Abstract:Based on the regional environmentally-extended input-output model, the resources consumption and footprint flow of water-land-energy-carbon in the Yellow River Basin, the circulation of regional resources and carbon emissions, and the characteristics of water-land-energy-carbon network were analyzed. The results show that in 2017, the water consumption of nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin was 1 073.69 ×108 m3, the occupied land area was 266.69 ×104 km2, the energy consumption was 6.95×108 t of standard coal, and the carbon emission was 31.57 ×108 t. In the internal footprint flow of the Yellow River Basin, Henan Province has the largest water, land, energy, and carbon footprints and the highest comprehensive recycling utilization rate. Ningxia is the largest virtual water resource supply area. Shanxi Province has the largest transfer of energy and carbon footprints. Shandong Province has the highest land footprint recycling utilization rate. Qinghai Province is the main source of water, land, and energy resources. Sichuan Province has undertaken 19.3×108 t of carbon footprint in the Yellow River Basin. The water-land-energy-carbon system in the Yellow River Basin is dominated by competition, with less control and plunder, and without mutualism. The water-land-energy-carbon correlation system is in a state of high redundancy and low efficiency, and the energy network has the highest efficiency.