Multi-scenario modeling of regional dual-carbon target achievement and air quality improvement: A case study of Zhejiang province

The rise in carbon emissions is a major driver of global warming, and China faces the dual challenge of reducing emissions while addressing air pollution. However, current research lacks comprehensive models that jointly address both carbon reduction and air quality improvement. In this study, we applied the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model to project energy consumption and CO 2 emissions for baseline, low-carbon, and deep low-carbon scenarios in Zhejiang Province from 2020 to 2060, focusing on six key sectors: residential, agricultural, building, commercial, industrial, and transportation. The Weather Research and Forecasting-Community Multiscale Air Quality (WRF-CMAQ) model was also employed to simulate the spatial and temporal distribution of major air pollutants (NO 2 , SO 2 , O 3 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 ) in four representative months—April, July, October, and January—under each scenario. The results indicate that (1) the industrial, transport, and residential sectors contribute over 84.7% of energy consumption, CO 2 emissions, and air pollutant emissions from 2020 to 2060, identifying them as key targets for mitigation strategies; (2) carbon peaking is not projected under the baseline scenario, but is expected by 2040 in the low-carbon scenario and 2029 in the deep low-carbon scenario, with a peak emission of 208.821 million tons, primarily driven by reductions in the industrial sector; (3) air pollutant emissions across scenarios rank as O 3 , NO 2 , PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and SO 2 , indicating the need for stronger O 3 control; and (4) the proportion of days meeting national air quality standards remains unchanged, implying further action is necessary to improve air quality. This study provides a theoretical basis and policy support for provincial energy conservation, emissions reduction, and air quality management. • Developed a framework integrating carbon goals with air quality improvement, offering insights for eco-civilization strategies. • Used monitoring, remote sensing, and economic data for high-resolution analysis, supporting localized environmental policies. • Balanced emissions, costs, and air quality using optimization, quantifying synergies under diverse Zhejiang-specific scenarios. • Proposed pathways for emission reductions and energy restructuring, aligning environmental and economic goals for Zhejiang. • Designed a model addressing nonlinear interactions of emissions and pollution, enhancing future research on Zhejiang’s strategies.