[Objective] By exploring the link between carbon emission of agricultural land utilization and economic development in Shandong Province from 2000 to 2012

theoretical reference to carbon emission reduction and low-carbon economy development was provided to facilitate the formulation of agricultural policy. [Methods] From the input perspective of agricultural land utilization

applying carbon emission calculation model and decoupling elasticity method

this article calculated the carbon emissions of agricultural land utilization in 17 prefecture-level cities of Shandong Province from 2000 to 2012

and demonstrated the decoupling relationship between economic development and the carbon emissions on agricultural land utilization. Decoupling were classified into different types

upon which

the association evolvement of carbon emission and economic development was elucidated. [Results] (1) Carbon emissions had grown significantly in Shandong Province during 2000 to 2012. It was 7.12 million tons in 2000

and it was 8.39 million tons 12 years later

with an average annual increase of 97

700 tons. Weifang City contributed the most

while Laiwu City was the least. (2) There was a significant spatial differences in carbon intensity of agricultural land utilization in Shandong Province

with a spatial pattern of high in the east and low in the west. (3) Decoupling was prevailed widely by strong decoupling

though both strong and weak decoupling existed. (4) Decoupling was obvious spatially distributed. Of which strong decoupling was common

and weak decoupling mainly was concentrated in the Southwest. [Conclusion] The decoupling elasticity between agricultural land utilization emissions and economic development was reasonable to some extent in Shandong Province

but government still needs to increase the investment in science and technology for agricultural land utilization

and to make a reasonable assignment of material inputs for agricultural use.