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This paper examines the impact of green environmental practices and their dimensions, such as attitude towards green products, green marketing mix, and green customer value on green environmental practices and green purchase intention, which enhance the brands' competitiveness of manufacturing units of Asian economies. This paper further examines the influence of green entrepreneurial orientation, psychological benefits, and green innovation as mediating variables between exogenous and endogenous variables. The paper finally investigates the impact of green marketing as a moderator between exogenous and endogenous variables. The researchers employed a modified and structured questionnaire to obtain 498 responses from China, Pakistan, India, South Korea, and Bangladesh. For analysis, the researchers used PLS-SEM modeling using Smart-PLS 4.0. The research study's findings demonstrated that green environmental practices have a positive and significant relationship with green purchase intention. The outcomes of this research further reveal that attitudes towards green products, green marketing mix, and green customer value significantly and positively impact green environmental practices, enhancing competitiveness and corporate image. The mediation findings exhibited that green entrepreneurial orientation, psychological benefits, and innovation have a significant and positive influence as mediating variables between green environmental practices and green purchase intention. Finally, the outcomes of moderation of green marketing exhibited a significant and positive impact between exogenous and endogenous variables. The study's findings have demonstrated a significant theoretical and managerial implication for researchers, academicians, industry practitioners, and policymakers. Industry practitioners can develop effective strategies to enhance the competitiveness of their brands in industrial manufacturing units in Asian economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the pressing necessity to mitigate the consequences of climate change, it is of the utmost importance to establish a carbon-neutral society. Nevertheless, sustainability is significantly impeded by energy inequality. It is the term used to describe the unequal distribution, access, and utilization of energy resources among demographic groups, which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic and geopolitical tensions. This research aims to conceptualize and quantify energy inequality in Lithuania and compare it with EU data in order to bolster the ambitious objective of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. This article elucidates the intricacy of energy inequality by utilizing a Lithuanian population survey and a literature review, which are supplemented by an EU macroeconomic analysis. The findings underline the necessity of locally tailored solutions and underscore the significant disparities in energy access between Lithuanian regions and demographic groups. Targeted policy measures are necessary to overcome economic, technological, and socio-political obstacles that impede progress toward a climate-neutral society. The necessity of a multidimensional approach and global cooperation is underscored by a comparative analysis of EU statistics, which reveals variable progress in addressing energy inequality. Theis research is a pertinent contribution to the discourse on sustainability and social justice, and it offers policy-makers, practitioners, and stakeholders guidance for a more inclusive and sustainable energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Society faces challenges in achieving a climate-neutral society due to deepening energy inequality. The pandemic led to reduced emissions but also caused an economic downturn. Geopolitical tensions since 2022 raised energy prices, affecting affordability. To address these issues, this research aims to conduct a systematic literature review to explore the content, conceptualization, and distinguishing factors of energy inequality compared to similar concepts as well as to identify energy inequality dimensions and its indicators and explore ways to reduce it. A systematic literature review explored recent publications on energy inequality from 2019 to 2023, encompassing both pre-pandemic and pandemic-affected periods. This review analyzed 203 articles, with 61 of them directly focusing on energy inequality indicators. This research is conducted in several stages. Firstly, this article clarifies the concept of energy inequality and highlights its differences from related terms. Secondly, this study investigates the effects of energy inequality taking into account its diverse dimensions, and it categorizes these dimensions and their respective indicators based on their specific contexts. Thirdly, recommendations are provided for potential approaches to reduce energy inequality. The methodology integrates an examination of macroeconomic energy inequality statistics. The resulting findings hold the potential to significantly contribute towards cultivating a more environmentally conscious trajectory. Moreover, these outcomes play a pivotal role in advancing energy justice and effectively tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by energy inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent two decades of recorded literature, energy poverty is increasingly understood as a multi-dimensional issue caused by the low-carbon energy transition. In this study, a literature review was performed, the outcome of which confirmed the contentious nature of energy poverty at the regional and international levels of analysis. Furthermore, the collected literature enabled the identification of those domains under which energy poverty is prevailing. The impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war on energy prices and energy poverty were also considered key issues of interest in recently published studies (published within the last five years). While all the collected studies in the literature review covered a wide geographical context worldwide, a comprehensive analysis of nurturing energy poverty sources and their consequences was primarily and foremost understood in the household sector, which was the research focus of this study, accordingly. Moreover, future research guidelines that should be drawn regarding energy poverty alleviation were also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversification of import plays a very important role in the current world full of risks and political perturbations. Covid-19 lockdowns and Russian - Ukrainian war cause disruptions in supply chains. Therefore, import diversification is very important for ensuring the country's supply security. There are many measures and tools developed for assessing economic diversification, including import diversification though the majority of studies are addressing export diversification and analyzing the importance of economic diversification for economic growth and macro-economic stability in the primary sector. However, risks of supply disruptions, especially in the current globalized world, can cause many problems for specific industries, regions and countries. There is a literature gap on the analysis of import diversification methods and measures in terms of their suitability for economic analysis and decision-making in all economic sectors, including mining. The paper aims to overcome this gap by analyzing import diversification measures based on a systematic literature review and assessing them according to the main criteria of suitability for economic analysis and decision-making: simplicity, data availability, comparability and transparency. The ranking of import diversification methods and measures was provided based on conducted analysis and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research is to examine the concept of industry 4.0 through digital transformation using the business integration management model for market competitiveness in the healthcare industry. Partial objectives are to analyze its effectivity in terms of a value proposition, specifically, value delivery transformation, value capture transformation, patients’ empowerment, community-based transformation, market competitiveness, and globalization transformation. We further analyze the role of advanced technology in digital transformation. For this purpose, we employ a structured questionnaire completed by 4429 respondents representing stakeholders from the United States and Pakistan. We use SEM-based multivariate approaches such as exploratory and confirmatory factors analysis and conditional process modeling for the data analysis. The findings of this study demonstrate that the digital transformation integration model significantly and positively affects value delivery transformation, value capture transformation, patients’ empowerment, community-based transformation, and globalization transformation for market competitiveness. The findings further reveal that technological advancement has a significant moderating impact between the digital transformation integration model, value delivery transformation, value capture transformation, patients’ empowerment, community-based transformation, and globalization transformation that also increase the market competitiveness of healthcare industries, including hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and other related industries. The findings of the undertaken study have imperative theoretical and practical implications. Industry practitioners can gain optimal financial and social competitiveness through digital transformation using the business integration management model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One quarter of global energy consumption goes towards meeting transport needs. In Europe, the share of energy for transport is much higher and accounts for about a third. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the sustainable development and progress of the sector. This paper seeks to develop a framework for the sustainability assessment of road transport in EU countries and to evaluate the countries' achievements in the last decade. The research adheres to the provision that the developed framework should be easily applied in future studies. Therefore, significant attention is paid to the selection of indicators and their availability, as well as the selection of the research instrument itself. The multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique TOPSIS has been applied for calculations and countries' ranking, in order to compare countries' achievements in the last decade (2010–2020). The last ten years' analysis allows us to identify the direction of individual countries in developing road transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission introduced a package of measures to accelerate the shift to low-carbon energy transition in Europe. In 2014, EU member states agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The binding greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States from 2021 to 2030 for the transport, buildings, agriculture, waste, and land-use and forestry sectors were established. EU Member States should decide on their own how to meet the agreed upon 2030 target and implement climate-change-mitigation measures. All EU MSs have committed to prepare national energy and climate plans based on regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU)2018/1999, agreed as part of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package approved in 2019. The national plans outline how the EU Member States intend to implement the GHG reduction target by increasing their in energy efficiency, use of renewables, greenhouse-gas-emission reductions, interconnections, and research and innovation. This paper analyzes the energy and climate plans of the Baltic States and systematizes the main climate-change-mitigation policies in the energy sector targeting the household sector. The background of energy and climate planning is provided from a theoretical point of view, encompassing regional, local, and national energy and climate plans. The diffusion levels of renewables in the Baltic States were determined and the energy-climatic-friendly policies followed, by them, they were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsequently, measures and policies on climate change should confront the shortcomings of existing energy-poverty reduction management measures and should implement measures of climate change mitigation linked to energy consumption in households [[3]]. Similar renewable-energy efficiency policies for the demand sides include the decarbonization of the following sectors: transport, mining, and other industries; their aim is to reduce emissions from the demand side, while reaching more than 80% renewable electricity generation by 2030, including mainly wind, solar, and hydropower plants. This editorial proposes a roadmap of international strategies for sustainable energy transition and sustainable electricity generation in alignment with past and current energy-transition measures and policies. In the relevant literature, climate change mitigation policies in the household sector can support energy-poverty reduction and energy justice. [Extracted from the article]

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of proactive environmental strategy, competitive differentiation advantage & cost-leadership competitive advantage for the competitive, sustainable development of an organization in terms of its performances, for instance, product strategy, production, process & financial performances. We incorporated technological eco-innovation as a mediating factor & corporate image as a moderator between exogenous & endogenous variables. We have collected 798 responses from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. For the data analyses, we employed a structural equation modeling-based multivariate approach and conditional process modeling. The novelty and significance of the undertaken study rested in multifaceted outcomes; for instance, the proactive environmental strategy, the competitive advantage of differentiation & competitive advantage of cost leadership have a significant & positive impact on the sustainable development of an organization in terms of its performances, for example, product strategic, production & financial performances. The findings further demonstrate that technological eco-innovation as a mediating factor & corporate image as a moderating factor played vital and significant influencers between exogenous and endogenous variables. Finally, the Toda-Yamamoto causality showed the two-ways directionality between exogenous & endogenous variables. The outcomes have provided critical practical and societal implications for the industry and society. The companies may incorporate the environment as a cornerstone in short & longterm strategies for sustainable development. On the other hand, organizations may provide an eco-friendly environment to society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU has set ambitious commitment to achieve low carbon energy and economy transition up to 2050. This low carbon transition means sustainable energy development path based on renewable energy sources and first of all should address the energy poverty vulnerability and justice issues. The main goal of the paper is to develop indicators framework for assessing low carbon just energy transition and to apply this framework for analysis how climate change mitigation policies in households targeting enhancement of energy renovation of residential buildings and promotion of the use of micro-generation technologies and other policies are affecting household's energy poverty and vulnerability in selected countries: Lithuania and Greece. This framework allows to assess three main dimensions of sustainable energy development: environmental, social and economic. The paper provides policy recommendations how to deal with just low carbon energy transition which means addressing energy poverty issues during moving to 100% renewables in power generation based on performed case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal energy can be an attractive source of renewable energy in many respects. The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of geothermal energy in the West Pomeranian Region of Poland. The article presents the key principles of geothermal energy development, its role, functions and perspectives in fostering renewable energy usage in the region in question. Strengths, weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats of using geothermal energy are analysed based on the literature review. A regional geothermal energy development model is proposed. The study is based on statistical data. The results of the conducted study show that geothermal energy can be an important source of regional energy supply in the West Pomeranian Region. However, advantages and shortcomings should be taken into account when deciding on the promotion of geothermal energy in the selected region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine a multi-dimensional modified conceptual model based on stakeholder theory & previous literature. The work represents an attempt to evaluate the association of environmental issues and practices of an organization's corporate social responsibility and the impact of these two factors on overall competitiveness. We have taken four corporate social responsibility (CSR) factors regarding the environment that affect competitive organizational performance. Additionally, we incorporated green innovation as a mediator and social media marketing apps as a moderator to examine the impact on organizational competitiveness. We collected 906 responses from the manufacturing and services sectors from the regional developing Asian countries China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the UAE for more generalizable and robust results. We developed a modified questionnaire and conceptual framework to empirically test organizational performance & competitiveness. For the analysis, we employed SEM-based multivariate modeling. The study's findings reveal that all the considered CSR factors of the environment positively and significantly impact organizational performance for competitiveness. The results further show that both green innovation as a mediator and social media marketing apps as moderators significantly impact the relationship of CSR factors of environment and organizational competitiveness. Thus, the modified conceptual model demonstrates that the environmental CSR factors are beneficial for the manufacturing and service sectors of developing economies, which create value for competitive business, society, and environment. The findings provide valuable directions for the senior management in the manufacturing and services sector to devise and implement environmental strategies for competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an analysis based on the theory of Fear, this study examines impulse purchase patterns during the COVID-19 Pandemic across major US urban centers. Data from 889 US consumers were collected from leading US cities to evaluate impulse buying behavior fluctuations using SEM-based multivariate approaches to examine the survey statistics. We used COVID-19 as a moderating variable of this impulse purchase behavior. The results confirmed that Fear of a complete lockdown, peers buying, scarcity of essential products on shelves, US stimulus checks, the limited supply of essential goods, and panic buying have had a compelling and affirmative influence on the sharp swings of impulse buying patterns. The findings further confirm that Fear Appeal and social media fake news have had a strong positive impact on impulse buying as mediating factors. Finally, it was concluded that COVID-19 is a significant moderating factor influencing the impulse buying behavior of US citizens. The practical implications suggest that marketers and brand managers should devise novel strategies to enhance their brand's market share to attain a competitive advantage in COVID-19 or similar panic situations in the future. These research findings are essential to comprehend the sharp fluctuations of impulse buying patterns in the current cutthroat competition environment across the US and other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes in energy use and energy-mix are important in ensuring the implementation of the sustainability goals, especially those related to the climate change. Even though there have been attempts to analyse the energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the European Union, there is still a lack of research that considers structural change, fossil energy consumption, and energy-mix simultaneously. In this context, the present paper addresses the growth in energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union (EU) agriculture. The index decomposition analysis based on the logarithmic mean Divisia index is implemented over the period of 2004–2021. The change in the GHG intensity at the EU level is factorized with respect to the structural effect and those related to the energy intensity, the share of the fossil energy, and carbon factor for the fossil energy. The results suggest that a decline in the energy intensity appeared as the main driver pushing the energy-related GHG emission intensity down in the EU agriculture. This calls for further actions directed towards the increase of the use of renewables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic region relies heavily on imported fossil fuels and strongly emphasizes renewable energy development. However, certain obstacles, such as site selection, hinder solar energy development in this region. Therefore, major energy stakeholders must identify optimal solar photovoltaic construction locations. The present study endeavored to conduct a comprehensive and meticulous review of pertinent literature published from 2013 to 2023 to identify critical factors that influence site selection and look into various methodologies employed in this domain. Later, a two-stage approach was used for the first time to identify the most suitable locations among 39 potential cities in the Baltic region for constructing solar PV farms. In the first stage, Data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used to filter out the areas with the highest potential by measuring their efficiency indices using temperature, wind speed, humidity, precipitation, and air pressure as inputs and sunshine hours, elevation, and irradiation as outputs. Subsequently, six selected evaluation criteria were used to prioritize the locations with solar energy potential. In the second stage, CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC)-Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to determine the criteria's objective weights and rank potential sites for the research case study. The results indicate that 25 locations in the Baltic region are suitable for building solar farms, with specific photovoltaic power output being the most significant criterion that impacts solar site selection. Furthermore, by excluding Gross domestic product (GDP) and labor force from the analysis, the results can align with the Global Solar Atlas's reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to analyze and compare greenhouse gas emission profiles, dynamics thereof, and the climate change mitigation efforts of the major players in the global climate change arena, namely the G7 and BRICS countries that are accounting for more than 60% of the world greenhouse gas emissions as in 2017. Given that the energy sector is the major source of the greenhouse emissions in these countries, the framework of sustainable energy development indicators was applied to the comparative analysis. The analysis revealed the differences among the groups of countries in terms of greenhouse gas emission profiles and development trends of these profiles. The convergence of greenhouse gas emission profiles can be noticed between G7 and BRICS countries during 1990–2017 period. Greenhouse gas emissions per capita has decreased in G7 countries and increased in BRICS countries. Energy intensity, economic growth and carbon factor are the main drivers of greenhouse gas emissions per capita growth in both groups of countries. Carbon factor represents carbon intensity of a country's energy sector and is measured by greenhouse gas emissions per unit of total primary energy supply. The impact of carbon factor was least significant among the main drivers in both groups. Energy intensity was the major driver of decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per capita for both groups, however, the economic growth exceeded the contribution of energy intensity in BRICS countries and greenhouse gas emissions have increased in this group during investigated period. The comparative analysis of greenhouse gas emission profiles development trends and the main drivers of these trends in both groups of countries provides important insights in shaping future climate change mitigation policies and developing greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Due to the high greenhouse gas profiles, low GHG reduction commitments and insufficient climate change mitigation the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme in India efforts in both groups there is danger of postponing implementation of Paris commitments and achieving the 1.5° target. The policies implemented in high ranked countries, like or Integrated Resources Planning in South Africa or measures under Energy efficiency directive in EU can be applied in low ranked countries by providing the substantial contribution to the country's climate targets. Image 1 • The GHG profiles of G7 and BRICS were converging during 1990–2017. • GHG/capita has decreased in G7 countries and increased in BRICS countries. • Energy intensity, economic growth and carbon factor - the main drivers of GHG/capita. • Energy intensity - the major driver of decrease in GHG/capita for both groups. • However, the economic growth exceeded the contribution of energy intensity in BRICS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Understanding the nexus CO 2 emissions and economic growth helps economies in formulating energy policies and developing energy resources in sustainable ways. Although during recent years, numerous of the previous studies have been very thoroughly investigated the nexus between economic growth and CO 2 emissions, there is a lack of research regarding the qualitative systematic review and meta-analysis in these areas. The main purpose of this review paper is to present the comprehensive overview of the relationship between CO 2 emissions and economic growth. In this regard, the Web of Science database has been chosen and a qualitative systematic and meta-analysis method which called "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)" has been proposed. Therefore, a review of 175 published articles appearing in 55 scholarly international journals between 1995 and 2017 has been achieved to reach a broad review of the nexus between economic growth and CO 2 emissions with other indicators. Consequently, the selected articles have been categorized by the author name, the year of publication, data duration, types of techniques, data analysis method, the name of indicators, country, scope (individual country and multi-countries), journals, results, and outcome in which they appeared. The results of this paper demonstrated that the nexus between CO 2 emissions and economic growth gives reasons for policy options that have to reduce emissions by imposing limiting factors on economic growth as well. Given the fact that bidirectional causality exists, as far as economic growth increases or decreases, further CO 2 emissions are stimulated in higher or lower levels and consequently, a potential reduction of the emissions should have an adverse influence on economic growth. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A review of 175 articles dealing with CO 2 and economic growth during 2 recent decades was performed. • These papers were obtained from 55 journals refereed at WoS database. • Qualitative systematic and meta-analysis method called "PRISMA" was applied. • Articles have been categorized by author, techniques, countries, data analysis, results, etc. • The bidirectional causality exists between economic growth and CO 2 emission trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the interactive relationships between oil price shocks and the stock market in 11 OECD countries using traditional cointegration test and look at the rolling window Granger causality effects with various predictive power contents running between the variables. Taking into account both world oil production and world oil prices in order to supervise for oil supply and oil demand shocks, strong evidence of the sensitivity of stock market returns to the oil price shock specifications is found in several sub-periods. As for rolling window causality tests, it is found that the impact of oil price shocks substantially differs along the different countries and that the results also differ among the various oil shock specifications. The overall finding suggests that oil supply shocks have a negative effect on stock market returns in the net oil importing OECD countries. Indeed, the stock market returns are negatively impacted by oil demand shocks in the oil importing OECD countries and positively impacted by the oil exporting OECD countries. Furthermore, these results will give a dimension for future undertaking studies with varying empirical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the undertaken research study is to examine the influence of crude oil and gold prices on the equity returns of Baltic and South Asian stock markets. The study comprises of daily data from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2016. Nasdaq Baltic market (LOMXBBGI) data time series is stationary at level; however, rest of the data series became stationary at first difference by employing Philips-Perron and Augmented Dickey-Fuller approaches. Results of Johansen cointegration illustrated an absence of the cointegration amongst the considered economic indicators, therefore; we could not establish the long haul association amidst the equity returns of Baltic and South Asian markets, and crude oil and gold prices. The outcomes of VEC Granger Causality/Block Exogeneity Wald approach suggested unidirectional causality from LCOP to LKSE100 and LGP to LKSE100. Hence, it has been established that there is no causal affiliation amongst the variables. However, it is further concluded from the results of ARDL approach that the LOMXBBGI has a significant short-term relationship in lag 1 and lag 2. Moreover, DLGP also showed a significant short-term relationship with LOMXBBGI at 10% significant level. However, LCOP does not have any affect on LOMXBBGI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the trends in energy security across the three Baltic States, namely Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The period of 2008–2012 is covered in the analysis. The aggregate measures of energy security are devised by the means of multi-criteria decision making techniques. The choice of indicators of energy security is based on the priorities set out in the European Union energy policy. The proposed system relies on the objective weighting that requires no expert assessment. However, this approach is also supplemented by the restricted models, where certain bounds are defined for groups of criteria, describing energy security in economic, energy supply chain, and environmental dimensions. The results show that Latvia maintained the highest level of energy security irrespectively of the multi-criteria approach taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy plays a pivotal role in economic growth. Besides, it is a requirement for the factories to be run, Industries to be developed, cities to have functioned, and populations to fulfill their needs and expectations. Thus, energy has a strategic position among nations and countries. Align with sustainability, nations want to have energy justice among various generations. In this regard, this study developed a comprehensive framework based on a complete literature review, to evaluate energy poverty (EP) by addressing the energy demand, clean generation of the energy, its strategic position, and energy justice among the nations. As a consequence, the EP framework consists of three pillars. The first one is for society to address the demand, access, and affordability of energy. The second pillar is administration to ensure the accessibility to the sources of energy as well as aligning the energy market by their import policies. The third EP pillar is sustainability and refers to the emissions which result from the energy generations and level of renewable energy sources to satisfy the energy demand. By considering these three pillars, energy would be accessible, affordable, and sustained among various generations. The comprehensive EP framework is applied in a case study with real data by using the European Union (EU) energy goal (7th goal) among the sustainable development indicators. The EP comprehensive framework is implemented to evaluate 27 EU countries based on the EU database in this case study by using the Indifference Threshold-based Attribute Ratio Analysis (ITARA) to weigh up the criteria set since this method is the recommended method in case of dealing with real data and assist the study to accurate and independent to the expert background and their attitude. Also, Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution (MARCOS) methodology is used to evaluate the EU countries as the methodology uses both positive and negative ideal solutions to make sure the accuracy and convergence speed particularly when the problem is confronted by a long list of the 27 EU countries. • A novel a comprehensive framework to assess energy poverty. • Accessibility, affordability and sustainability criteria. • Indifference Threshold-based Attribute Ratio Analysis. • COmpromise Solution (MARCOS) methodology. • Applied for 27 EU Member States in 2015–2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are omnipresent in energy policy analysis. Even though IAMs can successfully handle uncertainty pertinent to energy planning problems, they render multiple variables as outputs of the modelling. Therefore, policy makers are faced with multiple energy development scenarios and goals. Specifically, technical, environmental, and economic aspects are represented by multiple criteria, which, in turn, are related to conflicting objectives. Preferences of decision makers need to be taken into account in order to facilitate effective energy planning. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools are relevant in aggregating diverse information and thus comparing alternative energy planning options. The paper aims at ranking European Union (EU) energy development scenarios based on several IAMs with respect to multiple criteria. By doing so, we account for uncertainty surrounding policy priorities outside the IAM. In order to follow a sustainable approach, the ranking of policy options is based on EU energy policy priorities: energy efficiency improvements, increased use of renewables, reduction in and low mitigations costs of GHG emission. The ranking of scenarios is based on the estimates rendered by the two advanced IAMs relying on different approaches, namely TIAM and WITCH. The data are fed into the three MCDM techniques: the method of weighted aggregated sum/product assessment (WASPAS), the Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method, and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). As MCDM techniques allow assigning different importance to objectives, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to check the impact of perturbations in weights upon the final ranking. The rankings provided for the scenarios by different MCDM techniques diverge, first of all, due to the underlying assumptions of IAMs. Results of the analysis provide valuable insights in integrated application of both IAMs and MCDM models for developing energy policy scenarios and decision making in energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the sectors of Karachi stock exchange in order to determine if there is any presence of mean reversion phenomenon in the stock market sectors and also an attempt to determine the pace of mean reversion. To conduct this research, secondary data is collected from the State Bank Bulletin. The frequency of the data is monthly. The variables include the individual; the data was obtained from 24 sectors returns over the period of 17 years from January 1992 to June 2008. The GARCH (1, 1) model was used to find the outcomes and the effects. In the two sectors out of 24 sectors, the GARCH and ARCH effects were significant, namely, in the Jute and Banks & Investment Companies. We studied the mean reverting process in the KSE sectors over a specific time period. Since, the mean reversion varies over different time periods. Therefore, it would be a good area for future research to study the reasons, why the market reacts differently over different time periods and to determine the reasons for such variations. The paper contributes to Stock Prices returns and investment opportunities by studying the Mean Reversion Phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the long-run relationship between energy consumption and real GDP, including fixed capital and total employment, for 18 EU countries from 1995 to 2012. The analysis was based on the panel unit root tests, panel cointegration test and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) estimator and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) estimator. Data were analyzed in three groups – all sample, Visegrad countries (V4) and old 14 EU countries. Indeed, the results demonstrate that economic growth and the variables – energy consumption, gross fixed capital – are cointegrated for the whole panel of countries as well as for the two selected groups of countries. Furthermore, the panel FMOLS and DOLS estimators reveal that the relationship between energy consumption, gross fixed capital and economic growth is positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the impact of electricity market opening on sustainability of electricity market models. The paper aims to identify what electricity market organization models are the best ones based on the established sustainability criteria. The sustainability criteria include the main sustainability aspects of power sector (economic, social, and environmental). The methodology has been designed to evaluate organisational models of electricity market, which allows performing an extensive evaluation, encompassing all aspects of sustainable development. The evaluation methodology, which has been designed for the evaluation of energy market organisation model, provides the basis for the identification of indicators that have the most significant impact on sustainability; also it lays down the premise for the establishment of critical values and possible changes and the analysis of reasons for the changes in sustainability. The paper applies developed model for sustainability assessment of electricity market models in several world countries having different electricity market organisation structures. The selection of 12 developed world countries (11 of them are OECD countries) from various continents was made based on availability of fully liberalized electricity markets in these countries. The proposed assessment allows to review and compare electricity market models in terms of achieving main targets of sustainable power sector development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithuania has developed several important climate change mitigation policy documents however there are no attempts in Lithuania to develop local climate change mitigation policies or to decentralize climate change mitigation policy. The aim of the paper is to analyse climate change mitigation policies in households. The paper presents the framework for the assessment of reasonably achievable GHG emission reduction (RAER) potential in households based on behavioral changes related to energy consumption. The paper presents the results of empirical application of developed framework in Lithuanian households. Community based social marketing approach was implemented and GHG emission reduction potential was assessed in focus groups of Kaunas region county during preparation of sustainable development strategy and long-term strategic development plan for Kaunas region county. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creation of sustainable society and transition to low-carbon energy system are the main priorities of the EU policy. Energy poverty (EP) is one of the most important social problems linked to low-carbon transition as creation of carbon neutral societies requires to address other important sustainability issues linked with carbon-free future. Although assessment of EP is a prerequisite for designing policy initiatives to alleviate the problem. The article provides a methodological framework for the EP assessment taking into account goals of low-carbon energy transition and creation of sustainable carbon-neutral society. The proposed evaluation tool can be applied in different settings and used to track the relative progress of the countries in pursuing low-carbon transition and sustainable societies development. The Bellagio Sustainability Assessment and Measurement Principles (STAMP) were followed throughout the process of indicators selection and assessment. In order to determine countries' achievements over time, the assessment was performed in 2010 and 2018 by applying two multi-criteria techniques. The results show that the Nordic countries stand out from other EU member states in terms of just low-carbon energy transition progress because of their low poverty indicators in households, high standard of living, and high share of renewable energy. • An innovative approach based on the Bellagio STAMP and multi-criteria techniques was developed. • Multi-criteria analysis and expert survey were applied for energy poverty measurement in the EU. • Sweden and Finland and other Nordic countries have received the highest ranking. • The lowest in the ranking was Bulgaria, following by Cyprus and Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article deals with external cost of electricity generation in Lithuania. The external costs of electricity generation are the most important environmental criteria shaping decisions within the electricity system. External costs of electricity generation were calculated based on ExternE methodology for Lithuania during EU (European Union) Framework 6 project Cost Assessment for Sustainable Energy Systems (CASES). The article presents the methodology and results of external costs of electricity generation in Lithuania. The assessment of external costs provided that future energy policy should be oriented towards the renewable energy generation technologies having the lowest external costs. External costs for electricity generation technologies were analysed in terms of external costs categories, electricity generation technologies life cycle stages and time frame 2010–2030. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper focuses on the impact of the electricity market regulation on generating technologies, including renewable in Lithuanian and Poland. The paper aims to identify how the regulatory and non-regulatory factors have influenced investors′ choices. A country case studies approach were applied to analyse and address define the main factors that have influenced investors′ choice of technology mix in electricity market in transition. The major findings of the analysis entail: the main driving forces behind the rationale for reform; electricity reform characteristics; the impact of electricity market reform on electricity prices and electricity market reform and non-reform related factors that have influenced investor′s choice for a specific generation technology or a technology mix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lithuania has a strong dependence on foreign energy, mainly Russian oil and gas. The need for replacement of old capacities and closure of Ignalina NPP is an extremely important driving force for transformation, making conventional and new technologies compete for a role in the future energy supply in Lithuania. Lithuania adopted national energy independence strategy in 2012 where construction of new NPP is being considered as the main way to increase energy independence however for Lithuanian population the prices of district heat is the major problem therefore the alternative measures are necessary seeking to solve the problem of energy independence and high district heat prices. One possible development path of energy sector is decentralization of the electricity system. Distributed power generation in small, decentralized units could help to reduce emissions, save grid capacity and provide opportunities for renewable energy. It could be a constituent part of a more sustainable energy future. There are several available technologies for implementation of CHP in buildings. These technologies need to be assessed by taking into account economic, environmental and social criteria. Comparative assessment of these technologies in terms of sustainability and to define the most sustainable one. The multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods are the celebrated techniques employed for suchlike assessments and can by applied for this task as provides assessment of technologies based on quantitative, qualitative indicators and also allows to tackle with uncertainties when ranges of values for indicators are available. The aim of the paper is to compare the main small scale CHP technologies for buildings and to rank them according the main criteria of sustainability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the paper is to assess energy technologies in road transport sector in terms of atmospheric emissions and costs and to indicate the most competitive and environmentally friendly transport technologies. The main tasks of the paper are: to develop the multi-criteria framework for comparative assessment of energy technologies in road transport and to apply MCDM methods for the transport technologies assessment. One of the MCDM methods, viz. the interval TOPSIS method, is employed in order to tackle the uncertain criteria. The assessment framework allows comparing road transport technologies in terms of their environmental and economic impacts and facilitates decision making process in transport sector. The main indicators selected for technologies assessment are: private costs and life cycle emissions of the main pollutants (GHG; particulates, NOx, CO, HCs). The ranking of road transport technologies based on private costs and atmospheric emissions allowed prioritizing these technologies in terms of environmental friendliness the lowest costs. However the extent, capacity, and quality of road infrastructure affects the overall level of transportation activity, which in turn affects how much energy is consumed by vehicles and the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted. The paper presents the impact of transportation infrastructure on GHG emissions from road vehicles and policy implications of performed assessment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the article is to develop technique for climate change mitigation policies assessment based on priorities of sustainable energy development. There is a close relationship between energy policies and tools aiming at sustainable energy development targets, i.e. promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures and climate change mitigation tools. Therefore ranking of climate change mitigation tools based on their impact sustainable energy development targets is necessary seeking to ensure harmonization of policies and their synergy effect. The main tasks of the article are: (i) to define EU sustainable energy development targets, (ii) to analyze EU energy and climate change mitigation policies and their interactions, (iii) to propose a multi-criteria framework for climate change mitigation policies assessment and ranking, and (iv) to apply multi-criteria decision making methodology for climate change mitigation policies ranking in Lithuania. The main findings of paper are related with proposed technique for climate change mitigation policies assessment and application of this technique for ranking of climate change mitigation policies in Lithuania. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Both strategic and environmental factors make biomass an important energy source and element of sustainable energy policy. The establishment of a reasonable energy crop-mix, indeed, involves various uncertain data. This paper, therefore, offers a multi-criteria decision making framework for prioritization of energy crops based on fuzzy MULTIMOORA method which enables to tackle imprecise information. Given the appropriate energy crop-mix should exhibit both climatic suitability and low environmental pressure, we have defined the indicator set covering respective linguistic and numeric indicators. Accordingly, the set of alternatives were constructed from energy crops suitable for the Lithuanian climate. The fuzzy MULTIMOORA method was employed for data fusion and prioritization. As a result, the prospective species for energy crop-mix were suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Energy efficiency is an important issue of European climate policy. Energy efficiency is measured by the energy intensity of an economy showing how much energy (expressed in kilograms of oil equivalent, kgoe) is used for the production of one unit (1000 EUR) of GDP. There are huge differences between EU old and new member states. Though there are some trends of energy intensity convergence between EU member states however the achieved decrease in energy intensity is attributable mostly to a loss of energy-intensive industrial capacities in the transformation process. There is a crucial difference between whether the energy intensity of a given economy decreases as a result of downscaling energy-intensive activities or because of increased energy efficiency in activities that are maintained. It is important to make sure that this distinction is made within the policy framework which at present is not the case. The aim of the paper is to assess policies targeting energy intensity decrease in Lithuania in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy and to select the best policies able to increase energy efficiency in activities that are maintained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Economic, technological, social, and political developments stressed the need for shifts in energy-mix. Therefore it is important to provide a rationale for sustainable decision making in energy policy. The aim of this paper is to develop the multi-criteria decision support framework for choosing the most sustainable electricity production technologies. Given selection of sustainable energy sources involves many conflicting criteria, multi-criteria decision methods MULTIMOORA and TOPSIS were employed for the analysis. The indicator system covering different approaches of sustainability was established. The analysis proved that the future energy policy should be oriented towards the sustainable energy technologies, namely water and solar thermal ones. It is the proposed multi-criteria assessment framework that can constitute a basis for further sub-regional optimization of sustainable energy policy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nuclear power and carbon capture and storage (CCS) are key greenhouse gas mitigation options under consideration across the world. Both technologies imply long-term waste management challenge. Geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nuclear waste has much in common, and valuable lessons can be learnt from a comparison. Seeking to compare these technologies economic, social and environmental criteria need to be selected and expressed in terms of indicators. Very important issue is costs and economics of geological storage of carbon dioxide and nuclear waste. The costs of storage are one of the main indicators for assessment of technologies in terms of economic criteria. The paper defines the costs of the geological storage of CO2 and nuclear waste in Lithuania, drawing also on insights from other parts of the world. The costs of carbon dioxide and nuclear waste storage are evaluated in UScnt/kWh and compared. The paper critically compares the characteristics and location of the both sources of and storage options for CO2 and nuclear waste in Lithuania. It discusses the main costs categories for carbon dioxide and nuclear waste storage. The full range of potential geological storage options is considered and the most reliable options for carbon dioxide and nuclear waste are selected for the comparative costs assessment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The EU''s new energy and environment policy – agreed by government leaders in their Council meeting in March 2007 – established a political agenda to tackle three core energy objectives: sustainability, economic competitiveness and security of supply. A triad of specific policies addresses these challenges: first, the 20/20/20 targets of the EU; then, the Second Strategic Energy Review of the European Commission; and finally, plans to liberalise energy markets. The European Union''s ‘20/20/20′ targets for 2020: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% comparing with 1990 level (to become a 30% reduction if other major global economies join), increase the share of renewables in the final energy consumption to 20% and to achieve 20% improvement in energy efficiency compared to the level in 2020 if existing trends were to continue. The aim of the paper is to analyse the feasibility of EU to implement 20/20/20 targets under the various international GHG trading regimes. GHG trading regimes were addressed by developing 10 energy scenarios until 2020 for EU by applying several energy modelling tools ranging from top down partial equilibrium to detailed technology based bottom up models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is commonly understood that households must change their behavior to reduce problems related increased energy consumption and climate change therefore in the search of cheap GHG emission reduction measures households are an important target group because they are responsible for more than 20% of total energy consumption in developed countries. In addition waste management and responsible consumption of products are the key issues in GHG emission reduction. The aim of the paper is to assess GHG emission reduction potential in households in terms of behavioral changes towards sustainable consumption. The review of literature on analysis of households behavioral changes impact on GHG emission reduction was performed; the daily survey of household agenda and energy use records were performed in Lithuania for two scenarios – baseline and GHG emission reduction scenario including energy saving. GHG emission reduction potential in household was assessed based on daily survey data and energy consumption records by applying carbon calculator based on modified coefficients. Evaluated GHG emission reduction potential in households was compared with GHG emission reduction potentials in other sectors of Lithuania. Based on analysis performed in the paper the tools to promote household behavioral changes towards sustainable consumption were proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of comparative assessment of future road transport technologies is to find the cheapest motor vehicles in terms of private and external Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission costs under various international climate change mitigation scenarios in 2020 and 2050. The comparative assessment of the main road transport technologies ranging from conventional vehicles to hybrid electric vehicles was performed. The main indicators for comparative future motor vehicles assessment are: private costs and life cycle external costs of GHG emissions. The obtained ranking of road transport technologies allows to identify the most perspective future motor vehicles taking into account international climate change mitigation constraints and to promote these road technologies by policy tools. The cheapest road transport technologies in 2020 and 2050 are: the main results presented in this paper were obtained during EU financed Framework 7 project “PLANETS” dealing with probabilistic long-term assessment of new energy technology scenarios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lithuania is currently dealing with two major problems in energy sector: final closure of Ignalina Nuclear Power plant (Ignalina NPP) in the end of 2009 and nuclear waste disposal and climate change mitigation issues having in mind replacement of nuclear capacities with fossil one and anticipated increase in GHG emissions. Lithuania has two options: to construct new nuclear power plant also taking into account nuclear waste disposal issue or to burn fossil fuel and to apply carbon capture and storage (CCS) for GHG emission reduction. These two options need to be investigated in Lithuania based on various studies conducted in Lithuania and abroad dealing with geological carbon storage and nuclear waste disposal potentials. There are no long-lived nuclear waste geological storage capacities in Lithuania and there is no pilot project on CCS developed in Lithuania. The aim of the article is to analyse and compare geological carbon and nuclear waste storage opportunities in Lithuania and to assess nuclear and carbon capture and storage technologies in terms of costs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The long-term assessment of new electricity generation was performed for various long-run policy scenarios taking into account two main criteria: private costs and external GHG emission costs. Such policy oriented power generation technologies assessment based on carbon price and private costs of technologies can provide information on the most attractive future electricity generation technologies taking into account climate change mitigation targets and GHG emission reduction commitments for world regions. Analysis of life cycle GHG emissions and private costs of the main future electricity generation technologies performed in this paper indicated that biomass technologies except large scale straw combustion technologies followed by nuclear have the lowest life cycle GHG emission. Biomass IGCC with CO2 capture has even negative life cycle GHG emissions. The cheapest future electricity generation technologies in terms of private costs in long-term perspective are: nuclear and hard coal technologies followed by large scale biomass combustion and biomass CHPs. The most expensive technologies in terms of private costs are: oil and natural gas technologies. As the electricity generation technologies having the lowest life cycle GHG emissions are not the cheapest one in terms of private costs the ranking of technologies in terms of competitiveness highly depend on the carbon price implied by various policy scenarios integrating specific GHG emission reduction commitments taken by countries and climate change mitigation targets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article analyses the main problems and challenges of corporate social responsibility in energy sector in Baltic States. Development of socially responsible business in energy sector can provide for the implementation of sustainable energy development without state interventions. This voluntary measure implemented by energy enterprises can ensure efficient public–private partnership in achieving sustainable development targets. The analysis of corporate social responsibility development in energy sector of Baltic States is provided and positive impact of corporate social responsibility on sustainable energy development is evaluated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The article deals with the issues related to the implementation of EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trading scheme in Baltic States. The main objectives of the article are to analyse the main features and requirements of EU emission trading scheme and to assess the results of the first trading GHG trading period based on verified GHG emissions in Baltic States. The main aim of the article is to compare GHG emission trading results among Baltic States and provide with some insights for the next GHG trading period and assess possible implications on energy sector of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article deals with external cost of electricity generation in Baltic States. The costs of electricity generation and distribution are the most important criteria shaping decisions within the electricity system. However, the external cost due to air pollution should also be adequately taken into account seeking to promote new and clean technologies for electricity generation. External costs of electricity generation in the main power plants burning fossil fuel were calculated based on ExternE methodology for Baltic States during EU Framework 6 project CASES. The article presents the first results of external cost of electricity generation in Baltic States. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]