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An explicit spatial carbon emission map is of great significance for reducing carbon emissions through urban planning. Previous studies have proved that, at the city scale, the vector carbon emission maps can provide more accurate spatial carbon emission estimates than gridded maps. To draw a vector carbon emission map, the spatial allocation of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is crucial. However, the previous methods did not consider different carbon sources and their influencing factors. This study proposes a point-line-area (P-L-A) classified allocation method for drawing a vector carbon emission map. The method has been applied in Changxing, a representative small city in China. The results show that the carbon emission map can help identify the key carbon reduction regions. The emission map of Changxing shows that high-intensity areas are concentrated in four industrial towns (accounting for about 80%) and the central city. The results also reflect the different carbon emission intensity of detailed land-use types. By comparison with other research methods, the accuracy of this method was proved. The method establishes the relationship between the GHG inventory and the basic spatial objects to conduct a vector carbon emission map, which can better serve the government to formulate carbon reduction strategies and provide support for low-carbon planning.

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Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play an increasingly significant role in the practice of sustainability. For HEIs in their early stages of sustainability, they are still in need of sustainable assessment tools (SATs) that are suitable for their local context and also lead international sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to develop a two-hierarchy sustainability assessment tool (THSus) for Chinese higher education institutions, including a quick analysis tool (QAT) and an in-depth benchmarking tool (IBT). The QAT provided a general overview of campus sustainability for HEIs to initiate initial actions and screen cases for the IBT. The IBT then provides more targeted analysis to plan long-term strategic changes. Based on the analysis of HEI cases, a 34-person Chinese research team was enlisted to discuss and select characteristics to formulate THSus. Indicators and weightings were developed according to the tool’s purpose and applied to 15 cases to test its effectiveness. Results showed that THSus is suitable for systematically analyzing campus issues, particularly in research areas. It offers a regional solution for Chinese campuses that is adaptable and considers the comprehensive core of sustainability.