Search Results (1,963)

Forests in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region have played an important role in wind prevention, sand fixation, and carbon emission reduction in China. This study uses scenario analysis to assess the region’s potential for carbon emission reduction through forest carbon sinks under low-carbon development scenarios. The findings suggest that, by 2030, when carbon emissions are expected to peak, the maximum projected cumulative carbon reduction from forest carbon sinks in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region will be 25.572 million tons, contributing 6.26% to carbon emission reduction. By 2060, when the region aims to achieve carbon neutrality, the maximum projected cumulative carbon reduction from forest carbon sinks will be 366.207 million tons, with a contribution to carbon neutrality exceeding 17%. In the medium-to-long term, the forest carbon sink mechanism is anticipated to become a primary pathway for carbon emission reduction in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. This study expands the analytical framework for carbon emission reduction pathways under various scenarios and recommends that relevant government departments in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region enhance coordination of “carbon-related” policies across cities and actively explore cross-regional ecological compensation models for forest carbon sinks, etc. Full article

Macro policy regulation centered on carbon emissions profoundly influences the path for enterprises to achieve low-carbon transformation. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies over the period from 2014 to 2023, this study adopts the methods of panel regression, moderating effect and mediating effect. The empirical research finds that: (1) Policy uncertainty from carbon emission constraints significantly incentivizes industrial enterprises to adopt greener governance strategies. (2) The mechanism analysis indicates that the uncertainty posed by carbon emission constraints influences corporate green governance by enhancing regional green finance development, intensifying corporate financing constraints, and improving the quality of corporate green innovation. (3) Enterprises with substantial environmental protection investments and stronger reputations are less susceptible to changes in their green governance strategies triggered by carbon emission constraint policies. (4) The effects of carbon constraint policy uncertainty on green governance strategies of industrial enterprises exhibit heterogeneity. Specifically, these effects are relatively weaker for non-heavy-polluting enterprises located in carbon emission trading pilot cities, enterprises with higher information disclosure quality, and enterprises whose senior executives have backgrounds in environmental protection. Ultimately, to promote the sustainable development of industrial enterprises, this study provides three recommendations. Full article

In the context of the “dual-carbon” goal to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy, the mechanism of environmental regulation as a core policy tool for carbon emission reduction remains theoretically controversial. Based on this, this paper uses panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2015 to 2022 and adopts a two-way fixed-effects analysis method to examine the direction and intensity of the impact of environmental regulations on carbon emissions, introducing industrial intelligence and green technological innovation as mediating variables. Research indicates that (1) for every 1-unit increase in the intensity of environmental regulation, carbon emissions are reduced by about 0.9866 units on average, and its carbon emission reduction effect is more significant in the eastern region, where the proportion of secondary industry is medium and high, as well as in non-technology-intensive regions. (2) Industrial intelligence and green technological innovation play a partial mediating role between environmental regulations and carbon reduction. (3) After categorizing green technology innovations, it is found that environmental regulations do not significantly incentivize substantive green technology innovations, but they can contribute to carbon emission reduction by promoting the development of strategic green technology innovations. (4) The analysis of spatial effects shows that carbon emissions in China’s provinces are characterized by significant spatial agglomeration. Enforcement of environmental regulations also exerts a suppressive effect on carbon emissions in adjacent provinces, and its carbon emission reduction effect is characterized by “total effect > indirect effect > direct effect”. Compared with existing studies, this paper elucidates the transmission mechanism whereby environmental regulation achieves carbon emission reductions through industrial intelligence and green technological innovation, thereby contributing a novel analytical framework for examining regulatory impacts on carbon emissions while furnishing actionable policy implications for facilitating socioeconomic greening and low-carbon transitions. Full article

In developing countries, indoor air pollution in rural areas is often attributed to the use of solid biomass fuels for cooking. Such fuels generate particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). PM created from biomass combustion is a pollutant particularly damaging to health. This rigorous study employed a personal sampling device and multi-stage cascade impactor to collect airborne PM (including PM_2.5) and deposited ash from 20 real-world kitchen microenvironments. A robust analysis of the PM was undertaken using a range of morphological, physical, and chemical techniques, the results of which were then compared to a controlled burn experiment. Results revealed that airborne PM was predominantly carbon (~85%), with the OC/EC ratio varying between 1.17 and 11.5. Particles were primarily spherical nanoparticles (50–100 nm) capable of deep penetration into the human respiratory tract (HRT). This is the first systematic characterisation of biomass cooking emissions in authentic rural kitchen settings, linking particle morphology, chemistry and toxicology at health-relevant scales. Toxic heavy metals like Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Hg were detected in PM, while ash was dominated by crustal elements such as Ca, Mg and P. VOCs comprised benzene derivatives, esters, ethers, ketones, tetramethysilanes (TMS), and nitrogen-, phosphorus- and sulphur-containing compounds. This research showcases a unique collection technique that gathered particles indicative of their potential for penetration and deposition in the HRT. Impact stems from the close link between the physico-chemical properties of particle emissions and their environmental and epidemiological effects. By providing a critical evidence base for exposure modelling, risk assessment and clean cooking interventions, this study delivers internationally significant insights. Our methodological innovation, capturing respirable nanoparticles under real-world conditions, offers a transferable framework for indoor air quality research across low- and middle-income countries. The findings therefore advance both fundamental understanding of combustion-derived nanoparticle behaviour and practical knowledge to inform public health, environmental policy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This study employs a systems theory approach to investigate the coupling coordination and driving mechanisms within the economic–social–environmental (ESE) system in China’s ethnic regions. It analyzes 67 ethnic counties in Sichuan Province, using an integrated framework that combines dynamic Shannon entropy, coupling coordination modeling, and GeoDetector. Based on data from 2005 to 2024, the study reveals the spatiotemporal patterns of ESE coupling coordination. The key findings are as follows: (1) The coupling coordination degree has gone through four stages: moderate imbalance → mild imbalance → primary coordination → moderate coordination. By 2024, 81.8% of counties had achieved coordinated development, and “highly coordinated” counties emerged for the first time. (2) The Western Sichuan Plateau has formed a high–high agglomeration zone by monetizing ecological assets and utilizing ethnic cultural resources. In contrast, the hilly and parallel ridge–valley regions in central and eastern Sichuan remain in low–low agglomerations due to their dependency on traditional industrialization paths. The decrease in high–low and low–high outliers indicates the recent policy polarization effects. (3) The interaction between habitat quality and per capita GDP has the strongest explanatory power. The rising marginal contributions of energy and carbon emission intensity suggest that green industrialization is crucial to breaking the “poverty–pollution” trap. Full article

Key concepts such as “carbon footprint”, “carbon neutral”, “carbon neutrality”, “low carbon”, and “net-zero emissions” have gained prominence in the context of climate change, a current issue that has become an urgent global challenge caused by anthropogenic activities, including agriculture. This bibliometric review analyzed the use of these concepts in mitigation strategies for the coffee sector, since coffee production significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily due to land use change, fertilizer use, and processing methods, and therefore, sustainable approaches within the whole coffee value chain need to be implemented. A total of 105 documents from the Scopus database, covering publications from January 1988 to June 2023, were analyzed. Co-word analysis and co-occurrence mapping techniques, together with traditional bibliometric laws and historical evolution analysis using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix, were applied. The evolution of research over time revealed that the first concept introduced for documenting the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was “low carbon emissions” in 1909, but it was not until 2008 that the first document was published establishing a link between “low carbon emissions” and “coffee”. In 2015, two more concepts, “carbon neutral” and “carbon neutrality”, documented since 1968 and 1995, respectively, were used in articles related to coffee. So far, the most relevant concept in quantifying GHG emissions in the context of coffee production activities has been “carbon footprint”. When it comes to new documents linking key concepts to coffee, between 2015 and 2018, there was an average of six documents per year. Since 2019, the average has remained at 15, highlighting the need to continue documenting climate change mitigation strategies in the coffee sector. Practical application of our findings for coffee sustainability programs must include the adoption of on-farm sustainable agricultural practices that span the entire value chain. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of concepts such as “carbon footprint” and “carbon neutrality” as key pillars in the development of effective climate change mitigation strategies in the coffee sector and the significance of their integration into future research and global policies with practical applications, with far-reaching implications for sustainable agriculture in the near future. Full article

To analyze the effects of remanufacturing subsidies and emission reduction investments on pricing and quality decisions under cap-and-trade regulation, four profit-maximization Stackelberg game models for a remanufacturing supply chain (RSC), i.e., without remanufacturing subsidies and emission reduction investments, with remanufacturing subsidies only, with emission reduction investments only, and with both remanufacturing subsidies and emission reduction investments, are constructed, derived, compared, and analyzed. Results show that government subsidies and emission reduction investments can improve profits for the RSC members, while possibly leading to more total carbon emissions. Furthermore, it is worth noting that profit growth and emission reduction can be achieved even though reducing remanufacturing subsidies in some scenarios. Moreover, increasing emission reduction targets will reduce profits of the RSC members but does not necessarily contribute to emission reduction. Therefore, to help the RSC improve profits and reduce emission, the policymaker should formulate differentiated policies based on the types of manufacturers. For the non-abating manufacturer, the government should set higher emission reduction targets and cut down subsidies; for the low-efficiency abating manufacturer, higher emission reduction targets and subsidies are more suitable. However, for the high-efficiency abating manufacturer, lower emission reduction targets and subsidies are more effective. Full article

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is framed as a flagship of Türkiye’s national low-carbon transition. This study examines how domestic economic actors perceive the project’s socio-economic and environmental impacts, and how those perceptions align with—or diverge from—official assessments and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research draws on 28 semi-structured interviews with members of the Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry Council. This lens captures how locally embedded businesses read the project’s risks and rewards in real time. Four themes stand out. First, respondents see a clear economic uptick—but one that feels time-bound and vulnerable to the project cycle. Second, many feel excluded from decision-making; as a result, their support remains conditional rather than open-ended. Third, participants describe environmental signals as ambiguous, paired with genuine ecological concern. Fourth, skepticism about governance intertwines with sovereignty anxieties, particularly around foreign ownership and control. Overall, while short-term economic benefits are widely acknowledged, support is tempered by procedural exclusion, environmental worry, and distrust of foreign control. Conceptually, the study contributes to energy-justice scholarship by elevating sovereignty as an additional dimension of justice and by highlighting the link between being shut out of processes and perceiving higher environmental risk. Policy implications follow directly: create robust, domestic communication channels; strengthen participatory governance so local actors have a real voice; and embed nuclear projects within regional development strategies so economic gains are durable and broadly shared. Full article

Agriculture is fundamental to food security and environmental sustainability. Advancing its holistic ecological transformation can stimulate socioeconomic progress while fostering human–nature harmony. Utilizing provincial data from mainland China (2013–2022), this research establishes a multidimensional evaluation framework across four pillars: agricultural ecology, low-carbon practices, modernization, and productivity enhancement. Through comprehensive assessment, we quantify China’s low-carbon green agriculture (LGA) development trajectory and conduct comparative regional analysis across eastern, central, and western zones. As for methods, this study employs multiple econometric approaches: LGA was quantified using the TOPSIS entropy weight method at the first step. Moreover, multidimensional spatial–temporal patterns were characterized through ArcGIS spatial analysis, Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, Kernel density estimation, and Markov chain techniques, revealing regional disparities, evolutionary trajectories, and state transition dynamics. Last but not least, Tobit regression modeling identified driving mechanisms, informing improvement strategies derived from empirical evidence. The key findings reveal the following: 1. From 2013 to 2022, LGA in China fluctuated significantly. However, the current growth rate is basically maintained between 0% and 10%. Meanwhile, LGA in the vast majority of provinces exceeds 0.3705, indicating that LGA in China is currently in a stable growth period. 2. After 2016, the growth momentum in the central and western regions continued. The growth rate peaked in 2020, with some provinces having a growth rate exceeding 20%. Then the growth rate slowed down, and the intra-regional differences in all regions remained stable at around 0.11. 3. Inter-regional differences are the main factor causing the differences in national LGA, with contribution rates ranging from 67.14% to 74.86%. 4. LGA has the characteristic of polarization. Some regions have developed rapidly, while others have lagged behind. At the end of our ten-year study period, LGA in Yunnan, Guizhou and Shanxi was still below 0.2430, remaining in the low-level range. 5. In the long term, the possibility of improvement in LGA in various regions of China is relatively high, but there is a possibility of maintaining the status quo or “deteriorating”. Even provinces with a high level of LGA may be downgraded, with possibilities ranging from 1.69% to 4.55%. 6. The analysis of driving factors indicates that the level of economic development has a significant positive impact on the level of urban development, while the influences of urbanization, agricultural scale operation, technological input, and industrialization level on the level of urban development show significant regional heterogeneity. In summary, during the period from 2013 to 2022, although China’s LGA showed polarization and experienced ups and downs, it generally entered a period of stable growth. Among them, the inter-regional differences were the main cause of the unbalanced development across the country, but there was also a risk of stagnation and decline. Economic development was the general driving force, while other driving factors showed significant regional heterogeneity. Finally, suggestions such as differentiated development strategies, regional cooperation and resource sharing, and coordinated policy allocation were put forward for the development of LGA. This research is conducive to providing references for future LGA, offering policy inspirations for LGA in other countries and regions, and also providing new empirical results for the academic community. Full article

The aim of this study is an interdisciplinary assessment of the potential of cement pastes to permanently bind carbon dioxide (CO₂) under anaerobic digestion conditions, considering technological, microstructural, environmental, and economic aspects. The research focused on three types of Portland cement: CEM I 52.5N, CEM I 42.5R-1, and CEM I 42.5R-2, differing in phase composition and reactivity, which were evaluated in terms of their carbonation potential and resistance to chemically aggressive environments. The cement pastes were prepared with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 and subjected to 90-day exposure in two environments: a reference environment (tap water) and a fermentation environment (aqueous suspension of poultry manure simulating biogas reactor conditions). XRD, TG/DTA, SEM/EDS, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were applied to analyze CO₂ mineralization, phase changes, and microstructural evolution. XRD results revealed a significant increase in calcite content (e.g., for CEM I 52.5N from 5.9% to 41.1%) and the presence of vaterite (19.3%), indicating intense carbonation under organic conditions. TG/DTA analysis confirmed a reduction in portlandite and C-S-H phases, suggesting their transformation into stable carbonate forms. SEM observations and EDS analysis revealed well-developed calcite crystals and the dominance of Ca, C, and O, confirming effective CO₂ binding. In control samples, hydration products predominated without signs of mineralization. The highest sequestration potential was observed for CEM I 52.5N, while cements with higher C₃A content (e.g., CEM I 42.5R-2) exhibited lower chemical resistance. The results confirm that carbonation under fermentation conditions may serve as an effective tool for CO₂ emission management, contributing to improved durability of construction materials and generating measurable economic benefits in the context of climate policy and the EU ETS. The article highlights the need to integrate CO₂ sequestration technologies with emission management systems and life cycle assessment (LCA) of biogas infrastructure, supporting the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Full article

Under the pressure of global low-carbon transformation, the sustainable development initiative of the United Nations has gradually become an essential orientation of corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Based on the integrated theoretical framework of sustainable development finance, this work explores the relationships among corporate ESG performance, its financing constraints in China, and its influencing mechanism, as well as the role played by green innovation in this relationship. Using a comprehensive panel dataset of 1038 A-share listed companies from 2013 to 2023, totaling 11,418 observations, we find that corporate ESG performance and financing constraints exhibit a significant negative relationship, indicating that strong corporate ESG performance can effectively alleviate corporate financing constraints. To address endogeneity concerns, we employ a systematic generalized method of moments (GMM) and a two-stage least squares regression using lagged instrumental variables. The results of the mechanism test show that ESG performance mitigates financing constraints by reducing perceived financial risks, improving information transparency, and increasing access to government green subsidies. Furthermore, moderating effect analysis reveals that green innovation strengthens the mitigating effect of corporate ESG performance on financing constraints in this process, based on SDG 9. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this mitigating effect of corporate ESG performance on financing constraints is more pronounced for firms in China’s economically advanced eastern region, for companies facing harder budget constraints, and in the period following the implementation of the stringent new Environmental Protection Law. Distinguishing between genuine and symbolic corporate actions, we provide evidence that only substantive ESG improvements, as opposed to “greenwashing,” are rewarded by capital providers. The findings provide insights for the formulation of government policies and corporate sustainability strategies in emerging markets. Full article

Reducing emissions through the invisible hand of the market has become an important way to promote sustainable environmental development. The shadow price of carbon dioxide ($C{O}_2$) is the core element of the carbon market, and its accuracy depends on the micro level of the measurement data. In view of this, this paper innovatively uses enterprise level input-output data and combines the stochastic frontier method to obtain $C{O}_2$ shadow prices in China’s industrial sector. On this basis, the impacts of research and development (R&D) intensity, opening up level, traffic development level, population density, industrial structure, urbanization level, human resources level, degree of education, and environmental governance intensity on shadow price are discussed. In further analysis, this study introduces a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) to evaluate the spatial spillover effects of $C{O}_2$ shadow price itself and its influencing factors. The research results indicate that market-oriented emission abatement measures across industries and regions can reduce total costs, and it is necessary to consider incorporating carbon tax into low-carbon policies to compensate for the shortcomings of the carbon Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). In addition, neighboring regions should coordinate emission abatement tasks in a unified manner to realize a sustainable reduction in $C{O}_2$ emissions. Full article

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is a transformative approach to sustainable energy, which integrates photovoltaic systems as integral elements of building structures, such as facades, roofs, and windows. This bibliometric review aims to comprehensively analyze the evolution, trends, and challenges in BIPV research by referencing more than 10,000 publications indexed in Scopus. Key findings highlight the growing importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in engineering, architecture, and environmental science to improve BIPV efficiency, aesthetic integration, and economic viability. Despite substantial progress, challenges remain, including high initial costs, regulatory limitations, and the need for innovative materials and energy storage solutions. Emerging trends underscore the potential of BIPV in urban planning and sustainability initiatives, supported by increased collaboration and international adoption in regions with supportive policies. This review identifies research gaps in cost-effective production, adaptive materials, and integrated energy management solutions, which offer future pathways for BIPV innovation. This review serves as a reference for academics, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to advance the adoption of BIPV, contributing to global efforts towards energy sustainability and low-carbon urban development. Full article

The transition towards a low-carbon energy system remains a critical challenge for regions heavily dependent on fossil fuels, such as Andalusia. This study proposes an energy planning framework based on the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) to model alternative scenarios and assess the feasibility of meeting the 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation targets. Three scenarios are evaluated, the Tendential Scenario (TS01), the Efficient Scenario (ES01), and the Efficient UJA (EEUJA) Scenario, with this last being specifically designed to ensure full compliance with regional energy goals. The results indicate that, while the Tendential Scenario falls short in reducing primary energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Efficient Scenario achieves significant progress, though it is still insufficient to meet renewable energy integration targets. The proposed EEUJA Scenario introduces more ambitious measures, including large-scale electrification, smart grids, energy storage, and green hydrogen deployment, resulting in a 39.5% reduction in primary energy demand by 2030 and 97% renewable energy penetration by 2050. Furthermore, by implementing sector-specific decarbonisation strategies for the industry, transport, residential, and services sectors, Andalusia could position itself as a frontrunner in the energy transition while minimising economic and environmental risks. These findings underscore the importance of policy enforcement, technological innovation, and financial incentives in securing a sustainable energy future. The methodology developed in this study is replicable for other regions aiming for carbon neutrality and energy resilience through strategic planning and scenario analysis. Full article

Under the “dual carbon” strategy, clarifying the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions and revealing the differences in green transition pathways among different urban tiers within the metropolitan area is of great significance for promoting regional low-carbon development. Based on panel data of prefecture-level cities in 27 national metropolitan areas in China from 2000 to 2020, this paper employs a two-way fixed effects model and a mediation effect model to test the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and to evaluate the mediating role of industrial structure advancement. The results show that, at the national level, carbon emissions and economic growth exhibit a significant inverted U-shaped relationship, but the EKC becomes invalid in non-core cities after dividing the sample into core and non-core cities. Industrial structure advancement significantly curbs carbon emissions in core cities, while its effect is insignificant in non-core cities, indicating insufficient structural transformation capacity. The findings suggest that core cities have initially formed a “structure-embedded” emission reduction pathway, whereas non-core cities face a dual challenge of growth and emission reduction. In terms of policy, excessive reliance on the “automatic decoupling of growth” should be avoided, and a differentiated governance system centred on structural transformation capacity should be established, with particular attention to enhancing the green transition capacity of non-core cities so as to promote regionally equitable and coordinated low-carbon development. Full article