[Objective] The decoupling mechanism between landuse carbon emission and economic growth was analyzed

and an empirical study was conducted in order to provide a reference for developing a green low-carbon circular economy in Guangdong Province during the 14th five-year plan period. [Methods] Using the carbon emission coefficient method

the landuse carbon emissions of Guangdong Province from 2003 to 2018 were calculated. With the organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) decoupling model

the decoupling between landuse carbon emissions and economic growth was evaluated. The main factors affecting the decoupling were analyzed by the grey correlation model. [Results] ① The carbon emissions from land use in Guangdong Province increased from 239.256 9 tons in 2003 to 671.973 9 million tons in 2018

and the total carbon emissions increased by 432.716 9 million tons in 15 years

with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. ② The decoupling index decreased from 0.948 3 in 2003 to 0.296 9 in 2008; increased from 0.941 8 to 1.123 6 and then decreased to 0.257 2 in 2009—2015; and decreased from 0.471 9 in 2016 to 0.416 8 in 2018. The decoupling relationship between landuse carbon emissions and economic growth in Guangdong Province had generally undergone the development process of “relative decoupling Ⅳ

relative decoupling Ⅱ

absolute linkage

relative decoupling Ⅰ

relative decoupling Ⅳ and relative decoupling Ⅱ ”

A stable decoupling state had not yet been formed. ③ From the perspective of carbon emissions

industrial structure and proportion of coal consumption were the main infuencing factors

with correlation values of 0.748 and 0.741. From the perspective of economic development

social fixed assets investment and scientific research funds were the main driving factors

with correlation values of 0.782 and 0.772. [Conclusion] The essence of decoupling development between landuse carbon emission and economic growth is the coordinated development of the regional economy

and resources and environment centered on carbon emission reduction. Landuse carbon emissions and economic development in Guangdong Province currently showed an increasing trend

although the growth rate of landuse carbon emissions is positive and lower than the growth rate of economic development. However

the growth rate of landuse carbon emissions is gradually slowing

and this development will be conducive to the absolute decoupling between land use carbon emissions and economic growth.