Climate-smart urbanization could reduce carbon and nitrogen emission in China

Urbanization through rural-to-urban migration can increase energy consumption if people relocate to regions with challenging climates. Here, we show that traditional urbanization could result in a more than 60% rise in residential electricity consumption in China by 2050 compared to 2020 levels. In contrast, climate-smart urbanization, a strategy that considers energy consumption intensity in migration decisions, can reduce electricity consumption intensity and associated carbon and nitrogen emissions by up to 22%. This reduction primarily stems from decreased energy demands for temperature regulation in climate-appropriate regions, minimizing seasonal cooling and heating needs. These emission reductions could generate annual social benefits valued at US$16.8-28.6 billion, encompassing significant improvements in human health, climate stability, and ecosystem health. The preference for climate-appropriate regions and policy support in the context of future climate change is expected to improve the feasibility of climate-smart urbanization, promoting carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability in the future.