Water-Energy-Carbon Emissions nexus analysis of China: An environmental input-output model-based approach

China has one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide, consuming large amounts of resources but also experiencing significant environmental issues. Water, energy, and carbon play significant roles in regional sustainable development. It is critical to understand the Water-Energy-Carbon Emissions nexus, and this study explores the nexus using the Environmental Input-Output model. The embodied water and energy consumption and embodied carbon emissions are assessed. The water and energy consumption coefficients and CO2 emission coefficients are analysed. The main results are: (1) The Water-Energy-Carbon Emissions nexus characteristics of light industry, heavy industry, and service industry were similar: water-intensive, energy-intensive, and carbon-emission-intensive; (2) Agriculture consumed 64.38% of the national water supply; however, the water utilisation efficiency was only 32%; (3) Agriculture had much higher water consumption and direct water consumption coefficients. Light industry, service industry, and heavy industry were the top three sectors in terms of indirect water consumption coefficients; (4) Heavy industry, light industry, and service industry were the top three sectors with the highest indirect energy consumption coefficients and carbon emission coefficients. The consumption (water and energy) and CO2 emission coefficients can provide significant support for sustainable development strategies. This study provides a better understanding of the Water-Energy-Carbon Emissions nexus in China.