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This study delves into the socio-ecological system (SES) of tribal home-gardens within India's Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), unveiling their vital role in fostering biodiversity, resilience, and sustainability. Grounded in an SES framework, our research elucidates the deep interconnectivity between tribal communities and their home-gardens, woven into the tapestry of broader environmental and social dynamics. These gardens, rich in crops, forest species, and livestock, serve as dynamic reservoirs of indigenous and local knowledge (ILK), crucial for bolstering local economies and enhancing climate resilience. We analysed 36 focus group discussions across 36 villages and identified 15 indigenous nature-based practices that significantly contribute to 9 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 22 Sustainable Development Targets (SDTs). Indigenous home-gardening practices underpin climate change adaptation strategies and highlight the importance of integrating biodiversity and socio-economic objectives. Our findings underscore the criticality of diversification in enhancing resilience within indigenous SES, showcasing the balance between human adaptability and ecological symbiosis. The tribal home-gardens, driven by indigenous stewardship, provide essential ecosystem services and are instrumental in ecosystem protection, conservation, and restoration. Additionally, they play a pivotal role in enabling climate change adaptation, fostering gender empowerment, and upholding cultural significance, all sustained by dynamic feedback loops with their natural environment. This paper advocates for the greater recognition and integration of such indigenous-led NbS and ILK in global climate initiatives, emphasising their indispensability in enhancing climate resilience and promoting sustainable development within similar SES. [Display omitted] • Tribal home-gardens are sustainable climate resilience models. • Home-gardens blend agriculture with biodiversity conservation. • Diversification is crucial in fostering resilience within indigenous SES. • Home-gardens balance economic sustainability with environmental health, aiding SDGs. • Integrating ILK and NbS enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the inaugural attempt to investigate the herding behavior of firms in the context of environmental orientation to achieve the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the ASEAN region. Insights from the previous literature infer that peer effect is visibly seen in firms across various fields, especially amongst their CSR and ESG performance. Using data from the Thai listed firms, we document strong evidence of peer effects concerning environmental performance and its dimensions (emission reduction, product innovation, and resource reduction). The targeted time frame for the current study is from 2009 to 2019 for which we analyze the firms listed on the Thailand Stock Exchange (SET). Moreover, the results of our study support the fact that mimicking behavior is one of the common behaviors that is followed by the majority of the firms keeping in view their varied purposes which include enhancing their market reputation, increasing profits, attracting shareholders and investors and most importantly raising their sustainability standing. Thus, overall our study highlights the main perspective that peer effects and herding behavior a common practices amongst firms concerning their environmental policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the relationship between participation in global value chains and the environment from a spatial perspective. By drawing on an original dataset on global value chain participation, emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides, and green patents for European regions, we present novel evidence about the relationship between global value chains, green technologies and air pollution at the regional level. Our findings suggest that although participation in global value chains may lead to lower polluting emissions, this effect largely depends on the capacity of regions to exploit the green knowledge deriving from participation and on the specific form of participation. When European regions are integrated with backward linkages (i.e., importing inputs to produce exports) they record lower levels of air pollution; conversely, participation through forward linkages (i.e., exporting inputs for other places' exports) leads to an increase in air pollution. Backward participation also come out to support the development of green technologies that mediate the effects of global value chains on the environment posited by the "Pollution Haven" hypothesis. Overall, the relationship between global value chains participation and air pollution will depend on the type of participation and on the capacity of territories to profit it for the development of green technologies. • Our research provides new evidence on the relationship between Global Value Chains (GVCs) and the environment by using an original dataset on EU NUTS-2 regions. • GVC integration may lead to lower polluting emissions. This effect largely depends on the green knowledge deriving from GVC participation. • Regions integrated through backward linkages record lower levels of polluting emissions and higher capacities to develop green technologies. • Integration through forward linkages is associated with higher level of polluting emissions but not with green technologies. • We propose a Technological Heaven Hypothesis for EU regions that would contrast the Pollution Haven Hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the global call for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, China plans to reform its protected areas (PAs) system. Despite positive progress, there are still challenges in defining PAs boundaries, allocating management authority, and securing sustainable funding. This paper reviews the current state and challenges of China's PAs management and advocates a paradigm shift towards comprehensive public governance. This shift aligns with the Ecological Conservation Redline (ECR) and integrates PAs into the National Territorial Spatial Planning, for a coordinated layout of Ecological-Productive-Living Spaces. The current study emphasizes the need for a refined assessment of PAs, including ecosystem services, to balance human development rights and environmental sustainability. It also advocates for multi-stakeholder consultation mechanisms to ensure broader social participation, particularly for indigenous peoples and local communities. The current investigation highlights the importance of valuing ecological products to harmonize environmental protection with community welfare. This review contributes to the discourse on balancing ecological integrity with socio-economic progress and provides insights into the difference between human rights, ecological conservation, and sustainable development, marking a significant stride towards global sustainability goals. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development and reducing natural and energy resource consumption are the focus of the policies of many institutions. In this context, livestock farming is one of the major anthropogenic sources of GHG and acidifying gas emissions and requires comprehensive analysis to minimise its ecological footprint. For this reason, it is beneficial to analyse the various processes within this production sector to reduce the consumption of resources, particularly water and soil consumption; reduce energy consumption; and try to valorise the biowaste produced, especially manure, byproducts and wastewater. Reusing residual bioresource and organic waste offers the possibility of valorising a discarded product and, at the same time, reducing the consumption of natural resources. For this purpose, biorefinery processes allow bioresources to be transformed into bioproducts or bioenergy. Therefore, this study investigates the application of biorefinery processes to animal-derived waste, aiming to extract valuable resources while curbing resource consumption. This review analysed 293 scientific papers on biorefinery processes published in the last 11 years applied to livestock biomass to extract relevant information to understand the evolution of this topic and formulate hypotheses regarding future research directions. The analysis strongly emphasizes energy production and a growing interest in insect cultivation. In the coming years, one of the most significant challenges will be the successful transfer of technologies and processes from experimental research to the applied industry. To do this, it will be necessary to reduce costs, exploit economies of scale, improve process management, and develop synergies between different industrial sectors to implement smart circular economy systems. Overall, this review aims to clarify the hypothesis driving research in this area and emphasizes the tangible applications of findings within the broader context of sustainable resource management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the contemporary scholarly conversation on sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) by empirically evaluating its antecedents and outcomes. It examines whether there is any relation between a nation's SE levels and its progress on sustainable development. In addition, the composition of a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem (SEE) is proposed, and its efficacy at macro- and micro-levels is assessed. Extant research suggests a positive relationship between SE and sustainable development, but empirical evidence appears incoherent. Panel regressions were used to test (a) the influence of SE density (share of total firms in the nation) on the nation's sustainable development and (b) the influence of SEE vis-à-vis traditional entrepreneurial ecosystems on the abundance and performance of SE firms. For this purpose, a dataset comprising 5621 SE firms from 76 nations was curated for five years (2018–2022). The results show that a higher density of SE firms is positively related to sustainable development, and a favorable SEE fosters the copiousness and performance of SE firms. Additional analyses demonstrate the robustness of results for alternate methods, different variable measurements, and the moderating role of nations' income levels. The established relevance of SE provides implications for policymakers and practitioners to devise a favorable SEE that engenders sustainable entrepreneurship. • This study examines whether there is any relation between a nation's share of Sustainable Entrepreneurship (SE) and its sustainable development. • The density of SE firms in the nation is found to be positively related with its progress on sustainable development. • To understand what leads to higher density of SE firms in a nation, efficacy of conventional entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE) is tested. National EEs are found to be poor explainers of copiousness of SE firms. • Considering the requirements of SE which may differ from those of conventional entrepreneurship, this study proposes three sustainability elements to be integrated with the EE to develop 'Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem' (SEE). • Through the assessment of a panel dataset comprising 5621 SE firms from 76 countries over 5 years, it is found that the SEE significantly influences the density and performance of SE firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present situation, renewable energy has become a vital source to mitigate energy crises and environmental threats. In order to ensure that women's contributions, knowledge and opinions represent a significant portion of the expanding energy sector, it is crucial to approach the development of renewable energy from a gender perspective. Bibliometric analysis was performed to identify prior research on two primary terms, "Gender" and "Renewable Energy", from 1995 to 2022. Identifying the most influential countries, authors, publications, journals, and co-occurrence of keywords helps to understand the evaluation and trends of the research through network visualisations by bibliometric approach. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric review of the influence of gender on renewable energy. The result of this paper gives details picture of the gender impact on renewable energy during the period from 1995 to 2022. The paper centred on bibliometric and cluster analysis based on the two most important databases, Web of Science and Scopus. The study involved utilising various bibliometric tools, including R Studio, VOSviewer, and Biblioshiny. The study revealed an increase in publications and citations during the third period since 2017, after the United Nations set the target of the Sustainable Development Goal. Most influential countries and productive authors belong to China, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom. Energy Research and Social Science are predominated in publications on the research topic. In addition, the co-occurrence of keywords found major keywords related to this topic, such as renewable energy, gender, women, knowledge, sustainability, climate change and sustainable development. Finally, the study observed a huge research gap because developing nations are more affected by the lack of gender-influencing policies on the growth of renewable energy. Thus, the study provides a comprehensive overview of research in this field that can help researchers and stakeholders identify potential ways for future research in gender considerations on renewable energy access by formulating effective policies to change society and reach the Sustainable Development Goals. • Gender has become a focal point of interest within the renewable energy sector. • Using network visualisation, bibliometric analysis examines research trends by keyword occurrence and country collaborations. • Publication, citation, journal, and authorship contribution trends are to be analysed. • The research growth across different periods was discussed for potential future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data industry development and carbon dioxide emissions reduction are the crucial driver and objective functions of economic growth, respectively. Whether the two types of corresponding policies can achieve the "win-win" effect is the key to green development transformation in the future. However, little attention has been paid to the influence of big data industry development on carbon dioxide emissions. Based on the quasi-natural experiment in China's national big data comprehensive experimental area, the paper identifies the causal effect between big data industry development and carbon dioxide emissions. Specifically, the panel data of 282 cities in China spanning from 2010 to 2019 are used in regression analysis. The study reveals that the big data industry development has a substantial impact in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, the findings are confirmed by a set of rigorous robustness checks. The heterogeneity analyses suggest that the effect of inhibiting carbon dioxide emissions due to the big data industry development is more significant in eastern & central China, and large-sized cities. In addition, the big data industry reduces carbon dioxide emissions through the effects of industrial structure optimization, technological innovation, and resource allocation. Our findings contribute to the nexus between big data industry development and carbon dioxide emissions. In light of these findings, the paper recommends that governments integrate economic growth and environmental protection policies by promoting big data industry development. • The paper provides a novel insight into the CO 2 emission from the perspective of big data industry. • Based on quasi-natural experiment, the paper has identified the causal effect between the big data industry development and CO 2 emissions with the Difference-in-Difference (DID) methodology. • Big data industry development effectively stimulate the reduction of CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting industrial digitalization and deepening regional collaborative innovation is essential for achieving urban green and sustainable development. This paper constructs a differential game model based on theoretical analysis and reveals the influence mechanism of industrial digitalization and regional collaborative innovation on urban green development efficiency (GDE). After that, this paper uses the entropy method, Super-SBM model, and improved gravity model to measure the level of industrial digitalization, urban GDE, and regional collaborative innovation, respectively. Then, this paper constructs the fixed-effects model, SDM model, moderating-effects model, and threshold model, then uses the panel data of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration during 2011–2020 for empirical testing. The results show that: (1) industrial digitalization significantly improves urban GDE. (2) Overall, 2011–2015 is the rapid development period of BTH industry digitalization, and 2015–2020 is its stable development period. However, there are apparent spatial differences and imbalances. (3) Industrial digitalization has a significant spatial spillover effect that can enhance local and surrounding cities' GDE. (4) Regional collaborative innovation can directly enhance urban GDE, and has a positive moderating effect on industrial digitalization to enhance urban GDE. (5) The regional collaborative innovation has two thresholds of 3.9851 and 6.6184. With the collaborative innovation level improving, the main effect intensity steadily increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food, energy, and water, as the basic resources supporting human survival, are fundamental to the sustainable development of humanity. Urban space plays an influential role in promoting the sustainable development of the three resources. As environmental problems such as global warming, ecological destruction, and resource shortages become increasingly severe, there is also a growing recognition of the importance of community as the fundamental component of urban space in sustainable development. In order to systematically understand the impact between food–energy–water nexus and community spatial planning, this paper provides a comprehensive literature review to bridge the current gaps in this area. This paper uses the nexus approach to summarize the trends and results of the food–energy–water nexus research in the community space field from the following five aspects: spatial scale, spatial interface, interactions, synergistic effects, and research methods. The results show that food–energy–water systems in community space are closely related to each other. However, the existing studies mostly focus on resource interaction and environmental impact, and lack of discussion on how food–energy–water nexus affects community spatial planning and its optimization. Finally, based on the current results, this paper proposes a conceptual research framework of the food–energy–water nexus in community space including influential mechanisms, space utilization, disciplinary integration, new technology application, data and methods. Therefore, the major findings of this review highlight the importance of the impact between food–energy–water nexus and community spatial planning and develop a conceptual framework for research. • This paper reviewed the FEW nexus research in the community space field. • It shows that FEW systems in community space are closely related to each other. • Researchers mainly focus on interactions of the FEW but rarely on other constraints. • It summarized new FEW system integration approaches to promote synergistic effects. • A conceptual research framework for the FEW nexus in community space is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately predicting carbon price can promote the rational allocation of carbon resources, reducing carbon emissions and contributing to green development. The decomposition integration framework is widely applied for carbon price forecasting, but several problems remain. Thus, this paper innovatively proposes an enhanced decomposition integration model for deterministic and probabilistic carbon price forecasting, which combines two-stage feature extraction and intelligent weight optimization. In order to decrease the complexity of the data and fully extract the characteristics, two decomposition approaches are utilized. For reconstruction, fuzzy entropy is applied to balance model complexity and computing efficiency. Next, the combination forecasting model based on two deep learning models is built to circumvent the constraints of the single forecasting model, and the cuckoo search optimization method (CS) is utilized to find the weight of the combination model adaptively. Considering the differences in the contributions of each component, the optimal weighting strategy based on CS is then used to derive the final forecast. Ultimately, considering the probability interval can provide more helpful information, the decomposition integration framework is supplemented with Gaussian process regression relying on the mixed kernel function for interval prediction. In an empirical study of five carbon trading markets, the hybrid model developed in this paper exceeded all baseline models regarding prediction stability, proving that the developed model can make effective forecasting for the carbon trading business. • An enhanced decomposition integration model is developed for carbon price prediction. • Both deterministic and uncertainty carbon price prediction are performed. • The two-stage feature extraction technique well balances model complexity and computational efficiency. • Intelligent weight prediction integrated model greatly improves the accuracy of prediction results. • The proposed model has excellent performance in carbon price prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability leadership (SL) is a complex and relevant phenomenon that can contribute to several types of organisations during the process of becoming more sustainability-oriented. Over the past few years, a considerable number of publications have increased the level of knowledge in this field; however, on the other hand, it also has generated more complexity, literature dispersity and lack of complete understanding of the possible research avenues on SL. This paper aims to address this by complementing and building on previous qualitative and quantitative studies of SL by unveiling and exploring the landscape of the research field. This study differs from prior research in three main ways: (1) explores how the term SL evolved from the leadership theory, (2) explores the research streams that scholars have been conducting in the field by adopting a robust search string revised by specialists and considering a wide range of terms related to formal and informal leadership, as well as sustainability-related terms and (3) understands how the several leadership theories and styles are connected to sustainable development (SD) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 1,813 well-cited papers published in top journals that directly tackle sustainability leadership were selected. This sample was then used for the bibliometric assessment based on the co-occurrence of terms technique. The results indicate the existence of four main clusters and twelve subclusters, which can be considered research strands. In addition, this study also explores how the selected studies build on several leadership theories in order to understand how leadership aspects can contribute to SD and CSR adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial internet is an effective means to realize the green development of manufacturing industry. Whether the industrial Internet platform can improve the green innovation performance of enterprises is a very significant issue. Based on the Internet platform empowerment theory, this paper takes the industrial internet pilot demonstration project released annually by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in 2018–2021 as a quasi-natural experiment. By selecting the data of listed companies from 2011 to 2021 as research samples, this paper explores the impact of industrial Internet platforms on enterprises' green innovation performance. The findings indicate that the industrial internet platform dramatically improves enterprises' green innovation performance. And we also find that the impact of industrial internet platforms has greatly boosted the green innovation performance the enterprises with medium-and large-scale and situated in the first tier and new first tier cities. • Chinese industrial Internet pilot demonstration project is taken as a quasi-natural experiment. • The PSM-DID method is used in this paper. • Industrial internet platform can improve green innovation performance in enterprises. • Innovative capability plays an intermediary role between industrial internet platform and green innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green Buildings Labels (GBL) are indicated as one of the means with the potential to contribute to sustainable development. Worldwide, more than 850,000 green buildings have already had their project and development helped by just three of the GBLs (LEED, BREEAM, and BASIX). Brazil, however, has only 874 LEED-certified projects. Aiming to propose strategies to foster the adoption of GBL in the country, this paper developed an interpretative model involving barriers to them in Brazil. For this, the technique of Validated Interpretative Structural Modeling (VISM) was developed aiming to add statistical validity to interpretative models even in situations of research with small sample sizes. VISM is a modeling technique that incorporates the simplicity of Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) with the significance testing procedures of Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Adopting the VISM, the barriers model was then developed in five steps: (1) identification of indicators; (2) definition of constructs; (3) identification of relations between constructs; (4) validation of relations between constructs; and (5) creation of the conceptual model. As a result, VISM proved to be an effective innovative modeling technique in the development of models for exploratory research and presents results consistent with the reality studied. Regarding the model developed, the main barriers identified by the study to the adoption of GBL in Brazil are: "environmental protection mechanisms"; "costs and return on investment"; "mistrust of the benefits from GBL"; "corporate and public awareness"; "maturity and market economics"; and the "project, construction, and operation of green buildings". • The paper develop a model of barriers to adoption of green buildings labels in Brazil. • The paper present the technique of Validated Interpretative Structural Modeling. • The technique can help exploratory research with small sample sizes. • ISM models with circular and cross relationships can be validated. • Environmental protection mechanisms and costs hinder green buildings labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen production by water electrolysis is sustainable and carbon-free for energy storage. This paper introduces recent development in integrated green hydrogen polygeneration. Throughout this review, theoretical concepts, design types, and recent developments related to the integration of Alkaline Electrolysis (AE), Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis (PEME), and the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) are summarised. This review evaluates the thermodynamic efficiency and economic impact of green hydrogen production integrated with different energy sources, energy storage and power cycles. Compared with two kinds of commercially applied methods (AE and PEME), SOEC is the state-of-the-art method to produce hydrogen, which can be integrated with external heat to reduce energy consumption. SOEC avoids the inevitable energy loss in AE and PEME, which leads to low-temperature waste heat evaluated as exergy destruction rather than utilized. The overall efficiency improvement of SOEC systems is over 10%. In most cases, the efficiency is always over 70%, and over 80% in some cases, which exceeds the typical values of 20%–60% from AE and PEME systems. The produced hydrogen can be stored and transported, as well as being used as a feedstock for chemical production, forming a polygeneration system with multiple energy sources, desalination, and fuel production. The latest lifetime of SOEC was predicted at 50,000 h or more, which is the minimum requirement to be commercially competitive. In the literature review, 80.4% of papers chose exergy efficiency as assessment index, compared with 67.9% of energy efficiency. And 58.9% of them chose genetic algorithm to complete multi-objective optimization. • The recent developments in green hydrogen polygeneration is accessed. • Compare the thermodynamic and economic impact of various polygenerations with multiple energy sources. • The competitiveness of SOEC in plant is compared with AE and PEME via 4 E analysis. • 80.4% of papers chose exergy efficiency as assessment index and 58.9% chose GA for optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy has been the driving force behind the rapid development of China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. However, the policy network that supports NEV development has been underexplored. This paper explores NEV as an innovative niche for sustainable transition and investigates the evolutionary mechanism of its policy network by combining insights from policy network, strategic niche management and technology innovation system (TIS) theories. Operationally, this paper adopted a social network analysis method to study the NEV policy network in various niche development stages consisting of 377 NEV policy documents formulated by government agencies between 2000 and 2021. Results show the NEV policy network evolves towards bigger, newer actors and is more heterogeneous in creating joint efforts in policymaking that promotes niche development and facilitates a transition to a market niche. Specifically, the policy network expands continually, and network density reaches the maximum of 0.635 at the end of the technological niche. Six agencies are identified as dominators in NEV policymaking. Collaboration on NEV policymaking exhibits obvious organisational heterogeneity, especially in the market niche with an E-I value of 0.576. This study enhances understanding of the evolutionary patterns of policy network and its function on supporting TIS development for immaturely sustainable technologies. The findings also provide important insights into the NEV policymaking process. [Display omitted] • The policy network of China's new energy vehicle continually expanded as the niche evolved. • Several government agencies are identified as dominators that lead policymaking. • Collaboration on policymaking has evolved towards greater heterogeneity. • Network evolution pattern differs significantly in different stages of the technological niche. • Network evolution pattern tends to be stable when it comes to the market niche stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although trade does not only boost the economy but also exacerbates environmental transfers but still the evidence for air pollution's unequal exchange embodied in trade among the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries is rarely discussed in the extant literature. From the perspective of an integrated evaluation framework comprising a multi-regional input-output model, system balance theory, and complex network theory, this research paper uncovers the spatial- and temporal changes of trade-induced air pollution inequality among countries along the BRI route for the time period from 2011 to 2016. The study findings point out that there exists an obvious spatial heterogeneity in the unequal relations among BRI economies. This implies that a large number of country pairs demonstrate weak inequalities, whereas a relatively small number of country pairs represent strong inequalities. In addition, the countries' positions indicate a unique characteristic of "duality and inverse", which is majorly manifested as pure causers represented by Moldova and Belarus, net beneficiaries symbolized by China and Russia, and pure victims exemplified by Bhutan. Meanwhile, nearly half of the dual identities are represented by Singapore. Besides this, the proposal and implementation of the BRI exert a positive influence on both system stability and inequality mitigation by supporting the balance of triangles. Finally, this paper posits that the environmental inequality system of the Belt and Road is not as complex as imagined since the 3-node motif classification is relatively simple. Our findings are helpful for mitigating air pollution inequalities so as to support the sustainable development of green BRI. • Evolution of the environmental inequality in BRI countries is studied. • The initiative exerts a positive influence on stability and inequality mitigation. • Most countries illustrate a feature of "duality and inverse". • Five identified subgraphs indicate that the system is predictable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small islands are fragile and dependent territories in many sectors, especially energy. Hence, renewable energy microgrids (MGs) can offer an opportunity for environmentally sustainable energy supply but also a driver for new development strategies in these territories. This paper aims to analyse the role that MGs can play in insular spaces for the achievement of more sustainable communities. Initially, MGs played a crucial role in ensuring energy supply in spaces characterised by a difficult supply. However, with technological improvements in both generation and storage, as well as institutional and legislative changes, MGs can play a fundamental role in achieving more socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable spaces beyond their role as energy suppliers. We discuss three main topics after a meta-analysis of 18 MGs, both on-grid and off-grid, located in insular spaces: 1) the characteristics of MGs built in insular territories in the last 25 years; 2) MGs influence islanders' well-being and lifestyle; and 3) how MGs can encourage responsible consumption and promote postgrowth strategies. Thus, this paper explores the role that MGs have played in the past and present and what role they could play in the future of small island spaces. It might be concluded that MGs are a key factor in the development of more sustainable societies. However, they must be accompanied by changes in our economies, societies and lifestyles in a direction other than the pursuit of economic growth traditionally understood as a limitless increase in consumption and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional buildings will lead to a series of problems such as high energy consumption, high pollution, and serious waste of resources and environmental damage. It is of great significance to construct a green building evaluation system based on the physical building framework to achieve energy saving and consumption reduction and to fit the sustainable development. In this study, a building greenness evaluation system combining BIM data model and prior knowledge of experts is constructed and the applicability of the method has been verified. IFC information is expressed and transmitted in terms of components, materials, equipment, environmental quality impact, etc., and BIM based building performance design data information conversion and greenness evaluation process is constructed; Based on the comparison and summary of the existing green building evaluation systems at home and abroad, the evaluation model of building greenness is determined; Based on the ideas and steps of establishing the index system proposed in the research, the index system of building greenness evaluation is established from the aspects of environmental quality (Q) and building load (L) on the basis of questionnaire, prior knowledge of experts and other methods; Combined with the mathematical model of greenness evaluation, the paper analyzes the indexes of different levels, determines the structural calculation methods of different indexes, and carries on the quantitative classification of the overall greenness evaluation. Finally, taking a citizen's house as an engineering case, the paper makes an empirical analysis on the greenness evaluation of green buildings. The results show that the green degree of the building is excellent(class A), which is consistent with the project positioning, and provides the basis for the efficient and accurate evaluation of green building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive accumulation of solid wastes has brought great pressure to the environment. Most of them are pozzolanic materials, which can reduce the waste of resources by partially replacing cement in the cementitious system. The scientific and accurate activity evaluation is one of the keys to improve their utilization. Pozzolanic materials are solid wastes containing a large amount of highly active SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 , which have wide variety and different properties. It can react with Ca(OH) 2 at room temperature to produce hydraulic products containing silicon or aluminum. The stronger its activity is, the more suitable it is for application in cement systems. Reasonable utilization of pozzolanic materials is an important way to realize the environmental friendliness and efficient application of concrete. This paper introduces the activity evaluation methods of pozzolanic materials mainly used in cement concrete from the macro and micro aspects, points out the applicability and shortcomings of the existing methods, analyzes the mechanism of activity change, and provides a scientific and reasonable reference for the efficient utilization and in-depth research of pozzolanic materials. In addition, tips and suggestions are put forward for the main problems existing in the existing evaluation methods. The paper will provide a good guidance for the application of large amount of solid waste in cement system, which conforms to the concept of sustainable development. [Display omitted] • The advantages and disadvantages of each activity evaluation method are summarized. • The reason and mechanism of the change of pozzolanic activity are explained from the micro and macro perspectives. • The accuracy and efficiency of pozzolanic activity determination need to be improved. • Three commonly used activation methods and their mechanisms are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The private sector plays a crucial role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, implementation of the SDGs into corporate strategies is low, and there are as yet no practicable methods to assess the impact of business activities on the SDGs. Therefore, this paper identifies influencing factors of industries on the official SDG indicators, and we develop a top-down method to quantify industry footprints vis-à-vis the SDGs, including the manufacturing and use phase and supply-chain effects. We apply the proposed method to case studies for 19 industries (which is the entire private sector, with the exception of services) and 28 environmental SDG indicators, covering topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, microplastic emissions, and land take. First, the results show that the private sector has a high impact on the SDG indicators under analysis, with a total footprint of 66% for all industries on average. Second, large industries such as agriculture, construction, and motor vehicles usually have the highest footprints. Third, a few industries cause a major part of the footprint for each indicator, which means efficient improvements are indeed possible. Finally, every industry has some impact on any given SDG indicator, at least in a small way via the supply chain. By quantifying footprints for the private sector, this paper demonstrates where responsibility for achieving the SDGs lies, it also supports companies in making decisions and implementing the SDGs in their strategy. In addition, this data-based assessment helps to avoid "SDG-picking". • Top-down method for quantifying industries impact on the SDGs developed. • Influencing factors of the private sector on 28 SDG indicators identified. • High impact of the private sector on the SDGs and relevant SDG indicators identified. • Footprints of 19 industry sectors quantified; sectors with high impacts identified. • Solid foundation for strategic implementation of the SDGs in industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper chooses 98 mining cities in China from 2007 to 2021 as research samples. It investigates the policy practice of green development in mining cities according to the point of view of policy combination. We establish a super-efficiency model considering undesirable output to measure the green development level of mining cities and further construct a dynamic panel model based on the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to test the transmission mechanism and heterogeneous effect of different types of environmental regulation to promote the green development of mining cities. The findings demonstrate that environmental regulations about command control, market incentives, and public participation can all help mining cities develop more sustainably. Additionally, there is a nonlinear relationship of an inverted "U" shape between the degree of green development in mining cities and environmental regulations related to command control. Combining policies can encourage the green development of mining cities, but there are crowding-out and substitution effects when environmental regulations are combined with market forces. Environmental regulation promotes urban green development by improving the energy consumption structure of mining cities. In this process, the level of digital development positively regulates the impact of environmental regulation on urban green development. Therefore, the government should choose environmental regulation tools and combinations according to local needs to achieve a multi-pronged effect of energy structure improvement and urban green development and use digital technology to support the green development of mining cities. • Command-controlled, market-motivated, and public-participating environmental regulations can significantly promote urban green development by promoting the improvement of energy structure. • There is an inverted' U' -shaped nonlinear relationship between the intensity of command and control environmental regulation and the green level of mining cities. • The level of digitization can positively regulate the relationship between environmental regulation and urban green development. • The combination of environmental regulations have a significant positive impact on urban green development. • The combination of environmental regulations has heterogeneity in urban green development due to factors such as regional resource endowment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment of the sustainable development level is crucial to providing reasonable and effective management recommendations. However, analysis with a single scale can only reflect the sustainable status at a specific level. In this study, a multi-scale analysis of sustainability was conducted via the three-dimensional Ecological Footprint (EF) model in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Moreover, driving factors of sustainability were analyzed using the Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression model (MGWR). The conclusions include: (1) the development of YRD showed an unsustainable trend from 2014 to 2021, with per capita EF decreasing from 5.769 ha/cap to 5.283 ha/cap. The provincial sustainability is ranked as follows, from being the most sustainable to the least: Anhui Province > Jiangsu Province > Zhejiang Province > Shanghai City. (2) Based on dual indicators of EF depth and size, 41 cities were categorized into nine groups. The dominant type is always Medium size-Low depth (ML) and High size-Low depth (HL) type cities from 2014 to 2021. From the perspective of city scale, the sustainability of five cities weakened, while seven cities showed improvements. (3) Output value of primary industry (OVPI) and population (POP) were always the dominant factors affecting EF, but showed positive and negative correlations respectively. OVPI changes from north-south symmetric type to central symmetric type, while POP changes from central symmetric type to north-south symmetric type. This paper aims to comprehensively assess the sustainable development status from agglomeration-province-city perspectives, and its findings can provide a reference for similar regions with unbalanced development status between ecology and production. • The sustainability of the world-class urban agglomeration was assessed via the three-dimensional ecological footprint model. • More comprehensive and accurate analysis results based on multi-scale analysis. • The four patterns of influencing mechanism are revealed based on the MGWR model. • The combination analysis of dual indicators was adopted to classify the sustainability of 41 cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate climate change and achieve sustainable development, Chinese governments have introduced "1+N" "dual-carbon" policy system aimed at reducing CO 2 emissions, transforming energy structures and controlling pollution. An effective policy mix and synergy is crucial for achieving the emission reduction targets and for ensuring the effectiveness of the policies, and it is therefore of great practical importance to provide a pathway for policy synergy based on assessing policy effectiveness. This paper selects three policies, namely the carbon Emission Trading System (ETS), Coal Control and Clean Utilization (CCCU), and Green Financial Reform and Innovation Pilot Zone (GFPZ), sets up ten scenarios, adopts difference-in-differences (DID) models to evaluate the impact, and give a pathway for policy synergy. The results show that ETS, CCCU, and GFPZ policies have significant positive effects on carbon emission reduction, energy structure transformation, and industrial environmental pollution control, respectively; CCCU has synergistic effects with ETS and GFPZ policies in controlling coal consumption and increasing the completion of industrial pollution control investments, respectively; while GFPZ policies have conflicting effects with CCCU and ETS in reducing carbon emissions and coal consumption, the GFPZ policy has conflicting effects with CCCU and ETS in reducing carbon emissions and controlling coal consumption. Finally, the study proposes a phased policy support system around carbon emission reduction in the power generation industry, energy structure transformation, and industrial environmental pollution control before 2030 and from 2030 to 2060. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global businesses are transforming towards capturing more value from services, a business model transition called servitization. Digital servitization can help create and maintain a competitive advantage, as well as offering opportunities to tackle major challenges related to environmental pressures and rapidly changing market conditions. This study aims to bridge the gap between the theory of digital servitization and its implementation in the maritime shipping sector. This paper presents a multi-case study that explores the status, perceived challenges, and enablers for the adoption of digital servitization. Empirical data were collected from interviews with 13 companies and analyzed using the PESTEL and DPSIR frameworks. The results are presented across three categories based on the PESTEL framework: organizational context, global priorities, and sustainability. This study contributes to theory by providing empirical insights from the status of digital servitization in the maritime shipping industry. Also, it identifies challenges and needs that can support the transition towards digital servitization and the development of more sustainable solutions. Future research avenues are suggested to advance digital servitization in other industrial sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) has a promising share to fulfill the future of sustainable development goals. However, exploiting renewable-based THESs (Trigeneration Hybrid Energy Systems) for providing the energetic demands of the building sector needs further attention. In this regard, the present paper proposes a sustainable THES driven by a biogas-fueled gas engine. The bottoming systems comprise absorption/electrical chillers (AC and EC), organic Rankine cycle (ORC), solar collector (PTC), and an auxiliary boiler. A detailed sustainability evaluation framework (technical and eco-environment) is derived to approve the performance of the THES. Within this procedure, the best working fluid of the ORC is firstly selected and then the sensitivity of the system performance to the design variables is assessed by a comprehensive parametric study. To make the derived framework more applicable, a case study building is considered and the proposed THES is sized to meet its electricity, heating, and cooling energies. The analyses proved that R123 shows the best techno-economic performance among six investigated ORC working fluids. The parametric study illustrated that the highest and lowest sensitivity of the THES's performance is related to the outlet temperatures of EC condenser and AC evaporator. Furthermore, the energy, exergy, and economic efficiencies of the THES for the case study building are 61.78%, 25.24%, and 44.77%. In this condition, discounted payback period is 7 years, demonstrating the feasibility of this proposal. The maximum CO 2 emission is released in November, with a total electricity generation of 320 MWh. [Display omitted] • Renewable-based hybrid system is introduced to produce cold, heat, and power. • Comprehensive sensitivity analysis is done to assess impact of some decision variables. • A case study building is considered to boost NZEB concept based on the proposed system. • Energy efficiency and payback period is 61.78% and 7 years for the case study building. • Using renewables in energy systems to reduce fossil fuel share has great significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that economic disasters represent a considerable risk for sustainability objectives. To address this issue, two empirical methods are used. First, the relationship between economic disasters and sustainable development is tested by panel regression. Second, the local projection method is used to explore the dynamics, i.e., the behavior of sustainable development indices for ten years after the onset of a typical economic disaster. The results suggest that the relationship between economic disasters and sustainable development is negative, and that the effects of economic disasters are much larger than the effects of "ordinary" economic crises. Moreover, sustainability indices continue to decline even after a typical economic disaster ends. Understanding the complex relationship between economic disasters and sustainability can help policymakers develop strategies to mitigate these adverse effects and ensure the transition to sustainability. [Display omitted] • The relationship between economic disasters and sustainable development is analyzed. • A special database on economic disasters is used. • Standard panel regression and local projection method are applied. • The effects of economic disasters are larger compared to ordinary economic crises. • Sustainability indices continue to decline after a typical economic disaster ends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of solar energy technology to solve the freshwater scarcity problem of society will contribute to the sustainable development goal of the United Nations. It will also recede the dependency on fossil fuels. This paper deals with the investigation of conical passive solar still (CPSS) by incorporating energy metrics, efficiency, and sensitivity analyses. Fundamental equations have been obtained from the thermal modelling of CPSS followed by experimental validation. The coefficient of correlation for water temperature is about 0.96, for condensing surface temperature is about 0.99 and for freshwater yield is also 0.99. The present work involves diverse monthly weather conditions for the performance analysis of CPSS. In the present work, a MATLAB-based computational code is used to compute hourly freshwater output, exergy, and energy assessment for their yearly results. Afterward, energy metrics and different efficiencies were computed, and the outcomes were compared with recent investigations. Finally, the energy payback time has been lowered by 161.40%. The energy production factor and life cycle conversion efficiency for CPSS were improved by 61.71% and 28.20%, respectively, compared with the conventional solar still. The comparative study of daily thermal efficiency reveals that the efficiency of CPSS is higher by 51.47% than V-type solar still. • Characteristic equations for conical passive solar still has been developed. • Energy metrics, efficiency, and sensitivity analyses for CPSS have been carried out. • Energy payback time for CPSS is lower by 161.40% than single slope passive solar still. • Life cycle conversion efficiency for CPSS is 28.20% higher over conventional solar still. • The daily thermal efficiency for CPSS is higher by 51.47% higher than V type solar still. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comprehensive cohesion of the digital economy, structural deviation adjustment, and green development is a crucial step towards promoting high-quality economic growth and realizing carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This paper probes the impact of intra- and inter-regional digital economy on carbon emissions, considering the mediating effect of structural deviation, utilizing panel data from 267 prefecture-level cities in China spanning the years 2011–2019. The findings reveal the following key insights. First, the connection between the digital economy and carbon emissions within cities follows an inverted "U" shape. In the early stages, the digital economy leads to an average increase in carbon emissions of 0.069%. However, in the later stages, the digitized economy markedly decrease emissions. Second, both the digital economy and carbon emissions exhibit spatial spillover effects. Within the region, DE has a significant nonlinear spillover effect on CO 2 emissions in the neighboring regions, with the spatial decay boundary of this effect extending up to 380 km. Third, analysis of the impact mechanism reveals that the digital economy mitigates local and neighboring carbon dioxide emissions by adjusting structural deviation. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the digital economy is more likely to have a carbon emission reduction effect in cities that are not involved in the industrial transfer and those that do not belong to the old industrial base. These findings provide a rationale and policy reference for China to harness the opportunities presented by digital economy development and to achieve the "dual-carbon" goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) projects are today well known for their contribution to sustainable development. Designing IS projects implies modelling the quantity of material flows between economic components (ECs), in particular to evaluate the environmental and economic gains obtained through more material circularity and use efficiency. The Industrial Symbiosis concept is now being applied to activities distributed over territories much wider than industrial parks. For such setups, existing modelling methods are becoming strained by the number of economic components involved, their dissemination within heterogeneous landscapes and the resulting complexity of the exchanges. In this paper, we propose a generic, spatially explicit simulation model based on stakeholder decision rules to study regional scale flows quantification between ECs in n-n IS networks. Our approach introduces the use of the Gale-Shapley stable matching algorithm for addressing the many-to-many supply-demand matching problem. The method is deterministic and provides stable solutions that optimise the individual objectives of the ECs. A second introduction considers using transport cost along the road network among the decision rules when ECs preferences are ordered. This solves the issue of correctly estimating travel distance in heterogeneous landscapes where it can be significantly different to the distance as the crow flies. We tested the model with the implementation of two real and concrete case studies related to the bioeconomy of a tropical island: (i) collective storage of fodder and (ii) co-composting platforms. The outputs of the model make it possible to compare scenarios based on EC satisfaction relative to supply and demand as well as the total distance travelled along the road network. Finally, we discuss the limitations and genericity of the model to explore diverse industrial symbiosis projects. • Industrial symbiosis material flow modelled using stakeholder decision rules. • Our approach is spatially explicit, determinist and based on interactions. • Stable deferred acceptance matching algorithm used to link economic components. • Decision rules incorporate transport costs estimated based on the road network. • Model tested in n-n networks involving several thousand components at regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international investment literature consistently indicates that enterprises, functioning as pivotal components of the economic system, engage in diversified outward foreign investment activities, thereby catalyzing the transition towards a greener and more sustainable economy and society. Based on the overseas investment data of Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2019, this paper adopts a comprehensive approach comprising the two-way fixed effects model, propensity score matching technique, and difference-in-differences set up to evaluate the impact of the enterprise's overseas investment quantity and decision-making of host countries on green development. The findings explore that an increase in outward investment quantity facilitates the enterprise's green transition, which withstands robustness testing, including the decomposition of the green transition index, adjustments to the sample timeframe, and exclusion of corporate samples from top-tier cities. Such promoting effects are more pronounced among listed companies investing in low- and middle-income countries, as well as those located in provinces aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative in China. Further, an enterprise's overseas investment decision-making by the proposal of the BRI has exhibited a substantial and enduring enhancement of green development. This discovery underscores a pragmatic trajectory for the enterprise's green transformation, driven by proactive engagement in high-level openness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that emphasizes sustainable and affordable energy presents a practical pathway to achieve sustainable growth. Moreover, this goal aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on climate action. Nonetheless, it is important to consider factors such as political and financial risk, as they can influence climate action efforts and the renewable energy sources adoption. Hence, this study broadens the conversation surrounding CO 2 emission reduction and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It accomplishes this by investigating the interplay between renewable energy, political risk, financial risk, and CO 2 emissions in Finland spanning from 1990/Q1 to 2021/Q4. Notably, this research distinguishes itself through its exploration of these complex connections, employing a wavelet-based quantile methodology. Unlike traditional quantile regression, which can only reveal connections between variables within each quantile, the wavelet-based quantile approach enables the simultaneous capture of correlations across quantiles and periods. The results show that in the long-term and across all quantiles (0.01–0.99), energy efficiency, specifically gas and oil efficiency, lessens CO 2. In addition, low financial and political risks improve ecological quality by lessening CO 2 across all periods and quantiles (0.01–0.99). The paper outcomes serve as a basis for formulating a policy framework aimed at achieving SDG 7 and SDG 13 in Finland. • We explore the impact of energy efficiency and country risk on CO 2 emissions. • The role of renewable energy and economic growth are also analyzed. • The Time series data of the Finland is used from 1990/Q1 to 2020/Q4. • Various wavelet-based quantile correlation is applied. • Renewable energy, oil and gas efficiency decrease CO 2 emissions in each quantile and across periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy is an effective solution to alleviate the energy crisis and achieve sustainable development, and is gradually growing into an important energy source to support economic and social development. Different renewable energy technical plans have different characteristics under multiple criteria. Therefore, before the further exploitation of renewable energy sources, it is of great significance to evaluate the comprehensive performance of different plans and then determine the best renewable energy sources. Given this background, this paper proposes a novel evaluation method for renewable energy technical plans based on improved rough set theory and grey cloud model. Firstly, based on the normalized evaluation data, self-organizing map (SOM) clustering algorithm and system clustering analysis are adopted to discretize the evaluation attributes indexes and decision attributes indexes, respectively. Next, the improved rough set conditional information entropy method is used to calculate the index weights. Finally, the grey cloud model is employed to determine the grade classification of each evaluated plan. At the same time, each grade is quantified by assigning a corresponding score, and the comprehensive performances of renewable energy plans can be calculated, and then the ranking of different plans is achieved. Based on the actual renewable energy development data from a province in China, experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method performs better than some evaluation methods for renewable energy technical plans. [Display omitted] • Propose a novel evaluation method for renewable energy technical plans. • Use self-organizing map clustering algorithm to discretize the attributes indexes. • Apply improved rough set theory to determine the index weights. • Achieve the complete ranking of plans, and classify the plans into different levels. • Compared with the existing evaluation method, the proposed method performs better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous advancement of the digital economy and green development strategies, exploring the impact of digital transformation on corporate green technology innovation becomes an importantly urgent issue. Based on the perspectives of asymmetric effects and structural breakpoints, this paper empirically analyses the effect of digital transformation on green technology innovation, as well as its heterogeneity and non-linear characteristics, using fixed effect models and panel threshold model with a sample of Chinese A-share-listed corporates from 2011 to 2021. The findings suggest that digital transformation of corporates can significantly promotes green technology innovation, which remains valid after a series of endogenous and robustness tests. Heterogeneous regression results shows that digital transformation exhibits an asymmetric impact on green technology innovation, with greater incentive effect for state-owned corporates, manufacturing corporates, and corporates located in areas with stricter environmental regulations. Additionally, threshold effect analyses prove that a positive non-linear relationship between digital transformation and green technology innovation, when corporate human capital, industry competition and regional institutional quality exceeded their respective structural breakpoints, the marginal contribution of digital transformation is further strengthened. This research provides clearer policy insights for corporates to promote cleaner production and low carbon development through digitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality economic development focuses on achieving effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy, which is the essential way for China to achieve sustainable development. This paper aims to investigate the role of financial development in the impact of foreign direct investment on high-quality economic development. GDP and green total factor productivity are used to measure the quantity and quality of economic development, respectively. We construct benchmark panel regression models, nonlinear interaction term models, and panel threshold models to examine the threshold effect of FDI on high-quality economic development based on the scale, structure, and efficiency of financial development. A series of tests are conducted to check the robustness of the estimates. Our results show that green total factor productivity in China is primarily driven by green technology progress. Additionally, foreign direct investment has a positive impact on China's high-quality economic development, with a threshold effect and nonlinear characteristics. Specifically, the scale of financial development affects the influence of foreign direct investment on the quantity of economic development, while the efficiency of financial development affects its influence on the quality of economic development. Furthermore, the structure of financial development affects both the quantity and quality of economic development. This study presents novel findings that contribute to understanding the role of financial development in the impact of foreign direct investment on high-quality economic development. Likewise, our research has implications for achieving high-quality development. The introduction of foreign direct investment under the high-quality development of the economy should comprehensively consider financial development. • The impacts on high-quality economic development of financial development and FDI were discussed. • The scale, structure and efficiency of financial development were considered. • Both quantity and quality of economic development were focus on. • The green total factor productivity in China was measured. • Policy implications of introducing FDI in China were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the top carbon emitter in the world, a key step taken by China to encourage energy conservation, pollution reduction, and environmentally friendly development is the low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy, which has made important contributions to reducing global emissions. The LCCP policy aims to conserve energy and reduce emissions, inexorably influence many facets of the economic system because it is a well-rounded environmental management strategy. So, has this policy impacted the entrepreneurial activity of the region while achieving green development? Using panel data from China's 279 cities from 2002 to 2019, this article employs the difference-in-differences (DID) model to assess the influence of the LCCP policy on urban entrepreneurial activity. Through the results, the LCCP policy generally inhibits entrepreneurial activity. But the level of green innovation can alleviate this inhibitory effect. Based on the heterogeneity analysis, the LCCP policy exerts a more pronounced inhibitory effect on entrepreneurial activity in central and western regions, resource-based cities, and non-central cities. Further, the LCCP policy inhibits entrepreneurial activity in high-carbon industries while encouraging entrepreneurial activity in emerging industries, resulting in industrial structure change and upgrading. This paper supplies new empirical evidence for the effects of the LCCP policy on entrepreneurial activity and industrial structure change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the driving mechanism of natural conditions and human activities on wetland ecosystem service value (WESV) change is important for the sustainable development of wetland resources. The existing studies often analyze the direct effects of natural conditions and human activities on WESV, however, the interaction mechanism of them on WESV is still unclear. Therefore, based on the remote sensing image data of Liaoning Province China in 1990–2020, this paper combined Emergy with Partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to evaluate main WESV and explore the interaction mechanism between socio-economic development factor (F sed), climate factor (F cl), environment factor (F en)and terrain factor (F te) on WESV change. The results showed that the provisioning (WESV P) and regulating (WESV R) services value increased by 6.93 E+14 and 3.01 E+14 solar emjoules (sej), respectively, while the cultural services value (WESV C) decreased by 1.50 E+14sej. Overall, the total value of wetland services value (WESV T) increased by 8.45 E+14sej during the study period, with a growth rate of 37.88%. F sed was the most significant factor driving WESV growth, with path coefficient of 0.53, followed by F en and F te , with path coefficient of 0.23 and 0.20, respectively, while F cl had the greatest negative effect on WESV, with path coefficient of −0.18. From the perspective of the interaction between each factor, F cl weakened the positive effect of F sed and F en on WESV, at the same time, F sed weakened the positive effect of F te on WESV. Through the indirect influence of F te , the adverse effect of F cl on WESV was further enhanced. This study innovatively revealed the interaction mechanism of natural conditions and human activities on WESV change, and the results could provide scientific basis for the management and sustainable development of wetland resources. [Display omitted] • Emergy theory was applied to calculate the main wetland ecosystem services value (WESV). • The interaction mechanism between natural conditions and human activities on WESV change was revealed by PLS-SEM. • F sed played an important role in the indirect effect of WESV change, and the interaction between F cl and F en exacerbated their negative effect on WESV change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission is pursuing a circular bioeconomy to tackle pressing sustainability challenges, such as climate change and fossil dependency. Previous bioeconomy policy studies demonstrated the existence of competing bioeconomy discourses in the European Union. However, it remains nebulous how such discursive conflicts emerge and change, particularly in online settings. In this paper, we provide a more in-depth analysis of how argumentative changes of actors alter the network of online dynamic discourse coalitions. We base our findings on interviews and a qualitative discourse network analysis of 9983 tweets about European Union bioeconomy policies from the period 2008 – 2021. Our results indicate that initially, expert debates centred around storylines on bioeconomy advantages. After the 2012 Bioeconomy Strategy, the debate diversified with the entry of new actors and storylines. Two discourse coalitions, 'Green future' and 'Planetary boundaries', emerged around conflicting storyline clusters. In the aftermath of the 2018 Bioeconomy Strategy update, the debate simplified into core argumentations of few, highly conflicting storylines, leading to a polarization of the two discourse coalitions. Storyline hijacking further added to polarization and conflict. Understanding the evolution of online dynamic discourse coalitions provides new opportunities for practitioners to open up discourses towards storylines from other parts of the discourse network. This can help to prevent locking-in the limited range of solutions in congruence with the dominant 'Green future' discourse. [Display omitted] • The future of the bioeconomy in the EU is discussed controversially on X/Twitter. • Storyline diversification and simplification dynamics led to polarization. • The EU Commission is almost exclusively part of one side of the discourse network. • EU bioeconomy debates head towards a problematic discursive lock-in. • To open up the debate, include ideas of other parts of the discourse network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability assessment provides essential information to facilitate informed decision-making, enabling the selecting of the best option among various projects. This research paper considers the decision-making problem in the context of marginalised and isolated communities, introducing a groupal model for evaluating the sustainability of small-scale power supply projects. The proposed model incorporates a comprehensive set of five indicators and 25 criteria. The analysis presented in this study prioritises these indicators and criteria, introducing new criteria based on several stakeholders' participation and offering guidance on measuring the identified criteria. Furthermore, the proposal provides fundamental thresholds for evaluating the projects' sustainability and proposes a model based on aggregated indicators to assess the available alternatives. It encompasses all stages of the decision-making process, employing multiple indicators to evaluate the sustainability of power supply projects. The effectiveness of the proposed model was validated in a real case study conducted in a marginalised community facing isolation challenges in La Guajira, Colombia. The evaluation showcased the model's contribution to decision-making processes regarding power supply projects in isolated communities. Finally, the results demonstrated the suitability of this strategy for immediate application, highlighting its potential impact on decision-making for sustainable development within marginalised areas. • The multi-criteria-based decision-making model maximises projects' sustainability. • The model evaluates the projects' sustainability, incorporating innovative criteria. • The model implementation in a study case confirms its efficacy for decision-making. • The study case findings suggest adopting cooperative or community-based governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past seven years, the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is gaining increasing attention in the African context. Consistent with this effort, the present study aims to review the existing literature systematically to document contribution and methodological gaps. Specifically, the review systematically explores, through bibliometric literature and systematic method reviews, authors, countries, cited papers, journals, author's keywords, topic dendrogram, and methodological choices of papers associated with Africa SDGs scholars. The R Studio software is used to analyze 200 papers on SDGs, authored by 606 scholars and published in 102 peer-reviewed leading sources between 2015 and 2022. The results reveal that SDGs literature in Africa is an imminent study area, and there are two main strands of literature advancing SDGs in Africa: (1) business growth, entrepreneurship, and poverty reduction, and (2) renewable energy, tourism, and ICT. Key findings from the analysis of the papers are discussed, and implications for future research directions consisting of research questions, research methods and designs, and SDGs research are provided. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote their public image, a growing number of companies have adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects that benefit various social interests. As such, it is imperative to audit the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of CSR projects for their sustainable development. This paper presents an assessment of three CSR projects undertaken by the energy industry (renewable energy) and commercial sector (plastic waste recycling) in Thailand to transition towards the circular economy (CE) business model. A set of CE indicators were selected from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development: WBCSD 2018 European Commission 2018, and British Standard Institution 2017 and compared with the sustainability indicators listed in the ISO 26000:2010 (referenced in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): G4 Guidelines). These indicators were established to assess the readiness of companies to implement sustainable CSR projects. The assessment results showed that the CSR projects in the case study were conducive to the CE model, as most of the CE concepts evaluated by the performance indicators were already in place. This study aimed to support the implementation of CSR projects that contribute to adopting a CE business model and determine key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and monitor CSR projects in terms of their CE concepts. The sustainability KPIs proposed in this study can serve as a set of guidelines to drive CE strategy adoption and allow for the identification of sustainable CSR projects that can simultaneously offer more value creation and satisfaction for all stakeholders, including society and the companies, while reducing environmental impacts. This paper integrates CSR into a CE approach that results in business sustainability and contributes to Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) targets. [Display omitted] • KPIs were adopted for the comprehensive assessment of CSR projects. • CSR projects of renewable energy and plastic waste were evaluated in their ability to CE concepts. • The KPIs can identify sustainable level and contribute to CE and SDG targets of businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A safe and effective medical waste transport network is beneficial to control the COVID-19 pandemic and at least decelerate the spread of novel coronavirus. Seldom studies concentrated on a two-phase COVID-19 medical waste transport in the presence of multi-type vehicle selection, sustainability, and infection probability, which is the focus of this paper. This paper aims to identify the priority of sustainable objectives and observe the impacts of multi-phase and infection probability on the results. Thus, such a problem is formulated as a mixed-integer programming model to minimise total potential infection risks, minimise total environmental risks, and maximise total economic benefits. Then, a hybrid solution strategy is designed, incorporating a lexicographic optimisation approach and a linear weighted sum method. A real-world case study from Chongqing is used to illustrate this methodology. Results indicate that the solution strategy guides a good COVID-19 medical waste transport scheme within 1 min. The priority of sustainable objectives is society, economy, and environment in the first and second phases because the total Gap of case No.35 is 3.20%. A decentralised decision mode is preferred to design a COVID-19 medical waste transport network at the province level. Whatever the infection probability is, infection risk is the most critical concern in the COVID-19 medical waste clean-up activities. Environmental and economic sustainability performance also should be considered when infection probability is more than a certain threshold. • Two-phase COVID-19 medical waste transport with infection probability is studied. • A mixed-integer programming model to optimise sustainability is formulated. • A hybrid solution strategy is designed to solve the proposed multi-objective model. • The priority of sustainable objectives is society, economy, and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent growth of the space sector, spurred by a surge in private actors, has led to a sharp increase in our ability to address societal challenges through space data. However, this has exacerbated an already critical situation in space: the proliferation of space debris and a critical expansion of space traffic which is leading to high levels of orbital congestion. In parallel, increased levels of spacecraft production and orbital launches are also heightening the environmental footprint of the sector. This might lead to a paradoxical situation whereby the use of space to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) becomes unsustainable from the perspective of both the Earth and space environment. This situation can be described as the 'space sustainability paradox'. This paper presents this concept for the first time and argues that existing policies and remediation actions are not a long-term sustainable solution for tackling this issue and may actually intensify the problem. This places an added importance upon addressing space sustainability in a more coherent, strategic and responsible manner, potentially based on the doughnut economic model of social and planetary boundaries. Doing so may prevent the sector from falling victim to a 'tragedy of the commons' type of scenario and avoid negative trends from becoming the norm. As a result, this would ensure that outer space can continue to be used by future generations to address societal challenges, without priming severe and enduring damage to the Earth and space environment. • Space sustainability is a growing but often misunderstood concept. • Sustainability from and of space are two finely balanced and interrelated issues. • Existing policies/remediation actions are not a long-term solution for sustainability. • A major paradigm shift is needed to enable space sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite ecotourism certification's efficacy as a potential environmental management tool for promoting sustainable development, the applicability of Western ecotourism certification patterns in China and the environmental effects of China's ecotourism certification remain unclear. Based on China's Prototype-zone of National Ecotourism Attractions (PNEA) certification, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the causal relationship between ecotourism and low-carbon sustainable development in relation to public environmental concerns. The multiperiod Difference-in-Differences (DID) model is set up to examine the supervision of PNEA certification on regional carbon emissions based on the panel data from 285 Chinese prefecture-level cities in 2011–2017. Results demonstrate that PNEA approval can reduce regional carbon emissions by 1.1% per capita, and this effect would increase over time. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the carbon emission reduction impact is significantly higher on midwestern cities, resource-dependent cities, and cities with net population inflow. Furthermore, the determinants of public environmental concerns, such as PNEA's functions of tourism economic development and environmental education, are crucial for low-carbon sustainable development. The findings quite clearly account for the contributions of ecotourism certification in promoting sustainable development and the benefits of effective policy instruments. • The PNEA certification implemented by China's central government is different from the Western ecotourism certifications. • The approval of China's unique ecotourism certification can reduce regional carbon emissions by 1.1% per capita. • The economic development function and environmental education function are key to promoting public environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive energy-related carbon emission intensity will lead to deterioration of environmental quality and hinder green economic growth. This paper proposes a novel self-adaptive fractional order grey generalized Verhulst model (SAFGGVM) to predict energy-related carbon emission intensity in China, America, India, Russia, and Japan with nonlinear and complex characteristics effectively. Firstly, self-adaptive fractional order and dynamic background value coefficient are introduced to capture the nonlinear evolutionary trends. Subsequently, the optimal nonlinear parameters are determined using Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm through comprehensive comparison. Furthermore, the flexibility of SAFGGVM is verified by presenting its relevance to existing models. Finally, the validity, applicability, and robustness of SAFGGVM are confirmed by comparing with two machine learning models and four grey prediction models. The empirical results exhibit that the overall precision of SAFGGVM model significantly prevails over the others in five cases, with MAPE values less than 6% in both the simulation and prediction intervals. The out-of-sample forecast results indicate that the energy-related carbon emission intensity of five countries will fall into 5.7024, 1.6030, 7.3668, 8.1633, 2.0399 tons/10,000 USD by 2025, and the decreasing rate of developing countries tends to catch up with, or even exceed, developed countries. Projection results can serve as a reference point for countries to achieve green and sustainable development. • A novel self-adaptive grey generalized Verhulst model is proposed. • Energy-related carbon emission intensity (ECEI) of five countries is predicted. • Optimal nonlinear parameters are determined by Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm. • The novel model is superior to other competing models in accuracy and roubutness. • Decline rate of ECEI in developing countries will catch up with developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the Circular Economy (CE) has gained attention as a strategy for achieving sustainable development through cleaner production and reducing waste and pollution. At the same time, digital technologies are recognized as crucial sustainability drivers by enabling efficiency, collaboration, and innovation. This research paper explores the factors that support Green Entrepreneurship (GE) and digitalization in the context of CE and Waste Management (WM) in Indian manufacturing "Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises" (MSMEs). Further, the study prioritizes, establishes a contextual relationship, and clusters the GE factors that enable digitalization in the CE and WM of Indian manufacturing MSMEs. To meet research goals, the study uses a mixed-methods approach that includes a literature review, qualitative interviews with MSME managers, and theoretical support (stakeholder theory, resource-based view, dynamic capability theory, met expectation theory, and upper echelons theory) to find the enablers. Further, two-phase "Multi-Criteria Decision Making" (MCDM) tools are utilized. Initially, the quantitative "Best-Worst Method" (BWM) was used for ranking, and then "Total Interpretive Structural Modeling" (TISM) was used to establish a mutual relationship among the enablers. The strength of relationships among the enablers was established based on "dependence power" (DEP) and "driving power" (DRP). The findings through BWM analysis show that among the main category, technology-based enablers, and among sub-categories, top management and organizational coordination are the high-priority enablers/sub-enablers to optimize sustainable action. The findings also suggest that technology infrastructure for cleaner and sustainable manufacturing, knowledge of green entrepreneurs, training, the dynamic capacities of digitalization towards a CE, subsidies, and finance are driving enablers. The research contributes to understanding the enabling factors of GE and digitalization and their interdependencies for CE and sustainable development. [Display omitted] • Green Entrepreneurship and Digitalization drive Sustainable Waste Management and Circular Economy. • Top management and organizational coordination are crucial for sustainable action. • Infrastructure and knowledge drive digitalization in the Circular Economy. • Digitalization and green entrepreneurship complement the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development requires more investment in sustainable companies and less in unsustainable firms. However, the factors driving sustainable investing are not well understood. To address this gap, this paper uses institutional theory to examine three determinants of sustainable investing: (1) investor commitment to sustainable investing initiatives; (2) normative pressure; and (3) home-country influences. The findings indicate that sustainable investing initiatives do not guarantee more sustainable asset allocation among members. Normative pressure correlates with reduced investment in unsustainable companies. Investors from home-countries with legal systems prioritizing diverse stakeholders, and with governments committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tend to invest less in unsustainable companies. Conversely, investors from countries with limited SDG progress show higher investment in unsustainable firms, while those from more developed nations invest more in sustainable companies. These results highlight the need for a critical examination of institutional efficacy in promoting sustainable investing. [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]

With its strong ties to the European Union, Germany is well-positioned to assist many countries achieve sustainability goals. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to examine how renewable energy intensity and renewable energy share improve environmental sustainability, the load capacity factor (LCF) in Germany from 1970 to 2018. To this end, the study uses the autoregressive distributed lag model, with the effects of the Kyoto Protocol included as a dummy variable. The study contributes to the literature by considering and testing for the first time the impact of renewables on the LCF in terms of intensity and share for Germany. The empirical results show that (i) economic growth lowers the LCF faster in the early stages of economic development than in later periods; therefore, the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis is valid in Germany. (ii) A 1% upsurge in renewable energy intensity has no statistically significant effect on the LCF, while a 1% rise in the share of renewables in the total energy mix increases LCF by 0.48%. (iii) A 1% rise in urbanization reduces the LCF by 6.52%. (iv) A 1% augment in human capital enhances the LCF by 3.49%. These outcomes suggest that the German government should use human capital development and increasing the share of renewable energy as policy instruments to achieve the sustainable development goals. [Display omitted] • The EKC hypothesis is valid for Germany. • Renewable energy intensity has no influence on the load capacity factor. • A higher renewable share in the energy mix is associated with an improvement in LCF. • Human capital plays a key role in solving environmental challenges. • The urbanization process has a devastating effect on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population growth and urbanisation have accelerated waste generation, and effective waste management has become a major challenge worldwide. With advances in technology and management methods, waste management strategies have begun embracing digitalisation, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, cloud/edge computing, machine learning, 5G communication, and blockchain technologies. Amongst them, the blockchain technology has the structural features of achieving information security and integrity without central guarantees. Blockchain also meets the data record/storage needs of waste management and the design of new mechanisms for effective waste management. These benefits make blockchain an attractive technology in the field of waste management, with researchers and practitioners alike investigating its broad applications to support sustainable waste management. However, this emerging technology has not yet been widely accepted by potential users. To further champion the application of blockchain technology, this review paper provides a systematic overview of the various pathways in which the technology has been applied in the waste management industry and further discusses its related challenges and opportunities via considering the promising prospect of combining blockchain technology with IoT, artificial intelligence (AI) and life cycle assessment (LCA). This review also provides insights for interpreting some emerging applications of blockchain in the field of waste management and clarifying the research paths in the context of blockchain, digitalised waste management, and circular economy. [Display omitted] • Impacts of blockchain technology on waste management have been substantial. • Recent development from blockchain's functional perspectives was surveyed. • There is a long way towards blockchain-based sustainable waste management. • Relevant challenges and opportunities in blockchain applications were discussed. • Outlooks in digitalised waste management and circular economy were clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]