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The process of international specialization has evolved from "intra-industry" to "intra-product," resulting in the establishment of value chains that traverse all participating nations. However, it might lead to the "lock-in low-value" effect of global value chains (GVCs) and the consequential "pollution shelter" effect, which have both hindered the green transformation of the economy. Rather than solely focusing on promoting participation in GVCs, this paper seeks to expand its purview to include national value chains (NVCs) based on endogenous resource integration, with a focus on constructing and nurturing NVCs to enhance regional green economy performance index (GEPI). We find that improving NVCs positions can increase regional GEPI, while GVCs and NVCs participation inhibit GEPI. Moreover, the impact of GVCs and NVCs positions and participation on GEPI presents significant and spatiotemporal heterogeneities. Finally, the mechanism analysis demonstrates that GVCs positions increase human capital investment and NVCs positions increase the rationalization of the industrial structure, promoting green economy performance. Meanwhile, China's GVCs and NVCs participation increase the industrial proportion, which is not conducive to improving green economy performance. • Quantifying China's international trade's environmental effects through value chain specialization. • NVCs positions can strengthen the effect of the green economy performance. • Participation in value chain displays an adverse impact on green economy performance. • Investigating the heterogeneities of green economy performance along GVCs and NVCs position and participation. • Exploring channels through which of value chain specialization affect green economy performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering sectoral linkages with the transport sector during the process of its low-carbon transition is critical for meeting the emission reduction targets of the whole economy. However, the precise roles of different transport modals and their sectoral linkages and transfer mechanisms in driving carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions are unknown. This study proposes a framework integrating the hypothetical extraction method (HEM) and structural path analysis (SPA) to explore the CO 2 emission characteristics of the transport sector. Based on the above framework, we not only identify the emission sources and destinations related to various transport sub-sectors, but also reveal key channels through which emissions are transmitted along the economic network. Taking China as an example, we find there are heterogeneous characteristics of CO 2 emissions in different transport modals, in which the railway passenger transport sector and the water passenger transport sector are CO 2 emissions importers while other transport sub-sectors are CO 2 emissions exporters. Furthermore, the transport sector mainly exports CO 2 emissions to the construction and service sectors and imports emissions from electricity and heat production and supply sector. From the perspective of transfer paths in forward linkages, the main intermediate sectors of passenger transport sectors are service sectors, while those of freight transport sectors are construction sectors. From the perspective of transfer paths in backward linkages, electricity and heat production and supply sector is the main emission source and intermediate sector. When developing sector-specific and supply chain-wide low-carbon policies, it is suggested to consider the sectoral carbon linkages of each transport sub-sector. • We identify CO 2 emission drivers of transport sector in supply chains from both production and consumption perspectives. • We explore the critical transfer paths of CO 2 emissions related to different transport sub-sectors. • We link the Hypothetical extraction method and Structural path analysis based on an input-output model. • Considering sectoral linkages when formulating low-carbon policies is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fossil energy increases the non-dispatchability of power system, requiring fossil-based technologies to provide back-up capacity as dispatchable source. In a coal-based economy like China, it is coal-fired units that act as back-up capacity. This paper shows that increase of non-fossil energy generation is associated with higher heat rates of coal-fired units, which can be explained by the decreased operating hours for dispatching. This side-effect is sizeable, accounting for 13% of carbon mitigation from non-fossil energy. The extra fuel cost is estimated to be 10.9 billion US dollars. This paper thus calls attention to alternative technologies, such as large-scale storage, as dispatchable source. • Dispatching policy ensures the exogeneity of non-fossil energy in regression. • Discussing how non-fossil energy increases the heat rate of coal-fired units. • Calling attention to the essential role of coal-fired units as dispatchable source. • Highlighting the indirect cost of integrating non-fossil energy for power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China, with a heavy dependence on coal power, has announced a clear goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. Electrification of final energy use and high penetration of renewable energy are essential to achieve this. The resulting growth of intermittent renewables and changes in demand curve profiles require greater flexibility in the power system for real-time balancing – greater ability of generators and consumers to ramp up and down. However, the plan and market system with regulated prices makes this challenging. We discuss the options to improve flexibility, including 1) increasing supply-side flexibility, through retrofitting existing power plants to boost their responsiveness; 2) promoting flexibility from power grids, through building an efficient power grid with inter-provincial and inter-regional transmission capacity to balance spatial mismatch, given that China has a vast territory; 3) encouraging demand flexibility, through demand-response measures to enable demand shifting over time and space to address fluctuations in renewable energy generation; and 4) providing flexibility from energy storage. We consider policies to achieve this, in particular, power market reforms to unlock the flexibility potential of these sources. Regulated electricity prices and lack of auxiliary services markets are major obstacles and we discuss how markets in other countries provide lessons in providing incentives for a more flexible system. • Carbon neutrality requires electrification and intermittent renewables. • Discuss options to improve flexibility in power system with high renewables. • Attention to technology and market policies in system with regulated prices and quotas. • Exploring how markets in other countries may provide lessons for China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]