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Paper products are carbon-intensive and having a huge potential for carbon reduction due to their biomass-oriented characteristics. A uniform standard for total carbon footprint (CF) accounting is vital. However, the existing standards have not yet been unified. Inconsistencies between standards cause difficulties in their use and significantly weaken the credibility and comparability of the carbon footprint of a product (CFP). This work rethought the three most widely used standards (Publicly Available Specification 2050 (PAS2050), Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol), and Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard (ISO14067)) from the life-cycle perspective, and established a more appropriate and comprehensive CF accounting standard for paper products (CFASPP). Sanitary pads were selected as a case study to illustrate the discrepancies between PAS 2050, the GHG Protocol, ISO 14067, and CFASPP, for which the annual production CF results were 1424.60, 1481.08, 1453.57, and 1427.04 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 e) respectively. The main reasons for the different CF results were the cut-off criteria and the inclusion or exclusion of carbon storage, delayed emissions, and energy recovery. Each element increased or decreased 22.57 (carbon storage), 29.96 (cut-off criteria), 10.4 (delayed emissions), and 27.52 (incineration with energy recovery) tons of CO 2 e in the results. With increasing demand, these discrepancies will become increasingly significant and may lead to corporations shouldering more or less carbon emission responsibilities by selecting different standards, which will challenge the fairness of product carbon neutrality management. CFASPP covers all paper product life-cycle stages and places greater emphasis on the aspects of carbon storage, delayed emissions, and energy recovery in incineration, which cannot be ignored for the CF accounting of paper products and other biomass-oriented products. This study aims to provide a more applicable and comprehensive guide for corporations to evaluate the CF of paper products, and to provide a reference for the construction of a carbon-neutral evaluation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review explores recent advancements in the manufacturing of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based cellulose nanopaper (CNP). The analysis delves into customizing CNPs through nanofiber manufacturing, mechanical refining, and chemical treatments. The report underscores the growing interest in CNPs derived from CNF due to their exceptional properties and eco-friendly attributes. CNP strength significantly enhanced through mechanical refining encompassing cellulose nanofibrillation were breaking down of cellulose into nanofibers takes place. Conversely, dense CNF network formed through filtration and casting method. Chemical treatments such as dispersion, functionalization, and coating methods followed by drying and consolidation introduce custom functionalities for diverse applications. These applications span packaging, electronics, energy harvesting, EMI shielding, optoelectronics, nanogenerators, transparent conducting films, water treatment, bioelectronics, and neuromorphic computing. The study conducts an in-depth investigation to assess CNP's effects on promoting sustainability and minimizing environmental waste, making a significant contribution to the circular economy. This investigation underscores the pursuit of innovation and aligns with the principles of progressing toward a more environmentally sustainable future. [Display omitted] • Explores CNF production, refining and chemical treatments for CNP customization. • Remarkable properties of CNP draw academic and industrial interest. • CNP applied in packaging, electronics, energy, and environmental science. • Investigates role of CNP in circular economy. • Emphasizes CNPs as eco-friendly, fostering innovation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry faces several challenges linked to climate and environmental impact, resource efficiency, rising energy prices, increased competition for biomass resources, and declining demand for traditional printed paper products. However, these challenges also offer strategic opportunities for the industry to develop into a competitive, resource-efficient, and low-carbon industry in line with a biobased economy. Against this background, this paper aims to analyse current energy strategies in the pulp and paper industry in Sweden. Specifically, the paper analyses how companies combine continuous process efficiency to reduce energy costs with activities that could be developed into new energy-related products to increase revenue. Most of the analysed companies work to various degrees with both these strategies, employing methods that include improving energy efficiency, energy security, and energy conversion, as well as developing a wide range of biobased energy products. However, our study indicates that there is an untapped potential associated with energy product development, and we conclude that energy efficiency measures can free up resources, enabling the development of new energy products. Finally, several potential managerial outcomes and implications are outlined. • The paper analyses the energy strategies in the pulp and paper industry in Sweden. • Energy strategies focus both to improve energy efficiency and develop new energy-products. • The companies' energy strategies combined exploitation and exploration. • A number of managerial implications are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and paper is considered to be the fourth most energy-intensive industry (EII) worldwide. However, as most of the CO 2 emissions are of biomass origin, this sector has the potential to become a carbon-negative industry. This study proposes a new concept for conversion of the pulp and paper industry to carbon negative that relies on the inherent CO 2 capture capability of the Kraft process. The techno-economic performance of the proposed carbon-negative system, based on calcium looping (CaL) retrofitted to a pulp and paper plant, was evaluated. The effect of CaL design specifications and cost assumptions on the thermodynamic and economic performance were evaluated. Under the initial design assumptions, the reference pulp and paper plant was shown to turn from electricity importer to electricity exporter with the cost of CO 2 avoided equal to 39.0 €/tCO 2. The parametric study showed that an increase in the fresh limestone make-up rate resulted in a linear increase of the specific primary energy consumption for CO 2 avoided (SPECCA) and a reduction in the amount of electricity exported to the electric grid. This translates into an increase in the price of pulp and newsprint, and the cost of CO 2 avoided. This study has also demonstrated that the pulp and paper industry has high potential to become carbon negative. It has been shown that carbon capture and storage would become economically viable in this industry if the negative CO 2 emissions are recognised and a negative CO 2 emissions credit of at least 41.8 €/tCO 2 is implemented. • Concept of the Kraft process with inherent CO 2 capture. • Calcium looping for CO 2 capture is integrated in the lime cycle. • Reference pulp and paper plant turns from importer to exporter of electricity. • Pulp and paper industry has a high potential to become carbon negative. • Economic feasibility needs the inclusion of biogenic emissions in emission trading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of digital technology has driven a huge change in the way payments are made. Based on the micro-data of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper explores the relationship between mobile payment and carbon emissions from the consumption side. With the exogenous impact of Alipay's "Collecting Five Blessings" campaign, this paper finds that mobile payment significantly increases household consumption carbon emissions, but the marginal effect is gradually decreasing. Mechanism analysis shows that mobile payment mainly realizes the above impact through promoting the increase of consumption expenditure and upgrading of consumption structure. Further analysis indicates that carbon reduction policies introduced by the Chinese government in the personal consumption sector can mitigate the carbon emissions growth associated with mobile payments. Still, there is a need to strengthen policy measures further to effectively address the issue of rising carbon emissions from household consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of fossil fuels in various sectors, such as power and heat generation, and the transportation sector has been the primary source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are the main contributors to global warming. Qatar's oil and gas sector notably contributes to CO 2 emissions, accounting for half of the total emissions. Globally, it is essential to transition into cleaner fossil fuel production to achieve carbon neutrality on a global scale. In this paper, we focus on clean hydrogen, considering carbon capture to make hydrogen a viable low carbon energy alternative for the transition to clean energy. This paper systematically reviews emerging technologies in carbon capture and conversion (CCC). First, the road map stated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to reach carbon neutrality is discussed along with pathways to decarbonize the energy sector in Qatar. Next, emerging CO 2 removal technologies, including physical absorption using ionic liquids, chemical looping, and cryogenics, are explored and analyzed regarding their advancement and limitations, CO 2 purity, scalability, and prospects. The advantages, limitations, and efficiency of the CO 2 conversion technology to value-added products are grouped into chemical (plasma catalysis, electrochemical, and photochemical) and biological (photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic). The paper concludes by analyzing pathways to decarbonize the energy sector in Qatar via coupling CCC technologies for low-carbon hydrogen, highlighting the challenges and research gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has committed to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. Hebei, as a major energy province in China, has more challenging carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets. Based on the extended STIRPAT model, this paper evaluates the time to peak carbon and post-peak carbon trend changes in Hebei province under different scenarios from 2020 to 2060. Based on the support vector machine model with particle swarm optimization, this paper evaluates the carbon neutral pathways under different scenarios in Hebei province from 2020 to 2060 in terms of forests, croplands, wetlands, grasslands and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The results show that a monotonically flat trend without inflection point, a single-inflection-point plateau-period trend and a multi-inflection-point inverted U-wave trend occur after carbon peaks. Hebei Province can achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 under the policy scenario and the enhanced scenario, and the enhanced scenario is better. Comparing with existing studies, the innovation of this paper is to design different trends of changes after carbon peak, combining carbon absorption and carbon emission, and providing more diversified development paths for carbon neutral strategies through a more integrated perspective and multi-scenario comprehensive analysis. Therefore, In the future, Hebei Province should establish a platform for carbon emissions monitoring and carbon footprint assessment, and set up an early warning and assessment mechanism for carbon peaking, so as to prevent a rebound trend in carbon emissions after peaking. At the same time, it should introduce and develop carbon capture and conversion technologies and promote the low-carbon transformation of the industrial and energy sectors, thereby forcing the early realization of peak carbon. Pay attention to the role of forestry resources in carbon neutrality, increase carbon sink resources such as forests and wetlands, promote the development of CCUS, and enhance the implementation of the policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes carbon-based nodal pricing, which utilizes carbon-tracing analysis in its structure. The carbon-tracing algorithms enable the independent system operator (ISO) to better manage and establish a fair pricing mechanism, considering the actual contribution of each plant to the network's total daily emissions. The ISO, by utilizing carbon-tracing analysis, can easily compute nodal carbon intensity and branchial carbon flow, which are used in nodal pricing analysis. Furthermore, in this paper, for motivating flexible consumers, especially those who have higher impacts on carbon emissions, a carbon-based incentive framework called the flexible carbon-responsive (FCR) program is established, which helps the consumers control their carbon output and enables the ISO to decrease the network's total carbon emissions. In the proposed structure, the worst-case scenarios, which arise from uncertain parameters, can easily affect the simulation results. As a result, in order to avoid such issues, analyzing risks associated with uncertainty is the next focus of this research, and the downside risk constraints (DRC) approach is used to accomplish so. The DRC technique helps the ISO achieve an appropriate balance between the cost associated with risk and the anticipated cost, with the simultaneous objective of minimizing overall risk. Last, a modified IEEE 24-bus transmission system and the IEEE 20-bus gas network are utilized to evaluate the suggested carbon-based pricing mechanism. The simulation results show that applying the FCR program and carbon-based pricing causes the total operation costs to decrease by 100%, resulting in an increase of only 0.71% under the proposed DRC method. It could be noted that the total operation cost increment in the with-carbon tax case is 0.18% lower compared to the no-carbon tax policy. • Nodal electricity and gas pricing from environmental roles and carbon taxation. • Flexible carbon-responsive program using nodal carbon-driven pricing. • Modeling carbon-based behavior of consumers using carbon elasticity concept. • Stochastic-driven modeling of uncertainties in renewable generation and demands. • Assessing the risk arising from uncertainties for possible adverse conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities have emerged as critical and challenging places for promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society in the context of the "dual carbon" targets. Meanwhile, fiscal policy is also an indispensable component of the public policy framework supporting the green and low-carbon transformation. This paper uses the pilot project of "Comprehensive Demonstration Cities for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policies" ("ECER-CD" policy) implemented in China since 2011 as a quasi-natural experiment. This research theoretically analyzes and empirically tests the energy conservation and emission reduction effects of fiscal policies supporting green and low-carbon transformation utilizing methodologies such as time-varying DID and multiple periods and multiple groups of DID. The study finds that the pilot cities effectively reverse the behavioural bias of local governments and promote energy conservation and emission reduction efforts. This conclusion holds after undergoing robustness tests such as parallel trend analysis and heterogeneity treatment effects. The effectiveness of the pilot policy is attributed to the upgrade of industrial structure, improvement of energy efficiency, and the effects of green technology innovation. However, cities' geographic location and resource dependency can interfere with the effective implementation of policies. This paper also further explores the environmental dividends and economic consequences of the policy and finds that the pilot cities have certain environmental dividends and do not significantly restrain economic and social development. This study broadens the research perspective on fiscal policies in energy conservation and emission reduction and clarifies the pathways through which fiscal policies promoting green, low-carbon transformation drive energy conservation and emission reduction in cities. Moreover, it also improves the use of the Difference-in-Differences method in evaluating policy effects in scenarios such as the overlapping implementation of pilot policies and policy withdrawal. Finally, this paper proposes policy recommendations to provide more empirical evidence for China to accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green total factor productivity is a vital measure of sustainable progress, holding immense implications for attaining both economic growth and environmental preservation in a mutually beneficial manner. Focusing on green total factor productivity, this paper examines its nexus with low-carbon energy technology using the Instrumental Variable Generalized Method of Moments (IV-GMM) model, based on a panel dataset in China during 2005–2018. This paper also examines the asymmetric impact of low-carbon energy technology on green total factor productivity. In addition, the moderating and mediating effects are checked. The main findings are that (1) low-carbon energy technology is a promoting factor for green total factor productivity. (2) Low-carbon energy technology exerts a more prominent marginal impact on green total factor productivity when green total factor productivity is at higher quantile levels. (3) Renewable energy generation not only drives green total factor productivity directly, but also further increases the promotion effect of low-carbon energy technology on green total factor productivity, showing a positive moderating role. (4) Energy structure transition and industrial structure transition are two internal impact mechanisms between low-carbon energy technology and green total factor productivity. These findings suggest that the government can promote green total factor productivity development by developing policies related to low-carbon energy technology and fully releasing the effects of technology on sustainable development. • This paper assesses the level of low-carbon energy technology (LCET) in China. • This paper examines the effect of LCET on green total factor productivity (GTFP). • LCET plays a significant role in enhancing GTFP. • Renewable energy generation positively moderates the nexus between LCET and GTFP. • Energy structure transition and industrial structure transition are two mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fair and effective allocation of carbon quotas is crucial for China to achieve its "Double Carbon" goals and the effective operation of its carbon trading market. By constructing a differential game model, this study explored the effects of the technology spillovers and incremental costs of carbon transfers on the allocation of carbon quotas under centralised and decentralised decision-making scenarios with the purpose of maximizing social welfare. This paper proposes a cost-sharing contract to coordinate a supply chain for the loss of social welfare under decentralised decision-making. The results show that the effects of spillovers and incremental costs on carbon quota allocation depend upon the enterprises' abatement costs. The suppliers' carbon quotas are negatively correlated with the spillover effects. The incremental cost effects will be more pronounced for suppliers when their abatement costs are high and they could obtain more carbon quotas accordingly. When the manufacturer's abatement costs are low (high), its carbon quotas decrease (increase) with the spillover effects but increase (decrease) with the incremental costs. The cost-sharing contract achieves Pareto improvements based on improved social welfare and increased carbon quotas for both the manufacturer and supplier. Given the effects of carbon transfer on enterprises with different abatement costs, this paper can provide the government with a reference for designing an allocation mechanism for carbon quotas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon emission policy aims to restrict carbon emissions from energy-intensive companies. It encourages target companies to take green innovation but brings fulfillment pressure. Policy prospects for a low-carbon economy are widely discussed in current studies while insufficient attention has been paid to the effect of the policy on the operating activities of target companies. Using the data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2020, this paper explores the effect of carbon emission policy on the financial performance of target companies. The main empirical results prove the significant positive effect of the policy on the financial performance of target companies and reject the interference of earnings management and survivor bias. Further analysis indicates that target companies significantly reduce the selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and non-operating expenses. The trade of carbon quotas between target companies is allowed and it is regarded as non-operating activity. Results of non-operating revenues and expenses prove that target companies tend to actively reduce carbon emissions but the action does not exceed the policy expectation. The increasing efficiency of asset utilization represents that target companies have taken relevant measures to deal with overcapacity. This paper confirms the positive policy responses of target companies. Policy implications are proposed from the perspective of coverage expansion and market incentive mechanisms to realize the full potential of target companies for carbon emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the phase-out of subsidies, the Chinese government has issued a series of non-subsidized industrial policies to support the development of the power Lithium-ion Battery (PLiB) industry, recognized as pivotal for achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation department. However, existing literature provides limited evidence on the contribution of non-subsidized industrial policies, particularly to the PLiB industry. To bridge this gap, using data of 31 PLiB listed firms and 279 relevant non-subsidized industrial policies, this paper analyzes the effects of non-subsidized industrial policies on the global value chain (GVC) embedding position. The results reveal that non-subsidized industrial policies significantly raise the GVC embedding position of Chinese PLiB firms, and the positive effects are prone to increase over the research period. Further investigation shows that there is heterogeneity among PLiB firms, with the raising effects on the GVC embedding position being more significant in eastern and middle PLiB firms, private PLiB firms and midstream PLiB firms. The mechanism verification shows that non-subsidized industrial policies raise GVC embedding position of PLiB firms through technological innovation effect and scale economy effect, while competitiveness effect does not give full play. These findings provide important recommendations for better design of the industrial policies to improve the international competitiveness of PLiB industry and other strategic emerging industries. • This study investigates the effects of industrial policy from the perspective of non-subsidized industrial policies. • Non-subsidized industrial policies raise global value chain embedding position of China's Power Lithium-ion Battery firms. • Mechanisms of technological innovation effect, scale economy effect and competition effect are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic ash has several negative impacts on the environment and can be used in massive to synthesize geopolymers, which are considered quasi-brittle. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) can reinforce the geopolymers, and the dispersion of CNFs directly determines the reinforcement effect. However, the dispersion of CNFs in alkali solutions is challenging. In this paper, the effect of surfactant type, dosage, and ultrasonic time on CNFs dispersion in aqueous and alkali solutions was investigated by the quantitive method of microscopic image processing to determine the preferred dispersion scheme. Zeta potential tests and visual observation were used to analyze the mechanism and stability. Based on this, volcanic ash-based geopolymer nanocomposites with 0.1 wt% contents of CNFs were synthesized. The mechanical properties were tested, and the microstructure was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry. The results showed that methylcellulose (MC), polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) could disperse CNFs in aqueous, but evident aggregations can be observed in the alkali solution. PC performed better than MC and PVP in alkali solutions, with 4.83% aggregation area of the whole image, 86% of 0–100 μm2 aggregations, and an average aggregation area of 87 μm2, beneficial from the comb-like structures. Dispersed CNFs can improve the 28-d flexural and compressive strength of the resulting geopolymer nanocomposite by 23% and 16%, respectively, and refine the pore structure through filling, bridging, and nucleation effects, decreasing the average pore size and porosity by 33% and 15%. This paper will contribute to the resourceful use of volcanic ash to reduce pollution and the higher reinforcement of CNFs in alkali-activated geopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the carbon compensation mechanism as a tool to promote coordinated economic and environmental development in China's Jing-Jin-Ji region (Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei). A novel approach for calculating carbon compensation cost that integrate emission responsibility as well as carbon abatement cost through a bi-level programming model is proposed. Shared producer and consumer responsibility is established for carbon emissions under the multi-regional input-output model. Marginal abatement costs of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei are further calculated through the input-output and linear programming method. Results highlight that the emission responsibility allocation method significantly affects the inter-regional carbon compensation amount. The production-based approach leads to a 77% reduction of carbon compensation amount from Beijing to Hebei, and a 170% overestimation from Tianjin to Hebei compared with the shared responsibility approach in 2060. The optimal carbon compensation unit cost ranges from 1539 to 6438 yuan/ton when the carbon reduction ratio ranges from 10% to 20%. Beijing would compensate Hebei 3.56 and 29.74 billion yuan for achieving 10% and 20% emission reduction, respectively. Similarly, Tianjin's compensation for Hebei would be 0.23 and 1.87 billion yuan in the two scenarios. Results further show that implementing the proposed carbon compensation mechanism can reduce total abatement cost by 43% and 84% in Jing-Jin-Ji under the two scenarios. The methods and results of this paper could help inform future carbon compensation implementation in China and other countries. • Develop a bi-level programming model to determine optimal carbon compensation cost. • Consider emission responsibility and carbon abatement cost in Jing-Jin-Ji. • Resulting mechanism reduces abatement cost by 43% for 10% emission reduction. • Production-based allocation underestimates carbon compensation amount by 62%. • Optimal carbon compensation unit cost changes with marginal abatement cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delineates the impact of digital infrastructure construction (DIC) on carbon emission efficiency (CEE) within the ambit of China's "Broadband China" pilot policy (BCP). A quasi-natural experimental framework reveals direct effects, indirect influences, non-linear relationships, and spatial heterogeneity of DIC on CEE. The research distills several pivotal insights: (1) DIC exerts a markedly positive impact on CEE, as evidenced by comprehensive robustness analyses. (2) The digital service industry agglomeration and green technology innovation act as key mechanisms through which DIC influences CEE. (3) The intensity of BCP exhibits an "inverted U-shaped" relationship with CEE. As the level of CEE increases, the impact of DIC on CEE gradually rises, demonstrating a marginal increasing effect. (4) The spatial spillover effects of DIC on CEE vary with increasing distance, revealing a dichotomy: an "agglomeration shadow" within 200 km of policy pilot cities and a pronounced stimulative effect on CEE within a 200–300 km radius. (5) The efficacy of DIC in enhancing CEE is augmented by proximity to central cities, with the optimal radius of influence for central cities determined to be 200 km, beyond which a diminishing gradient effect is observed, forming a "core-peripheral" spatial pattern. The findings endorse the strategic augmentation of digital infrastructure as a lever for economic and environmental co-benefits, steering towards carbon neutrality and equitable regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to evaluate empirically the main implications of digital technology (DT) on carbon emissions (CE). Our sample focuses on 283 cities of China over the period from 2003 to 2019, and the effect of DT on CE is examined with a threshold spatial effect model. Empirical results show that DT has a negative impact on carbon emissions and the transmission mechanism contains both a direct impact on local region and a spillover effect across regions. There is empirical evidence of a threshold effect in the relationship between DT and CE, with stronger carbon reduction effect for DT values larger than the established threshold. Moreover, CE reduction effect of DT appear to be amplified by the level of marketization. Regions with a higher level of marketization thus show a more significant manifestation of CE reduction effect attributed to DT. Our results provide empirical evidence that DT development may contribute to achieving carbon neutrality at least partially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-commerce has emerged through digital platforms and Internet construction as an important way to achieve low-carbon development in China. To evaluate the mitigation effect of e-commerce, this paper conducts a quasi-natural experiment in terms of the pilot policy of national e-commerce demonstration cities (NEDC) to explore the changes in CO 2 emissions of 270 cities from 2004 to 2017 in China. We also check the asymmetry, mechanism effects and heterogeneity. The results show that the treated cities reduce CO 2 emissions by 4.1% due to the NEDC pilot policy compared to the untreated cities. The estimated results pass the parallel trend test, robustness tests, and the Goodman-Bacon decomposition. Moreover, the NEDC pilot policy increases the CO 2 emissions of treated cities by promoting economic growth (scale effect), and decreases the carbon emissions of treated cities by upgrading the industrial structure (structural effect) and increasing the technological innovation level (technical effect). Furthermore, the CO 2 mitigation effects of the NEDC pilot policy are significantly concentrated in the higher quantiles. Finally, the NEDC pilot policy has significantly negative effects on CO 2 emissions in "postage-free regions," southern China, and cities with large e-commerce sales. The results of this paper provide theoretical and practical references for China to achieve low-carbon development. • Evaluating the impact of pilot policies of national e-commerce demonstration cities (NEDC) on carbon emissions in China. • The NEDC pilot policy reduces carbon emissions of treated cities by 4.1%. • The NEDC pilot policy reduces carbon emissions through structural and technical effects. • The emission-reduction effects are significant at the higher quantiles. • The impact of the NEDC pilot policy on carbon emissions is obviously heterogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We try to expand the political promotion tournaments in Chinese local governments from raising GDP to the level of increasing fiscal revenues. From the vantage point of officials' performance appraisal, we investigate the impact of local government officials' political ambitions, represented by the ex-ante commitment level of fiscal revenue targets, on carbon emission intensity (CEI). Utilizing a sample of 209 prefecture-level cities in China spanning 2006 to 2019, this paper empirically scrutinizes the influence of local government political ambition on CEI. The findings reveal that the greater the political ambition of local government officials, the more pronounced the reduction in CEI. Furthermore, our study demonstrates that political ambition contributes to the decline of CEI by elevating the levels of environmental attention and green innovation. This research not only aids in comprehending the rationale and necessity of the political promotion tournaments implemented by the Chinese central government but also offers valuable insights for other developing countries seeking to mitigate CEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the financialization of carbon emission right, developing effective carbon asset trading strategy is important for both investors and regulators. Traditional trading strategy based on technical analysis is hardly profitable due to high complexity inherent in carbon markets. In order to increase investment returns and reduce risk in carbon market, this paper introduces PSO-VMD-DRL, an innovative carbon asset trading strategy that integrates signal decomposition technology and deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Firstly, the carbon price is decomposed into multiple components by variational mode decomposition (VMD) optimized through particle swarm optimization (PSO) to extract frequency features and reduce noise. Then state representation of the environment (state space) is constructed based on the components and transaction data. Finally, deep reinforcement learning (PPO, A2C, DDPG) are performed separately based on state space to learn optimal trading strategy. Empirical studies based on the data from carbon markets of Hubei and Guangzhou validate that PSO-VMD-DRL can adapt to carbon asset with the better profitability and risk resistance. The PSO-VMD-DRL outperform the other comparison strategies with superiority in all evaluation indices, achieving annual return of 21.39%, 17.67%, 25.50% and 46.34%, 44.55%, 43.03% in carbon market of Hubei and Guangzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technologies are a key driver of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. However, as the physical foundation supporting digital technology, how digital infrastructure affects carbon emissions is unclear. Based on the panel data from 2008 to 2019, this paper examines the impact of the Broadband China Policy on carbon emissions by adopting a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) method. The empirical findings indicate that, first, digital infrastructure development plays a significant role in reducing carbon emissions in China. Second, the Broadband China Policy significantly reduces carbon emissions especially in China's low-carbon emission regions, high-level digitization regions, and non-resource-cursed regions. Third, the implementation of the Broadband China Policy facilitates carbon emissions reduction through the promotion of green technology progress, optimization of industrial structures, green transformation of residents' lifestyles, and electrification of energy mix. Finally, the Broadband China Policy has a positive spatial spillover effect on the carbon intensity in the surrounding regions of pilot cities, but it has no significant effect on the total carbon emissions and per capita carbon emissions in the surrounding regions. The results provide important insights for digital infrastructure construction to achieve a win-win situation for economic development and emission reduction. • It explores the impact of Broadband China Policy on carbon emissions reduction. • Digital infrastructure development has positive impact on reducing carbon emissions. • The reduction effect is heterogeneous in regions with different characteristics. • Carbon emissions can be reduced at both industrial and individual levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vigorous development of the digital economy (DIEC) offers a substantial potential for China and global economies to realize the goal of "double carbon". This study attempts to analyze the heterogeneous effect of DIEC on carbon emission reduction (CERE), in order to extend a valuable reference for effectively achieving the dual-carbon goal. Accordingly, the effect of DIEC on carbon emission scale (CESC) and carbon emission intensity (CEIN) are examined in this paper by using dual fixed effect model and intermediate effect model, respectively. The study findings show that, at first, DIEC significantly supports the CERE while significantly constraining the uplift in CESC and CEIN. Simultaneously, the CERE effect of DIEC contains digital economy dimensional heterogeneity, industry heterogeneity, production and life heterogeneity, and urban-rural heterogeneity. Finally, the DIEC boosts the technological innovation (TEIN) and residents' income (REIN) levels, in order to heighten the CERE. Further, improving invention technology innovation and TEIN is more conducive to catalyzing the reduction of carbon emission in the whole society and the production field. Conversely, the improvement of non-invention technology innovation and rural- and urban residents' income impedes CERE in the field of life. Thus, the implications of this study are of vital significance for China and the rest of the world to foster CERE and achieve the "dual carbon" goal through DIEC development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel integrated approach incorporating grey relational analysis, corresponding correlation test, with vector autoregression and panel vector autoregression models to examine the representativeness heuristic and anchoring effects in carbon markets. The grey relational analysis and corresponding correlation test measure the representativeness heuristic in eight pilot carbon markets. The vector autoregression and panel vector autoregression models detect the anchoring effects in eight pilot carbon markets and the overall carbon market. The study first explores the representativeness heuristic and anchoring effects in China's carbon markets. Taking the 2014–2021 United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COP20–COP26) as an event, the proposal of China's carbon emissions peak and carbon-natural targets, as well as the establishment of China's national carbon market as three events, the empirical results demonstrate that Hubei, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing six pilot carbon markets were found to exhibit the representativeness heuristics for the COP21. Hubei, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Chongqing carbon markets were found to exhibit the representativeness heuristics for the proposal of China's carbon emissions peak and carbon-natural targets, and the establishment of China's national carbon market. Anchoring effects were found to exist in Guangdong, Tianjin, and Chongqing carbon markets, while no anchoring effect has been found to exist in the overall carbon market. Investor sentiment is one of the crucial factors affecting carbon prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital economy development (DED) empowers rural habitat (RH) improvement and promotes the construction of harmonious villages. Based on a panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2019, this paper empirically tests the impact of DED on RH and its endogenous mechanism in multiple dimensions using panel fixed effects model and spatial Durbin model. The results show that DED significantly improves RH, which remains robust after a series of robustness tests and dealing with endogeneity issues. The mechanism analysis shows that DED helps to bring into play the rural resource allocation effect, the innovation and entrepreneurship effect, and the carbon emission reduction effect, and improves the RH through these three effects. Further study finds that the digital application divide and regional divide are the main barriers to digital technology enabling RH improvement, there is a spatial spillover effect of DED, which helps to promote the improvement of RH in neighboring areas. The results of the study can provide theoretical support and decision-making reference for the construction of digital villages and the balanced regional development of RH in China. • Indicator system of digital economy and rural habitat was constructed. • Digital economy development significantly boosts rural habitat. • Resource allocation, rural entrepreneurship, and carbon reduction are effective transmission mechanisms. • Digital application divide has a heterogeneity impact. • The spatial spillover effect of the digital economy is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy is of great significant for carbon emission reduction. To estimate the impact on carbon emissions of digital economy, this paper conducts nonlinear analysis with the combination of spatial DURBIN model (SDM) and panel threshold model (PTM). Moreover, this paper decomposes the carbon emissions reduction effect into direct part and spatial spillover part, further analyzes the action mechanism from the perspective of technology progress, energy use and industrial structure. The empirical results indicate that the digital economy and carbon emissions have inverted U-shaped relationship. Similarly, the spatial spillover effect of digital economy on carbon emissions is also inverted-U shape. The digital economy increases first and then reduces the carbon emissions. The robustness tests and endogenous analysis both support above conclusions. Compared with the indirect effect, the direct effect of digital economy on carbon emissions is significantly greater. Moreover, the long-term effect of digital economy on carbon emissions is greater than the short-term effect. The impact of digital economy on carbon emissions exists regional heterogeneity. Different from the eastern and central regions, the digital economy in western region promotes carbon emissions monotonically. The impact of digital economy on carbon emissions faces significant resource endowment thresholds, urban scale thresholds and innovative capability thresholds. The increase of energy use and non-green technology progress are the main paths to influence local carbon emissions in short term, while the green technology progress and industrial structure upgrade become dominant paths in long term. The active demonstration of industrial structure upgrade and technology spillovers drive the spillover effect of digital economy on carbon emissions in long term. This paper suggests that, the realization of carbon peak and carbon neutral needs to strengthen the digital economy and promote the regional cooperation in environmental governance. The green integration of digital economy and traditional industries is of great significant for carbon emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving carbon neutrality is the ultimate goal of the global economy. By leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology to gather users' data, smart home devices can effectively achieve energy conservation and reduce carbon emissions. The strategic allocation of investment by smart device producers towards environmentally-friendly functionality and choosing the optimal sales mode have emerged as significant research questions. Addressing consumer concerns regarding data privacy sensitivity, this paper presents a game-theoretical model, involving manufacturers, e-commerce platforms, and consumers, to explore the intricate dynamics among investment in smart environmental functionality, sales mode selection, and pricing strategies. The results indicate that manufacturers consistently benefit from such investments. If the number of data-sensitive consumers is considerable, manufacturers will subsidize the platform to encourage the purchase of smart devices, thereby gaining from cross-selling opportunities. When the commission ratio is low, the equilibrium strategy shifts from the agency selling mode to wholesale pricing one, in response to the advent of investments in smart environmental functionality. Furthermore, the commission ratio, consumer perceived environmental value, and unit carbon emissions collectively impact social welfare. This study offers valuable theoretical insights for manufacturers in making informed decisions regarding pricing strategies and sales mode selection, by analyzing the interplay between profit margin and cross-selling income resulting from demand expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduced a non-monetary double-entry carbon accounting method for entities in emission trading systems. To mitigate climate change, government imposed carbon emission reduction obligations to industries with high greenhouse gas emissions. These entities performed carbon accounting and participated in emission trading systems annually to acquire enough carbon emission allowance and carbon credit to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions. However, current carbon accounting methods did not account for their long-term emission potential, undermining assessment for their sustainability and financial risk. The proposed method addressed this issue by considering carbon emission allowance and carbon credit as carbon asset and emission potential from life cycle and embodied carbon assessment as long-term liability. Double-entry accounting methods were used to introduce carbon accounting balance sheet, income statement and flow statements and to enable carbon management performance analysis by analogous methods on financial statements. A case study was performed with historical data of an emission trading system. The result revealed that an entity's future carbon emission potential imposed significant long-term liability and risk. Its relevant emission expense was also found to incur much earlier before the actual emission. But more research was needed to expand the method to entities with their carbon neutrality targets, to enable comparison of entities in different emission trading systems and to ensure data credibility in generated reports. • A non-monetary double-entry carbon accounting method is proposed. • Future carbon emission potential is considered as a long-term liability. • Balance sheet, income statement and flow statement for carbon accounting is included. • Financial ratio methods can be used to assess carbon management and risk of entities. • An entity incurs its carbon emission liability when it purchases its carbon-emitting asset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the goal of "carbon peaking" and "carbon neutrality" in China, it is significant to explore whether green finance contributes to carbon emission reduction. Therefore, based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2020, this paper empirically examines the impact of green finance on carbon emissions and its mechanism using the FE model, GMM model, DID, and the mediating effect model. Results find that green finance can significantly promote carbon emissions reduction, and this promotion remains still after robustness tests. The heterogeneity analysis shows that green finance's carbon emission reduction effect is more significant in developed and western regions. Moreover, the results of policy intervention effects confirm that green finance reform and innovation pilot zones (GFRIs) for carbon emission reduction are more pronounced than in other regions. Finally, the mediating effects reveal that industrial structure and green innovation are the core transmission channels through which green finance influences carbon emission reduction. These findings offer meaningful implications for formulating reasonable carbon emission reduction plans and determining the future development direction of green finance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine how carbon trading policies impact total factor carbon productivity and subsequently provide recommendations for sustainable regional development. Through analyzing the trends in total factor carbon productivity and its mechanisms, this paper suggests that carbon trading policies can significantly enhance total factor carbon productivity. Additional mechanistic tests reveal that carbon trading can promote technological progress, factor accumulation, scale allocation and energy substitution effects; all contributing towards a low-carbon economic transition. These four effects serve to both promote economic growth and contribute towards carbon reduction targets. Therefore, to encourage low-carbon and high-quality development of the region's economy, policymakers must focus not only on constructing and expanding carbon markets, but also emphasize the synergies between these different effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is one of the most energy-intensive industries in China, which contributes to high carbon emissions and hinders efforts to reduce the emissions. The high energy consumption and emission have seriously constrained the growth of low carbon economy in China's construction industry. And reducing the carbon emission from construction industry (CECI) has become the key to sustainable development and the achievement of "double carbon target". The paper firstly decomposes the main influencing factors and calculates their effects by LMDI model. Then, the Tapio decoupling index is used to explore the decoupling relationship between carbon emissions and economic output. Finally, the spatial-temporal evolution of carbon emissions is analyzed through spatial autocorrelation theory. The results show that the carbon emissions from construction industry are highly increased by the construction employment rate (EM), and may be reduced by the energy intensity (EI) and carbon emission efficiency (CI). And the regions with better decoupling status are the eastern and central regions, which have relatively developed construction industry. Moreover, the spatial-temporal characteristic of carbon emissions is "high in the east and low in the west, high in the south and low in the north," showing obviously regional differences. [Display omitted] • Factors about production technology are taken into account, reflecting the characteristics of the construction industry. • Developed regions have better decoupling potential and more responsibility for CO 2. • The spatial distribution is "high in the east and low in the west, high in the south and low in the north". • The provinces in a region have similar decoupling status and carbon emission distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of the gradual scarcity of terrestrial resources and the increasingly fierce competition for global marine resources, the task of green development of marine economy and green transformation of marine industry is imminent. Carbon finance is a product of low-carbon economic development and a derivative of green finance. It is an effective way to alleviate the global climate crisis and promote the transformation of the global economy to a low-carbon economy to achieve sustainable development. Studying the mechanism of carbon finance on the development of marine economy will help to grasp the influencing factors of the green transformation of the marine industry in an all-round way, better promote the sustainable development of China's marine economy, and realize the strategy of marine power at an early date. Based on this, this paper selects China's data from 2006 to 2020, and uses the AHP-entropy method to select 26 indicators from five levels: economic growth, energy conservation and emission reduction, marine ecology, structural adjustment and scientific and technological innovation to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system for the green transformation of China's marine industry. Based on the PLSR model, the impact of carbon finance on the green transformation of China's marine industry is empirically analyzed, and the results show that: (1) The comprehensive score of China's marine industry green transformation from 2006 to 2020 fluctuates and rises: from 2006 to 2009, the comprehensive score of China's marine industry green transformation is low, and the transformation effect is not obvious. From 2009 to 2012, the comprehensive score of green transformation of the marine industry improved significantly. From 2012 to 2018, the comprehensive score of China's marine industry green transformation fluctuated little and showed a slow growth trend, while China's marine economic transformation grew steadily at a low speed. In 2019–2020, due to the impact of the epidemic, the speed of transformation has decreased again. (2) The carbon ratio and the green credit balance of commercial banks have a role in promoting the green transformation of China's marine industry, while the carbon trading volume and carbon intensity have a restraining effect on the green transformation of China's marine industry. From the perspective of effect, carbon intensity has the strongest effect, followed by carbon ratio, carbon trading volume is slightly weaker, and the role of green credit balance of commercial banks is the weakest. Based on the research conclusions, relevant policy recommendations were put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green finance is essential for supporting the development of green, low-carbon projects and preventing environmental and climate financial risks. Investigating and studying whether and how it can aid in implementing energy transformation is worthwhile. This paper uses 30 provinces from 2004 to 2020 as research samples, the entropy method to construct a green finance measurement system, and the weighted multidimensional vector angle index method to construct an energy low-carbon transformation index based on the actual situation of green finance in China and the existing theoretical research basis. We systematically analyzed each province's spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of green finance and energy structure transformation by constructing a fixed effect model, a GMM model, an intermediary effect model, and a spatial Dubin model. We empirically tested the effect direction, internal mechanism, spatial spillover, and regional heterogeneity of green finance development (GFD) on energy structure transformation (EST) to investigate the low-carbon transformation of energy structures. The findings indicate the following:(1) Green finance plays a positive role in promoting the transformation and development of China's energy structure. (2) The influence of green finance development on the transformation of China's energy structure has significant spatial spillover, exhibiting "local and neighborhood" reciprocity. Through the spatial spillover effect, green finance can encourage the low-carbon transformation of local energy structures and increase the level of low-carbon transformation in neighboring areas. (3) The improvement of the level of green technology innovation and the intensity of environmental regulations are essential channels for green finance to support the low-carbon transformation of the energy structure, and regional heterogeneity will alter this transmission mechanism. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence for the vital role of green finance in achieving the double dividend of economic growth and low-carbon emission reduction. This study provides a new perspective for constructing a green finance system and advancing the dual-carbon objective and a resource for formulating effective regional energy transformation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change becomes more and more serious, governments and enterprises have gradually attached great importance to achieving value creation through low-carbon technology innovation. However, the low innovation capability of low-carbon technology, the need to improve government regulation, and the low investment of financial institutions make value creation face great challenges. In this paper, a game model of value co-creation evolution in a low-carbon technological innovation ecosystem is constructed with enterprises, governments, and financial institutions as the main body. The results show that: (1) The best optimal evolutionary stabilization strategy is (collaborative innovation, loose regulation and support), that is, the optimal strategic goal of value co-creation; (2) When the comprehensive expenditure for collaborative innovation of low-carbon technologies and independent innovation of enterprises is less than the comprehensive income, the expansion of R&D costs, carbon emission gap, liquidated damages, synergistic advantage benefits and collaborative innovation support can promote the collaborative innovation of low-carbon technologies of enterprises; (3) In the absence of public credibility, the government can expand the subsidy for collaborative innovation of low-carbon technologies of enterprises or appropriately reduce the regulatory costs, so as to achieve the effect of loose regulation; (4) If the return on investment obtained by financial institutions from supporting low-carbon technology innovation is more than that of non-support, the return on investment ratio and penalty coefficient of low-carbon technology innovation can be increased, and the financial institution's willingness to invest in the collaborative innovation of low-carbon technologies shall be enhanced. • The evolutionary game model of value co-creation is constructed. • The optimal strategy of value co-creation is determined. • The key factors affecting the optimal strategy are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As urbanization has developed, a variety of urban clusters have gradually emerged with important effects on regional economic growth and carbon emissions. This paper constructs a multi-period difference-in-difference (DID) model for testing how urban cluster synergistic development policy (UCSDP) affects urban carbon productivity in 148 cities of China with 13 urban clusters as the experimental group from 2003 to 2019. According to the results, the UCSDP improves carbon productivity, mainly via reducing energy intensity. In addition, UCSDP improves carbon productivity by adjusting energy structure, increasing green innovation, altering city greening levels, and accelerating the process of urbanization. Moreover, it can produce synergistic effects in terms of energy structure, green innovation, greening level, and urbanization level. Furthermore, the UCSDP has heterogeneous effects on the carbon productivity in various cities. Specifically, the carbon productivity of high-status, high-rank, and resource-based cities responds more significantly to UCSDP. Therefore, policymakers should strengthen the integration of urban clusters, offer targeted development suggestions for different cities, modify the energy and greening structure, accelerate the process of urbanization, and focus on the formulation of reasonable environmental regulation policies. • Exploring the impact of UCSDP on carbon productivity with multi-period DID model. • The improvement of carbon productivity by UCSDP mainly comes from the decrease of energy intensity. • UCSDP increases carbon productivity by affecting energy structure, green innovation, greening level and urbanization level. • UCSDP produces synergistic effects in terms of energy structure, green innovation, greening level and urbanization level. • The impact of UCSDP on carbon productivity varies by city status, city rank and city type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene industry contributes significantly to the world economy, but the conventional steam cracking based production process generates huge amount of CO 2 emissions due to massive use of fossil fuels for power and heat supply. Deploying technologies of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and renewable energy is urgently necessary to steer the emission-intensive ethylene industry towards carbon neutrality. To attain this goal, this paper proposes a low-carbon ethylene production system with the joint deployment of CCUS, wind turbine, solar heat collector, electric boiler and thermal energy storage technologies. Energy, economic and CO 2 generation/reduction performance models of each equipment are developed first. Based on which, a mixed-integer liner programming framework is constructed to find the optimal capacity configuration and coordinated operation scheme of the multiple devices, laying a foundation for the reliable, economical and low-carbon operation of the integrated system. Case studies on a practical ethylene production system demonstrate that the proposed low-carbon retrofit leads to 57.50% CO 2 reduction at the expense of 15.92% total annual cost increase. Discussions are then carried out to investigate the effects of different decarbonization routes, the impact of carbon emission trading price, the approach to promote the deployment of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol, and the advantage of taking carbon capture as flexible load, through which, broader insights are provided for the low-carbon transformation of the ethylene industry. [Display omitted] • Decarbonization of ethylene plant by deploying renewable energy and carbon capture. • Optimal capacity configuration of the low-carbon ethylene production system. • 57.5% CO 2 emission is reduced at expense of 15.92% annual cost increase. • Flexible operation contributes to the economic and low-carbon operation. • Discussions are conducted to give insights on decarbonization of ethylene industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality" is one of the important tasks of China's current and future economic construction and development, but the carbon emission reduction effect of High-speed rail (HSR) has not yet been fully studied. In this paper, based on the panel data of 274 cities in China from 2003 to 2016, we take the opening of HSR in the cities as a "Quasi-natural Experiment", and construct the Multi-period Difference-in-Difference Model to explore whether the opening of HSR can reduce carbon emissions of cities along the route, and use the mediating effect model and moderating effect model to further analyze its internal mechanisms. We find that:①The opening of HSR can significantly reduce the carbon emissions of cities along the route, and the opening of HSR in a city will reduce the carbon emissions of the city by about 2.4% on average, and this carbon emission reduction effect usually manifests significantly in the first year after the opening of HSR, and increases year by year thereafter.②The mechanism test shows that the traffic substitution effect, the optimization of the industrial structure and the promotion of economic agglomeration have partial mediating effect on the influence between the opening of HSR and urban carbon emissions. In addition, the increase in the intensity of government environmental regulations can strengthen the effect of the opening of HSR on reducing urban carbon emissions.③The regional heterogeneity research shows that the opening of HSR has a more significant impact on the carbon emissions of cities in the eastern coastal region and western region of China. Moreover, in the western region, the reduction effect of the opening of HSR on carbon emissions is only reflected in the key cities rather than ordinary prefecture-level cities. This paper provides certain reference significance for promoting low-carbon and green economy and helping China to achieve the "Carbon Neutrality" climate action goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three main emission reduction modes: manufacturer-only emission reduction (M-ER), retailer-only emission reduction (R-ER), and joint emission reduction (J-ER). This paper develops an analytical framework consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer to explore the optimal choice of emission reduction mode under the carbon cap-and-trade mechanism. The paper firstly obtains the optimal decision for each mode using Stackelberg game model and conducts a comparative analysis. Then, the paper examines the effect of the three modes on the environment, consumer surplus, and social welfare. Finally, this work further studies the impact of low-carbon effect and carbon price on the equilibrium results of the three modes. The findings show that the level of emission reduction is the highest in the J-ER mode. Firms prefer the single emission reduction mode if their abatement cost coefficient is small but the J-ER mode if the coefficient is large. Moreover, the highest consumer surplus and social welfare are generated in the J-ER mode and the carbon price can effectively adjust a firm's emission-reduction level. In addition, the stronger the low-carbon effect, the more obvious the difference in emission reduction effect under the three modes. This study contributes to the growing body of research on low-carbon supply chain to provide insights on firms' emission reduction strategies. • Three emission reduction modes are researched under the carbon cap-and-trade mechanism. • Firms have the highest emission-reduction level under the joint emission reduction mode. • Firms prefer the single emission reduction mode if their abatement cost coefficient is small. • The joint emission reduction mode generates the highest consumer surplus and social welfare. • The stronger the low-carbon effect, the more obvious the difference in emission reduction effect under the three modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a basic structural unit of the city, the community plays a crucial role in decreasing carbon emissions and creating a low carbon city. This paper selects a classic and official low carbon community named Min'an Community in Beijing as a case to illustrate the governance mechanism of the low carbon community in China from the perspective of polycentric governance. The paper summarizes the government mechanism, market mechanism, and public participation mechanism in Min'an Community and analyzes the provision, monitoring, and enforcement of each mechanism. We find that unlike the low carbon governance at the city or industry park levels, China's low carbon governance at the community level lacks a dominant mechanism. Even though it involves community-wide governance, the public participation mechanism is also inadequate. For improving low carbon governance at the community level, the government should broaden finance channels to strengthen the incentive mechanisms, make active use of new technologies, such as mobile Internet, encourage innovation of public participation mechanism, and employ various publicity and education measures to cultivate the low carbon culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasingly severe global environmental problems have urged most people to incorporate environmental protection into their daily lives. Therefore, low-carbon supply chain management has become crucial. This paper studies a dual-market low-carbon supply chain operation in urban and rural markets with one manufacturer and two retailers. Three scenarios are considered: no government intervention, government intervention and joint promotion under government intervention. By establishing and solving three differential game models, we give the dynamic technological innovation, advertising and store promotion strategies of the manufacturer and two retailers and show the impact of government intervention and joint promotion on emissions reduction and performance. The results show that: first, government intervention can increase technology innovation efforts and decrease advertising efforts, while joint store promotion under government intervention has a positive effect on manufacturer's advertising and technological innovation efforts; second, government intervention may increase the profits of the manufacturer, although it will undoubtedly reduce the profits of the retailers, while joint store promotion under government intervention can further improve the profits of the manufacturer and retailers; third, compared to the preferences of rural consumers, manufacturer's technological innovation strategy relies more on the price and promotion preferences of urban consumers. Moreover, the preference differences between the two types of consumers have a weak impact on the manufacturer's advertising strategy, while the price preference of rural consumers has a more significant impact on the advertising efforts of the manufacturer. Overall, the research results can provide valuable suggestions for the members of the low-carbon supply chain in the dual market to improve the economic and environmental performance of the low-carbon supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming may cause the average atmospheric temperature to exceed 2 °C by the end of this century, instigating climate change and adversely affecting human lives. Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) should be reduced to overcome the problems of global warming and climate change. The applications of negative emission technologies (NETs) are proposed to reduce terrestrial CO 2 and are identified as one of the prominent options for the energy system transition. Most negative emission technologies require energy to function, which has to be produced from additional energy sources. Understanding the interdependence of the energy sources and NETs for planning the carbon-constrained energy sector is essential. A novel graphical approach, founded on the concepts of Pinch Analysis, to decarbonize the energy sector is purported in this paper. The proposed method determines the minimum integration of negative emission technologies required to attain the allowed CO 2 emission limit while satisfying the energy demand. Four different examples are used to show the applicability of the suggested approach with different NETs: carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and direct air capture (DAC). In these examples, renewable-based energy sources, fossil-based energy sources, as well as energy-producing negative emission technologies are used as compensatory energy sources. The proposed graphical approach has the potential to be used as a planning tool to decarbonize the energy sector involving interdependent energy sources and NETs. [Display omitted] • Negative emission technologies help decarbonize the energy sector. • Identified dependence between the energy sector and negative emission technologies. • A graphical method is proposed to integrate negative emissions technologies. • Determined minimum compensatory energy for adopting negative emission technologies. • The proposed graphical approach provides insight into the overall systems planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming can be solved with carbon trading. When carbon emissions become a commodity, it can be a powerful motivator for companies to optimize production capacity and innovate technologically. The goal of this paper is to examine the way in which China's carbon emissions trading policy (CET) influences firm technological innovation in seven pilot regions, using a sample of firms in eight high-carbon industries. We employ difference-in-difference (DID) as well as DID-based propensity score matching (PSM-DID) models to investigate the influence of China's carbon emission policy on firms' technological innovation by using 4745 observations of 749 A-share listed firms in eight high-carbon industries in mainland China from 2007 to 2021. According to the findings, China's CET policy significantly boosts firms' technological innovation, and this beneficial effect persists even after a series of robustness tests that change the policy's implementation year and the technological innovation measure. Further analysis shows that this positive effect is heterogeneous across high-carbon industries and firms with different ownership. In addition, based on the external governance perspective, we find that CET policy performs better in firms in high-carbon industries with a sizable portion of ownership held by institutional investors. This study suggests the effectiveness of CET policy in promoting firms' technological innovation, confirms empirical evidence for Porter's hypothesis, and provides a basis for Chinese firms to achieve their emission reduction targets by improving technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rising concerns about climate change and technological developments, the deployment of low carbon technologies (LCT) is gaining importance for reliable and sustainable power system operation. To decarbonize the heat and transportation sectors, LCTs such as heat pumps (HP) and electric vehicles (EV) are integrated into the power system from the low voltage (LV) distribution network, where predominantly end-users are connected. However, the increasing penetration of EVs and HPs, together with distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems on the demand side, can cause technical challenges in LV distribution networks, such as under/over voltages at the far end of the feeders. Therefore, the hosting capacity of a grid for LCTs is limited due to network constraints such as line ampacity, bus voltage, and frequency. In this paper, voltage-constrained management approaches for LCTs are proposed to improve the grid hosting capacity in a real large-scale distribution network. Moreover, HPs, PVs, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and EVs as well as their vehicle-to-grid (V2G) feature are evaluated as LCTs. The uncertain behavior of these technologies is taken into consideration for more realistic analyses. In addition, the charging and discharging interactions of BESSs are controlled by following the power consumption profiles from the economic point of view. Furthermore, the hourly carbon data is used to control BESSs from an emission-sensitive aspect. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms, a series of tests is conducted on a real distribution network model. The results show that the hosting capacity of the considered LV network can be increased from 35% to 50% using the proposed algorithms. The promising results obtained in this study pave the way for future active LCT management studies to improve hosting capacity in urban networks, and pilot demonstrations in the field. • Heat pumps (HP), electric vehicles (EV), and PVs limit Low Voltage network capacity. • Proposed voltage-constrained management algorithms to improve hosting capacity. • HPs, PVs, battery energy storage (BESS), and EVs (and vehicle-to-grid) are considered. • BESSs are controlled based on either power consumption or emissions. • Tests show proposed algorithms increase hosting capacity to 50% for the test network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accuracy design is an important and essential step for CNC machine tools, and traditional methods always focus on the accuracy optimization itself and ignore other objectives, such as low-carbon manufacturing. With the increasing concern about resources and the environment, energy consumption and carbon emissions should be taken into consideration in accuracy design optimization. This paper takes a novel CNC slider grinding machine with dual-head-dual-lead structure as an example to build an accuracy design model considering sustainable development. Specifically, the feed system of the machine tool is examined, which presents significant accuracy design challenges and has a great impact on the machine's positioning accuracy. By using the improved Sobol method, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to extract the critical geometric error terms, and the sensitivity indices of these terms are utilized to guide the optimization process. By considering manufacturing cost, quality loss, and carbon emissions of the grinding process with long period and high energy consumption, a more comprehensive accuracy design model is built and optimized by using the NSGA-II algorithm. Moreover, the Pareto optimal solution for balancing the objectives is selected through combining entropy-weight and technique for ordering preferences by the similarity of the ideal solution (TOPSIS). The optimization results demonstrate that the accuracy level of the machine tool can be ensured while reducing carbon emissions and total cost up to 30.2% and 18.4% respectively, which is important for promoting clean production in machine tool manufacturing. Besides, the proposed accuracy design framework has the potential to apply to other components and manufacturing processes of CNC machine tools to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. • Accuracy design optimization of machine tool considering sustainability. • Sensitivity analysis of geometric error using the improved Sobol method. • Reduction in carbon emissions while maintaining the desired accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pilot program of low-carbon cities is of great significance for China's overall economic and social development. The construction of low-carbon cities contributes to adjusting the industrial structure, optimizing the energy structure and accelerating institutional reforms. Using the panel data of 285 prefecture-level cities during 2006–2015, this paper takes the pilot program of low-carbon cities as a quasi-natural experiment to detect the impact of the pilot program on industrial structure upgrading and its possible mechanism. The results reveal that the construction of low-carbon cities displays a positive impact on industrial structure supererogation while it has little effect on industrial structure rationalization. Ventilation coefficient is regarded as an instrumental variable to address endogenous problems. The conclusions are still tenable after a series of robustness tests. Mechanism analysis shows that the pilot program can bolster industrial structure supererogation via technological innovation and the reduction of the proportion of high-carbon industries. The regional heterogeneity analysis indicates that the influence of the pilot program on the industrial structure supererogation in the central and western areas is more positive than that in the eastern area, whereas the impact of the pilot program on the industrial structure rationalization is not significant in the three areas. The heterogeneity analysis of environmental law enforcement indicates that the pilot program can more obviously bump up the industrial structure supererogation in cities with strong law enforcement intensity. The impact on the industrial structure rationalization is not evident in cities with weak law enforcement intensity, but the industrial structure rationalization is significantly improved in cities with strong law enforcement intensity. This paper provides insights for realizing the integrated development of low-carbon cities and industrial structure upgrading. • The objective is to optimize the program of low-carbon and facilitate the upgrading of industrial structure. • Industrial structure supererogation and rationalization are considered. • We analyzed the impact mechanism. • The construction of low-carbon cities displays a positive effect on industrial structure supererogation. • The construction of low-carbon cities has little effect on industrial structure rationalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buildings sector contributes 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and building energy use is anticipated to double by 2050. Building performance research has typically focused on the operational phase, with life-cycle impacts increasingly studied, but often in isolation. This paper presents a novel framework integrating building energy modelling with life-cycle analysis and life-cycle costing. This is applied to four façade glazing materials in a 15-story case study office building in Queensland, Australia – a sub-tropical and commercial example rare in literature but important for future building development. Results demonstrate that double-glazed low-emissivity material (Type 4) was the most energy and financially efficient despite higher embodied energy and carbon than alternatives. It yielded operational energy and greenhouse gas emission savings of 13% against the baseline, and 2% lifetime financial savings. Clear double-glazing (Type 3) had the poorest overall performance, attributed to its low U-value trapping heat within the building and increasing net energy and emissions. This was new evidence that clear double-glazing should be carefully considered in sub-tropical climates. The integrated approach identified a material with improved overall performance. If only embodied impacts (production, transport, disposal) were assessed, GT1 would appear the best option as it takes less energy and carbon to manufacture and transport yet has very poor operational performance. This paper extends existing knowledge on façade materials and will aid future work on sustainable, low-emission building design in other climates, economies, designs and industries. • Integrated modelling of building façade operational energy, carbon, and cost. • Double-glazed low emissivity option reduced energy 13% in operational phase. • Rare commercial study in sub-tropical climate shows glazing selection influence. • One glazing type performed poorly in winter due to overnight 'heat trapping. • Framework will aid analysis for other climates, economies, designs and industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curbing carbon emissions has been a hot topic of public concern around the world. Although the Cap-and-Trade (C&T) system has excellent environmental performance, its effectiveness in achieving low-carbon emissions objectives is not enough. Practices show that carbon emission reduction technology (CERT) investment by micro-manufacturers can make up this limitation. In the context of C&T system, this paper develops a dual-objective non-linear programing model of CERT investment strategies based on matching game between the oligopolistic manufacturers (oligo-manufacturers) and suppliers. Maximum production capacity (MPC) of oligo-manufacturer is considered. A matching game mechanism of bilateral stakeholders is proposed with consideration of vertical and horizontal aspects. From the vertical aspect, there is a matching analysis between a finite number of oligo-manufacturers (offering investment funds) on one side and a finite number of suppliers (providing CERTs) on the other side. From the horizontal aspect, there is Cournot game among the oligo-manufacturers. The model proposed in this paper enriches the literature on the selection process of CERT investment strategies. The impacts of oligo-manufacturer amount, green investment coefficient and carbon price on the investment-production decision-makings are finally analyzed by numerical methods. The results show that stable matching outcomes (i.e., the optimal joint production quantity, CERT investment intensity, emission reduction and emission trading quantity) can be obtained by constructing the Lagrange function and solving Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions. This means that the matching game mechanism helps optimize the CERT investment and production mode. In addition, intense competition among oligo-manufacturers is conducive to reducing carbon emissions. A higher carbon price leads to a higher economic profit, and a higher green investment coefficient leads to a lower carbon emission objective. MPC acts as a drag on development of the oligo-manufacturer, which can be used to improve the profit structure of stakeholders within a certain scope. • A dual-objective nonlinear programing model of CERT investment strategy based on matching game in a supply chain is proposed. • A matching analysis between multiple oligo-manufacturers and multiple suppliers is conducted from the vertical aspect. • A Cournot game among the oligo-manufacturers is analyzed from the horizontal aspect. • Intense competition among oligo-manufacturers is conducive to reducing carbon emissions. • Maximum production capacity can be used to improve the profit structure of stakeholders within a certain scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alleviating global climate change requires the development and adoption of green innovation. This study compares the impact of cooperative and independent green innovation on carbon reduction based on the panel data covering 252 cities in China from 2003 to 2019. We examine the heterogeneous impacts of cooperative green innovation across units, and explain the transmission mechanism. The two-way fixed effects model and interaction model are adopted. Results show that: (1) Cooperative green innovation can reduce carbon emissions more effectively than independent green innovation. A 1% increase in cooperative green patents (inventions) will reduce carbon emissions by 0.023% (0.037%), while independent green patents or inventions play a weak role. (2) For research and development (R&D) partners, firms' cooperative green innovation has a stronger positive effect on carbon reduction than research organizations. The carbon reduction effect of cooperative green innovation is better for listed firms and universities. (3) Mechanism analysis shows cooperative green innovation can reduce carbon emissions by improving the industrial structure and decreasing energy intensity. These effects are stronger when cities have more talent, funds and higher marketability. (4) We also find that listed firms' cooperative green inventions with a ten-year lag can still reduce carbon emissions effectively. Cooperative green innovation is conducive to carbon reduction among eastern and central cities of China. [Display omitted] • This paper explores the impact of green innovation on carbon reduction from the new perspective of cooperation. • Cooperative green innovation is more effective than independent green innovation in carbon reduction. • Cooperative green innovation of listed firms and universities is more conducive to carbon reduction. • Cooperative green innovation can optimize the industrial structure and decrease energy intensity for better carbon reduction. • Cooperative green innovation with more talent, funds and market has better carbon reduction effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether financial agglomeration is conducive to eco-efficiency is of great importance for countries to better pursue cleaner production, low carbon emission reduction, and sustainable development paths. This paper focuses on 38 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members. Based on the scientific accounting of green eco-efficiency by the super-efficiency slack-based measure (SBM) model, the relationship between financial agglomeration and eco-efficiency is thoroughly investigated by combining the spatial Durbin model (SDM), the mediating effects model, and the panel threshold regression (PTR) model, bridging the knowledge gap. Empirical results reveal that (1) Financial agglomeration has strong positive externalities for eco-efficiency in the home country and its neighbors, with the trickle-down effect playing a key role. (2) Financial agglomeration can indirectly promote cleaner production and eco-efficiency by strengthening technological innovation and upgrading industrial structure, with the latter being more strongly mediated. (3) The effect of financial agglomeration in enhancing eco-efficiency has clear stage differences. The low-level financial agglomeration will impede the improvement of green eco-efficiency while the high-level will support it, which is in line with the Environmental Kuznets Curve theory and the law of economic development. The research broadens the theoretical underpinnings of financial agglomeration and eco-efficiency and provides guidance and implications for OECD members and other emerging economies on how to optimize the spatial allocation of financial resources, promote eco-efficiency, and advance green sustainable development. [Display omitted] • The eco-efficiency of 38 OECD members was estimated. • The impact of financial agglomeration on eco-efficiency was examined quantitatively. • The spatial Durbin model considering potential spatial spillover effects was employed. • Technology innovation, industrial upgrading, and urbanization may affect eco-efficiency. • Financial agglomeration can greatly boost eco-efficiency, but the relation is non-linear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current scenario of transition to a Europe-wide circular economy (CE), the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) treatments represent a smart solution to generate renewable energy, reduce landfills and ensure sustainable waste management. The costs and environmental impacts of existing WtE treatments are very different for each available technology. In many cases, their identification is affected by a set of variable boundary conditions strongly dependent on local municipal requirements. In light of these considerations, the paper aims to compare the investment in three different WtE treatments (i.e., incineration, gasification, and flameless oxy-combustion) to identify the best solution to support the current transitional phase towards a CE condition. An overall yearly cost analysis was developed by varying local municipal requirements, including investment, operating, and carbon emissions costs. The overall yearly cost and the revenues, due to energy sales and tipping fees, allowed to evaluate the profitability of the investment in the plant lifetime to identify the best WtE treatment. The investment profitability was evaluated by adopting the Net Present Value (NPV) method by estimating the cash flow statement over the entire plant lifetime. The performance of the three WtE treatments, classified as "conventional" (i.e., gasification and incineration) and "innovative" (i.e., flameless oxy-combustion), were compared in a case study concerning Southern Italy's Metropolitan City of Bari. The applied methodology showed, in this case, that gasification, at the moment, has to be deemed as the most sustainable treatment for MSW management. Moreover, the study proved a high dependence between the carbon price and the profitability of the investment and, thus, in the next future the innovative oxy-combustion technology will gain an advantage over all the other technologies, when carbon price will be higher than 44 €/tonnes CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions reduction has become a core task with the goal of "emission peak and carbon neutrality", in which green innovation plays an important role. This paper takes the fast-tracking green patent applications (FGPA) system in China as a quasi-natural experiment to empirically study the impact of green innovation incentive-based policies (GIIPs) on CO 2 emissions in Chinese cities by applying a continuous difference-in-difference approach. The results show that the CO 2 emissions of cities in the treatment group are significantly reduced by about 1.6% after the implementation of FGPA relative to that in the control group. After a series of robustness tests, the conclusion is still valid. Furthermore, the significant negative impact on CO 2 emissions is more reflected in cities located in eastern China, cities with lower financial pressure, and cities with more universities. Overall, this study fills up the gap in the empirical research on the impact of FGPA, and casts a new light on the significant environmental performance of GIIPs. The findings obtained through this study are conducive to strengthening and optimizing the implementation of FGPA, and offering policy-makers with a scientific basis of GIIPs to approach the task of reducing CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]