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Green energy policies have spread globally, as a means to promote societal transition towards more sustainable pathways of growth. In this framework, the European Union posed as a key actor, identifying the promotion of green energy policies as a cornerstone of all its strategies for green transition. While the literature has generally recognised the ongoing harmonisation process, still scant attention has been paid to the assessment of differentials in the diffusion of policies promoting various typologies of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the role of domestic factors tends to be overlooked. Based on these premises, the present research has aimed to study the role played by both policy diffusion mechanisms and adopting countries' characteristics for explaining the emulation of renewable energy policies. Our main results show that coercion enhances the likelihood of policy emulation, while the other mechanisms differently influence the policymaking process, based on the typology of renewable and on the level of development of the country. These results set the stage for relevant policy implications for promoting coordination and abatement of normative barriers existing among EU Member States. These recommendations become even more relevant given the unprecedented investments planned by the EU through the REpowerEU plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green energy efficiency (GEE) is pivotal for sustainable economic growth, particularly in the context of China's ambitious environmental goals. This study assesses the impact of Green Financial Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones on GEE from 2005 to 2020, using the SBM-GML method and a Double Difference Model (DID). Findings indicate a significant improvement in GEE within these zones, driven by advancements in green innovation and environmental regulation. At the micro level, firms in pilot zones show enhanced Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and experience fewer financial constraints. The effectiveness of green finance policies is more pronounced in resource-rich and financially efficient regions, suggesting that these initiatives can significantly contribute to sustainable development. Based on empirical evidence, we recommend expanding pilot zones, promoting green technological innovation, and developing tailored green finance policies to address regional ecological sensitivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on 196 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2021, this paper constructs a weight matrix of urban economic geography and uses the spatial differential model to verify the impact of smart city policies on urban green energy efficiency. The results show that the efficiency value of green energy fluctuates in Chinese cities. Different test results show that smart city policies can effectively improve urban green energy efficiency, but mainly from the time effect rather than the individual effect. It means the improvement in urban green energy efficiency comes more from the fast-growing of the Chinese economy and urban construction in this period than from the country's smart city pilot policy. In addition, from the spatial spillover effect result, China needs to design a better urban spatial development plan to improve the capacity of smart city energy services and vigorously develop intelligent technology represented by information and communication science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green credit can alleviate the financing constraints of green enterprises, and thus is an important policy to encourage green development and mitigate climate change. However, how green credit affects the technological innovation of clean energy enterprise (TICEE) and the role of corporate policy catering behavior (CPCB) both need to be further explored. Therefore, the impact mechanisms of green credit and the roles of CPCB are empirically tested by the mediation model and moderation model, respectively. Compared with large, eastern and mature enterprises, green credit plays a stronger positive role in the technological innovation of small, central and western and growing enterprises. Green credit optimizes enterprises' debt financing by alleviating financing constraints, reducing debt costs and extending debt maturity structure, thus driving technological innovation. Besides, the two most typical types of CPCB — research and development (R&D) manipulation and rent-seeking — weaken the positive effect of green credit on TICEE. However, CPCB weakens less on the quality of innovation of large, mature and eastern enterprises. Accordingly, green credit should be strengthened to promote TICEE, and the supervision of corporate speculation should also be strengthened to avoid the policy's failure. [Display omitted] • Green credit promotes the technological innovation of clean energy enterprises. • Corporate financing constraints, debt cost and debt maturity mediate the effect. • Policy catering behavior inhibits the role of green credit in corporate innovation. • The effects are stronger on small, growing enterprises in developing regions. • Various policy priorities and avoiding corporate speculation should be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the global inclination of economies toward green solutions, the current study aims to explore the association between green energy transition, adjusted net saving, energy intensity, and carbon dioxide emission in China. To achieve this, a novel approach utilizing Wavelet analysis is employed to examine the dynamic association among these variables from 1979 to 2020. The analysis utilized continuous wavelet, wavelet coherence, and partial and multiple wavelet coherence techniques, offering a comprehensive understanding beyond the limitations of prior research by investigating the relationships over various time frames. The findings from the wavelet coherence analysis yielded intriguing insights, indicating that an increase in energy transition is likely to result in higher energy intensity and increased CO2 emissions. Surprisingly, the study observed a negative impact of adjusted savings on energy transition in the medium run, whereas in the long term, an increase in adjusted net savings was associated with higher carbon emissions in the Chinese economy. This highlights the intricate interplay between energy transition, adjusted savings, and environmental impacts, with different time scales playing a significant role in shaping these connections. Policymakers should carefully consider these dynamics to formulate effective strategies for sustainable development and carbon emission reduction in China. Furthermore, employing partial and multiple coherence analysis, the outcomes has demonstrated a strong interconnected correlations between energy intensity, green energy transition, CO2 emissions, and adjusted net savings across short-run, medium-run, and long-run time frequencies. Overall, the study concludes the positive link between energy and carbon emissions in China, while the effectiveness of the green energy transition remains vulnerable. The findings offer valuable insights for informed decision-making and policy implications, facilitating the adoption of appropriate measures to promote a greener and more sustainable future in China. • Study explores green energy transition, net saving, energy intensity, and CO 2 in China. • Advanced time-frequency based Wavelet analysis is used to analyze asymmetric relationships. • Energy transition is found to have positive link with CO 2 and energy intensity. • Net adjusted saving have positive effect on CO2 but negative on energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]