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To cope with global climate risks, promoting energy transformation has become a global consensus. China issued a reform policy in 2010 to promote the convergence of the three major information industries, namely broadcasting and television networks, telecommunications networks and the Internet (TPR policy). However, is the convergence of information industries able to promote energy transition? This study constructs a quasi-natural experimental framework using China's TPR policy as a representative case of industrial convergence. Using city-level panel data between 2003 and 2016 in China and a multi-period difference-in-differences model, this study examines the impact of TPR policy on energy transition. The results show that TPR policy positively contributes to energy transition at a 1% significance level. Extensive robustness tests support this finding. This positive effect is particularly evident in regions with less developed communications infrastructure and stricter environmental regulations. Mechanism analysis suggests that TPR policy promotes energy transition by improving the level of information networks, promoting technological innovation, and optimizing industrial structure. The findings of this paper emphasize the importance of information industry convergence in facilitating energy transformation. • This paper examines the impact of TPR on energy transition by using a DID model. • TPR promotes energy transition at a 1% significance level. • TPR's effect shows heterogeneity in the level of communication and regulations. • Information level, innovation and industrial upgrading play a key role in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green innovation is important and beneficial for the green development of enterprises. The development of digital technology could improve the asymmetry of information and affect the enterprise's financing modes. Currently, a definitive conclusion about the relationship between the digital transformation and green technology innovation has not reached. Additionally, studies have not yet fully explored the impact pathways of corporate digital transformation on green innovation through corporate financing modes. To fill this void, this study collected data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2020. The empirical analysis results showed that digital transformation significantly enhanced enterprises' green innovation abilities. Furthermore, mediating models were utilized to explore how enterprise financing modes mediate the impact of digital transformation on the enterprise green innovation. Results indicated that through internal financing and bank loans as "bridges", digital transformation promoted enterprise green innovation. However, digital transformation did not have a significant impact on enterprise green innovation through venture capital. Moreover, heterogeneity analyses revealed significant differences among different groups of enterprises. This study expands the research field related to digital transformation and enterprise green innovation by providing empirical evidence to uncover the impact of digital transformation on enterprise green innovation. Findings of this study contribute not only to enterprise managerial decision-makers to better leverage digital transformation through corporate financing to accelerate green innovation, but also to government policymakers to design policies to stimulate enterprise green innovation. • Firstly, our paper empirically examines and validates the impact of digital transformation on enterprise green innovation again by using empirical data of biggest development counties, i.e., China. • Secondly, our paper combines enterprise digital transformation, financing modes, and green innovation within the same framework to study the "bridge" role of financing modes between digital transformation and enterprise green innovation. • Thirdly, Thirdly, heterogeneity analyses were carried out, the results of the different enterprises groups are significant different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries have gained widespread recognition for their exceptional thermal stability, remarkable cycling performance, non-toxic attributes, and cost-effectiveness. However, the increased adoption of LFP batteries has led to a surge in spent LFP battery disposal. Improper handling of waste LFP batteries could result in adverse consequences, including environmental degradation and the mismanagement of valuable secondary resources. This paper presents a comprehensive examination of waste LFP battery treatment methods, encompassing a holistic analysis of their recycling impact across five dimensions: resources, energy, environment, economy, and society. The recycling of waste LFP batteries is not only crucial for reducing the environmental pollution caused by hazardous components but also enables the valuable components to be efficiently recycled, promoting resource utilization. This, in turn, benefits the sustainable development of the energy industry, contributes to economic gains, stimulates social development, and enhances employment rates. Therefore, the recycling of discarded LFP batteries is both essential and inevitable. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including governments, corporations, and communities, in the realm of waste LFP battery recycling are also scrutinized, underscoring their pivotal engagement and collaboration. Notably, this paper concentrates on surveying the current research status and technological advancements within the waste LFP battery lifecycle, and juxtaposes their respective merits and drawbacks, thus furnishing a comprehensive evaluation and foresight for future progress. [Display omitted] • Thoroughly covers recycling methods, analyze pros/cons and feasibility through mechanism. • Assesses current 10 problems in LFP recycling and proposes solutions. • Tai Chi model delineates the impact on resources, energy, environment, economy, and society. • Triangle Rule defines roles and responsibilities of various groups in LFP recycling. • Integrate technical and non-technical aspects, summarize status and prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper examines the implications of energy imports on green innovation within the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. It utilizes panel data spanning EU countries from 1999 to 2022. Initially, the study explores the influence of natural gas and oil imports on the advancement of green innovation. Specifically, it reveals that the importation of natural gas facilitates progress in this area, whereas the importation of oil can impede such advancement. Following the Russia-Ukraine war, the role of gas imports in fostering green innovation within EU countries has grown, simultaneously exacerbating the adverse effects of oil imports on green innovation. Secondly, by employing a panel threshold model, the study identifies that higher energy prices make natural gas and oil imports unfavorable for the progress of green innovation in EU nations. Thirdly, an analysis of heterogeneity demonstrates that, as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, natural gas imports have a more significant detrimental effect on the development of green innovation in EU nations with a natural gas dependency ranging from 10% to 90%. In the case of oil imports, EU nations with a dependence on Russian oil exceeding 50% experience a more pronounced negative impact on the development of green innovation. Fourthly, a mechanistic study elucidates that natural gas imports indirectly stimulate green innovation through the mechanism of energy transition, while oil imports hinder the development of green innovation by exacerbating carbon emissions. The empirical findings of this paper carry substantial policy implications for EU nations, urging the acceleration of energy transition in response to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on green innovation. Moreover, these findings have broader implications for global environmental management and the collective endeavor to combat climate change. • Natural gas imports can promote green innovation; Oil imports inhibit green innovation; The outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War reinforced both effects. • Rising energy prices make gas and oil imports a disincentive for green innovation in EU countries. • Natural gas imports indirectly promote green innovation through the energy transition, while oil imports inhibit green innovation by increasing carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy is not only an efficient way to ensure energy independence and security but also supports the transition to a low carbon economy and society. The progress of renewable energy technological innovation is an important factor that influences the development of renewable energy. An in-depth analysis of the driving factors that influence this progress is crucial to China's energy transition. Based on Chinese provincial data over 2000–2015 and panel data models, this paper regards the CO 2 emissions as climate change and explores the response of renewable energy technological innovation to intensive CO 2 emissions. We also analyze the effect of the driving factors such as energy price and R&D investment on this innovation process. The main conclusions drawn are: (1) There are significant differences in technological innovation levels across China's provinces. (2) We observe that the intensive CO 2 emissions have promoted renewable energy technological innovation level, meaning that innovation process responds actively to climate changes. (3) R&D investment from government and enterprise both are conducive for promoting the innovation level. (4) Energy price has an insignificant effect on innovation in renewable energy technologies and we attribute this to the unreasonable energy price mechanism. This paper provides clear evidence for understanding the role of innovation on climate change. • The drivers of the renewable energy technological innovation are explored. • There are significant differences in technological innovation across provinces. • Renewable energy technological innovation responds actively to climate changes. • R&D investment is conducive for promoting the technological innovation levels. • The government should give full play to the role of the energy price mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting the formation of the green lifestyle (GL) is a crucial step in achieving comprehensive green transformation of urban economic and social development. The widespread adoption of GL is influenced by various environmental regulations. Previous research mainly focused on the impact of individual policies on GL from the single policy perspective. The mechanisms of the combined effects of policies have not been thoroughly explored, particularly the contributions of each policy during periods of overlap. This paper takes the dual-policy of the New-type Urbanization Policy (NUP) and Smart City Policy (SCP) in China as an example. It employs panel data collected from 271 cities in China during 2007–2019 and establishes a multi-period difference-in-difference model to identify the combined effects of the dual-policy on residents' GL. Additionally, the Shapley value decomposition method is utilized to identify the contribution magnitude of each policy when they act simultaneously. The following conclusions are yielded. Firstly, the combined effects of dual-policy are more effective than a single policy in influencing residents' GL. Secondly, the Shapley value decomposition method reveals that when both policies are simultaneously implemented, SCP contributes a greater weight compared to NUP. Thirdly, the dual-policy can promote residents' adoption of GL through mechanisms such as green technological innovation, public participation in environmental protection, and the agglomeration of tertiary industries. Fourthly, the impact of dual-policy on residents' GL varies across different types and sizes of cities. This study attempts to unseal the "black box" of how the dual-policy influences residents' GL during the green transformation of cities in China, providing theoretical references for relevant urban policies in other countries and contributing to Chinese solutions and experience to global urban green development. • The dual-policy of NUP and SCP can jointly promote residents' green lifestyle. • The weight of SCP's contribution is higher than NUP's by the Shapely value method. • It explored three potential channels between the dual-policy and GL. • There are heterogeneous effects of dual-policy on GL in different types of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With digital technological change and the increasing frequency of interregional innovation links, the spatial correlation and diversity of strategic emerging industries' green innovation efficiency (SEI-GIE) need to be explored in depth. This paper innovatively constructs the SEI-GIE input-output index system under digital economy. The proposed grey model FINGBM(1,1) with ω -order accumulation and weighted initial value optimization realizes effective prediction of 7 input-output indicators of 30 provinces in China from 2021 to 2025. Super-SBM-DEA, gravity model, and social network analysis are applied to explore spatial network structure's dynamic process of SEI-GIE from 12th to 14th Five-Year-Plan period (2011–2025). Empirical results show that (1) Under the effect of digital economy, the SEI-GIE in China generally shows a U-shaped fluctuation trend, in which the growth trend in the central region is obvious, and the western region shows significant fluctuations. (2) The spatial correlation network of SEI-GIE presents a complex and stable center-periphery circle. Particularly, the overall increase in network efficiency highlights the strong small-world characteristics. (3) Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu have always been in the leading core position, with strong influence and control; And Tianjin's core position in the network will decline. Additionally, Guangxi and Chongqing have great potential, but Guangdong needs to strengthen its radiation effect. (4) Block model shows that plate-I (Beijing, Tianjin) receive spatial spillovers from others, while plates-III,IV have significant spillover effects. This study provides theoretical reference for policymakers from a network perspective to promote development of China's SEI-GIE. • SEI-GIE input-output index under digital economy is innovatively constructed. • Indicators of China's 30 provinces are effective predicted by novel FINGBM(1,1). • Spatial correlation network dynamic process of SEI-GIE is explored from 2011 to 2025. • Complex center-periphery circles are presented in spatial network of SEI-GIE. • Theoretical reference for policymakers from a network perspective is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's double carbon target aims to improve human well-being and sustainable development. Energy transformation welfare performance (ETWP) is the efficiency of energy transition (ET) in enhancing human well-being. ETWP considers both human well-being and sustainable development. Research on its driving force is helpful in achieving the double carbon goal. Thus, this paper used Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index Model, Fixed Panel Regression Model and Grey Relational Analysis Model to analyze China's ETWP from 2006 to 2022 and predicted ETWP of 31 provinces from 2023 to 2030. The results showed that: (1) ETWP had two rising periods in 2006–2014 and 2015–2022. (2) The government's rationalization policy on energy and environment and technological innovation ability were fundamental driving forces for improving ETWP. (3) There were obvious spatial and temporal distinctions in ETWP, and it would bring out different degrees in most areas. Thus, ET should be promoted by improving the ecological environment and resource utilization efficiency; The importance of the role of scientific and technological innovation and policies should be focused on in promoting ETWP; ET policies based on local developments should be formulated and the energy structure should be changed. Figure Geographical map of ETWP from 2014 to 2022. [Display omitted] • The concept of energy transition welfare performance was defined and accounted for. • The driving factors of energy transition welfare performance were assessed. • The spatial differences of energy transition welfare performance was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional manufacturing industry is in the early stages of transition to low-carbon innovative production, and is in urgent need of a low-carbon innovation system to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. In order to realize the effective supervision of enterprise carbon emissions, this paper constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model among the corporate, government and public from the perspective of dynamic subsidies and taxes. The main results are as follows. First, the increase in government subsidies to a certain extent will help encourage companies to choose low-carbon innovative production strategies, but more subsidies are not always better. Excessive subsidies will increase the cost of government regulation and reduce the probability of government regulation. Second, the tripartite evolutionary game system does not converge under the static subsidies and taxes mechanism. But the system could quickly converges to the stable condition under dynamic subsidies and taxes. The stable point is the situation of corporate low-carbon innovation, government regulation, and public supervision. Third, the public intervention and supervision can effectively prevent the phenomenon of government misconduct and enterprises over-emission production. And the influence of public reward and punishment is more effective for the government than for enterprises. • A tripartite evolutionary game of low-carbon innovation system among enterprises, government and the public. • Dynamic subsidy and tax mechanisms drive the model to converge to the ideal state. • Increased government subsidies will promote low-carbon innovation, but it isn't the more the better. • The same degree of public supervision is more effective for governments than for enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As digital economy develops, its impact on green innovation and energy efficiency has become the focus of current research. To explore the impact of the current development of the digital economy on the energy industry, this paper selects the parameter of green innovation resilience, analyzes the impact mechanism of green innovation resilience on energy efficiency under the shock of digital economic development, and uses relevant data from 284 cities in China from 2011 to 2019 for empirical testing. It is found that: green innovation resilience promotes energy efficiency; low level of green innovation resilience inhibits the improvement of energy efficiency, while high level of resilience promotes energy efficiency; the initial stage of digital economic development generates resource grabbing and the effect of technological constraints, which weakens the role of green innovation resilience in promoting energy efficiency. The results indicate that the resilience of the green innovation system should be strengthened in order to fully tap the potential for promoting energy efficiency; the policy orientation of "digital greening—energy efficient" should be pursued in the development of digital economy; the rational allocation of resources and the implementation of green standards should be strengthened in the process of digital economic development; and the constraints on energy efficiency improvement in the early stage of digital economic development should be broken through by accelerating the digitalization process. • Green innovation resilience can promote energy efficiency. • Early digital economy development can lead to resource grabbing and technology constraints effects. • Pursuing the policy orientation of "digital greening—energy efficient". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a non-traditional security crisis affecting the global economy and diplomatic progress. In order to curtail carbon emissions and alleviate the perils of climate change at their roots, urban green innovation (UGI) has emerged as a pivotal technological solution. Using the expansion of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in China as a case study, this paper develops a quasi-experimental model to analyze the effects of regional integration policies on UGI. The main findings are: (1) Regional integration policies significantly enhance UGI and their impact is more pronounced with the expansion of urban agglomerations; (2) Regional integration policies contribute to the advancement of exploitative green innovation while tending to diminish exploratory green innovation; (3) The green innovation effects (GIEs) created by the expansion of regional integration policies are largely influenced by governmental mechanisms on environmental governance as well as residents' green preferences. Based on these findings, recommendations are put forward to promote UGI from the perspective of policy implementation. • The quasi-experimental models of urban agglomeration expansion on green innovation are constructed. • The positive effects of urban agglomeration expansion on green innovation are proven. • Urban agglomeration expansion can enhance exploitative green innovation and also reduce exploratory green innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is to test the relationship between temperature change and industrial green innovation by combing data of China's average temperature change in cities with green patent database of listed companies.First, the results find that rising annual average temperature can inhibit green innovation. For every 1 °C increases in summer, green innovation reduces by 3.2%, and for every 1 °C increases in winter, green innovation increases by 1.9%. Second, rising summer temperature inhibits green innovation by crowding out research and development (R&D) funds and draining labor. While, rising temperature increases green innovation by increasing environmental responsibility and green venture capital. Third, differences in green R&D difficulty, process and objectives were also compared, temperature change has a stronger inhibition on green process innovation than green product innovation. And rising temperature inhibits green exploratory innovation and promotes green developmental innovation. Fourth, rising temperature increases green innovation in polluting firms as temperature is higher than 21 °C. And it inhibits green innovation in clean firms as temperature is higher than 27 °C. This paper can provide policy implications on climate regulation and promoting green innovation. [Display omitted] • For 1 °C increases in summer, industrial green innovation reduce by 2.1%. • Influence paths include cost inhibition effect and responsibility forcing effect. • Temperature increases green simple innovation and weaken green complex innovation. • Suitable temperature for green innovation is 18°C–27 °C. • Classify green innovation from the difficulty, process and purpose of R&D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid developments in environmental infrastructure have contributed to significant improvements in green total factor productivity, but further investigation is required to provide a detailed assessment to understand the policy mechanisms involved. This paper analyzes environmental progress in China through MMQR, CCEMG, and AMG as empirical strategies for 30 provinces in China. Our empirical results reveal that energy optimization through renewable energy is the most effective channel to improve green total factor productivity, though it is not the only available option. Since environmental regulations, infrastructure development, and green technology innovation also directly impact energy efficiency, adopting these within policy channels will positively impact environmental sustainability. Our empirical approach helps suggest novel environmental policy suggestions. In particular, policymakers must introduce structural changes within energy developments to foster renewable energy. Furthermore, China must increase environmental spending to upgrade its energy infrastructure further and solve ecological issues. These insights offer valuable policy guidance for decision-makers in China and globally, aiming to foster economic and environmental sustainability and achieve zero-carbon transition goals. • The current study analyses the role of green factor productivity in zero carbon transition. • We use 30 chinese provincial datasets from 2005 to 2020. • Energy transition is the most effective channel to improve green total factor productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green innovation (GI) is increasingly recognised as an effective strategy for tackling climate change, mitigating environmental issues, and promoting sustainable development. Using panel data of the Chinese listed firms from 2007 to 2019, this study adopts the difference-in-differences approach to assess the impact of the green finance policy (GFP) initiated by the Chinese government in 2012 on the green innovation performance of firms. The findings reveal that the GFP significantly boosts the green innovation performance of heavily polluting enterprises (HPEs). Notably, this effect is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises and firms with high dependence on external finance. Compared with penalty-based regulations, incentive-based and voluntary environmental regulations demonstrate more significant moderating effects on the relationship between the GFP and green innovation performance for HPEs. We also identify improved efficiency in the usage of green investments as a potential mechanism through which the GFP enhances the green innovation performance of HPEs. Further comparative analysis shows that green enterprises can achieve simultaneous improvement in both the quality and quantity of green innovation, whereas HPEs predominantly exhibit enhancements in innovation quantity. To maximise the GFP's positive effects, it is recommended to facilitate more targeted bank lending towards HPEs to support their structural transformation. Additionally, the coordinated deployment of diverse environmental policy instruments is advised to exploit their synergistic effects. • This paper confirms the positive relationship between Green Finance Policy (GFP) and the green innovation. • We develop a novel machine learning approach to enhance the accuracy of variable measurements. • Firms with different ownership structure and external finance reliance are impacted differently by the GFP. • Both incentive-based and voluntary environmental regulations have positive moderation effects. • GFP can improve the green innovation by enhancing the green investment efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combating climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions are serious challenges shared by countries around the world. In the current era, digitalization has a significant impact on CO 2 emissions. However, prior studies have not assessed the synergy between digitalization and industrialization on carbon emission performance. The principal component analysis and non-radial directional distance function (NDDF) are used to measure the digitalization and total factor carbon emission performance of Chinese 245 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2019. This study establishes a fixed effects model to study the panel data. The findings are as follows: (1) Digitalization can significantly promote Chinese cities' CO 2 emission reduction. This result still holds after several robustness checks. (2) The heterogeneity results indicate that digitalization mainly improves central cities' carbon emission performance. Meanwhile, the impact of digitalization is more obvious after 2011. (3) Digitalization improves urban carbon emission performance through energy efficiency, industrial transformation, and technological innovation. (4) It is worth noting that digitalization synergizes with industrialization to improve carbon emission performance in Chinese cities. This study provides empirical evidence and some constructive policy recommendations for the government to push the collaborative development of the digitalization and low-carbon economy. [Display omitted] • This paper uncovers the synergistic effect of digitalization and industrialization on cities' carbon emission performance. • We measure urban digitalization level and total factor carbon emission performance. • There are three influencing mechanisms including energy efficiency, industrial transformation, and technological innovation. • Digitalization synergizes with industrialization to enhance carbon emission performance in Chinese cities. • Some constructive policy recommendations are proposed for pushing the cities' low-carbon transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green technology innovation (GTI) is an effective way to promote the green development of economy, and government environmental regulations are an important means to encourage enterprises to carry out GTI. Taking Chinese A-share listed enterprises from 2010 to 2019 as samples, this paper divides environmental regulations into three categories: command-based environmental regulation (ER 1), market-based environmental regulation (ER 2) and voluntary environmental regulation (ER 3), studies their impact on enterprise GTI, and discusses the joint effect of enterprise research and development (R&D) investment and government support from the perspective of internal and external linkage of enterprises. In addition, this paper also analyzes the compound effect and time effect of environmental regulation. The research conclusions are as follows: (1) From the perspective of policy types, both ER 1 and ER 2 could stimulate enterprises to carry out GTI, and the promotion effect of green utility model patents is slightly higher than that of green invention patents. ER 3 inhibits enterprise GTI. In addition, this paper finds that the effect of three environmental regulations acting at the same time is greater than that of one of them. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that the R&D investment of enterprise positively could moderate the relationship between ER 2 and green invention at the significance level of 5%, positively moderate the relationship between ER 2 and green utility model patent at the significance level of 1%, and negatively moderate the relationship between ER 3 and green utility model patent at the significance level of 5%. The government support could moderate the relationship between environmental regulation and green utility model patents at the significance level of 5% and 10%. (3) The effect analysis shows that the transformation rate of GTI in China needs to be improved. The three environmental regulations could have an effect on enterprise GTI in a short period, and ER 1 has the fastest effect. (4) Considering the differences in the level of economic development and resource endowments in various regions of China, this paper classifies the sample enterprises and finds that the impact of environmental regulation on enterprise GTI is heterogeneous in terms of location, ownership nature, factor density and industry type. The research results provide the important reference for the formulation and implementation of environmental regulation policies according to local conditions. • ER 1 and ER 2 could stimulate enterprise GTI. • The union effect of ER 1 , ER 2 , and ER 3 is better than one of them. • R&D positively moderates the relationship between ER 2 and GTI. • ER 1 has the fastest effect on GTI in three kinds of environmental regulations. • The effect of ER on GTI shows heterogeneity for different enterprise features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a typical example of an innovative governance environment, innovative city has become the focus of political and academic circles. Discussing the green innovation effect of this policy is beneficial in providing decision support for enhancing urban green innovation capability and solving the dilemma of urban resources. Based on data from 241 cities in China from 2005 to 2017, this paper takes innovative city construction as a "quasi-natural experiment" and uses the difference-in-differences method to empirically study the impact of China's innovative city construction on urban green innovation. The results show that innovative urban construction: has a positive effect on improving urban green innovation, and that this effect will gradually increase with time; promotes urban green innovation by expanding the scope of technology application, improving the efficiency of resource allocation and promoting the adjustment of industrial structure; and presents heterogeneity in cities' location, size and hierarchy. Finally, this paper proposes that the government should promote innovative policies in an orderly manner on the basis of following the principle of adapting measures to local conditions, as well as incorporating green innovation performance into the evaluation system for innovative city construction. • Innovative city has a continuous positive impact on urban green innovation. • Three impact paths of innovative cities on urban green innovation are proposed. • The effect of green innovation is more obvious in the central and western regions. • The city size and green innovation effect develop in an inverted U shape. • Cities with higher hierarchy show stronger response to the green innovation effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, China has focused its development on technological innovation, trying to achieve a win–win situation between environmental protection and economic growth, and it has formulated a series of policies to promote technological innovation. Taking China's national independent innovation demonstration zone (NIIDZ) policy as an example, this paper empirically investigates the impact of China's innovation policy on haze pollution by using a difference-in-differences (DID) model. The results show that the NIIDZ policy promotes the governance of urban haze pollution and confirms the applicability of the experimentalist governance model in the practice of innovation policy in developing countries. Dynamic analysis shows that the NIIDZ policy has an experience accumulation effect. This policy can continue to promote haze control for at least 6 years, and the policy effect increases year by year. Action mechanism analysis shows that the NIIDZ policy can inhibit urban haze pollution by promoting urban technological innovation and high-tech industrial agglomeration. The estimation results of the spatial DID model show that the NIIDZ policy not only inhibits haze pollution in NIIDZ cities but also has an inhibitory effect on haze pollution in the surrounding non-NIIDZ cities and the NIIDZ cities, which confirms the positive externality characteristics of policy diffusion theory and environmental governance. The conclusions of this paper have important theoretical value for understanding the ecological effect of innovation policy and provide experience for developing countries to implement an experimentalist governance model. • The NIIDZ policy significantly inhibits urban haze pollution. • The haze control effect of the NIIDZ policy shows a characteristic of increasing year by year. • Technological innovation and high-tech industrial agglomeration play a mediation role. • The NIIDZ policy has spatial spillover effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms that are dynamic and prepared to implement environmental strategies have a potential competitive advantage over their industry counterparts. Therefore, it is important to understand, what capabilities are required to implement proactive environmental strategies. The paper discusses the attributes of innovative capability required by firms in order to adopt pollution prevention and cleaner technology strategies. Empirical results show that process and behavioral innovativeness are required by firms to implement a pollution prevention strategy. In addition to process and behavioral innovativeness, firms need a top management with high risk-taking ability as well as market, product, and strategic innovativeness to implement a cleaner technology strategy. The paper proposes some important managerial implications on the basis of the above research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is concern that the carbon prices generated through climate policies are too low to create the incentives necessary to stimulate technological development. This paper empirically analyzes how the Swedish carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) tax and the European Union emission trading system (EU ETS) have affected productivity development in the Swedish pulp and paper industry 1998−2008. A Luenberger total factor productivity (TFP) indicator is computed using data envelopment analysis. The results show that climate policy had a modest impact on technological development in the pulp and paper industry, and if significant it was negative. The price of fossil fuels, on the contrary, seems to have created important incentives for technological development. Hence, the results suggest that the carbon prices faced by the industry through EU ETS and the CO 2 tax have been too low. Even though the data for this study is specific for Sweden, the models and results are applicable internationally. When designing policy to mitigate CO 2 emissions, it is vital that the policy creates a carbon price that is high enough – otherwise the pressure on technological development will not be sufficiently strong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to variations in economic scale, economic structure, and technological advancement across different Chinese provinces and cities, the cost of air pollution reduction differs significantly. Therefore, the total reduction cost can be decreased by capitalizing on these regional discrepancies in reduction cost to carry out cooperative emission reduction. In this paper, taking NO x reduction in North China as an example, a regional cooperative reduction game (CRG) model was constructed to minimize the total cost of emission reduction while achieving future emission reduction targets. The fair allocation of benefits from cooperation plays a crucial role in motivating regions to participate into the cooperation. A comprehensive mechanism of benefits allocation was proposed to achieve fair transferred compensation. The mechanism combines the consumption responsibility principle based on input-output theory and the Shapley value method based on game theory. Compared to the cost before the optimized collaboration, the CRG model will save 20.36% and 13.71% of the total reduction cost in North China, respectively, under the target of 17.68% NO x reduction by 2025 and 66.44% NO x reduction by 2035 relative to 2020. This method can be employed in other regions to achieve targets for air pollution reduction at minimum cost, and to motivate inter-regional cooperation with this practical and fair way of transferred compensation. [Display omitted] • A regional cooperative reduction game model for air pollution was constructed. • We projected NO x reduction cost savings in North China under two future scenarios. • An integrated approach was used to allocate cooperative benefits with fairness. • The model helps achieve air pollution reduction targets at the minimum cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy has accelerated the transition to a green, low-carbon economy. An enterprise's green innovation (GI) is directly related to its capacity for sustainable production as a micro-subject of economic development. This study examined the impact of managerial capacity on enterprise green innovation and changes of green innovation targeting. We used data collected manually from 423 Chinese A-share companies from 2010 to 2017. The effect of various external impact signals was then investigated. This study's findings are as follows: (1) Managerial ability stimulated green enterprise innovation. The marginal effect was 0.0696. While quality targeting has focused more on green invention innovation, managerial capacity significantly improved the marginal impact of green substantial innovation by 0.0375; (2) The clean production link targeting analysis confirmed that enterprises focused on end-of-pipe governance innovation (0.0466), along with new energy innovation (0.0495) rather than energy-saving innovation (−0.0227); (3) The multi-period DDD (Difference in Difference in Difference) model revealed that low-carbon city policy promoted green innovation with a diminishing trend; (4) The voluntary environmental regulation signals, ISO14001 certification, displayed a substitute effect for managerial capacity on enterprise green innovation. This paper provides recommendations, including that enterprises should improve the utilization of new and renewable energy while improving and optimizing production processes. The government should also improve innovation incentive policies and strengthen environmental information disclosure. • The marginal effect of managerial ability on enterprise green innovation is 0.0696. • Quality targeting focuses more on green invention innovation. • Link targeting focuses more on end-of-pipe governance innovation. • Low-carbon city policy promoted green innovation with a diminishing trend. • ISO14001 certification displayed a substitute effect in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the unique perspective of local environmental regulations promulgated in Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2000 to 2018, this paper examines the impact of urban environmental legislation on green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE). The results show that implementing environmental legislation significantly improves local GTFEE , with comprehensive protection regulations contributing to local energy efficiency improvements, while the impact of pollution prevention regulations is insignificant. This conclusion remains robust to multiple scenarios. Potential mechanisms through which environmental legislation can guide urban green transition include the industrial upgrading effect represented by "clean industry development" and "polluting industry exit", as well as the technical innovation effect achieved through "new technology generation" and "old technology upgrading". Furthermore, environmental legislation with a higher degree of regulatory effectiveness has a greater potential for energy saving. Environmental legislation has a more significant impact on improving GTFEE in cities in non-old industrial bases, with less frequent turnover of officials, and in central and western regions in China. This study evaluates the positive impact of urban environmental legislation on GTFEE , aiming to advancing the rule of law in local environmental pollution governance and thereby promote urban green transition. • Use a Difference-in-Differences model to explore the effect of urban environmental legislation. • Environmental legislation guides urban green transition development. • The impact of heterogeneous urban environmental regulations on green transition development. • Industrial upgrading and Technical innovation have positive mediating roles. • Environmental legislation policy has city attributes, official turnover and location heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the carbon peaking and neutrality targets in China, carbon price and technological innovation will play increasingly important roles in recent future. It is widely-known that carbon price and technological innovation can contribute significantly to emission reduction, respectively; but it is still unclear whether the cooperation effects of carbon price and technological innovation would be positive or negative. In this paper, we assume that there are 3 types of emission reduction measures in China's industrial enterprises, which are improvement of energy efficiency, adjustment of energy structure, and substitution of pollution inputs and non-pollution inputs; then we introduce carbon price and technological innovation respectively and simultaneously, and establish 12 scenarios based on the Data Envelopment Analysis models combined with material balance principal (DEA-MBP), and estimate the additional emission reductions and additional production costs of China's industrial enterprises when carbon price and technological innovation exist respectively or simultaneously. The counterfactually estimating results show that there would be significant regional and sectorial heterogeneities in carbon emission reduction characteristics for China's industrial enterprises. If low-carbon technologies in some sectors have the ability to reduce carbon emissions at the expense of high additional production cost, carbon pricing policies would encourage enterprises to adopt new mitigation technologies and increase additional emission reduction by more than 20%, especially technologies focusing on the adjustment of energy structure and the substitution of pollution inputs by non-pollution inputs. However, in some sectors which have already been covered by carbon pricing policies, the additional carbon pricing policy may not have a significant effect on emission reduction, and the emission reduction would decrease by 10%. [Display omitted] • Cooperation effects of carbon price and technological innovation are estimated. • DEA-MBP models and multiple emission reduction measures/scenarios are applied. • Introduction of carbon price would encourage the adopting of new mitigation technologies. • Carbon price and technological innovation would have overlapping effects. • Significant regional and sectorial heterogeneities exist in emission reduction features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main factor behind green economic development is green technology innovation (GTI). Environmental regulation and green finance (GF), as important ways to promote ecological civilization construction, run through the entire procedure of GTI. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of heterogeneous environmental regulation on GTI and the moderating effect of GF on GTI from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, to provide useful ideas for China's economic reform path selection and environmental governance system optimization. This paper uses information from 30 provinces between 2002 and 2019, and a bidirectional fixed model was constructed. The results show that: First, regulatory environmental regulation (ER 1), legal environmental regulation (ER 2), and economic environmental regulation (ER 3) all have greatly boosted the degree of GTI in each province. Second, GF acts as a highly effective moderator between heterogeneous environmental regulation and GTI. Finally, this article investigates how GF can act as a moderator in various circumstances. The beneficial moderating effect of it is found to be more pronounced in inland areas, areas with weak spending on research and development, and areas with high energy consumption. These research results provide valuable references for accelerating the green development process in China. • Constructs environmental regulation indexes from regulatory, legal, and economic. • Heterogeneous environmental regulation promotes green technology innovation. • Green finance plays a positive moderating role. • The moderating effect of green finance varies greatly in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge recombination has become a hot topic in green innovation adoption (GIA) research in recent years. However, previous studies have mainly discussed the knowledge recombination within a single enterprise but ignored inter-enterprise knowledge recombination (Inter-KR). In this paper, a theoretical framework of Inter-KR is developed, and the three features of Inter-KR are discussed: elements, characteristics, and performances. Multisource heterogeneous data combined with Natural language process, network analysis and econometric regression are used to analyze the above three features. Social network theory is introduced to elaborate on the influence mechanism of Inter-KR. The empirical results indicate that enterprises can effectively improve their environmental performance by participating in Inter-KR: 1) the participation of Inter-KR is significantly influenced by time and national policy; 2) further refinement and decomposition of the characteristics of inter-KR find that the comprehensiveness has a significant promoting effect on GIA. When issuing relevant policies, the government should consider the balanced development of environmental governance and enterprise innovation, and improve the GIA performance by enabling enterprises to acquire an in-depth and extensive knowledge base. In summary, this paper provides new insights for research on knowledge recombination, the literature on collaboration innovation, and green innovation adoption research. [Display omitted] • Theoretic framework of inter-enterprise knowledge recombination was investigated. • Features of elements, characteristics, and performances were analyzed. • Natural language process, social network, and econometric model were applied. • Collaborative enterprises are more willing to adopt green innovation. • Inter-enterprise knowledge recombination promotes enterprise's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased volatile organic compounds emissions and commensurate tightening of applicable legislation mean that the development and application of effective, cost-efficient abatement methods are areas of growing concern. This paper reviews the last two decades' publications on organic vapour emissions from food processing, their sources, impacts and treatment methods. An overview of the latest developments in conventional air treatment methods is presented, followed by the main focus of the paper, non-thermal plasma technology. The results of the review suggest that non-thermal plasma technology, in its pulsed corona discharge configuration, is an emerging treatment method with potential for low-cost, effective abatement of a wide spectrum of organic air pollutants. It is found that the combination of plasma treatment with catalysis is a development trend that demonstrates considerable potential. The as yet relatively small number of plasma treatment applications is considered to be due to the novelty of pulsed electric discharge techniques and a lack of reliable pulse generators and reactors. Other issues acting as barriers to widespread adoption of the technique include the possible formation of stable oxidation by-products, residual ozone and nitrogen oxides, and sensitivity towards air humidity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Water conduits have a large untapped potential to recapture energy for small hydroelectric generation, which can substantially reduce grid electricity consumption and/or provide renewable energy to water agencies. Over the past decade, there has been a recent technological renaissance in off-the-shelf "water-to-wire" turbine technologies including reaction, impulse, and hydrokinetic turbines that target the sub 1-MW in-conduit hydroelectric market. However, adoption of small hydropower technologies remain limited in water and wastewater utility sector, possibly due to the lack of market penetration and exposure. Moreover, information about newly developed small hydropower technologies in the last 5–10 years for in-conduit applications are highly dispersed in the literature. As such, this paper is a comprehensive review on recent technological innovations and trends in hydropower generation from water conduits. Sixteen turbine technologies (eight conventional turbines and eight emerging turbines) are assessed and compared based on their potential benefits and challenges, technology readiness levels, as well as potential sites for installations in diversion structures, potable and irrigation water distribution systems, and wastewater outfalls. Although conventional turbines are considered to be more robust, the modular design of the newer turbines potentially offers a more cost effective solution and better scaling-up capability. Selected case studies on the application of conventional and new turbines for pipelines are also are also reviewed and discussed. Highlights • Hydropower installations to reduce energy wastage in water supply systems. • Numerous potential sites for in-conduit hydropower installations are available. • 16 conventional and new turbines suitable for conduit applications were identified. • Conventional turbines continue to exist after a century of application. • Newer generation turbines offer modular, ready-to-deploy "water-to-wire" packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of The Paris Agreement (COP 21), global leaders reached a consensus to curtail the increase in global temperature up to 2.0 °C ideally 1.5 °C pre-industrial level. Likewise, it has become a pathway to accomplish long-term goals of achieving carbon neutrality. In this regard, this paper aims to explore the role of green process innovation and environmental orientation toward environmental performance for achieving the long-term goal of carbon neutrality. In addition, this paper also discovers a mediating role of green competitive advantage in said context. Using data from a survey among managers of equipment manufacturing sector, the study employed structural equation modeling technique and found that green process innovation, environmental orientation and green competitive advantage significantly influence environmental performance. Subsequently, mediation analysis indicated that green competitive advantage partially mediates the relation from green process innovation and environmental orientation to environmental performance. In light of the carbon neutrality targets, the study highlight that improving environmental performance through green process innovation and environmental orientation can be a way-forward for manufacturing sector to play its role to achieve carbon neutrality. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications. • This paper used data collected from managers. • Partial mediation of green competitive advantage has been found. • Green process innovation significantly improves environmental performance. • Environmental orientation considerably reinforces environmental performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between sustainability targets and their impacts on corporate environmental innovation. Using data over the period 2009-2018 on 202 companies from BRICS countries, covering firm-level governance, social responsibility and sustainability this paper examines firm-level sustainability targets, and incentives encourage managers to engage in more environmentally friendly activities. Using panel data probit regression, and after controlling for country-level governance and institutional factors, the study finds that embedding environmental targets in corporate strategy does encourage corporate managers to design and develop eco-friendly products and services, and such firm-level commitments at the top motivates managers to promote, market, and label environmentally friendly products. The findings call for greater emphasis on aligning executive compensation with sustainability targets rather than focusing too much on short-term accounting and market-based measures of firm performance. • We explore how sustainability related target its impacts on corporate environmental innovation. • 202 companies' data is collected for BRICS countries between 2009 and 2018. • Panel data Probit estimation was employed to assess likelihood of environmental innovation. • Environmental targets in corporate strategy does encourage corporate managers in developing eco-friendly products. • More companies should be encouraged to include environmental targets in executive compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese government has made great efforts in air pollutant reduction and carried out strict regulation policies. Since numerous air pollutants and CO 2 tend to have the same root, source, and process, recent studies argue that environmental regulation may also contribute to reducing carbon emissions. To investigate how various types of environmental regulations affect carbon emissions reduction, this paper constructs the spatial Durbin model and panel threshold model based on provincial panel data in China during 2003–2019. The main findings are as follows: First, China's net carbon emissions show a decreasing trend from east to west, displaying significant spatial agglomeration characteristics. Then, formal and informal environmental regulations have inverted U-shaped impacts on net carbon emissions. The "green paradox" and "reverse emission reduction" effects come into play at different stages. Finally, the threshold model reveals that with the improvement of regional technological innovation levels, the carbon-reducing effect of environmental regulation will increasingly come to the fore. These research findings are conducive to providing theoretical guidance for government to formulate and implement environmental regulation policies rationally. • Carbon sink effect is considered in the carbon emissions assessment framework. • The spatial spillover and threshold effects of environmental regulation is studied. • Environmental regulation has an inverted U-shaped impact on net carbon emissions. • Technological innovation level exerts a threshold effect between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable innovation strategies have been taken very seriously by the European Union (EU), which aims to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollutants emissions. For the sake of testing the sustainable performance of EU countries empirically, this research evaluates the sustainable innovation efficiency (SIE) of EU countries through a DEA-SBM model and analyzes the convergence trends of the EU regions by convergence analysis. The results show that the EU has attached great importance to sustainable innovation efficiency, indicating that the EU makes a concerted effort in technological innovation, energy saving, and environmental protection. Significant differences exist in SIE among EU regions, even though the southern region has the highest efficiency. In addition, there are distinct convergence trends in regional sustainable innovation efficiency. Control variables have significant impacts on the convergence of SIE in the EU regions. Furthermore, policymakers are also provided with useful decision support for regional sustainable innovation, energy conservation, and emission reduction policies. • This paper measures the sustainable innovation efficiency in 27 EU countries considering environmental outputs. • The EU has high efficiency values of sustainable innovation with obvious regional differences. • There are significant convergence trends in regional sustainable innovation efficiency. • Control variables have significant impacts on the convergence of sustainable innovation efficiency in EU regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing share of waste material recovery, household plastic waste is one of the biggest problems. In most countries, mainly manual sorting is used. Meanwhile, new automated technologies are being developed to expand the range of classifiable types to increase material recovery. The overall automation of the sorting process can help the EU's established recycling targets to be effectively met. However, the new technologies are feasible only in the case of large-capacity centers, which must be conveniently located in the existing infrastructure. This paper presents a two-stage model aiming to modernize the current sorting infrastructure for plastic waste. The approach uses multi-criteria optimization to minimize environmental impact at a reasonable price. The result is the optimal location of new automatic sorting centers, and waste stream flows using existing manual sorting facilities. The model is applied through an initial case study inspired by the Czech Republic data. Optimization output proposes four new automatic sorting lines with a total capacity of 158 kt per year. In most cases, manual sorting is used to reduce the transported weight of plastic waste, while automatic sorting lines separate the remaining, hardly recognized part. More than 60% of separately collected plastic is sorted and determined for material recovery. • Implementation of new sorting technologies into existing infrastructure. • Multi-criteria model for reducing environmental impact with a cost estimate. • Model tested through a case study inspired by conditions in the Czech Republic. • The results recommend four new high-tech centers with a total capacity of 158 kt. • The emission savings are 264 kt CO 2eq , costing 74 EUR per tonne of CO 2eq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy has demonstrated strong resilience and great potential, under the interwoven influence of the global pandemic and severe environmental concerns across the world. Therefore, there is a need to focus on the value of green economic growth in the digital economy. This paper constructs an evaluation index system and adopts the SEEA (System of Environmental and Economic Accounting) method to measure the digitalization level (Digi) and green economy growth level (GEG) of China. The internal mechanism and linear relationship between digitalization and green economy growth are examined based on the panel data from 2013 to 2019. Moreover, this study explores the spatial spillover effect. The major study findings are as follows: (1) Digitalization and green economy growth represent a steady growth trend, and the former as a whole significantly promotes the latter, with a marginal effect of 1.648. (2) The mechanism analysis indicates the intermediary effects' size of three crucial intermediaries: green technology innovation > advanced industrial structure > the rationalization of industrial structure. (3) Both the "local effect" (0.556; 0.574) and "neighboring effect" (1.382; 1.415) of digitalization on green economy growth are positive under the two weight matrices and display "simultaneous resonance" characteristics based on the spatial perspective. (4) There exists obvious regional spatial heterogeneity and resource endowment heterogeneity. Finally, this study put forward corresponding policy implications, such as construction of new digital infrastructures and guiding green-energy consumption. • The green economic growth (GEG) level is measured by the SEEA method. • The linear relationship shows digitalization (Digi) can significantly promote GEG. • The spatial effect of Digi on GEG shows "positive simultaneous resonance". • Three crucial intermedia's effects are compared. • The heterogeneous impact is explored from different dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's electricity industry has gone through three decades of market-oriented reform, and this process is often interpreted as a tug of war between marketization and state control. However, this paper argues that a dichotomous conception of the state-market relationship cannot explain the evolution and complexity of China's electricity governance. By systematically analyzing the institutions of China's electricity reform, this paper identifies a sequence of innovations that align well with both the history of China's economic transition and the institutional underpinnings of China's economic governance. Also, by interpreting the respective roles of state and market in China's reformed electricity industry, this paper shows that state control and marketization are complementary rather than contradictory, and that their complementarity is best exercised in addressing issues like market fragmentation and renewable energy curtailment. Moreover, this paper presents two case studies – both on China's most recent electricity market experimentation – to elaborate how state and market jointly serve sectoral functions as well as broader economic and political goals. • State control and marketization are complementary in China's electricity reform. • China's electricity reform delivers a sequence of institutional innovations. • Institutions help explain the evolution of China's electricity governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues are of significant concern in the ecosystem because of their capacity to mediate antibiotic resistance development among environmental microbes. This paper reviews recent technologies for the abatement of antibiotics from human urine and wastewaters. Antibiotics are widely distributed in the aquatic environment as a result of the discharge of municipal sewage. Their existence is a cause for worry due to the potential ecological impact (for instance, antibiotic resistance) on bacteria in the background. Numerous contaminants that enter wastewater treatment facilities and the aquatic environment, as a result, go undetected. Sludge can act as a medium for some chemicals to concentrate while being treated as wastewater. The most sewage sludge that has undergone treatment is spread on agricultural land without being properly checked for pollutants. The fate of antibiotic residues in soils is hence poorly understood. The idea of the Separation of urine at the source has recently been propagated as a measure to control the flow of pharmaceutical residues into centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). With the ever increasing acceptance of urine source separation practices, visibility and awareness on dedicated treatement technologies is needed. Human urine, as well as conventional WWTPs, are point sources of pharmaceutical micropollutants contributing to the ubiquitous detection of pharmaceutical residues in the receiving water bodies. Focused post-treatment of source-separated urine includes distillation and nitrification, ammonia stripping, and adsorption processes. Other reviewed methods include physical and biological treatment methods, advanced oxidation processes, and a host of combination treatment methods. All these are aimed at ensuring minimized risk products are returned to the environment. [Display omitted] • Antibiotic residues propagate antibiotic resistance among environmental microorganisms. • Conventional WWTPs are inefficient in removal of active pharmaceutical ingredients. • Ecological sanitation such as urine source separation is a barrier to environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals. • Majority of emerging technologies are batch or small-scale studies. • Sustainability of the technologies is a factor in their uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green innovation activities of enterprises often fall into the dilemma of financing constraints. Hence, it is urgent that the financial system develops and becomes innovative, especially for a developing country like China. Existing literature mainly explores the influencing factors of green innovation from the environmental regulation, economic growth and government subsidies perspective. However, few papers critically study how digital finance influences green innovations. To explore the internal influencing mechanism of digital finance on the quantity and quality of green technology innovation, panel data of 271 prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2019 in China is used. Based on theoretical analysis and empirical research, we get the following conclusions. First, digital finance can improve the quantity and quality of green technological innovation, which has become a significant driving force for green innovations in China. The results are still robust after the endogeneity tests. Second, the results of heterogeneous analysis indicate that the different dimensions of digital finance can improve green innovations. They include breadth of coverage, depth of use, and degree of digitization. The positive effect of digital finance is most substantial in eastern cities, followed by central cities, and weakest in western cities. Third, digital finance indirectly improves green innovation mainly by alleviating financing constraints. Our empirical results provide policy enlightenment for realizing the coordination of China's urban digital transformation and green economic development. • The effect of digital finance on the quantity and quality of green innovation is explored based on the actual background in China. • Digital finance has become a significant driving force for green innovation in China. • The different dimensions of digital finance can improve green innovations. • Digital finance plays a positive role in green technology innovation mainly by alleviating financing constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the Global North is historically responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, Newly Industrializing Countries (NICs) are expected to overtake developed country emissions in the coming years. At the same time, NICs are climbing the ladder of the global economy, increasing their competitiveness on the global stage and catching up with technological competencies of developed economies. Against this background, this paper explores innovation and collaboration in Climate Change Mitigation Technologies (CCMTs) in NICs. The research question is whether the propensity to innovate and diffuse CCMTs is impacted by technological collaboration with two highly developed countries, Germany and The United States. The sample of NICs includes the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) plus Israel, Mexico, and Turkey, in a panel from 1995 to 2015. The empirical results suggest that collaboration with both Germany and the U.S. is highly significant for domestic CCMT innovation in NICs. These findings are important because, stepping beyond the literature on the merits and drawbacks of global climate governance tools such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and related UNFCCC processes, they show that collaboration for climate and environmental technologies could become a key tool to significantly improve the chances to stay in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. Finally, the policy advice for NICs and developing countries is to, above all else, focus on incubating strong technological innovation systems, including strengthening domestic Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), as well as to enhance technological collaboration with developed countries. • We present a time-series panel from 1995 to 2015. • This research explores Climate Mitigation Technologies (CCMTs) in Newly Industrializing Countries. • Technological collaboration with Germany and the U.S. drives NICs CCMT innovation. • Novel empirical models capture the role of absorptive capacities and domestic innovation systems. • A machine-learning governance index is used as a reliable proxy for governance quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing carbon neutral targets claimed by responsible countries, many research has been done to investigate the impact of environmental regulation on green technology innovation (GTI). However, there still remains a gap at micro level that takes enterprise as research subject to figure out an effective regulatory mechanism that supports the development of GTI. Since the integration of technology and finance is the main trend in future progress of GTI, it is meaningful to study the decision-making behavior and influencing factors of heterogenous enterprises and banks under market-based environmental regulation policies. This paper established a tripartite evolutionary game model among two types of enterprises with distinct Research & Development (R&D) ability and banks. The results show that: (1) the scenario when subsidy to enterprises is greater than to banks leads to a better situation; (2) penalty has more significant influence on enterprises than subsidies at the early stage, and enterprises' strategic choices of independent R&D is more reliable on subsidies; (3) when the price gap between different levels of technology increases, enterprises are inclined to continuously invest in green R&D, while it will restrain enterprises' technology introduction behavior. • Market-based environmental regulation contains subsidy, penalty and trading market. • That subsidy to enterprises is greater than to banks leads to a better scenario to stimulate GTI. • Penalty has more significant influence on enterprises than subsidy at the early stage. • Enterprises' strategic choice of independent R&D is more reliable on the subsidy. • There exists a tradeoff between independent R&D and technology introduction when pricing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of expressway construction projects (ECPs) poses overwhelming challenges to the physical environment around the world. The challenges are supposed to be addressed with the enforcement of environmental policies (EPs). In this regard, developed countries have gained rich experience in EP formulation while developing countries are making efforts to improve policy decision-making on environmental sustainability. This study compares ECP-related EPs (EREPs) between China and the US by conducting a historical analysis with materials from 1960 to 2018 and text mining-based evaluation with materials from 2009 to 2019. The comparison results indicate that (1) an EREP framework is composed of two systems, namely outer factors and inner EPs; (2) the upper-level EPs exhibit a periodic and plan-dominating trend in China and an explanatory tendency in the US; (3) Chinese EPs are focused on pollution mitigation, whereas US EPs highlight the impacts on human health; (4) Both attach less importance to environmental protection measures at the project-level EPs. This paper provides a longitudinal comparison and analysis of EREPs in two huge countries, implying that EREPs are a snapshot of national rules and backgrounds. The findings lay a foundation for future research to examine the innovation of environmental policies, especially for those countries with massive expressway construction projects and the related environmental issues. • Comparing environmental policies (EPs) for expressway projects in China and the US. • EPs exhibit a periodic trend and are committed to controlling pollution in China. • US EPs shows an explanatory tendency and highlight the impacts on human health. • There is a lack of diversity of environmental protection measures in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, all countries have producing different levels of carbon emissions and also facing both the problems of climate change and global warming due high carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Therefore, it is important to cutting carbon emissions in the atmosphere. This is only possible by switching to cleaner fuels, use of innovation technologies and development of carbon capture storages. These can substantially help the nations to reaching carbon neutrality. Given this background, t his paper examines the effect of disaggregated energy consumption, technological innovations, capital on economic output and CO 2 emissions in India for the period of 1990–2018. Based on empirical analysis, our long-run elasticities indicate that disaggregated energy consumption and technological innovations have a positive impact on economic growth, while renewable energy consumption and technological innovations have a positive impact on CO 2 emissions. It implies that more use of energy consumption producing significant amount of CO 2 emissions and by using renewable energy consumption and technological innovations (i.e. carbon capture storages) can significantly lowering CO 2 emissions, which is clearly indicating that India has moving towards carbon neutrality. The causality analysis further indicates a unidirectional causal relationship running from disaggregated energy usage to economic growth and carbon emissions. These empirical findings suggest that the increased consumption of renewable power does not lead to rise carbon emissions, which, in turn, ensures sustainable economic growth. • Examines the disaggregated energy consumption, technological innovations, capital on economic output and CO 2 emissions. • Time series data from 1990 to 2018 was used to analyze the empirical results. • Disaggregated energy consumption and technological innovations have a positive impact on economic growth. • Renewable energy consumption and technological innovations have a positive impact on CO 2 emissions. • Suggest that increased in consumption of renewable power does not lead to rise carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emissions is becoming a daunting technical challenge as increasingly strict emission limits are being imposed. The stringent regulations have prompted the innovation and characterization of NO x control technologies suitable for various applications. This paper presents a review on NO x removal techniques with particular reference to selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) technology. This includes initially how SNCR emerged as a technology along with a comparison with other relevant technologies. A review of various features related to selective non-catalytic gas phase injection of ammonia and ammonium salts (as reducing agent) is presented. The use of urea solution as a reducing agent and its performance in laboratory and pilot scale tests as well as large-scale applications is also discussed. Use of cyanuric acid as a potential reducing agent is also presented. The underlying reaction mechanisms have been reviewed for ammonia, urea and cyanuric acid for the explanation of various observations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling as applied to SNCR is also presented. Subsequently the use of SNCR coupled with other in-combustion and post-combustion NO x control techniques is elaborated. Additionally, a two-stage NO x removal strategy to control un-reacted ammonia slip and to improve overall efficiency is discussed. At the end a summary is given which highlights various areas needing further research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents a decision support designed to conduct an economic-environmental assessment of the agricultural activity focusing on irrigation called ‘Decision Support for IRRigated Agriculture’ (DSIRR). The program describes the effect at catchment scale of choices taken at micro scale by independent actors, the farmers, by simulating their decision process. The decision support (DS) has been thought of as a support tool for participatory water policies as requested by the Water Framework Directive and it aims at analyzing alternatives in production and technology, according to different market, policy and climate conditions. The tool uses data and models, provides a graphical user interface and can incorporate the decision makers'' own insights. Heterogeneity in preferences is admitted since it is assumed that irrigators try to optimize personal multi-attribute utility functions, subject to a set of constraints. Consideration of agronomic and engineering aspects allows an accurate description of irrigation. Mathematical programming techniques are applied to find solutions. The program has been applied in the river Po basin (northern Italy) to analyze the impact of a pricing policy in a context of irrigation technology innovation. Water demand functions and elasticity to water price have been estimated. Results demonstrate how different areas and systems react to the same policy in quite a different way. While in the annual cropping system pricing seems effective to save the resource at the cost of impeding Water Agencies cost recovery, the same policy has an opposite effect in the perennial fruit system which shows an inelastic response to water price. The multidimensional assessment conducted clarified the trades-off among conflicting economic-social-environmental objectives, thus generating valuable information to design a more tailored mix of measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study analyses the dynamics of carbon emissions for N-11 countries from 1990 to 2017. We introduce some innovative factors such as financial development, human capital, renewable energy consumption, and gross domestic product as determinants of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. The empirical estimations are based on Pesaran (2007) unit root test, common correlated effect mean group, and augmented mean group. The findings reveal a positive relationship between carbon emissions and financial development as well as a gross domestic product. In contrast, technological innovation and renewable energy consumption are adversely related to carbon emissions. These findings have important implications, and we recommend the promotion of technological innovation and the use of renewable energy consumption. This will help in achieving the goals set by COP21. • This paper provides broader policy to achieve the goals laid down in COP21. • We investigate the role of determinants of CO2 emissions in N-11 countries. • Financial development and GDP seem to make climatic situations adverse. • Renewable energy consumption and innovation help reduce CO2 emissions. • Human capital development may also help to reduce CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution and income inequality have become two salient issues in China. To achieve a green economic transformation, China urgently needs to develop renewable energy technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. However, the relationship among income inequality, renewable energy technological innovation (RETI) and CO 2 emissions has not received sufficient attention in the current literature. Based on Chinese provincial panel data from 2000 to 2015, this paper adopts a panel fixed effect regression model and a panel threshold model to perform an analysis on the nonlinear relationship among these factors. The results show that (1) RETI is conducive to reducing per capita CO 2 emissions (PCE). However, with an increase in income inequality, the abatement effect of RETI on per capita CO 2 emissions will be hindered, and RETI will even positively contribute to PCE. (2) The panel threshold model shows that the impact of RETI on PCE has a significant single-threshold effect with regard to income inequality. When income inequality is lower than the threshold value, the impact of RETI on PCE is not significant. However, above the threshold value, that is, within the interval of higher income inequality, an increase in RETI will positively contribute to PCE. Finally, from the perspectives of income inequality and RETI , relevant policy implications are put forward for achieving the transformation of a low-carbon economy. • The carbon abatement effect of renewable energy technological innovation (RETI) in China is investigated. • A significant single threshold effect regarding income inequality is found. • The RETI will increase carbon emissions in high income inequality interval. • Measures to alleviate income inequality can help to further reduce CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite pressures to increase performance and decrease costs, innovation has been slow to emerge in the municipal wastewater sector. The relationship between regulation and innovation in this sector is a particularly interesting aspect of this conundrum, given the degree to which public utility decision-making is influenced by regulation. Using a national survey, this paper examines US wastewater utility managers' perceptions of how regulation influences the adoption of new technologies. Recognizing that the relationship between innovation and regulation is complex, we develop the concept of regulation as multifaceted and examine three interrelated aspects of regulation: (1) regulatory requirements, (2) regulators and relationships, and (3) the broader regulatory environment. Specifically, we seek to understand whether and in what ways wastewater utility managers perceive these aspects of regulation as hindering or encouraging the adoption of new technologies. We find that, although stringent effluent limitations are perceived to be a moderate barrier to innovation, most survey respondents did not identify weakening them as a way to encourage innovation. Instead, respondents generally identified factors related to regulatory relationships and factors related to the broader regulatory environment as barriers to innovation, and indicated that addressing these aspects of regulation would encourage innovation. We conclude that loosening or tightening regulatory requirements is not the most effective way to promote innovation in the municipal wastewater sector. Rather, those parties with an interest in innovation can focus on helping utilities and regulators build relationships and better navigate the processes that influence decisions about new technologies. • Innovation in municipal wastewater has complex intersections with regulation. • Regulation can be conceptualized to include requirements, relationships, and context. • Utility managers emphasize relationships and context over specific requirements. • Uncertainty, capacity, and the "regulatory approach" are key barriers to innovation. • Expanding funding, reducing risk, and improving collaboration are top opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of soils with poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has become a challenging issue due to the adverse effects of these substances on both the environment and public health. PFAS have strong chemical structures and their bonding with soil makes them challenging to eliminate from soil environments. Traditional methods of soil remediation have not been successful in their reduction or removal from the environment. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of existing and emerging technologies for remediating PFAS contaminated soils with guidance on which approach to use in different contexts. The functions of all remediation technologies, their suitability, limitations, and the scale applied from laboratory to the field are presented as a baseline for understanding the research need for treatment in soil environments. To date, the immobilization method has been a significant part of the remediation solution for PFAS contaminated soils, although its long-term efficiency still needs further investigation. Soil washing and thermal treatment techniques have been tested at the field scale, but they are expensive and energy-intensive due to the use of a large volume of washing solvent and the high melting point of PFAS, respectively; both methods need a large initial investment for their installation. Other remediation technologies, such as chemical oxidation, ball milling, and electron beams, have been progressed in the laboratory. However, additional research is needed to make them feasible, cost-effective and applicable in the field. Image 1 • The remediation of soil contaminated with PFAS is extremely challenging. • Immobilization method is widely used in the treatment of PFAS contaminated soils. • PFAS immobilization methods need further study to assess their long-term efficiency. • Soil washing needs further work to determine the efficacy of the washing solvents. • Several soil remediation methods have been tested effectively in lab trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid waste management and its stabilization are a sophisticated task and the most challenging one as it requires improved collection and treatment strategies. From the past decades, there is a huge emphasis on valorisation of waste along with its management i.e. an integrated and income generating sustainable approach for solid waste management. Use of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) in organic waste composting is a novel and an environment friendly approach which holds enormous potential and therefore, is strongly captivating people's attention worldwide. The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae composting is a self-sustained cost-effective method promoting high resource recovery and generating value added products thereby developing new economical niches for industrial sector and entrepreneurs in developing countries. Here, we reviewed the importance of BSF larvae in organic waste treatment and delineated the life cycle patterns, feeding habits and environmental conditions affecting the survival of the species. This review paper has also congregated the efficiency of BSF larvae to compost different types of organic wastes or biomasses and a portion of various possible end applications of these avid eaters. Through this literature review the authors have also made an attempt to evaluate the present constraints, research gaps and future directions associated with this technology. BSF larvae composting is a comprehensive approach indeed providing the waste an aforementioned value wherein technological innovations can boost up the efficiency of system. Thus, the present study is an aggregate of applications of BSF larvae for societal benefit in a holistic way. Image 103844 • A critical assessment of versatility of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae in organic waste composting. • A comprehensive overview of distribution, lifecycle, feeding habits and living conditions of BSF. • A meticulous study of productiveness of BSF as nutrient supplements for animal feed and other value-added products. • Evaluation of research gaps and constraints related to larvae production, treatment efficiency and technological viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of unit processes that lead to potential mercury contamination during gold processing, which can pose serious health, environmental and technical concerns. Mercury release in gold processing streams is attributed to its dissolution from mercury bearing gold ores during cyanide leaching, and its mobile nature in the subsequent stages (e.g., carbon adsorption, elution, Zn precipitation/electrowinning, and smelting) and tailing storage facilities. Although retorting prior to smelting and sulphur-impregnated carbon filters have been developed to ensure minimal mercury contamination, these methods deal with gaseous mercury which is highly toxic and still a serious threat for both the environment and workers. Moreover, spent carbon filters containing high mercury concentrations introduce a new environmental issue. Therefore, there is a demonstrated need for safer and more efficient removal and sequestration techniques. Thus, this work includes a review of mercury removal from activated carbon as well as current mercury treatment and stabilization practices including precipitation, adsorption, cementation, ion exchange and solvent extraction. In addition, emerging mercury remediation materials such as nanomaterials and bimetals with a promising potential in sustainable management, sequestration, and stabilization of mercury from aqueous media will be highlighted. In summary, the results show a high mercury removal capacity of the outlined materials and techniques (between 70 to around 100% removal). However, one of the issues that emerges from these studies is the lack of selectivity of reagents for mercury capture from aqueous solutions containing precious metals. In this regard, future studies with more focus on the selective mercury removal from activated carbon, and then its precipitation from solutions using substances with a greater adsorption capacity to mass ratio (suitable for safe disposal), are therefore recommended. Image 1 • Deportment of different forms of mercury within a typical gold ore processing plant. • Review on different mercury treatment methods. • Mercury removal from activated carbon during acid washing and elution stages. • Selective mercury sequestration from contaminated solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the claim that environmental policies stimulate domestic economies. The claim is parsed into two sequential parts: the effect of policies on innovation and the effect of that innovation on resulting manufacturing production. Each of these activities -- innovation and manufacturing -- can either take place at home or abroad, and where they take place determines the consequences for the domestic economy. The empirical evidence is based on measures of policy, patent activity, and trade in the renewable energy sector of 31 OECD countries between 1988 and 2003. The results from regression analysis suggest that renewable energy policies have had some success in stimulating domestic economies. While renewable energy policies are associated with little domestic innovation outside of Germany, Japan, and the United States, they do boost the adoption of foreign technologies overall. In turn, when patenting occurs the results detect an increase in manufacturing production of renewable energy technologies as well as a rise of the country's international competitiveness through exports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]