{"title":"The impact of broadband China and low-carbon pilot on China's urban carbon emissions","authors":"Yue Zhu, Rui Zhao","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241248374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241248374","url":null,"abstract":"In the context of global environmental governance, a reduction in carbon emissions (CE) is critical for sustainable development. This article delves into the correlation between China's dual pilot policy (DPP), comprising the broadband China city pilot (BCCP) and low-carbon city pilot (LCCP), and CE using panel data for 281 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2020 and a staggered difference-in-differences approach. Our results demonstrate that the DPP contributes to reducing CE. In this regard, we find that DPP exerts a more significant negative effect on CE when the LCCP precedes the BCCP, compared to the BCCP preceding the LCCP. Heterogeneity analysis shows that urban location and resource utilization patterns influence DPP's impact on CE reduction. Moreover, green technology innovation and industrial agglomeration account for the relationship between DPP and CE. The DPP additionally exhibits positive economic performance, benefiting urban sustainability. Taken together, these findings reveal how the DPP negatively affects CE, providing key evidence for regional green economy advancement.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"97 26","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140676488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jianrui Liu, H. Kua, Chi-Hwa Wang, Yen Wah Tong, Jingxin Zhang, Yinghong Peng
{"title":"Designing a sustainable municipal solid waste management system over multiple periods using extended exergy accounting method – a case study of Shanghai","authors":"Jianrui Liu, H. Kua, Chi-Hwa Wang, Yen Wah Tong, Jingxin Zhang, Yinghong Peng","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241241030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241241030","url":null,"abstract":"Waste-to-energy technologies can significantly alter urban metabolism and sustainability. This article proposes a multicriteria analysis framework based on the extended exergy accounting method to assess and plan a sustainable municipal solid waste management system from urban metabolism perspective. This framework includes three components. Firstly, an accounting model that integrates material, energy, social, economic, and environmental criteria was developed to identify the contribution of municipal solid waste management system to urban sustainability and to decide whether it is sustainable. Then, a multiperiod municipal solid waste management system planning model was developed to provide the optimal strategy for waste-to-energy facilities deployment and municipal solid waste allocation for different periods. Finally, multidimensional indicators were proposed for a sustainability comparative analysis in overdeployment, pressure on urban ecosystem and urban resource conversion efficiency. The proposed method was applied to the case study of household solid waste management in Shanghai and two scenarios were considered. Our comparison showed that the hybrid scenario (in which various waste recycling technologies were applied together) theoretically performs significantly more sustainable than the incineration scenario in terms of material investment, emissions, economic performance, resource depletion, and recovery. Sensitivity analysis of three parameters—the maximum deployment number of each unit waste-to-energy facility ([Formula: see text]), the minimum utilization rate ([Formula: see text]), and the capacity budget ([Formula: see text])—were carried out. The proposed hybrid method was found to be sensitive to [Formula: see text], but less sensitive to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Lessons learnt can be used to plan similar waste-to-energy strategies in other countries.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"31 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140673310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, Dalia Streimikiene, Tomas Baležentis, Tomas Karpavičius
{"title":"Energy policy and climate change mitigation at national level in the European Union: A case study of Lithuania","authors":"Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, Dalia Streimikiene, Tomas Baležentis, Tomas Karpavičius","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241248375","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241248375","url":null,"abstract":"The European Union (EU) is addressing global climate change issues in the formulation of energy policy for many years. Each EU member state plays a pivotal role in realising ambitious goals and implementing measures for energy policy and climate change mitigation. This study introduces a composite indicator, serving as a metric to assess the progress achieved in the implementation of national-level energy and climate change policy in Lithuania, scrutinises Lithuania's adopted energy policy frameworks and computes a short-term index forecast. The indicator created is applied for a case study of Lithuania in the period of 2010–2021 taking into account different importance of the indicators selected. Results indicate a gradual annual increase in achievements whit an overall growth of 72% over the last 11 years. However, both the attained results and the short-term index forecast suggest that expected growth rates are insufficient to meet ambitious regional and national climate change and energy targets. The proposed indicator is universal and adaptable for measuring energy policy achievements in various countries, allowing comparisons and rankings of countries, and analysis of best practices. This case study contributes to a broader understanding of energy policy and climate change mitigation at the national level within the EU.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"41 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140675982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lin Guo, Yulin Chai, Mengxue Wang, Jin Zhang, Sheng Luo
{"title":"Mitigating boundary pollution: Evidence from China's environmental protection inspection centers","authors":"Lin Guo, Yulin Chai, Mengxue Wang, Jin Zhang, Sheng Luo","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241248371","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241248371","url":null,"abstract":"The efficacy of a vertical environmental protection system in managing transboundary pollution has not been extensively explored. Through a quasi-natural experiment facilitated by China's six environmental protection inspection centers (EPICs), this study assesses their impact on boundary pollution intensity and compares it with their effect on non-boundary pollution intensity. The findings demonstrate that the institution of EPICs significantly mitigates the intensity of boundary pollution, with a more pronounced reduction effect compared to non-boundary areas. Analysis of mechanisms reveals that both boundary and non-boundary enterprises achieve a reduction in pollution intensity through the enlargement of production capacities, enhancement of investments in pollution control, and a decrease in total pollution emissions. Given that boundary enterprises exhibit a greater magnitude in reducing total pollution emissions, the resultant effect on pollution intensity reduction is more significant among these entities. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the impact of EPICs on reducing pollution intensity is more substantial among samples with minimal political connections, elevated political incentives, and within heavily polluting industries, with boundary enterprises experiencing a more pronounced influence. This article unveils that strengthening coordination between central and local authorities, alongside fostering corporate actual investment in environmental protection, serves as pivotal mechanisms, offering innovative strategies for global environmental governance and advancing both the practice and theory of sustainable development.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"43 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140676101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Techno-economic optimization of a photovoltaic-wind energy-based hydrogen production system: A case study of different cities of Saudi Arabia","authors":"I. Mansir, P. Okonkwo, Naeim Farouk","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241248373","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241248373","url":null,"abstract":"The study employed Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables software and two-hybrid energy systems configurations to ascertain the most effective approach for generating hydrogen and electrical power in the designated three cities of Dammam, Jeddah and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. To reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, improve energy security and encourage sustainable development, this study was motivated by the need to address the urgent need to switch to renewable energy sources like solar and wind based on Saudi Arabian's Vision 2030 initiative. To achieve these objectives, this research investigates the techno-economic feasibility of producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources to promote energy independence and economic growth in the region of Saudi Arabia. The novelty of the study provides a regional view of the use of renewable energy sources for hydrogen production by concentrating on several Saudi Arabian cities. It is essential for successful energy planning and policy formation to have insights suited to unique regional settings as demonstrated in this study. According to the findings of the study, the electrical and hydrogen requirements of the selected cities in Saudi Arabia can be fulfilled using renewable energy sources, as sufficient wind speed and sunlight are available to produce renewable hydrogen. The outcomes of the study demonstrated that the electricity and hydrogen generated in the city of Dammam were found to be significantly higher than in the other two cities resulting in high hydrogen production at the city of Dammam compared to the cities of Tabuk and Jeddah. The hybrid energy system in Dammam was identified as the most practical option for fulfilling Saudi Arabia's electricity and hydrogen production requirements based on the analysis and optimization, with low net present cost, levelized cost and levelized cost of hydrogen values of $235235, 0.316 $/kWh and 4.16 $/kg, respectively. The outcome of the study suggests that incorporating a renewable energy system in Dammam may diminish the country's reliance on fossil fuels and decarbonize its transportation sector. The results of this study could be employed by members of the Saudi hydrogen industry to promote increased hydrogen production and make Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure more resilient and sustainable.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":" 39","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140689108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Crude oil price volatility—An unintended consequence of carbon pricing: Evidence from transfer entropy and wavelet-partial wavelet coherence analyses","authors":"G. Olasehinde-Williams","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241246195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241246195","url":null,"abstract":"The urgent need to achieve the COP-27 targets has become evident due to the more frequent and severe climate-induced disasters and their socioeconomic consequences. The adverse effects of climate change highlight the need for an immediate shift away from fossil fuels without compromising economic development. Internalization of the negative externality in market transactions through the imposition of carbon pricing is widely touted as the most economically efficient means of solving this problem. This study, however, argues that crude oil price volatility could be an unintended consequence of carbon pricing. To this end, information flows between the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and crude oil price volatility are examined through transfer entropy and wavelet-partial wavelet coherence analyses. Daily data from January 1, 2014 to July 1, 2023 are analyzed. The transfer entropy results show that information on carbon pricing reduces uncertainty about crude oil price volatility and vice versa, indicating that carbon pricing would be quite informative in building models to predict crude oil price volatility. The wavelet-partial coherence analyses reveal that the surge in carbon prices experienced in the late 2010s induced crude oil volatility, whereas the crude oil price volatility triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic forced carbon prices down. This study therefore identifies carbon price movements as a legitimate fear for policymakers, as it is a new source of volatility in conventional energy markets. Caution should thus be the watchword regarding optimal carbon pricing. Aiming to rapidly attain the full optimal carbon price is not recommended. Rapid changes in carbon prices will have strong redistributive implications across economies.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":" 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140691933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of industry integration on industrial energy efficiency in China","authors":"Haohao Wei, Sheng Ding","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241246191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241246191","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined the impact of industrial integration on industrial energy efficiency in China. We measured industrial energy efficiency using stochastic frontier analysis with Mundlak auxiliary equations and distinguished between effective and ineffective energy use. We empirically examined the causal relationship between industrial integration and industrial energy efficiency using Chinese provincial industrial sector data for 2004 to 2021. The estimates showed that increasing the industry integration level by 1% reduced industrial inefficient energy use by 1.640%, which demonstrates that industry integration improved industrial energy efficiency significantly. The mechanism test showed that industrial integration improved industrial energy consumption through the scale effect. However, industrial integration can improve production efficiency through the technique effect, promote industrial upgrading through the composition effect, and reduce industrial energy intensity. Additionally, the causal relationship between industrial integration and industrial energy efficiency showed regional heterogeneity. The scale effect caused by industrial integration, rebound effect of technological progress, and transregional industrial transfer weakened the energy-saving effect of industrial integration.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"95 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140698764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chen Xiang Jie, Oktay Özkan, M. Meo, Muhammad Ramzan
{"title":"SDG achievement through international clean energy financing and access to clean fuel and technology","authors":"Chen Xiang Jie, Oktay Özkan, M. Meo, Muhammad Ramzan","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241244516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241244516","url":null,"abstract":"Clean fuel and technology play a pivotal role in realizing sustainable development goals 9 and 12. Specifically, clean technology is essential for transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables, promoting sustainable development and fostering a cleaner environment. This study delves into the primary driving forces of ecological quality in India spanning from 2000Q1 to 2020Q4, encompassing international clean energy financing, access to clean fuel and technology, globalization and trade. To address the interdependence of explanatory variables and capture results across different quantiles, we employ the recently proposed multivariate quantile-on-quantile regression alongside multivariate quantile regression. Our study's outcomes reveal that international clean energy financing, access to clean fuel and technology, and globalization positively impact the load capacity factor, thereby enhancing ecological quality. Conversely, economic growth and trade exert a negative influence on the load capacity factor, resulting in a decline in ecological quality. Based on these findings, we propose policy recommendations for consideration.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"58 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140706765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of population and primary energy consumption on air pollutants of 67 countries","authors":"Yongtong Li, Lifeng Wu","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241241020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241241020","url":null,"abstract":"Air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues in the world today. To predict the air quality of 67 countries, considering the influence factors including population and primary energy consumption, an unequal-order exponential cumulative grey multivariate model is proposed to predict the PM2.5 concentrations. The prediction results show that South and Southeast Asia are the most polluted regions in Asia. Eastern and Central Europe are the most polluted regions in Europe. North and West Africa are the most polluted regions in Africa. In terms of air quality, Oceania is the best continent. Air quality in North America is likely to deteriorate in the coming years. The situation in South America is also not optimistic. The results of this study can provide the government with a basis to adjust the local environmental policy in order to improve air quality. The public can deal with air pollution and take appropriate precautions.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"86 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140706951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How do digital financial inclusion, ICT diffusion, and education affect energy security risk in top energy-consuming countries?","authors":"Xueyuan Sun, Sana Ullah, Falak Sher","doi":"10.1177/0958305x241244467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305x241244467","url":null,"abstract":"Energy security has become a crucial issue as the world economy depends more and more on energy supplies. In the context of the top energy-consuming nations, this research examines the connection between digital financial inclusion, information and communication technology (ICT), education, and energy security risk from 2011 to 2022. To that end, the study applies the two-stage least squares and system generalized method of moments estimation techniques. According to our study's findings, digital financial inclusion and associated factors, including automatic teller machines, bank branches, debit cards, and electronic payments, mitigate energy security risks. The energy security risks are also reduced due to ICT, education, gross domestic product, and renewable energy production. However, carbon emissions increase energy security risks. These findings suggest that policymakers in top energy-consuming economies should focus on the digital inclusiveness of the financial sector, ICT diffusion, and human capital to increase the opportunities for investment in the energy sector to mitigate energy security risks.","PeriodicalId":505265,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environment","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140721333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}