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As the world becomes more concerned about carbon emissions, the Chinese government, which is a large contributor to carbon emissions, has also begun to pay attention to the issue of carbon emissions. Environmental regulatory policies have been implemented to improve the environment, but are these policies really conducive to improving firms' eco-innovation performance? This paper empirically investigates the relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms' eco-innovation performance in China and finds that: firstly, environmental regulation in China is inadequate and that manufacturing eco-innovation performance is generally low; secondly, there is a U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms' eco-innovation performance; thirdly, there is significant industry and regional heterogeneity in the induced effects of environmental regulation tools; and fourthly, there is a mediating effect of industrial agglomeration on the promotion of firms' eco-innovation performance. The conclusions of this paper are: firstly, that the Chinese government should continue to improve environmental regulations and strictly enforce them so that green becomes the colour of 'economic recovery'; secondly, that the Chinese government should develop scientific and reasonable environmental regulatory policies according to local conditions; thirdly, that Chinese companies should increase their spending on research and development; and fourthly, that the Chinese government needs to optimise the industrial layout and support mechanisms. The Chinese government should play an active role in industrial agglomeration in technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the intricate interplay between urbanization, environmental regulation, gross domestic product (GDP), and their collective impact on agricultural land use efficiency, with a specific focus on the potential implications for a just transition. As the world grapples with growing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable development, understanding how these factors influence agricultural practices is paramount. The research employs a multi-dimensional approach, utilizing a comprehensive dataset of agricultural, economic, and environmental indicators from various regions. Through a combination of statistical analysis, econometric modeling, and case studies, the study unveils the complex relationships between urbanization, environmental regulation stringency, GDP growth, and agricultural land use efficiency. The findings highlight that the dynamic signifies China's agricultural land use efficiency initially ascending and later descending. The progressive improvement in average agricultural land use efficiency, from 1.0196 in 2005 to 1.0891 in 2021, underscores a positive trend in China's agricultural practices. It also shows that as one region enhances its agricultural land use efficiency, there is a corresponding improvement in the agricultural land use efficiency of the surrounding areas. Evidently, within all three regions, environmental regulations and GDP exert a direct influence on agricultural land use efficiency. However, it is noteworthy that the significance of urbanization is more pronounced in the eastern and middle regions, while the western region places greater emphasis on the pivotal role played by agricultural machinery total power and fiscal expenditure. This differentiation underscores the distinct drivers and dynamics shaping agricultural land use efficiency in each of these regions. • Environmental concerns and sustainable development are paramount for agricultural practices. • Urbanization, environmental regulation, and GDP are vital for land use. • Just transition should be considered for improving land use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the world's largest energy consumer and is also leading in the solar photovoltaic industry. The solar energy industry, with advantageous clean and highly efficient production, is integral in maintaining the sustainable energy supply in an environmentally sensitive manner. Further development of the Chinese photovoltaic industry requires a status assessment for the current industrial setting. An analysis on the 58 Chinese photovoltaic listed enterprises is conducted in this study to analyze the operating performance, industry agglomeration and spatial characteristics of Chinese photovoltaic industry. Comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the enterprises’ operating performance are based on financial data by utilizing the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method; Systematic analysis examines spatial characteristics through the application of the spatial autocorrelation analysis method. Results confirm the Chinese photovoltaic industry preliminarily appeared industry agglomeration with enterprises mainly distributed in east and north China, and gathered in developed coastal provinces. Superior performing photovoltaic enterprises are specifically located in north China. Most of the enterprises are in the up-stream or mid-stream of the photovoltaic industrial chain. Overall operating performance of the photovoltaic industry in China suffers from weak profits due to low technical efficiency. The key to improve the future development of these enterprises is the improvement of operating performance by strengthening technical efficiencies. Concurrently, governmental guidance should address profitable photovoltaic industry investments and improvement of production rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]