Purpose <p>Anthropogenic activities such as land use change (LUC) greatly regulate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). However, the effects of LUC on GHGs are rarely comprehensively evaluated in China.</p> Materials and methods <p>Here, a meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the responses of CO₂ emissions, CH₄ uptakes, and N₂O emissions to LUCs under climate factors and soil conditions.</p> Results and discussion <p>Cropland and grassland released more CO₂ than bare land due to enhanced microbial decomposition and root respiration. Grasslands exceeded cropland by 29% in CO₂ emissions from greater root biomass, while coniferous forests surpassed cropland by 30% due to higher underground biomass and litter accumulation. Cropland showed 48% lower CH₄ uptake than forests, linked to suppressed methane oxidation from nitrogen fertilization and tillage. Converting plantations to cropland reduced CH₄ uptake by 36%, likely due to diminished soil organic carbon (SOC) availability for methanotrophs. With improved soil aeration and nitrifying archaea activity, forests exhibited 82% and 38% lower N₂O emissions than cropland and wetlands.</p> Conclusion <p>Land use change greatly affected GHGs. More GHGs were produced from cropland likely due to soil disturbance induced by various management practices, i.e., tillage, fertilization, etc. In contrast, forest was recommended as a favored land use type for reducing CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O simultaneously. This study will provide insights into the implementation of climate change mitigation strategies in China.</p>