Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Rural Sewage Treatment in China

ABSTRACT Sewage treatment processes are considered an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly N 2 O and CH 4 . In rural sewage treatment processes, GHG emissions are often neglected owing to the small scale of treatment and dispersed distribution. In this study, the non‐CO 2 GHG emission quantity, spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, and influences factors were analyzed based on rural sewage from 2015 to 2020. Emissions from rural sewage treatment in 2020 reached 122.72 Gg (CO 2 ‐eq), comprising 69.81 Gg N 2 O and 52.91 Gg CH 4 , representing a 35.29% increase compared to 2015. There are large variations between province‐level regions: more GHG was emitted from the eastern than the north‐west of China. The treatment of rural domestic sewage can simultaneously purify water quality and decrease GHG emissions, and the improvement in the rate of treatment is beneficial to “carbon peak and carbon neutralization.” GHG emissions from rural sewage treatment showed a positive correlation with both GDP and sewage discharge, and N 2 O was positively correlated with protein consumption per capita. This study would provide a theoretical basis for policy formulation, as it supplies basic data on carbon emissions for China's rural sewage treatment. Summary Rural sewage treatment (RST) plants contribute significantly to GHG emissions. N 2 O emission from rural sewage treatment in 2020 in China was 69.81 Gg. CH 4 emission from rural sewage treatment in 2020 in China was 52.91 Gg. Large variations in GHG emissions were found between province‐level regions. Domestic RST can simultaneously purify water quality and decrease GHG emissions.