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Resource-based cities generally face the dual pressures of ecological damage and high carbon emissions. Taking the National Sustainable Development Plan for Resource-Based Cities (NSDP) issued in China as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper for the first time, uses the difference-in-difference method to test the coordinated effect of green expansion and carbon reduction brought by NSDP at the county level using rich remote sensing data. The results show that NSDP has significantly promoted the ecological quality improvement and CO 2 emission mitigation in resource-based cities, and the above coordinated benefits mainly occur in energy, mature, declining, northeastern, and municipal resource-based cities. Through the mechanism analysis, we find that NSDP mainly works by promoting the transformation of industry sector to agriculture, animal husbandry, accommodation and catering, finance, and environment management sectors, which are reflected in output, employment, product yield, land type and land transaction area. Further discussion on the tertiary industry suggests that developing tourism, easing financing constraint and strengthening environment regulation, are the key channels to borne fruit in green expansion and carbon reduction. • Analysis of placed-based policy on resource at the county-level. • Coordinated effects of green expansion and carbon reduction are tested. • Key areas of policy effects are identified. • Industrial structure transformation and its related mechanisms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence and utilization of gold beads in China were influenced by foreign civilizations and cultures, while the exploration of composite beads in China has been relatively limited compared to single-material beads. Metal foil glass beads represent a distinct type of composite beadwork popular in ancient times. This paper presents findings from a study conducted on a group of beads that were unearthed in Nanyang City, Henan Province. Theoretical calculations and CT imaging suggested that a particular class of gold beads, previously misidentified as single-material beads, actually consisted of gold foil wrapped around an inner layer of glass beads. Elemental analysis techniques such as pXRF, SEM and μ-EDXRF were used to reveal that the purity of the gold foil of the two differently shaped beads is around 95% and 98.5%, while the silver foil of the silver beads is also around 85% due to corrosion. Microscopic observation confirmed that the gold leaf was applied through foil-fusion gilding. Lead isotope analysis indicated that the gold beads originated from different sources, whereas the silver beads likely originated from the Central Plains region. Furthermore, the evidence of beadwork from Southeast Asia and South China supports the view that the gold beads may have been originally exotic but gradually adaptated through indigenous learning, allowing the creation of high-quality imitations. This study emphasizes the importance of scientific analyses for the proper determination of bead types and craftsmanship, and contributes to a better understanding of the ancient bead circulation network. • A special type of beadwork that wraps glass in a gold leaf is recognized. • The purity of the gold foil of two differently shaped beads is around 95% and 98.5%. • These gold beads may have originated in Southeast Asia and then spread to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate global climate change and achieve CO 2 emissions reduction goals, China proposed to shift to dual control of total CO 2 emissions (CE) and CO 2 emissions intensity (CEI) as early as possible. Accurately assessing provincial sectoral CE and CEI and developing reasonable regulatory strategies is a prerequisite for achieving the goal of dual control. However, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis from different perspectives of the supply chain. Therefore, this paper evaluates the CE and CEI in provincial sectors of China in 2017 from production-based and consumption-based perspectives according to multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model. Then, we analyze the supply chain of transmission sector by betweenness-based method as a supplementary perspective. The results show that: (1) The CE and CEI from different perspectives are different and can complement each other. (2) Production and distribution of electric power and heat power in Inner Mongolia (P5D24), construction in Jiangsu (P10D27), distribution of electric power and heat power in Beijing (P1D24) are the critical sectors for dual control of CE and CEI from production, consumption, betweenness-based perspectives, respectively. (3) Construction in Jiangsu (P10D27) and Shanxi (P4D27) have the highest embodied CE and CEI in China respectively. Energy and raw material sectors from upstream supply chain contribute large CE to construction sectors. This research suggests that paying attention to critical sectors from different perspectives of the supply chain and taking different measures to decrease CO 2 emissions. Taking both CE and CEI into consideration and allocating CO 2 emissions reduction pressures reasonably among provincial sectors. At the same time, taking care of relevant upstream sectors of the supply chain to help a single sector achieve CO 2 emissions reduction goals and promote China's transition to dual control of CE and CEI. [Display omitted] • Identify the critical provincial sectors from both CO 2 emissions and intensity. • Use betweenness-based results as complementary strategies. • The energy and raw material sectors contribute large CO 2 emissions to construction. • Explore dual control of CO 2 emissions and intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread implementation of feed-in tariff (FIT) policies has played a crucial role in fostering the development of wind power, with their positive effects firmly established in numerous studies. However, the impact of regionally differentiated FIT policies on the misallocation of wind power resources remains a topic of contention, with limited research dedicated to this area. This paper aims to address this gap by examining the implications of such policies on the intensive and extensive margins of wind power installed capacity in China, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms driving resource misallocation. Empirical findings indicate that, concerning the intensive margin, the policy amplifies the concentration of wind power investments in regions characterized by abundant wind resources but low electricity demand. These regions present favorable conditions for large-scale wind farms with cost advantages, consequently exacerbating the misallocation of wind power resources. However, on the extensive margin, the policy promotes the likelihood of locating small and medium-sized wind farms in regions with poor wind resources but higher tariff rates, thus partially mitigating resource misallocation. In summary, China's policy hampers wind power investments in regions characterized by high electricity demand but limited wind resources. This suggests that the negative impact on the intensive margin outweighs the positive impact on the extensive margin. The findings of this study bear significant implications for the development of renewable energy support policies, particularly in countries grappling with substantial regional disparities in renewable energy resources. • We cope with the controversial effect of FIT policies on the resource misallocation • We provide novel perspectives as the intensive and extensive margins • China's regionally differentiated FIT policy hampers wind power investments • We provide implications for countries implemented regionally differentiated FIT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental effects of the urban agglomeration planning policy (UAPP) are an exploration by rapidly developing China and a concern for countries seeking development and urban reform around the world. This paper takes the three regional urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) as the research object and collects the panel data of 106 prefecture-level cities from 2006 to 2019 to study the reduction effects of UAPP on the industrial wastewater discharge (IWD). The empirical results from Difference-in-Differences models indicate that UAPP can significantly inhibit IWD. UAPP reduces IWD by promoting green innovation, and the development of service industries can strengthen this effect. UAPP shows a stronger IWD reduction effect in the northeast YRB than that in the southwest region. Compared to urban agglomerations with a single provincial jurisdiction, UAPP exerts stronger IWD reduction effects on urban agglomerations with multiple jurisdictions. Moreover, there exist spatial spillover effects of UAPP on IWD. These findings provide support and references for urban reform and the development of green cities in countries around the world, especially in developing countries. • Urban agglomeration planning policies can reduce industrial wastewater discharge. • Green innovation is the main intermediary factor. • Service industry development strengthens the discharge reduction effects. • The discharge reduction effects are stronger with multiple jurisdictions. • There exist spatial spillover effects of the discharge reduction effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, air pollutants has been increasing, posing a major threat to human health and the ecological environment. During the past period of rapid growth, with the booming development of real estate, the air pollutants brought about by the construction of housing buildings have become more and more serious, especially sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and dust, which cast a great threat to human life and seriously jeopardize human health. Compared with the traditional construction of houses, prefabricated buildings construction procedures are reduced, to some extent, can reduce air pollutants. Therefore, this paper takes an empirical perspective to include prefabricated buildings and air pollutants into the same research framework and analyze the inherent logical relationship. We found that prefabricated buildings have a substantial role in mitigating urban air pollution. This conclusion remained solid after various robustness tests including constructing instrumental variables. The effect is observed to be greater in cities above the non-sub-provincial level and those positioned within central regions. The conclusions explore new areas for the green and sustainable development of the construction industry, which in the future will have to fill the requirements of green development in order to survive. Else, perspectives from the construction industry, it provides a realistic solution to economic development and ecological protection, helping to alleviate or resolve the conflict between development and survival. • The air pollution abatement effect of prefabricated buildings is investigated. • The results are robust after controlling the endogenous issue. • The heterogeneity is supported for different samples and air pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under climate change and anthropogenic activities, the homogenization of fish communities shows spatial and temporal shifts and threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, but little effort has been made to assess the seasonal shift of spatial homogenization in marine demersal fish, which hinders effective management. In the present study, we investigated the spatial patterns of demersal fish communities and their seasonal changes in the shelf sea of Shandong Peninsula in northeast China based on the four seasonal surveys. Our findings showed that both season and region were important factors in the distributions of biodiversity and the community structure of demersal fish. Spatial homogenization of taxonomic structure and functional structure exhibited inconsistent changes with season. Compared with taxonomic structure, functional structure exhibited relatively lower spatial homogenization in all seasons. Our results suggest that the density of survey stations for demersal fish resource investigation in the study area should be conducted in at least four regions and considering seasonality. This study highlights a need to understand spatial homogenization and its seasonal changes in demersal fish in both taxonomic and functional approaches, which could give insight into biodiversity and resource state and be conducive to improving the efficiency of resource investigation and management. • This paper investigated spatial homogenization of fish communities in the shelf sea of Shandong Peninsula. • A trait-based approach was used to measure functional structure of fish community. • Spatial homogenization of taxonomic and functional structures have different seasonal patterns. • The findings provide reference in optimization of survey station and determination of protected area scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between fiscal regimes and urban industrial pollution emissions is unclear. This paper aims to explore the effects and mechanisms of fiscal centralization on urban industrial pollution emissions and environmental quality. Using the vertical reform of environmental administrations (VREA) in China as a quasi-natural experiment of fiscal centralization, this study applies a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) model to explore the differences in industrial pollution emissions between centralization cities and decentralization cities. The main findings are: (1) VREA significantly inhibits regional industrial pollution emissions, and the reform effect increases over time. This conclusion still holds after considering a series of robustness issues. (2) Industrial sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and solid particulate emissions in the fiscal centralization cities have decreased significantly by 0.3281% and 0.2240%, respectively. However, there is no significant change in industrial wastewater discharges. (3) Environmental regulations, environmental expenditures, and pollution control investments of local governments are the main channels through which VREA reduces industrial pollution emissions. (4) The effects of VREA are more significant in central and western cities and small cities. (5) Relative to decentralization cities, centralization cities have improved air and water quality by 0.0825% and 0.1628%, respectively. These findings help to accurately assess the effects of fiscal centralization on regional environmental governance and provide a decision-making reference for further deepening environmental centralization reform in China. • The vertical reform of environmental administrations (VREA) achieves fiscal centralization in environmental governance. • VREA inhibits urban industrial pollution emissions. • Potential mechanisms include environmental regulations, environmental expenditures, and pollution control investments. • The effect of the reform varies with city location and city size. • VREA has downstream effects on regional air and water quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, China has achieved numerous economic miracles but it has also been plagued by severe air pollution. The frequent hazy weather has severely restricted China's sustainable development. To investigate the nonlinear threshold effect of socio-economic factors on urban haze in China, this study constructs a spatial econometric Smooth Transition Autoregressive Regression (STAR) model based on the STIRPAT theory by using the remote sensing inversion PM 2.5 data of 223 prefecture-level and above cities in China mainland during 2004–2016. In this study, the ARAR-STAR model is estimated by quasi-maximum likelihood estimation, and the accuracy of parameter estimation is verified by Monte Carlo simulation, which proves that the ARAR-STAR model constructed in this study is robust. It is concluded that: there is a complex spatial nonlinear relationship between socio-economic factors such as economic development level, population density, advanced industrial structure, energy consumption, opening-up, and haze pollution. The effect of socio-economic factors on haze emission reduction under the spatial influence has complex heterogeneity with the smooth transition between high and low regimes with economic development. The ARAR-STAR model constructed in this paper, which has both individual fixed effects and time fixed effects, expands the form of existing spatial panel nonlinear models and enriches and implements the application of spatial panel smooth transfer threshold models in the environmental field. Not only can it provide policy recommendations for China to achieve "coordinated efficiency in pollution reduction and carbon reduction" as soon as possible, but it also contributes to China's plan to address global climate change and promote global sustainable development. • Using spatial panel smooth transition autoregressive regression model for 2004–2016, we revisit the nonlinear effects of socio-economic factors on urban haze in China. • The ARAR-STAR model is estimated by quasi-maximum likelihood estimation. • We employ Monte Carlo simulation to obtain robust results. • The effect of population density, industrial structure, energy consumption, opening-up on haze emission has heterogeneity with the smooth transition between high and low regimes with economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether constructing more transportation infrastructure can be helpful for the achievement of energy conservation is a long-running and debatable issue. To answer this question, the relationship between transportation infrastructure and energy efficiency must first be clarified. Nonetheless, the existence of the endogeneity problem poses a challenge to defining the relationship. In this paper, an endogenous stochastic frontier analysis method is used to investigate the influence of transportation infrastructure on energy efficiency. Based on the prefecture-city level panel data in China, we find that after addressing the endogeneity problem, the impact of transportation infrastructure on energy efficiency increases dramatically. Moreover, this impact is more pronounced in small-scale cities compared to large and medium-scale cities. Regardless of the measurement of transportation infrastructure, instrumental variable, or production function form, we get the similar conclusions, demonstrating the robustness of our findings. Additional simulation analysis shows that the energy conservation potential would be 1222–2935 million kilowatt hours if the level of transportation infrastructure could be optimized. We recommend accelerating the transportation infrastructure construction, particularly in the small-scale cities so as to boost the energy efficiency and achieve energy conservation targets. • The relationship between energy efficiency and transportation infrastructure is investigated. • The endogeneity of transportation infrastructure is addressed. • A novel framework to analyze the relationship between energy efficiency and transportation infrastructure is proposed. • Accelerating the construction of transportation infrastructure to increase energy efficiency is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unit pricing for domestic waste, or pay-as-you-throw (PAYT), affords a promising policy option for waste classification and reduction at source. As an emerging economy, China intends to adopt the sophisticated instrument of unit pricing. The public attitude to this policy is of high relevance for its actual implementation. For the first time in China, this paper quantitatively examined the acceptability of the policy among urban residents by randomly delivering 632 questionnaires by taking Beijing, a megacity expected to introduce the practice, as an example. Based on the ordered logit model, determinants of acceptability were empirically tested including intrinsic, external and demographic factors. The results show that the acceptability rate of PAYT in Beijing is less than half, with the proportion of firm support reaching only 42.6%. The respectively low acceptability rate indicates substantial compliance costs, due to intensive resistance to policy implementation and more resources to be invested to promote acceptability. Empirical analysis further indicates that (1) regarding demographic features, aged or less educated residents tend to accept unit pricing, (2) as for intrinsic factors, a friendly environmental attitude, deeper understanding of charging policy and better social perception can significantly improve the public acceptability of the policy, and (3) in terms of external factors, better property services and transparent funding mechanisms play significant roles in enhancing public acceptability. These findings are further confirmed by replacing the dependent variable with either the willingness to pay for household waste disposal or the acceptability of the operated sewage treatment fee. The status of residents' preference for specific pricing methods is further investigated with underlying reasons being revealed. For developing regions with an urgent demand for waste reduction, it is proposed to install unit pricing in time to avoid possible growing social acceptability costs. Specific measures are proposed including changes in intrinsic factors, paying attention to focus groups, and building social consensus for unit pricing. [Display omitted] • Public acceptability of unit pricing policy is quantitatively examined in Beijing. • A random face-to-face survey is designed and conducted by covering 632 households. • The acceptability rate is only 42.6%, indicating high policy compliance costs. • Demographic, intrinsic and external factors play roles in improving acceptability. • Specific suggestions are proposed for regions like Beijing to introduce the policy. [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]

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]

Green power trading is an institutional innovation proposed by China to promote green and sustainable development. This policy aims to relieve the serious debt pressure of renewable energy generation enterprises, thus laying the foundation for achieving carbon reduction targets. This paper empirically examines the role of green power trading by constructing the difference-in-differences (DID) model. Our findings indicate that green power trading significantly reduces the debt levels of policy-covered generation enterprises. This effect is more pronounced for state-owned enterprises, companies with better ESG performance, companies in regions with higher degree of marketization and companies specializing in renewable energy power generation. Further research discusses the impact mechanism of green power trading in terms of external and internal environmental channels. We find that a strong green development atmosphere, especially the external atmosphere, will significantly reinforce the weakening effect of green power trading on corporate debt. Our research provides empirical evidence for the success of green power trading policy in its pilot phase. • Green power trading significantly alleviates the policy-covered firms' debt burden. • The role of green power trading presents heterogeneity in enterprise characteristics. • A better regional environment for green growth can stimulate the effect of green power trading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Income inequality is a critical issue of socio-economic development, particularly in rural areas where forest-dependent people are often vulnerable to the intervention of forest policies. This paper aims to elucidate income distribution and inequality of rural households influenced by China's largest reforestation policy implemented in early 2000s. Drawing on socioeconomic and demographic data from household surveys in two rural sites, we applied the Gini coefficient to measure income inequality and used a regression-based approach to examine the underlying factors that are associated with income generation among households. We also performed a mediation analysis to test the role of labor out-migration in shaping household income distribution under the reforestation policy. Results show that remittances sent by rural out-migrants substantially contribute to household income but tend to worsen inequality, particularly for households having retired cropland for reforestation. The inequality in total income depends on capital accumulation for land endowment and labor availability that render diversified livelihoods possible. Such linkage reveals regional disparity, which, along with policy-implementing institutions (e.g., rules for tree species choice for reforestation), can influence income generation from a given source (e.g., agriculture). Rural out-migration of female labor significantly mediates the economic benefits of the policy delivered to the households with an estimated mediating share of 11.7%. These findings add value to the knowledge of poverty-environment interrelationships in a sense that supporting rural livelihoods of the more vulnerable and underrepresented groups is essential for securing and sustaining the stewardship of forests. Policymaking for such forest restoration programs needs to integrate strategies for targeted or precise poverty alleviation to strengthen the conservation effectiveness. • Income distribution and inequality of rural households is examined under a forest policy. • Remittances by out-migrants contribute to income generation but worsen total income inequality. • Regional difference shapes the composition of income sources with diverse livelihood activities. • Female migration mediates the socio-economic outcome of the forest policy. • Forest conservation policy should integrate development strategies of closing income gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the ambitious Global Methane Pledge announced in the Glasgow Climate Pact requires collaborative efforts from both the signatory countries and China which serves as the world's largest emitter. Considering the heterogeneity of economic structures within China and the relocation of emissions between regions via the global economic network, it is vital to investigate how China's methane emissions at the subnational level are linked to global final consumption. In this paper, we mapped global methane footprint in China from 2007 to2015 at the subnational level, by nesting China's interprovincial input-output tables into global multiregional input-output accounts and upscaling grid-level methane emission data of the Edgar database to the provincial level. Our results suggested that global methane footprint in China shifted westward, and the United States, European Union, Japan, and Hong Kong were the main drivers of China's local methane emissions. By illustrating the international and interprovincial trade flows of methane emissions, this study demonstrated that southeast coastal provinces were the hotspots for global methane footprint while middle inland provinces were the emission hotspots for China's domestic demands. We also showed how China's methane emissions were distributed through the nested global economic network to different economic agents. Moreover, emission trends of key exporting sectors for China's eight economic zones were detailed discussed. The outcome of this study may be fully supportive for identifying the heterogeneous effects of global methane footprint in China and implicative for interprovincial and international collaborations towards methane emission mitigation. [Display omitted] • The heterogeneity of global methane footprint in China was analyzed. • We nested global and China's input-output accounts and upscaled gridded emissions. • The global methane footprint in China moved westward during 2007–2015. • We compared the roles of China's inland and coastal regions in global supply chains. • Exported emissions of major regional sectors decreased first and then increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to severe disturbances caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization, river ecosystems have evolved into complex natural-social composite ecosystems. At present, there is no unified evaluation method for the effect of river restoration in China. The existing research fails to fully integrate the "natural-social" characteristics of rivers, and pays less attention to the river section scale, which is not conducive to the development of accurate pollution control work. In this paper, we first put forward the division method of river section type which conforms to the "nature-society" dual attribute characteristics of the river, and divides the river section into "ecological/service/dual" functional "urban/rural" river section. Then a method for evaluating the restoration effect of different river sections based on index weight optimization was proposed. Based on the type of river section, the weights of 17 indexes were optimized, and the common evaluation method of restoration effect—multi-index evaluation method was improved. In addition, the application and verification of the established method were carried out on the main stream of Qingyi River and its typical tributaries. The evaluation results show that only the restoration effect of Baling River decreased from average in 2019 to acceptable in 2021, and Δ H (the change of the mean score of the target factor after repair) decreased from 15.6% to 6.2%. It was found that for the river sections where the repair effect cannot be maintained stably (such as Baling River), the previous methods paid more attention to the overall effect and easily ignored the specific problems. The improved method can identify problems more easily and facilitate timely post-maintenance. To further optimize the repair effect of Qingyi River, it is suggested that the restoration effect should be strengthened from the aspects of pollution source control, water quality improvement, aquatic restoration, continuous monitoring and evaluation. The evaluation results can provide a reference for the design, operation, and maintenance of restoration projects in small and medium-sized rivers. • Proposed an evaluation method of restoration effect based on river sections. • Classify river reach types based on administrative location and dominant functions. • The improved method optimizes the index weight and evaluation criteria. • The improved method can find out the problems in the river section in time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the period of planned economy, China used low-cost land investment to drive economic development for a long time, which brought problems such as low efficient use of natural resources and environmental pollution. Under the dual pressure of economic development and environmental protection, Chinese government has begun to implement the urban land market reform, hoping to gradually change the extensive economic development model with high input and low output through the market mechanism. In order to investigate whether the urban land market reform can reduce industrial emissions and promote the transformation of socioeconomic, this paper constructs industrial land transactions and socioeconomic panel data of 257 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2020. The research results show that (1) The urban land market reform has reduced industrial emissions through changing the behavior of local governments in fiscal decentralization and the behavior of industrial enterprises. (2) The regional competition and cooperation brought by urban land market reform have regional heterogeneity in the emission reduction effect of industrial emissions. (3) The emission reduction effect of urban land market reform has a spatial spillover effect, which not only affects the local area, but also affects neighboring cities. We suggest that Chinese government needs to continue to carry out ULMR and increase scientific investment and technological innovation, promote the transformation of the industrial economy, and promote healthy competition among local governments. The findings not only provide valuable insights for the future reform of China's market economy, but also provide practical reference for social changes for other countries in the transition period of the world. • The urban land market reform has reduced industrial emissions. • The competition and cooperation brought about by urban land marketization has different industrial emission reduction. • The emission reduction effect of urban land market reform has a spatial spillover effect.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-compensation is a type of institutional arrangement that uses economic measures to adjust the relationships among stakeholders in order to conserve and/or sustainably use ecosystem services. The externality of the value of ecosystem services is one of the theoretical bases for eco-compensation. Different types of ecosystem services are consumed by people from different regions. Some are consumed by people living where the services originate, while some are carried by rivers, wind, vehicles or other natural or manmade means to other areas. Thus, the flow and consumption of ecosystem services should be seen as the basis for establishing eco-compensation funds. This paper uses satellite images of the Zhang-Cheng area near Beijing in 2013 to discuss how to establish an eco-compensation fund for stakeholders in this area. Firstly, six important types of ecosystem services in the Zhang-Cheng area were identified based on ecological function zoning, and the value of these ecosystem services was calculated based on ecological pricing methods. Secondly, the field intensity model from physics was used to analyze where Zhang-Cheng area ecosystem services flowed and calculate how much of these services were used by other areas. Thirdly, based on this analysis and calculation, the paper proposes the rates that different stakeholders should invest in the eco-compensation fund, based on their consumption of eco-services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has achieved a great success in control and elimination of key parasitic diseases. In 2007, the elimination of lymphatic filariasis was verified by WHO. The schistosomiasis incidence and snail-distributed areas have reduced to the lowest level in the history. The transmission and disease burden of echinococcosis have been contained largely, and the populations infected with soil-transmitted trematode and food-borne parasites have also shown a significantly declining trend. Because of rapid globalization and climate changes, however, many new challenges have arisen. In his paper, the 2020-2030 roadmaps towards the control and elimination of these key parasitic diseases are described. Moreover, China is actively implementing its global health strategy, and will be more and more engaged into global health affairs, in which a series of China-Africa health cooperation projects have been in planning with a wish of making a greater contribution to the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a zoonotic parasitosis caused by the parasitism of Echinococcus larvae, echinococcosis imposes serious disease and economic burdens on human beings and society, and is thus a global public health issue. Its complex life history, wide distribution, the combined influence of various epidemic factors, coupled with the unique natural environment, customs, and religious beliefs in endemic areas, pose a huge challenge to the national echinococcosis control programme in China. Accurate early detection and confirmation of diagnosis of echinococcosis, the use of effective drugs, real-time surveillance of the infection status of populations and various hosts, controlling the source of infection, and blocking the route of transmission are of enormous significance for control. In this paper, the work by NIPD-CTDR on the prevention and control of echinococcosis in China is reviewed, with a view to providing reference for the further promotion of the national echinococcosis control programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A virus, the H9N2 subtype, is an avian influenza virus that has long been circulating in the worldwide poultry industry and is occasionally found to be transmissible to humans. Evidence from genomic analysis suggests that H9N2 provides the genes for the H5N1 and H7N9 subtypes, which have been found to infect mammals and pose a threat to human health. However, due to the lack of a structural model of the interaction between H9N2 and host cells, the mechanism of the extensive adaptability and strong transformation capacity of H9N2 is not fully understood. In this paper, we collected 40 representative H9N2 virus samples reported recently, mainly in China and neighboring countries, and investigated the interactions between H9N2 hemagglutinin and the mammalian receptor, the polysaccharide α-2,6-linked lactoseries tetrasaccharide c, at the atomic level using docking simulation tools. We categorized the mutations of studied H9N2 hemagglutinin according to their effects on ligand-binding interactions and the phylogenetic analysis. The calculations indicated that all the studied H9N2 viruses can establish a tight binding with LSTc although the mutations caused a variety of perturbations to the local conformation of the binding pocket. Our calculations suggested that a marginal equilibrium is established between the conservative ligand-receptor interaction and the conformational dynamics of the binding pocket, and it might be this equilibrium that allows the virus to accommodate mutations to adapt to a variety of environments. Our results provided a way to understand the adaptive mechanisms of H9N2 viruses, which may help predict its propensity to spread in mammals. • 40 HA mutant structures of H9N2 avian influenza virus circulating mostly in China were investigated. • Mutations in 9 of 100 amino acids of the HA protein were found critical to virus adaptability. • Compared with Q226-HA, the binding orientation of L226-HA to mammalian receptors was more stable and concentrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policies directly or indirectly influence the development of industrial symbiosis (IS). Quantitatively analyzing the effects of policies on IS at a national level is necessary, but current research has lagged. Focusing on the symbiotic system that includes the thermal power industry, cement industry, iron and steel industry, and social sector in China, this paper assesses the efficacy of policies on this nationwide IS system between 2015 and 2022. A policy influence framework is proposed, combining a cost-benefit analysis, agent-based model, and comparative analysis. Results show: (1) the symbiosis probability of the nationwide IS system experiences a fluctuating increase. The maximum increments of the symbiosis probability are 5%, and the resulting environmental benefits are equivalent to an emission reduction of 6.99 Mt from blast furnace slag, 20.97 Mt from iron mine tailing, 36.02 Mt from household waste, 25.01 Mt from steel slag, and 22.95 Mt from fly ash. However, the stimulation effects of policies vary across different subsystems. (2) Thermal power-chemical subsystems, thermal power-environmental protection subsystems, iron and steel-environmental protection subsystems, and social sector-cement subsystems need policy support in the future. (3) Approximately 50% of fields in this nationwide IS system is insensitive to current policies; policy approaches should shift from economic stimulation to symbiotic guidance. This paper fills the research gap by quantitatively studying the IS policy efficacy from a national level. The findings can contribute to the improvement of the Chinese IS policy system. [Display omitted] • Quantitatively analyzing the effects of policy on industrial symbiosis at a national level. • Policy-sponsored incentive effects vary across different types of waste and subsystems. • Half of the symbiotic utilization fields are insensitive to current policy. • The policy should shift from economic stimulation to symbiotic utilization guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital finance is playing an increasingly prominent role in economic development. This paper examines the impact of digital finance on industrial structure upgrading based on panel data from 289 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2020. The paper adopts fixed effects, mediating effects, and spatial econometric models and the findings are as follows. First, digital finance development significantly boosts industrial structure upgrading in Chinese cities. The evidence remains valid after various robustness tests. Second, digital finance and industrial structure upgrading exhibit positive spatial spillover effects. Third, digital finance indirectly affects industrial structure upgrading through innovation, entrepreneurship and the structure of household consumption channels. Fourth, the influence of digital finance is more significant in cities with more developed economies, less financialization and lower income inequality. Finally, among the sub-indicators of digital finance, the breadth of coverage plays the most significant role, inspiring policymakers and financial institutions to speed up the digitization infrastructure in backward areas. [Display omitted] • Digital finance facilitates industrial structure upgrading in cities in China. • Digital finance has a significant positive spillover impact on industrial structure upgrading. • The impact comes from adjusting household consumption structure, entrepreneurship, and urban innovation. • The impact is more significant in cities with more developed economies, less financialization, and lower-income inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Classified vibration signals to detect leakages in real-life pipe networks. • Implemented automated detection using accelerometers and machine learning methods. • Compared applied models based on multiple criteria against SqueezeNet. In addition to the issues of water quality and economic losses, leakages in pipe networks are a potential danger to public safety. Early detection of water leaks in pipe networks is crucial for implementing countermeasures to reduce structural damage and water losses. The method of data collection based on sensors installed in pipeline networks has gained a lot of attention due to its potential for application in real-time monitoring systems for leak detection. However, many models developed on data collected from simulations, engineered tests or field experiments, and few have been validated using real network data. To make further investigations in real water distribution systems (WDSs), machine learning (ML)-based leak detection models were developed and validated using signal data collected by piezoelectric accelerometers installed in WDSs over several cities of China. Nonlinear features describing the non-stationary characteristics contained in leak signals are extracted from the signals to build feature sets as inputs to the common classifiers, i.e., support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN). In addition, the spectrograms obtained by the short-time Fourier transform processing are used for the convolutional neural network SqueezeNet. The effects of different features, different dataset compositions, and different models for leak detection are compared and analyzed. SqueezeNet has the best performance with 95.15% accuracy in identifying leaks, and KNN is the best of the three classifiers with superior sensitivity and 88.17% accuracy in identification. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness and practicability of using machine learning models to identify leaks in real pipe networks. The application of machine learning models can perform effective leak detection with minimal human intervention, thus providing a meaningful contribution to the study of leak detection in real WDSs. The proposed model aims to identify leakages under operational conditions in real-life pipe networks with higher efficiency and reduced manual involvement. This paper demonstrates the applicability of accelerometers based on microelectromechanical systems for leak detection and establishes real network-based machine learning models; thereby, providing meaningful contribution to the literature regarding leak detection in a real WDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxocariasis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis. Although some studies have reported the Toxocara prevalence in dogs and cats in mainland China, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of these data. Here, we conducted the first systematic review based on relevant literatures published in Web of Science, PubMed and CNKI from January 2000 to July 2019 to assess the prevalence of Toxocara infection in dogs and cats in mainland China. A total of 68 eligible papers were retrieved, including 24,490 dogs and 844 cats, with 17.34% (4246/24,490) Toxocara canis prevalence in dogs and 22.04% (186/844) Toxocara cati prevalence in cats by faecal floatation method. The prevalence and risk factors of T. canis and T. cati infection in different geographical regions, years, breeds, ages and genders were estimated in this review. This review indicates that there was high prevalence of Toxocara infection in dogs and cats in China. This finding calls for measures to reduce the potential risk of Toxocara infection and toxocariasis in humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp), belongs to Mycoplasma mycoides cluster and is a causal pathogen of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). This paper presents the complete annotated genome sequence of Mccp Strain 87001—a strain that was isolated from pneumonia affected goats on a farm in China, and comparative genomics analysis of five Mccp genomes in addition to comparative genomics within Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The Mccp strain 87001 genome consists of a single circular chromosome 1017333 bp in length and encodes 898 open reading frames (orfs) averaging 944 bp in length. Fifty eight potential virulence genes were identified, including variable surface lipoproteins, hemolysin A, and P60 surface lipoprotein. Comparative genomic analysis revealed eight virulence genes and four extracellular genes which remained unchanged in five Mccp genomes for forty years, which can be used as potential target for drug development and vaccine design. We revealed 183 Mccp unique genes as markers to distinguish Mccp with other mycoplasma strains from goats, and different virulence factors contributing to host specificity and different syndrome of bovine pathogens and caprine pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meretrix petechialis is an important commercial aquaculture species in China. During the clam culture period, mass mortality events often occurred due to the Vibrio infection. In this paper, M. petechialis were challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus immersion to simulate a natural infection, and the infection process were divided into four phases including latency, prodrome, onset and recovery phases based on the clam mortality data. Then, the dynamic response of clams to Vibrio infection at different infection phases were investigated by transcriptome analysis. A total of 38,067 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at different infection phases. DEG annotations showed that immune-related and metabolism-related signaling pathways were enriched, indicating that immune defense and metabolism process play key roles during bacterial infection. Three kinds of expression pattern were classified by cluster analysis, including U-shape, L-shape and inverted V-shape. Anabolism and cellular growth proliferation related signaling pathways were repressed (long-lasting or transient) during bacterial infection. However, the immune related signaling pathways with different immune functions showed induction expression or repression expression against bacterial infection, which indicated that immune system take different strategies against bacterial infection. Furthermore, some signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway both involved in immune defense and cell metabolism. This study provides a sight that the dynamic immunity and metabolic responses may be integrated to improve the host survival and shift more energy for immune defense. • Four infection phases were divided based on clam mortality data after vibrio challenge. • Transcriptome analysis revealed the dynamic response of clam during infection. • The immune-related signaling pathways implement different strategies against vibrio infection. • An anabolism suppression was found response to bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because the industrial process always results in pollutant emissions, pollution treatment has become necessary for the sustainable development of industry. This paper aims to evaluate the eco-efficiency of China's industrial sectors between 2007 and 2015 by using the directional distance function (DDF) of network data envelopment analysis (DEA), which contains a two-stage structure that divides industrial processes into three linked subprocesses, i.e., the production, wastewater and waste gas treatment processes. The results show that (1) from 2007 to 2015, the eco-efficiency and all process efficiencies of China's industries achieved considerable improvement. This finding indicates that China's industries have already achieved a win-win situation in the development of environmental protection and economic growth over the past few years. (2) During the sampling period, the highest performance was observed during the waste gas treatment process, followed by the wastewater treatment and production processes. During the same period, the performance of wastewater treatment exhibited the fastest growth, followed by the performance of production and waste gas treatment. (3) The eco-efficiencies of China's industrial subsectors exhibited significant industrial differences: the eco-efficiency of the mining industry was the lowest due to a decline in its performance during the waste gas treatment process, while due to the excellent performance during the production wastewater treatment process, the eco-efficiencies of the electricity, gas production and supply industries were the highest. • A two-stage network DEA framework for eco-efficiencies estimation proposed in this study. • The industrial process was divided into three linked sub-stages, i.e., the production, waste water and waste gas treatment stages. • The eco-efficiency of China's industrial sectors during 2007–2015 was analyzed in this study. • Results show that the eco-efficiency and all sub-stage efficiencies of China's industries achieved considerable improvement during the sample period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current global situation, the release of large amounts of potential effluents into the environment is considered as one of the most important and challenging issues. Innovations in the treatment methods to deal with this problem are among the research priorities within the scientific communities. Even though innumerable methods including physicochemical and biological have been used, yet no proper sustainability of the methods have been introduced. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have gained world-wide attention in recent years, but still there is no report in the literature to map the global research on this subject. The present manuscript describes a scientometric study on the global trend on the application of MBRs during the period 1991–2018 by employing variables such as: (1) distribution of documents over the adopted duration, (2) type of documents in this area, (3) rate of contribution among the different countries, (4) rate of cooperation among the authors, (5) frequency of the keywords co-occurring, (6) cited authors, (7) cited journals, (8) the frequency of categories appeared and (9) the cited documents. A total of 2452 bibliographic records from the Web of Science database were retrieved and analysed to generate results, thereby to create geospatial maps for a better understanding. The findings reveal an increase in the number of papers published in the world, especially China and USA being the top. The existing studies in MBRs research focus mainly on subject categories of the performance and fouling as the main criteria of the sustainable application of MBRs. This study therefore, provides an extensive understanding about the trends and research patterns of MBRs efforts worldwide. Image 10445 • A scientometric study on MBRs for the treatment of the effluents has been performed. • A total 2452 documents were critically analysed to extract the bibliographic maps. • The focus of the recent studieswas identified to innovate novel technologies to make the MBRs most sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an urgent challenge to coordinate industrialization and air quality in China since the rapid industrialization over the past forty years caused serious air pollution. In this paper, we measured the industrialization levels of the 31 regions in China from 2003 to 2017 as a sum of per capita gross domestic product (GDP), urban population (% of total), tertiary vs. secondary industry output ratio, non-agricultural output value (% of GDP), non-agricultural employment proportion, and the proportion of added value of manufacturing in the total added value of commodity. We measured air quality as a sum of annual SO 2 , NO 2 and PM 10 concentrations. In general, the industrialization level continuously increased while air pollution was reduced in spite of some fluctuations in China. Our results show air pollution presented N-shape relations with the industrialization level in China in the periods from 2003 to 2008, 2009 to 2013, and 2014 to 2017. Air pollution increases as the industrialization occurs but later deceases as the industrialization level improves. However, air pollution rebounds as the industrialization moves further but this rebound became weaker in recent years. With the association rule mining, we identified ranges of the six indicators for industrialization associated with good and poor air quality, respectively. Using industrialization indicators associated with poor air quality as references, we pointed out differentiated strategies for regions to coordinate the industrialization and air quality protection. • We analyzed industrialization progress & air quality from 2003 to 2017 in China. • Air pollution in China exhibits N-shape relations with industrialization level. • We mined association rules between industrialization indicators and air quality. • Summary of industrialization indicator ranges associated with good/poor air quality. • Differential strategy by region to coordinate development & air quality protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has begun a rapid move towards Sponge City implementation, which will include widespread installation of various Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater infrastructure. Ambitious goals have been set for all Sponge Cities, including a target capture rate of 80–85% of annual precipitation in Beijing. However, there has so far been limited investigation into whether these goals are obtainable at the catchment scale given the physical restrictions of the existing urban landscape. This paper demonstrates the use of long-term continuous hydrologic modelling to evaluate the potential of meeting rainfall capture goals over a long time period for a case study area in Beijing. Detailed land cover classification derived from satellite imagery aided in the parameterization of a SWMM (Stormwater Management Model) model representing a 133 km2 urban study area. The calibrated and validated model demonstrated satisfactory agreement between computed and observed runoff for a variety of precipitation events ranging from 10 to 207 mm. A synthetic high resolution rainfall time series was generated from historic daily observations then used as input to run the model continuously for a 35 year period. Feasible LID model scenarios based on varying degrees of implementation of rain gardens, permeable pavements and green roofs were compared in terms of their potential volume capture of annual rainfall. Modelling results demonstrated that the conversion of 30% of roof area to green roof, 10% of green areas to rain gardens and 35% of paved areas to permeable pavement could increase the baseline volume capture ratio from 59.9% to 82.2%, indicating that Sponge City goals can be met within the case study area with realistic levels of LID implementation. This study provides a decision-making basis for future planning in the study area. • Satellite imagery based hydrologic model shows good agreement with observed flows. • Continuous modelling approach suggested for evaluation of Volume Capture Ratio. • >80% of annual rainfall captured with moderate catchment wide implementation of LID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important supplementary mechanism to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) scheme is of profound significance for achieving low-cost emission reduction and renewable energy goal. However, limited literature discusses the role of the CCER scheme. To explore to what extent will the CCER scheme save cost for China's carbon trading system, this paper establishes a two-level decision sub-game led by the national government and compares the cost-saving effect before and after introducing the CCER scheme. The empirical results from China confirm the cost-saving effect of the CCER scheme while achieving the homogeneity and equivalence of carbon emission quotas and CCER quotas are the prerequisite for the minimum national aggregate costs. The equilibrium CCER trading price is linked to three factors, including the offset rate of CCER quotas, the total carbon emission quotas and the reciprocal of the declaration cost coefficient. Depending on the actual situation in China, the ceiling offset rate of CCER quotas should not exceed 6%. Even so, the national government still needs to clarify the potential provinces and direction of CCER projects to ensure that the actual offset rate could be as close as possible to the optimal value. These findings can provide guidance for policy makers in the design of the national carbon trading system. • A two-level decision sub-game led by the central government is established. • The cost-saving effect of the CCER scheme is confirmed. • The optimal and ceiling offset rate of CCER quotas is obtained. • The development potential and direction of CCER projects are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most important and directly affected infrastructure by flood disasters in urban areas, the road system plays a crucial role in maintaining the order of human production and life, as well as providing a foundation for the implementation of emergency response work in disaster scenarios. The existing flood resilience quantification methods based on maximum inundation depths of each individual road unit neglects the influences on flood resilience caused by the connectivity of road system. Therefore, this paper focuses on the road system, simulates the flood resilience of the road system in multiple disaster scenarios based on the functionality curve of road system under rainfall-inundation processes, then quantifies the improvement effect of Low Impact Development (LID) measures on flood resilience. A case study is conducted in Yunmen community, Jingdezhen city in China. The results indicate that: (1) The flood resilience of the road system decreases with the increase of rainfall intensity under different scenarios, and the magnitude of the decrease reduces. (2) The road system exhibits strong adaptability during the early stages of rainfall; The duration of functionality loss increases with increasing of rainfall intensity in different scenarios. (3) Implementation of LID measures can significantly improve system robustness by enhancing the reliability of the roads around critical nodes, thereby effectively enhancing flood resilience. The conclusions can provide a theoretical basis for decision-makers to develop urban flood mitigation engineering plans and resilience strategies tailored to local conditions. • The flood resilience of the road system decreases with the increase of rainfall intensity. • The road system functionality curve is constructed based on urban flood modeling. • The response characteristics of time-varying flood resilience at different stages is investigated. • The influencing mechanism of LID measures on flood resilience is reveled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the theoretical mechanism of the carbon emission effect embodied in the Sino-USA manufacturing trade. We constructed a trade and carbon emission input-output model for 16 manufacturing sub-sectors in China and the USA from 2000 to 2018. A comprehensive empirical test of the systematic emission reduction mechanism was conducted. There were four main findings: (1) indirect and direct carbon emissions indicators can comprehensively analyze the link between production and demand across sectors; (2) indirect carbon emissions are higher than direct carbon emissions in half of the sectors in both China and the USA, and other sectors bear part of the carbon emissions for these sectors; (3) compared to 2000, the change in net exports of both countries is the main reason for the change in indirect carbon emissions, while the change in net exports of intermediate goods is the main reason for the change in direct carbon emissions; and (4) the Sino-USA trade surplus comes at the expense of China's environmental losses, while the USA obtains environmental benefits. Overall, the theoretical analytical framework not only comprehensively considers the interlinkages between production and demand across sectors but also provides a more reasonable evaluation of the environmental effects of Sino-USA trade. Additionally, this study provides a solid theoretical and empirical basis for China to achieve its dual-cycle and dual-carbon goals, thus promoting the rapid transformation of China's economy toward green and high-quality development. [Display omitted] • The carbon emission effect mechanisms of Sino-US manufacturing trade are analyzed. • Carbon emissions indicators reveal production-demand linkages across sectors. • The economic and environmental gains and losses of Sino-USA trade are evaluated. • Sino-USA trade harmed China's environment and benefited USA. • This paper identifies the key path to cut China's manufacturing CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is essential for most soil functions. Changes in land use from natural land to cropland disrupt long-established SOC balances and reduce SOC levels. The intensive use of chemical fertilisers in modern agriculture accelerates the rate of SOC depletion. Domestic organic residues (DOR) are a valuable source of SOC replenishment with high carbon content. However, there is still a lack of knowledge and data regarding whether and to what extent DOR can contribute to replenishing SOC. This paper aims to unpack the potential of DOR as a SOC source. Total SOC demand and annual SOC loss are defined and calculated. The carbon flow within different DOR management systems is investigated in three countries (China, Australia, and The Netherlands). The results show that the total SOC demand is too large to be fulfilled by DOR in a short time. However, DOR still has a high potential as a source of SOC as it can mitigate the annual SOC loss by up to 100%. Achieving this 100% mitigation requires a shift to more circular management of DOR, in particular, more composting, and direct land application instead of landfilling and incineration (Australia and China), or a higher rate of source separation of DOR (The Netherlands). These findings form the basis for future research on DOR recycling as a SOC source. [Display omitted] • Carbon in domestic organic residues is not enough to replenish carbon in soils. • More than half of domestic organic residues are not recycled to soils. • In China and Australia, landfill is the main cause of carbon loss in the system. • In the Netherlands, incineration causes the major carbon losses. • Transition to composting of organic residues could mitigate soil carbon loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental taxation is an essential tool employed by governments to compel polluting enterprises to undergo green transformation, thereby achieving sustainable development. This paper uses Differences-in-Differences (DID) approach to assess the impact of the China's environmental tax law on the ESG performance of heavily polluting industries. Furthermore, it examines the moderating effect of stakeholder behavior on the relationship between the environmental tax law and the ESG performance of firms. The research findings indicate that the environmental tax law significantly enhances the ESG performance of heavy polluting enterprises by improving the environmental factor. However, heterogeneity is observed based on ownership characteristics and regional variations. Auditors, mass media and corporate ethical behavior exhibit a significant positive moderating effect on the causal relationship between the environmental tax law and the ESG performance of heavily polluting enterprises. This study contributes to a clearer understanding of the intrinsic relationship between environmental tax laws and ESG performance, and offers insights from the perspective of stakeholder behavior for formulating a path towards sustainable development in the country, thereby providing policy lessons for numerous developing countries worldwide. • Matching data of Chinese listed companies with Bloomberg ESG scores. • Environmental tax law boosts ESG in polluters (E-focused impact). • Auditors reinforce tax law's ESG effect via opinions. • Media shapes ESG by affecting social perception (S factor). • Ethics matter: corruption risks inflate ESG in targeted firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centralized vs. decentralized sewage treatment is one of the key issues in the planning of rural sewage treatment (RST) in China due to the country's diverse regional characteristics. There are very limited comprehensive evaluation models for selecting regionally suitable schemes and facilities, particularly for national or provisional scale planning. As a scenario-based multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) issue, this paper develops a novel RST suitability evaluation model by integrating the multi-attribute analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS). The suitability evaluation model sets up 3 small-centralized and 4 decentralized RST facilities as candidates and includes 12 evaluation indicators that cover economic cost, life cycle environmental impacts, technical features and operations management. Eight generic scenarios are classified for Chinese rural areas based on differences in three major characteristic factors, i.e., population density (PD), the economic development level (EDL), and topographic slope (TS). The universal evaluation results show that a centralized sewage treatment scheme is more suitable for areas with a high PD/high EDL/low TS, while a decentralized scheme is more suitable for areas with a low PD/low EDL/high TS. Sensitivity analysis shows that in regions with a high PD/low EDL, the indicator weight of the construction investment cost in the model has a great influence on the facility suitability ranking. However, in regions with a high PD/high EDL, the ranking is the most sensitive to the indicator weights of the global warming potential and sewage treatment effect. Furthermore, as a spatial decision issue, an RST suitability map of Hunan Province in China is produced at the county level of resolution, and the map is generally consistent with our field knowledge of several counties in Hunan Province. The presented evaluation framework can be integrated into environmental decision support systems in the future to help local and central governments, water utilities, design institutes and other stakeholders scientifically plan RST projects. [Display omitted] • A new suitability evaluation framework of rural sewage treatment (RST) facilities. • Considering life-cycle environmental impacts and regional differences on a large scale. • Optimal RST facilities for each 8 types of regions in China were selected. • A suitability zoning map of optimal RST facility was produced for Hunan Province. • It can help to develop an environmental decision support system for RST planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the requirements for environmental protection and high-efficiency economies increase, grain production (GP) across the globe faces more stringent ecological constraints and economic pressure. Understanding the relationships between natural resources and economic and agricultural factors in grain-producing regions is paramount for ensuring global food security. This paper proposes a methodological framework to explore the relationships between water and soil resources (WSRs), economic input factors (EIFs), and GP. We employed the northeast region of China as a case study to advance our understanding of the factors driving the development of grain-producing capacity. We first constructed and calculated the region's water and soil comprehensive index (WSCI) to describe water-soil properties. We then used hotspot analysis to explore the spatial agglomeration characteristics of WSRs, EIFs, and GP. Finally, we used threshold regression analysis to understand the effects of EIFs and GP with the WSCI as the threshold variable. With the improvement of the WSCI, the positive impact of fertilizer and irrigation on GP shows a U-shaped curve in elasticity coefficients. The positive effect of agricultural machinery on GP decreases significantly, and the impact of labor input on GP is insignificant. These results provide new insights into the relationship between WSRs, EIFs, and GP and a reference for improving GP efficiency globally. This work thus contributes to advancing our capabilities to enable food security while considering aspects of sustainable agriculture in important grain-producing regions across the globe. • A comprehensive framework to assess the nonlinear relationship between WSRs, EIFs and GP. • Cold and hot spot distribution in WSCI, EIFs and GP shows spatial heterogeneity. • WSCI has a significant threshold effect on the relationship between EIFs and GP. • Provides a reference for developing sustainable agriculture and ensuring global food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for tree growth, and excessive N is a source of pollution. This paper aims to define the effects of plant diversity and forest structure on various aspects of soil N cycling. Herein, we collected soils from 720 plots to measure total N content (TN), alkali-hydrolyzed N (AN), nitrate N (NO 3 −-N), ammonium N (NH 4 +-N) in a 7.2 ha experimental forest in northeast China. Four plant diversity indices, seven structural metrics, four soil properties, and in situ N 2 O efflux were also measured. We found that: 1) high tree diversity had 1.3–1.4-fold NO 3 −-N, 1.1-fold NH 4 +-N, and 1.5–1.8-fold N 2 O efflux (p < 0.05). 2) Tree growth decreased soil TN, AN, and NO 3 −-N by more than 13%, and tree mixing and un-uniform distribution increased TN, AN, and NH 4 +-N by 11–22%. 3) Soil organic carbon (SOC) explained 34.3% of the N variations, followed by soil water content (1.5%), tree diameter (1.5%) and pH (1%), and soil bulk density (0.5%). SOC had the most robust linear relations to TN (R2 = 0.59) and AN (R2 = 0.5). 4) The partial least squares path model revealed that the tree diversity directly increased NO 3 −-N, NH 4 +-N, and N 2 O efflux, and they were strengthened indirectly from soil properties by 1%–4%. The effects of tree size-density (−0.24) and spatial structure (0.16) were mainly achieved via their soil interaction and thus indirectly decreased NH 4 +-N, AN, and TN. Overall, high tree diversity forests improved soil N availability and N 2 O efflux, and un-uniform spatial tree assemblages could partially balance the soil N consumed by tree growth. Our data support soil N management in high northern hemisphere temperate forests from tree diversity and forest structural regulations. We found that plant diversity directly increased NO 3 −-N, NH 4 +-N and N 2 O efflux in soil. Soil physicochemical properties played a strong mediating role in the effect of forest structure on soil nitrogen availability. Tree size-density indirectly decreased the soil N availability via soil physicochemical properties, but the forest spatial distribution (mixing and un-uniform distribution) balanced part of the negative effect on soil N. Our results provide new insights into forest management and deepen our understanding of plant diversity and forest structure on the N cycle. [Display omitted] • Four soil N parameters from 720 soils, and 18054 trees were measured in 720 plots in NE China. • High tree diversity accompanied with 1.3–1.4-fold nitrate-N, 1.1-fold ammonium-N, and 1.5–1.8-fold N 2 O efflux. • The best predictors for soil N were soil organic carbon, water content, and diameter at breast height. • Tree growth decreased soil N availability, and tree mixing and distribution patterns balance part of these declines. • Tree size-density and spatial distribution contrarily affect soil N availability via soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essence of efficiency measurement is to model and estimate the performance of a complex system in a comparable form, and the key to modeling is to make the model as close to reality as possible. Based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods, this research proposes a layer-by-layer investigation framework for the black box. To illustrate the rationality of this logical framework, this paper presents a triple-opened dynamic recycling model with a series-parallel structure that allows us to assess the efficiency of the industrial water-related system in China. We obtain and compare the system efficiency under different scenarios for opening the black box. The results show that: (1) China's efforts to improve the performance of the resource use sub-stage through industrial production technology and management have been effective. (2) The performance of China's industrial water-related system strongly relates to the water supply subunit with a positive linear correlation. (3) The water supply subunit is the main foot-dragger in the system, and the government needs to place particular attention on improving the performance of labor in this subunit. • Propose a logical framework of a layer-by-layer investigation of the black box. • Construct a triple opened dynamic recycling model with a series-parallel structure. • Analyze and compare system efficiency under four scenarios. • Reveal the foot-dragger and key influencing indicators of system efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land cover change (LCC) is both a consequence and a cause of global environmental change. This paper attempts to construct a framework to reveal the driving mechanism and ecological effects of different ecological factors under LCC and to explore the ecological characteristics of future LCC. A rule-mining framework based on a land expansion analysis strategy (LEAS) in the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model was used to analyze the drivers of LCC. Neighborhood analysis and ecological effect index were used to investigate multiple ecological effects of LCC. Remote sensing-based ecological indices (RSEI) and the PLUS and stepwise regression model were introduced to explore and predict the integrated ecological effect of LCC. Focusing on the Weihe River basin, study's main drivers of LCC were precipitation, temperature, elevation, population, water table depth, proximity to governments and motorways, GDP, and topsoil organic carbon were the main drivers of LCC. Change directionality were similar for the effects of greenness and biomass formation but opposite for summertime and wintertime temperature. In addition, the conversion of land cover types to cropland had the most significant integrated ecological effect, followed by forest, grassland-shrubland, and other types. The RSEI is predicted to rise to 0.77 in 2030, and the areas where the ecological quality grade will improve and decrease are concentrated on the east and west sides of Ziwuling Mountain, respectively. The findings of this study have practical significance for land management and ecological protection. • The PLUS Model is used to explore driving mechanism of land cover change (LCC). • Ecological effects of LCC are analyzed from multiple and integrated perspectives. • The integrated ecological effect of land cover types converted to cropland is the most significant. • The PLUS model with stepwise regression predicts a decreasing trend of RSEI in 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breakwater scour seriously affects the safety and stability of breakwater foundation. Previous research has primarily focused on breakwater scour of sandy coasts, and to date, limited studies exist on silty–muddy coasts. This study analyzed the causes of scour around the breakwater head in Binhai Harbor, Jiangsu Province from the perspective of hydrodynamic changes and sediments based on years of field observation data and a two-dimensional tidal current numerical model. The observation results showed that four years after breakwater construction, a scour hole with a scour depth over 20 m formed in the northeast of the breakwater head. The development of the scour experienced a process of sudden acceleration, followed by slowing. After the construction of the breakwater, the tidal flow velocity near the breakwater head exceeded the critical motion velocity of the muddy clay layer, which was the main factor for the formation of the scour hole. Our findings indicate that when the scour tended to an equilibrium, the scouring area expanded to the northern and southern sides. This research provides a reference for studying morphodynamic change processes caused by the construction of marine structures on silty–muddy coasts. • This paper focused on the scour near the breakwater head on silty-muddy coast. • Years of terrain data was collected to study the scour development process. • Critical motion condition of sediment was calculated to explain the scour mechanism. • Numerical model was used to predict the potential scour range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), which belongs to the coronaviruses (CoVs), causes diarrhea and high mortality rates in piglets and poses a huge threat and loss to the pig industry in China. We estimated the prevalence of TGEV in Chinese pig animals from 1983 to 2022 by screening 36 papers on TGEV investigations in China from databases such as China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Science and Technology Journal Repository (VIP), PubMed, and ScienceDirect, excluding duplicate literature and other host studies according to the exclusion criteria we developed, and excluding literature with incomplete data to extract information from studies that could estimate the prevalence of TGEV infection in pigs in mainland China. A total of 36 studies (including data from 50,403 pigs) met our evaluation criteria. The overall estimated prevalence of TGEV infection in pigs in China is 10% (3887/50403), and the prevalence of TGEV in northeast China is 38% (2582/3078700) is significantly higher than the rest of China. The prevalence of TGEV infection was related to the sampling season and region. The results of the study show that the prevalence of TGEV is clearly seasonal and regional. Therefore, further research and monitoring of the prevalence of TGEV infection and the development of control programs based on different conditions are essential. In addition, effective and robust regulatory measures should be taken in colder regions to prevent the spread and transmission of TGEV in pigs. • This is the first meta-analysis of the nationwide prevalence of Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGEV) among swine in China. • The prevalence of TGEV was 10% in China. • Season and region were a risk factor associated with the prevalence rate of TGEV. • Through meta-analysis can provide adequate measures to control TGEV, reduce economic losses, and prevent the spread and transmission of TGEV in Chinese pig herds. [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 pollution control effect of seasonal environmental regulation policies in developing countries still lacks empirical evidence. In 2017, China implemented its first Atmospheric Environmental Policy in Autumn and Winter (AEPAW) to coordinate efforts among cities in reducing air pollutant emissions. Taking the daily panel data of 174 cities in northern China from July 2017 to July 2020 as samples, this paper empirically examines the pollution control effect of the AEPAW using a difference-in-differences model, a difference-in-difference-in-differences model, and a regression discontinuity design. The results show that the AEPAW significantly improves air quality in autumn and winter, with the air quality index decreasing by 5.6% on average by reducing PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , and O 3 emissions. However, the AEPAW only creates a short-term "policy-induced blue sky", and there exists a phenomenon of "retaliatory pollution" after the AEPAW ends. Besides, the pollution control effect of the AEPAW is moderated by the heterogeneity of the national "Two Sessions" and the Central Environmental Protection Inspection. The implementation of the AEPAW also has a significant spillover effect on air pollution control in surrounding areas. The net benefit from the AEPAW is estimated to be approximately US$ 670 million per year. These findings not only have practical significance for strengthening the comprehensive control of air pollution in China, but also give some important references for other developing countries. • We examine the pollution control effect of the Atmospheric Environmental Policy in Autumn and Winter (AEPAW). • We take the daily panel data of 174 cities in northern China as samples. • We find that the AEPAW significantly improves air quality in autumn and winter. • The AEPAW only creates a short-term "policy-induced blue sky". • The AEPAW has a significant spillover effect on air pollution control in surrounding areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe air quality hurts human capital and threatens innovative outcomes. Using unique data containing 12.8 million patent applications in China, this paper examines the causal effect of particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM 2.5) on patent innovation. We estimate a two-stage least square model with thermal inversion as an instrumental variable. Our findings show that a one μg/m3 increase in the annual average PM 2.5 concentration leads to a 1.3% decrease in the number of patents. Annual fluctuations in PM 2.5 concentration levels across cities caused the total number of patents to decrease by 1.1% during the 2006–2010 period. From 2011 to 2015, the improvement in air quality increased the number by about 2.0%. It demonstrates another innovation co-benefit of improving air quality due to the tightened regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following market liberalization, the vehicle population in China has increased dramatically over the past few decades. This paper examines the causal impact of the opening of a heavily used high speed rail line connecting two megacities in China in 2015, Chengdu and Chongqing, on air pollution. We use high-frequency and high spatial resolution data to track pollution along major highways linking the two cities. Our approach involves the use of a novel augmented regression discontinuity in time approach that incorporates machine learning to inform our specification choice in the first stage. Our estimates show that CO is reduced by 6.4% and PM 2.5 by 7.1% along the main affected highway. These findings are supported using a difference-in-differences approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spartina alterniflora is a dominant invasive species along the coast of China. A surprising phenomenon that the oyster reef formation is substituting the S. alterniflora invasion, was recently observed in the west coast of Bohai Bay, North China. As the intertidal mudflat ecosystem is critical for coastal blue carbon, this paper aims to evaluate the climatic effect of the alternation from the perspective of potential CH 4 and N 2 O production. The sediment geochemical properties and potential CH 4 and N 2 O productions were therefore measured in sediments dominated by Spartina alterniflora (SA), oyster reef (OR), mixture of S. alterniflora and oyster reef (SA-OR) and bare mudflat (BM) at an intertidal mudflat. Meanwhile, sediment microbial community structure and function genes were also determined utilizing metagenome high-throughput sequencing technology. Our results indicated that the formation of oyster reef in S. alterniflora invaded intertidal mudflat might slightly reduce the sediment potential CH 4 production and enhance the sediment potential N 2 O production. The oyster reef formation could alter the community composition of methanogens and the abundance of functional genes in methanogenesis, and transform the main pathway from methylotrophic to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in surface sediments. Metagenome sequencing revealed that the oyster reef formation may promote nitrification, inhibit dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNRA) and nitrate assimilation functions, and reduce the abundance of nosZ genes. Mantel analysis showed that pH, soluble salt and dissolved carbon (DC) were the most important factors influencing the composition of microbial community. In general, our results imply that the growth of oyster reef in the S. alterniflora invaded area has opposing effects from the prospective of the potential CH 4 and N 2 O production. [Display omitted] • Substitution of S. alterniflora by C. gigas may reduce CH 4 but raise N 2 O emission. • Oyster reef may promote the nitrification, inhibit DNRA and reduce nosZ genes. • Oyster reef formation may turn methylotrophic into hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. • Microbial community is strongly influenced by pH, salt content and dissolved carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the low e-waste recycling rate, the Chinese government has introduced a series of intervention measures. However, the effectiveness of government intervention measures is controversial. This paper constructs a system dynamics model to study the impact of Chinese government intervention measures on e-waste recycling from a holistic perspective. Our results demonstrate that the current Chinese government intervention measures do not promote e-waste recycling. By studying the adjustment strategies of government intervention measures, it can be found that the most effective adjustment strategy is to increase government policy support while increasing the punishments for recyclers. If the government only adjusts a kind of intervention measures, it is better to increase punishments than to increase incentives. And increasing the punishment for recyclers is more effective than increasing the punishment for collectors. If the government chooses to increase incentives, then the government should only increase policy support. This is because increasing the subsidy support is ineffective. • The current Chinese government intervention measures are ineffective. • Increasing punishment for recyclers while raising policy support is most effective. • Increasing punishments is more effective than increasing incentives. • If increasing incentives, the government should only increase policy support. • Increasing the subsidy support is ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]