The land use data and socio-economic data were utilized of Heilongjiang Province, and based on the ArcGIS spatial analysis method, the carbon emission Gini coefficient, carbon emission risk, carbon emission intensity, economic contribution coefficient and ecological carrying coefficient were calculated of its investigated regions. These were used as zoning indicators to conduct carbon balance zoning of the study area and propose targeted carbon emission reduction strategies for each type of region. The results showed that the carbon compensation rate of the study area from 1980 to 2023 was generally low and decreased year by year. From 2000 to 2023, the carbon emission Gini coefficient of the investigated regions all exceeded 0.6. From 2000 to 2023, the carbon emission risk values of the investigated regions generally showed an increasing trend year by year, and the spatial differences became increasingly obvious. From 1980 to 2023, the carbon emission intensity of the study area showed a decreasing trend year by year; from 2000 to 2023, the carbon emission intensity of each city decreased to varying degrees. From 2000 to 2023, the economic contribution coefficient was in a relatively fluctuating state, and the ecological carrying coefficient was generally low. Based on the relevant analysis results, the carbon balance of the study area was divided into low-carbon optimization areas, carbon total control areas and carbon sink function areas. The low-carbon optimization area includes area A, where the carbon emission risk is at a medium to high level, the carbon emission intensity is low, the economic contribution coefficient is at a relatively high level, and the ecological carrying coefficient is at a relatively low level. The carbon total control areas include areas B, F, M, D, I, E, J and C. In these areas, the carbon emission risk is basically at a medium to high level, the carbon emission intensity is high, the economic contribution coefficient is at a relatively low level, and the ecological carrying coefficient is at a medium to low level. The carbon sink function areas include areas N, L, G and K. In these areas, the carbon emission risk is at a medium to low level; the carbon emission intensity is low, the economic contribution coefficient is at a relatively high level; and the ecological carrying coefficient is high. Implementing differentiated carbon emission reduction strategies based on the actual situation of each city provides a reference for the low-carbon development of land use in the study area.