulated cultivated land in Jiangsu, China

The use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and mulch in traditional agricultural production has caused severe environmental pollution on cultivated land. The practice has proven different between farmer behaviors and perceptions regarding the low-carbon use of cultivated land, but research to bridge the gap remains insufficient. This study first constructed a “rigidity–elasticity–toughness” mechanism of environmental regulation. We then explored the influence of environmental regulation on farm households’ perceptions of low-carbon utilization of cultivated land and behavior on the basis of environmental regulation theory and the DPSIR model with a sample of 868 farm households in Jiangsu, China. The research results show that the three dimensions of environmental regulation trigger farmers’ positive understanding of low-carbon utilization of cultivated land; farmers’ understanding of low-carbon utilization of cultivated land has a significant positive effect on their low-carbon utilization behavior of cultivated land; and in regard to the relationship between farmers’ perceived benefits, the external natural environment and low-carbon behavior, there is a threshold for the moderating effect of farmers’ differentiation type. This study provides insights for agricultural policy-makers to formulate relevant guidance strategies from a regulatory perspective to promote low-carbon utilization of farmers’ cultivated land and low-carbon green development in the agricultural sector. • Constructs a “rigidity-elasticity-toughness” framework for environmental regulation driving low-carbon cultivated land use. • Three regulation dimensions significantly enhance farmers’ perceptions of low-carbon land utilization benefits. • Farmers’ cognition mediate the relationship between environmental regulation and low-carbon utilization behavior. • Farmer differentiation types moderate the cognition-behavior relationship, with stronger effects for part-time farmers.