How to Understand Carbon Intensity? A Comparative Study of China and Europe Regarding the Relationship Between Rural Development Regimes and Carbon Emission Intensity

<i>Background:</i> China’s rural revitalisation policy has promoted the transformation of rural industries, which always neglect the “dual-carbon” goal in rural. Rural industrial upgrading in Europe can inspire sustainable rural development in China. <i>Methods:</i> Based on EDGAR and NEP data, the carbon emission intensity of rural ecosystems was calculated in terms of area. By Isodata cluster algorithm and k-means, the Chinese and European rural regions were classified based on agricultural areas. Pearson’s coefficient and geographical convergent cross-mapping (GCCM) were used to explore the correlation and causality between carbon intensity and development patterns in rural China and Europe. <i>Results:</i> The expansion of the land share of the primary industry and land consolidation will lead to more carbon emissions in the study areas. The proportion of land used for tertiary industry increases carbon emission intensity in rural China, but not in European study areas. The area carbon emission intensity shows that the fragmented industrial layout may hinder the development of rural industries in Europe, but not in China, from a productivity perspective. <i>Conclusions:</i> Carbon emission distribution and industrial development patterns vary spatially. GCCM can help identify the interactions for this variation between China and Europe, providing insights into China’s sustainable development.