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This study explores the intricate relationship between agricultural productivity and the pursuit of a just energy transition in China. As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and a nation grappling with environmental degradation and socio-economic disparities, China faces the imperative to transition toward a more sustainable and equitable energy system. This paper investigates the role of agriculture in this transition, recognizing its pivotal position as a significant emitter of greenhouse gases while also being vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. By examining the potential synergies and conflicts between agricultural productivity enhancement and the goals of reducing emissions and promoting social justice, this study aims to shed light on strategies that can effectively align agricultural development with the objectives of a just energy transition. The result indicates substantial internal disparities and strong agglomeration effects (referring to areas with similar agricultural total factor productivity) within China's agricultural total factor productivity distribution. Over the past 17 years (2005–2021), the average agricultural productivity has shown a commendable upward trend, marking a 2.8% growth rate. This increase signifies ongoing efforts and advancements in the agricultural sector, leading to improved productivity levels. Our results also show a significant positive spatial correlation in agricultural total factor productivity, suggesting a tendency for spatial agglomeration. The years 2005 and 2021 stand out as periods marked by significant adverse effects resulting from the interplay of diverse factors on agricultural productivity. By integrating findings from various sectors, this study provides insights into the complex interplay between agriculture and energy transition, emphasizing the need for integrated, holistic approaches that prioritize sustainability, fairness, and resilience in China's pursuit of a just energy future. • This study explores the relationship between agricultural productivity and energy transition. • Our aim is to align agricultural development with the objectives of energy transition. • The analysis connects productivity and equity. • We emphasize sustainability and resilience in China's pursuit of a just energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We calculated carbon sequestration/emissions in agroecosystems in Hebei, China. • We measured agricultural production efficiency considering an undesirable output. • The annual average low-carbon agriculture production efficiency increased by 3.03%. • There were disparities of efficiency among cities owing to increased carbon emission. • Climate change had complex effects on low-carbon agricultural production. With the increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere, global greenhouse effects have intensified, thereby contributing to climate change. Agriculture contributes to climate change by increasing GHG emissions, and climate change in turn affects agricultural production. In this paper, we calculated carbon emissions and sequestration of agriculture in the 142 counties of Hebei Province, China, and analyzed their spatiotemporal distributions during 2000–2010. Considering net carbon emissions as an undesirable output, we then measured low-carbon agricultural production efficiency using a stochastic directional distance function. We further explored the impacts of climate change on low-carbon agricultural production. We found that carbon emissions in agriculture increased by 15.85% (650 million tons) during 2000–2010, while carbon sequestration in agroecosystems increased by 33.82% (13.8 million tons). The annual average low-carbon agricultural production efficiency increased by 3.03%. There were distinct disparities of efficiency among cities, with the highest efficiency in Chengde and Shijiazhuang. The efficiency in southeastern areas was lower than that in the northwest, owing to the increased carbon emissions. Temperature and precipitation had a positive effect on efficiency in Hebei, whereas extreme weather events caused lower efficiency. The results provide valuable references for developing sustainable, climate-resilient and adaptive agriculture under changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Climate change is affecting agricultural production and is expected to continue reducing water availability, potentially necessitating adaptation adjustment by related sectors to maintain sustainability of saline land use system highly vulnerable to water shortages. The drought in 2010 impacted the salt-affected land use system of the coastal region in Jiangsu Province, China. The main purpose of this paper is to determine which systems are least adaptive, and what factors limit their adaptive capacity to drought, among three typical saline land use systems of Jinhai farm located in the coastal reclamation region of north Jiangsu Province. An analytical framework for analyzing climate impacts and adaptation for saline agriculture is presented. To better understand climate change impacts and the adaptive capacity of saline land use systems, we conducted semi-structured interviews and group discussions with representatives of surrounding households and the farmer on Jinhai farm, experts and officials from government sectors and institutes. From these conversations two impact indicators were picked up and a set of determinants for adaptability and their rankings were derived. There is considerable variability in climate change impacts among different saline land use systems and a concentration of impacts on paddy systems. Adaptability in addition to climate change is cumulative to the impacts, particularly unsafe water resource planning, irrational land use mode and crop arrangement, and defective institutions and policies. Our results highlight the importance of a comprehensive and integrative land development planning involving water resource and land use arrangements participated in by representatives of stakeholders. Although there has been much progress in streamlining climate change assessments into sector planning in Dafeng – such as water resources, agriculture, beach and so on – it is clear that there is a need to improve institution, policy, market guidelines and technique R&D to ensure more consistent adaptation, especially considering the rapid evolution of the climate science behind the assessments. Achieving sustainable saline agriculture might require transformative changes in markets, policies, and science. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]