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Arid and semi-arid regions, which account for more than 30% of the Earth's land area, increasingly dominate the spatiotemporal trends in global carbon fluxes. The Horqin Sandy Land is a typical semi-arid fragile ecosystem in northern China. Understanding the components of the carbon budget in ecosystems under conditions of extreme soil moisture limitations provides a foundation for comprehending the carbon balance in semi-arid ecosystems. The seasonal and diurnal variations in soil respiration (Rs) in semi-mobile dune (SD) and meadow wetland (MW) ecosystems of the Horqin Sandy Land were examined, and the sources of CO2 emissions from Rs were identified using stable carbon isotopes. The responses of Rs and ecosystem respiration (Reco) to environmental temperature, moisture and leaf area index (LAI) were revealed. The results showed that on a seasonal scale, in SD with soil moisture content (Ms) below field capacity (FC), Ms had a greater influence on Rs than soil temperature (Ts) during the growing season. Changes in the LAI during the middle and late growth period affected Rs by altering root carbon supply. In MW, the most favorable Ms for Rs was near FC. The increase in LAI before mowing could effectively promote root and soil microbial respiration, and the decomposition of litter driven by Ts was the main form of Rs at this time. After mowing, root respiration and soil microbial respiration were the main processes contributing to CO2 emissions. On a daily scale, relative humidity (RH) dominated the Rs variation under dry conditions, whereas in other conditions, the Rs was adequately explained by temperature in SD and MW. The overall Reco was larger than Rs, but occasionally Rs was greater than Reco. The effects of temperature, moisture and LAI on Reco and Rs varied with growing season. Adding factors, such as ecosystem type, vegetation growth, water, and heat, to the carbon cycle model can improve predictions of carbon emissions, and aid in further management decisions in arid and semi-arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation (DT), government intervention (GI) and carbon emissions (CE) have always been the focus of academic attention, and arguments on the relationship amongst them exist. This study seeks to introduce the degree of political connection and government subsidies (GS) as GI into the relationship between DT and CE at the micro-level and aims to provide a new perspective for resolving previous arguments. By using a difference-in-differences model, the impact of DT on reducing CE is measured by taking a sample of 3925 observations from listed enterprises in China and dividing them according to the following degrees of political connection: none, moderate and high. Results show that DT is effective in reducing CE. Additionally, DT of enterprises with moderate political connections has had the greatest effect on reducing CE, followed by the effect of enterprises with high political connections. The effect of enterprises with no political connections is insignificant. If enterprises with a moderate or no political connections gains more GS, then the negative impact of DT on CE will be stronger. This study provides new evidence that DT reduces CE at the micro-level and presents a new perspective on reaching a consensus by introducing GS and the degrees of political connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today there is a wealth of data available detailing the climate impact of our actions, including the ${\rm CO}_2$ CO 2 emissions from academic flying. Despite this, such data is hard to engage with in the abstract, leading to little practical action. In this paper, we investigate how to support processes of collectively working through and making sense of environmental data about academic flying through data physicalisation. Drawing on the results from a series of workshops with stakeholders at our own university, in which we have designed and deployed a data physicalisation of flight data, we describe this process and discuss lessons learned with a focus on material, engagement with data and ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing concern about the relationship between carbon emissions and trade liberalization. Have carbon emissions been affected by trade liberalization? To what extent has it been affected? To answer this question, we creatively constructed a dataset of Chinese listed companies and its re‐appraisal, using the difference‐in‐difference method to investigate the impact of trade liberalization on carbon emissions at the micro level. Our results show that WTO accession leads to lower carbon emission intensity for Chinese exporters engaged in general trade compared to those engaged in processing trade, which are not directly affected by China's WTO accession. In other words, trade liberalization is beneficial for the reduction of carbon emissions and sustainable development. We also test the robustness of our results. In addition, we decompose the question of how trade liberalization affects companies' carbon emissions into research and development mechanism and productivity mechanism for analysis. Our study refines the model of carbon emission and trade issues by incorporating company import indicators and carbon emission indicators into the company production model. It also has important policy implications. Green trade and reduce carbon emissions should be advocated when developing the economy through trade liberalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the quality of solid waste utilization, this study simultaneously used recycled coarse aggregate and recycled fine aggregate to prepare recycled aggregate concrete, with fly ash partially replacing cement as a binder. After the particle gradation of recycled aggregate was artificially adjusted into continuous gradation, the effects of accelerated carbonation on the performance and microstructure of recycled concrete were studied. The microstructural change was analyzed using mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy. Additionally, the environmental benefits of the recycled concrete were evaluated based on carbon emissions using the life cycle assessment method. The experimental results indicate that accelerated carbonation can increase the compressive strength of recycled concrete by up to 13%, and its microstructure becomes more compact after carbonation. The carbon emissions are reduced by more than 13% after using 20% fly ash, contributing to sustainable development. Additionally, the optimal replacement rate of recycled fine aggregate should be controlled to under 15% when both recycled coarse and fine aggregates are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed a 2 (calorie and carbon emission) × 2 (numeric and reference) experimental design to assess the impact of displaying nutritional and environmental information on menus in hotel's Chinese restaurant. Unlike previous studies primarily focused on simulated intention, it captured consumer actual behavior and perception. While such information did not significantly affect dietary choices, the inclusion of carbon emission information had a positive influence on perceived social responsibility. The reference format proved effective in enhancing transparency, especially when the information was complex. This research offers practical insights for restaurants to effectively communicate their commitment to health and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, coal, natural gas, and oil stand as primary contributors to carbon emissions. The transition toward carbon-free energy sources has significantly reduced the demand for conventional fossil fuels while also significantly altering its labor market environment. This concurrently opens a good number of job prospects in low-carbon energy production sectors. Consequently, navigating this labor force transition requires informed decisions. This research aims to explore the economic impacts of this transition using the state of Wyoming as a case study, a state at the forefront of moving from fossil fuel reliance to embracing low-carbon energy sources. Through an in-depth analysis, including autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modeling, this paper explored the retraining needs of workers in each sector, the associated costs, and the current state of Wyoming's workforce. The results of the analysis showed that the coal mine sector and oil and gas industries face significant workforce migration pressures with a relatively higher number of workers who need to be migrated, whereas coal power plants are less affected. With Wyoming found to be at the "take-off" phase, ready to accelerate into a new energy paradigm, a relatively modest investment ranging from $3,060 to $7,201, per worker, can facilitate this transition. This research provides critical insights into managing workforce transitions, informing strategic decisions for a sustainable shift from fossil fuels energy production to low-carbon energy production. This research could assist government agencies in the establishment of workforce transition initiatives in the energy production industries and beyond. This research potentially offers a practical framework for understanding the intricacies of workforce transitioning that could be utilized for other sectors such as the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, self-healing, ultra-thin overlay has been recognized as an advanced technology and gradually applied in asphalt pavement maintenance, but its sustainability has not been well addressed quantitatively regarding practical maintenance projects. This study utilizes steel fiber as a media-induction material for self-healing, ultra-thin overlay and verifies its integrative benefits in terms of carbon emissions and economic costs from a six-year life-cycle perspective. The system framework and research boundary were developed to include the material extraction, on-site construction, later maintenance, and demolition phases. Meanwhile, carbon emissions and economic cost inventories were established through investigations of the test section of a maintenance project. The results indicated that self-healing, ultra-thin overlay could have benefits, with a reduction of 59.43% carbon emissions and 73.15% economic costs in the six-year life cycle, during which the material extraction phase generated over 50% of the carbon emissions and economic costs in self-healing, ultra-thin overlay due to the addition of steel fiber. Comparatively, the later maintenance phase caused the most environmental and financial impacts, with over half of the carbon emissions and costs. The obtained results could act as significant reference material for the sustainable maintenance implementation of asphalt pavement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of sustainable ecology, financial sustainability takes on greater significance. As a result, this study examines the impact of financial development (bank adequacy) on both renewable energy and carbon emissions for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2005 to 2020, using institutional quality (government stability and corruption control) as a moderating factor while controlling for FDI, population growth, and urbanization. However, for the investigation, the quantile-on-quantile regression technique was used, while the fixed effect OLS and Driscoll Kraay OLS techniques were used as robustness checks. The first model outcome reveals that all the variables have a positively significant connection with renewable energy. This implies that higher bank capital adequacy-augmented liquid assets, heightened asset returns, and enhanced investment viability. prospects may encourage physical asset outlays of companies operating in greening. But for the second model, financial development, FDI, and government stability have a positive relationship with carbon emissions, which confirms the presence of the pollutant haven hypothesis for the understudied countries while controlling corruption, population, and urbanization to decrease ecological degradation. This outcome implies that excess-investment clean energy enterprises intermediary effect of liquidity of banks for the understudy countries. Moreover, this study adds to the current literature by comparing the financial development (capital adequacy of banks) in GCC countries that are leaders in climate finance and by highlighting the role that bank capital adequacy plays in strengthening environmental laws to promote investment in renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the long‐term effects of two core industries of India, namely crude oil and electricity on the environment by adopting the industry‐specific environmental Kuznets curve (IEKC) hypothesis. While crude oil is high‐polluting, the impact of the electricity industry on the environment is less severe. A traditional EKC hypothesis, described by an inverted U‐shape, demonstrates the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. The study tests IEKC individually for each of the two industries for time series data ranging from 1994 to 2021 for the crude oil industry and from 1994 to 2019 for the electricity industry. Carbon dioxide emission levels and the Index of Eight Core Industries are the indicators used to measure the environmental degradation and industrial growth levels, respectively. The study adopts autoregressive distributed lag approach to test the IEKC hypothesis. The findings suggest rejecting the IEKC hypothesis in the Indian crude oil industry, indicating its long‐term adverse environmental effects. In contrast, acceptance of the hypothesis in the electricity industry confirms that electricity energy can potentially lower the country's pollution level in the long run. The study adds to the existing literature by applying the IEKC hypothesis in the core industries of India to judge their environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an important role in promoting industrial structure and curbing carbon emission. The study is based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021 and verifies the impact of FDI under environmental regulation on industrial structure upgrading and carbon emission. The empirical results show that FDI under environmental regulation can inhibit carbon emission and promote industrial structure upgrading. The carbon emission reduction effect and industrial structure upgrading effect of FDI show regional heterogeneity, with the strongest effect in the eastern region, followed by the central region, and no significant effect in the western region. The moderating effect examination of environmental regulation illustrates that formal and informal environmental regulation can effectively regulate the relationship between FDI and carbon emission, but due to differences in various factors such as economic development level and population quality, the moderating effect also exhibits regional heterogeneity. In the mechanism test, industrial structure upgrading plays a perfect mediating role in the path of FDI inhibiting carbon emission, and environmental regulation can further enhance the mediating effect of industrial structure upgrading. There is a threshold of industrial structure upgrading between FDI and carbon emission, and FDI can only suppress carbon emission after crossing the threshold of industrial structure upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure the safety of fresh food, the cold chain logistics is widely utilised, which can provide a low temperature environment. However, due to the high energy consumption, how to reduce carbon emission of cold chain logistics to develop sustainable distribution has become the research focus. In response, this study proposes an intelligent distribution system for cold chain logistics to achieve green operations. Specifically, the framework of the intelligent system based on blockchain technology is proposed to improve operational efficiency and enhance food traceability. Meanwhile, an electric vehicle routing optimisation model taking into account carbon emission is deployed in the intelligent system to plan the distribution routes. The suggested optimisation model seeks to reduce the total cost, including fixed, spoilage, refrigeration, punishment, queuing, charging and carbon emission costs. Furthermore, an ant colony algorithm is embedded in the intelligent system to help with distribution routes design. Finally, this study combines a real case to discuss the performance of the intelligent system, and the results show that the proposed system can significantly reduce distribution cost and carbon emission. Managers can use the suggested intelligent system to design distribution routes and monitor the distribution process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the accelerating process of globalization, trade activities have had profound impacts on both the environment and economic development. Methods: This paper comprehensively evaluates the synergistic effect of bilateral trade on "pollution reduction" and "carbon mitigation," as well as "economic growth," utilizing panel data from China and RCEP countries spanning the period from 1997 to 2020. Results: The empirical results reveal that bilateral trade significantly propels economic growth in RCEP countries and exhibits a positive "pollution reduction" effect, whereas its "carbon reduction" effect remains uncertain. To delve into the underlying reasons for bilateral trade's failure to effectively mitigate carbon emissions, this paper undertakes a mechanism test along two opposing paths. Notably, the influence of bilateral trade on economic growth and "pollution reduction" in RCEP countries varies regionally. Specifically, bilateral trade is more efficacious in fostering economic growth in ASEAN countries. Additionally, bilateral trade enhances environmental quality in ASEAN countries, yet it deteriorates in non-ASEAN countries. Furthermore, this paper examines the intricate relationship between bilateral trade, economic growth, and "pollution reduction" through the application of the PVAR model. It concludes that optimizing environmental quality in RCEP countries is conducive to both local economic growth and bilateral trade. Conclusion: This study not only bears significant implications for understanding the complex interplay between economic growth, environmental quality, trade liberalization, and environmental policies, but also provides invaluable guidance for policy formulation and implementation aimed at achieving green transformation and fostering sustainable economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global warming increases the frequent occurrences of natural disasters, the reduction of carbon emissions has become an important issue around the world. The chemical industry is an important source of carbon emissions in China. The carbon emissions of the chemical industry are calculated from 2000 to 2019 by using the emission factor method. The logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) method is exploited to analyze the factors that influence carbon emissions, and the emissions variations are attributed to the contributions of carbon intensity, energy structure, energy intensity, industrial value-added rate, per capita industrial output value, and industrial scale. The results of decomposition show that per capita industrial output value is the main driving factor, and energy intensity is the main inhibiting factor of the chemical industry's carbon emissions. In order to quantify the variation of carbon emissions, the extended stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model is constructed and examined. Using the STIRPAT model, the basic scenario and energy intensity control scenario are set, and the carbon emissions are predicted, which shows that under a strict energy intensity control scenario, carbon emissions may reach a peak around 2031. The factors influencing the decomposition and prediction of carbon emissions should be helpful in reducing the carbon emissions of the chemical industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem of high volatility and intermittency of new energy-containing power systems, which affects the prediction accuracy of carbon emissions, we study the adaptive prediction method of carbon emissions of a new energy-containing power system based on a least-squares support vector machine. The carbon emission coefficients of the nodes of the new energy-containing power system are determined based on the trend analysis method. Historical carbon emissions and carbon emission coefficients of the power system are collected, and the rough set method is used to simplify the carbon emission attributes and obtain a simplified attribute set for carbon emission prediction. The least-squares support vector mechanism is used to construct the carbon emission prediction model, and the simplified attribute set is used as the input of the carbon emission prediction model. The whale optimization algorithm was selected to determine the optimal parameters of the least-squares support vector machine through the process of encircling prey, hunting behavior, searching for predation, and adaptively optimizing the least-squares support vector machine to output carbon emission prediction results. The experimental results show that the method can accurately predict the carbon emissions of the power system, and the mean square error of the carbon emissions prediction is lower than 7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building carbon emissions (CE) have become the focus of the current topic, but there is still no mature typical building life cycle theory method from the perspective of building materials, and the research on the relationship between building durability and building life cycle is still insufficient. To this end, this study established a detailed calculation method for building carbon emissions (CE) and divided the building life cycle (BLC) into three stages: manufacturing, use, and demolition according to the result analysis. In addition, a durability improvement and carbon reduction scheme of "partition, resistance, and repair" is proposed, and the carbon emission reduction index of effectiveness index is proposed. The proposed method is applied to the case of residential buildings in Northwest China. The main conclusions are as follows: the CE of residential buildings are more dependent on the use stage. If the centralized heating system is adopted, the CE in the operation stage account for 80–90%. If the air conditioning refrigeration and heating system is adopted, the CE in the operation stage account for about 50%. Using the method of improving the durability of buildings to extend the service life of buildings is very significant for building carbon reduction (RC); the effectiveness index proposed in this paper includes key indicators such as total CE, service life, and building area. Compared with the traditional index, the effectiveness index is more accurate and comprehensive. CR is the focus of green building, but the impact of economy needs to be considered in practical engineering. In the future research, durability, CE, and economy need to be considered comprehensively for careful study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a bi-objective optimization model for the Green Vehicle-Routing Problem in cold chain logistics, with a focus on symmetric distance matrices, aiming to minimize total costs, including carbon emissions, while maximizing customer satisfaction. To address this complex challenge, we developed a Stage-Specific Multi-Objective Five-Element Cycle Optimization algorithm (MOFECO-SS), which dynamically adjusts optimization strategies across different stages of the process, thereby enhancing overall efficiency. Extensive comparative analyses with existing algorithms demonstrate that MOFECO-SS consistently outperforms in solving the multi-objective optimization model, particularly in reducing total costs and carbon emissions while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. The symmetric nature of the distance matrix further aids in achieving balanced and optimized route planning. The results highlight that MOFECO-SS offers decision-makers flexible route planning options that balance cost efficiency with environmental sustainability, ultimately improving the effectiveness of cold chain logistics operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of renewable energy sources and distributed energy storage systems increasingly complicates the operation of distribution networks, while stringent carbon reduction targets demand low-carbon operational strategies. To address these complexities, this paper introduces a two-stage model for reconfiguring distribution networks and ensuring low-carbon dispatch. Initially, second-order cone programming is employed to minimize losses in the network. Subsequently, the outputs of renewable energy and energy storage systems are optimized using the mantis search algorithm (MSA) to achieve low-carbon dispatch, with the network's carbon potential as the evaluation metric. The proposed model demonstrates a significant reduction in average active power loss by 34.85%, a decrease in daily carbon emissions by 509.97 kg, and a reduction in carbon emission costs by 17.24%, thereby markedly enhancing the economic and social benefits of grid operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through experimental and theoretical studies, this research explores the materials, structural, and environmental aspects of multi‐grade concrete (MGC), a potentially sustainable structural concrete. The experimental part investigates the compressive, split cylinder, flexural, and shear strengths of MGC, essential parameters for the design of structural members composed of MGC. It also provides the relationships between various strengths. The compressive behavior is correlated with the cracking pattern and the confinement effect caused by the end platens. The theoretical study involves determining the carbon emissions (CEs) and modifying ASTM/ACI expressions for the flexural tensile strength (FTS) and shear capacity applicable to MGC. Three uni‐grade concretes (UGCs) with distinct materials, properties, and grades: grade 17 (G17), grade 25 (G25), and grade 30 (G30), were poured in layers of varied thicknesses to make two variants of MGC. Experimental investigations showed that the higher‐strength concrete (HSC) confined the lower‐strength concrete (LSC) part thus increasing the compressive strength. Replacing 50% of LSC with HSC led to an increase in compressive and shear strengths by 21% and 40%, respectively. The shear strength values of reinforced MGC beams observed experimentally are aligned with those obtained through the modified expressions developed by the authors. A trade‐off analysis among the strengths, CEs, and costs of UGC and MGC can aid in selecting MGC customized to specific requirements, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable structural concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In emerging economies like Kuwait, tourism funds national development and sustains local livelihoods. The rapid rise of tourism in several nations may have serious environmental effects due to increased energy usage that increases carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and worsening global warming. Due to climate change’s growing effects on the environment, several efforts have been made by numerous countries worldwide to achieve carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. Moreover, effective energy production prediction is crucial to establish an equilibrium between traditional and clean energy sources. However, there is a research gap investigating the environmental impacts of tourism within the framework of energy-economy-environment nexus in Kuwait’s context that propelled the development of this pioneering investigation. The present study’s objective is to determine how economic growth, energy consumption, and tourism affect carbon emissions in Kuwait. This study analyzes Kuwait’s time series data from 1995 to 2019 by using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method that analyzed the components’ relationships, allowing for long-term and short-term dynamics. The results show that increasing economic growth, energy consumption, and tourist arrivals increase CO2 emissions in Kuwait. This article proposes policies to achieve carbon neutrality in Kuwait by expanding renewable energy use and promoting sustainable tourism to boost the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chongqing University of Technology (Natural Science) is the property of Chongqing University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The carbon emissions stemming from transportation within the campus environment pose a significant challenge to mitigating climate change and environmental degradation. At Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), transportation, particularly by staff and students, has been identified as the primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to assess the total carbon emissions from transportation at UTHM and analyze trends over three consecutive years (2021 to 2023). Data were obtained from the Traffic Unit of the Security Department, encompassing vehicle counts and traffic surveys conducted across five roads within the UTHM Campus. The findings revealed a concerning escalation in carbon emissions over the study period. In 2021, transportation activities accounted for 947.64 tCO2e, which surged to 1568.42 tCO2e in 2022 and further increased to 1679.88 tCO2e in 2023. Notably, Persiaran Tun Ghazali Shafie emerged as a hotspot area for carbon emissions in 2023, experiencing a staggering 95.76% rise compared to 2021, with recorded emissions of 610 tCO2e. The average carbon emissions across the five surveyed roads in 2023 soared by 73.84% compared to 2021, indicating a persistent upward trajectory in emissions. These findings underscore the urgent need for sustained carbon emissions monitoring and mitigation efforts at UTHM. Continuous assessment by UTHM authorities is imperative to identify and implement effective strategies for curbing carbon emissions within the campus environment. UTHM can be pivotal in fostering a more sustainable and environmentally responsible campus community by prioritizing emission reduction initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to examine the moderating role of financial sustainability in the effect of carbon emission reduction on firms' value. In detail, this research examines the moderating role of solvency performance, firms' growth, and business risk reduction between the effect of carbon emission reduction on firms' value. The research sample includes 171 firm-years listed on the index of LQ45 in 2022-2024. Firms' value is measured by Tobin's Q. Carbon emission reduction is measured by a dummy variable. Financial sustainability includes solvency performance, firms' growth, and business risk reduction. Data analysis uses firm-fixed and industry-fixed effects regression. Based on data analysis, carbon emission increases firms' value when firms have better solvency performance, higher growth, and lower business risk. This research gives a literature contribution by capturing signaling theory comprehensively. It also provides new evidence of financial sustainability as a moderating role between carbon emission reduction and firms' value and fills the previous gap of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Integrated Intelligent Energy is the property of Editorial Department of Integrated Intelligent Energy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Fire significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The current global burned area (BA) products mainly have coarse native spatial resolution, which leads to underestimation of global BA and carbon emissions from biomass burning. Performances of BA products in Africa from GABAM (30 m), MCD64A1 (500 m), GFED4s (0.25°), FireCCI51 (250 m), and GFED5 (0.25°) were compared. From 2014 to 2020, GFED5 detected the most BA, 1.58 times more than GABAM during the same period. GABAM detected 0.09 Mkm2 more burned area than FireCCI51 on average. From 2014 to 2016, GABAM detected an average of 2.99 Mkm2 of BA in Africa, which was 1.03 times more than GFED4s. From 2014 to 2021, the average African BA derived from GABAM was 2.89 Mkm2, 1.22 times more than MCD64A1. The increase in BA will inevitably lead to an increase in the estimation of carbon emissions from biomass burning. Based on GABAM products and GFED framework, we estimated the average vegetation burning carbon emissions in Africa from 2014 to 2021 to be 1113.25 Tg, which is higher than GFED4s' carbon emissions in the same time period. This shows that the use of high‐resolution (30 m) burned area products to estimate carbon emissions can effectively avoid the underestimation of overall fire carbon emissions. Plain Language Summary: Biomass burning is a significant contributor to climate change, and Africa is a hotspot for fire activity. Africa accounts for around 70% of the global burned area (BA) and 50% of the global carbon emissions from biomass burning. However, current coarse native spatial resolution burned area products over Africa underestimate the true burning situation in Africa and mask the full impact of African biomass burning on global greenhouse gases and aerosols. To address this issue, we employ novel high spatial resolution (30 m) BA products of Africa from 2014 to 2021, which markedly enhance the identification of burned area and estimation of biomass burning carbon emissions. This study yields novel data and research conclusions that contribute to a better understanding of burned area and fire‐induced carbon emissions in Africa. Key Points: Carbon emissions from biomass combustion in Africa during 2014–2021 are estimated using 30 m BA products30 m BA products enhance small fire detection and boundary delineationAfrica still needs higher spatial and temporal resolution burned area products [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Building energy-saving design is significant for the industry to achieve carbon reduction and sustainable development. Firstly, a multiobjective model for energy consumption, cost, and carbon emissions is established based on the three-dimensional perspectives of society, nature, and economy. Then, a polynomial operator is used to improve the non dominated sorting genetic algorithm to calculate the optimal solution set. The low computational efficiency caused by direct coupling of algorithms in traditional optimization processes is expected to be addressed. Based on the results, the algorithm proposed in this study showed significant improvement in the reverse distance and convergence metrics for both the Square1 and Iris datasets, with an improvement of over 70% compared to the support vector machine-genetic algorithm and multi-objective clustering algorithm. The values obtained were closer to 0. The solution solved by this algorithm had lower building costs, energy consumption, and carbon emissions, with values of 345,200 yuan, 2,374 KWh/year, and 26 tons, respectively. This validates the effectiveness of the multi-objective model and solving algorithm in obtaining the optimal energy-saving design scheme for buildings. The results provide a reference for low-carbon optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change has always been a significant factor affecting global carbon emissions. Dissecting the characteristics of territorial space evolution and its impact on carbon emissions is crucial for developing low-carbon-oriented territorial space optimization and governance strategies. This paper calculates the carbon emissions associated with territorial spaces in Qingdao from 2000 to 2020, utilizing land use data alongside various statistical data. Based on the accounting results, the evolution characteristics of territorial spaces and their corresponding carbon emissions, as well as the carbon transition dynamics resulting from space transfer, are analyzed. A carbon transition decomposition formula is then proposed to quantify the differential and spatially heterogeneous impacts of changes in space types and socio-economic development on emissions. The results indicate that: (1) the evolution of territorial spaces in Qingdao during 2000–2020 is characterized by an expansion of living space and a contraction of production and ecological spaces; (2) net carbon emissions rose from 313.98 × 104 tons to 1068.58 × 104 tons, with urban production space contributing the most (69.96% in 2020) due to its significantly high emission density. The spatial distribution of carbon emissions exhibited a stable "northwest–southeast" pattern, with increased dispersion and weakened directionality; (3) the transformation of territorial spaces promoted carbon emissions in Qingdao, with the conversion of urban production space to other uses yielding the most favorable carbon transitions, while the expropriation of agricultural production spaces for urban production and residents' living has resulted in the most detrimental carbon transitions; (4) socio-economic development shapes the overarching pattern of regional emission density changes, whereas space transfers account for local variations. This paper also identifies priorities for spatial optimization and key sectors for emission reduction. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the carbon emission consequences of territorial space transformation in Qingdao, thereby providing valuable insights for regional spatial planning and optimization aimed at promoting low-carbon development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering Management / Gongcheng Guanli Xuebao is the property of Journal of Engineering Management Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Industrial Water Treatment is the property of CNOOC Tianjin Chemical Research & Design Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Considering the operation and environmental impact of HCJFP (hydrothermal catalytic jet fuel production) process system with corn stalk as raw material, it met the current demand for green energy and carbon neutralization. Therefore, this work aimed to establish an assessment system of available energy and environmental impact under the basic and optimization process through exergic analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA). The commercial simulation software (Aspen Plus for chemical production simulation and eBalance for LCA analysis) was used to model the production and optimization scheme of 2 t/day corn stalk HCJFP. Results showed that global warming was the main environmental impact of HCJFP, and gypsum produced in the process also needs attention. In the process of waste gas and residue combustion, different kinds of pollutants had a significant impact on the utilization of available energy and LCA results of the system, especially the direct combustion of lignin, which failed to be effectively utilized. Therefore, two lignin utilization methods were proposed for higher efficient energy utilization compared to the direct combustion of lignin in case 1. In case 2, lignin was gasified in high temperature by steam to obtain hydrogen, which was used in the hydrogenation process; Lignin in case 3 was depolymerized in liquid phase with hydrogen donor solvent ethanol, high temperature, and pressure to obtain hydrocarbon fuel. According to the optimization scheme and evaluation model, the result showed that although the additional lignin utilization unit increases the complexity of the process, the utilization of hydrogen production as a by-product in case 2 reduced the production cost and avoided the waste of high-quality available energy, while case 3 partially converted the carbon dioxide generated by combustion into carbon in liquid fuel, which was conducive to reducing the carbon emissions of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, emerging as well as industrialized countries are transitioning toward adopting clean energy sources because of increased environmental calamities. Additionally, the rapid increase in population has improved global food production and demand. Nevertheless, the environmental consequences of food production and water investments have received limited attention from scholars. The present research investigates China's environmental determinants between 1988 and 2022. This study uses three parametric approaches (fully modified ordinary least squares [FMOLS], dynamic ordinary least squares [DOLS], and canonical cointegrating regression [CCR]) for the primary model assessment. However, this research also employed the least squares method with breaks and quantile regression to account for structural breaks and nonnormality issues. The predicted outcomes asserted that economic expansion and investment in water significantly improve the carbon emissions level in the country. However, enhanced food production and clean energy adoption improve environmental sustainability and the probability of achieving COP27 targets by reducing emissions. The outcomes are robust and reliable based on the given literature. Based on the outcomes, this research recommends improved investment in research and development, increased renewable energy production, and strong policies for decoupling economic growth from emissions via clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic study on the international research trends in carbon neutrality underscores its critical role in combating global warming and advancing sustainable development. By leveraging the "Web of Science Core Collection" databases and employing CiteSpace software for visual analysis, we examined 2223 research papers to track the influence and trends of key countries, institutions, and authors. Our results reveal a significant increase in publication volume, indicating a robust development potential for carbon neutrality research. The study also identifies environmental science, environmental research, and energy and fuel science as central interdisciplinary hubs, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Notably, China leads in publication output but has room for improvement in citation impact, suggesting a need for enhanced research quality and international visibility. The study's findings are instrumental for guiding future research directions, policy-making, and interdisciplinary cooperation, particularly in the fields of environmental science and energy, to accelerate progress towards carbon neutrality and global climate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the panel data of 96 countries from 2013 to 2020, this study innovatively adopts the TIMG index to measure global digital economy (DE) and examines the impact of DE on carbon emissions. We find that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between DE and carbon emissions, and energy intensity is the mediating channel. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that lower-middle-income countries can enter the 'carbon reduction dividend stage' of DE faster than high-income and upper-middle-income countries. Our findings provide empirical evidence and policy references for effectively utilizing DE for carbon reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Advances in New & Renewable Energy is the property of Editorial Office of Advances in New & Renewable Energy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the pursuit of sustainable economic development, this study investigates the nexus between carbon emissions, renewable energy utilization, trade openness, foreign direct investment and output volatility across selected East Asia–Pacific nations. Employing advanced ARDL bound tests, our results reveal a robust long-term relationship among these selected variables. Notably, our findings underscore the significant impact of carbon emissions on output volatility across all examined nations, except for Malaysia. Moreover, the study highlights the positive impact of renewable energy on output volatility, signaling a compelling imperative for policymakers to prioritize initiatives aimed at curbing carbon emissions and fostering the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon emissions of new energy vehicles (NEVs)have transited from the use stage to the production stage, indicating that the environmental impact of NEVs in the manufacturing stage cannot be ignored. To reduce carbon emissions and maintain profits, this study proposes a fuzzy multi-objective optimization model to achieve a sustainable production planning scheme for NEVs. The proposed model not only considers the maximum profits of automobile enterprises but also the minimum target of carbon emissions in the production process, to coordinate the optimal production quantity. The results show that the output of NEVs in different price ranges has different proportions. The market share of blade electric vehicles is the highest, accounting for 39% of the NEV market, and the proportion of plug-in hybrid and blade electric vehicles is increasing. The sensitivity analysis further reflects the impact of government subsidy "recession" and body lightweight on the output, carbon emissions, and annual profits of NEVs in China. Accordingly, this paper provides policy implications for achieving a sustainable production planning scheme for NEVs in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensively clarifying the influencing factors of carbon emissions is crucial to realizing carbon emission reduction targets in China. To address this issue, this paper develops a four-level carbon emission influencing factor system from six perspectives: population, economy, energy, water resources, main pollutants, and afforestation. To analyze how these factors affect carbon emissions, we propose an improved partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) based on a random forest (RF), named RF-PLS-SEM. In addition, the entropy weight method (EWM) is employed to evaluate the low-carbon development level according to the results of the RF-PLS-SEM. This paper takes Shandong Province as an example for empirical analysis. The results demonstrate that the improved model significantly improves accuracy from 0.8141 to 0.9220. Moreover, water resources and afforestation have relatively small impacts on carbon emissions. Primary and tertiary industries are negative influencing factors that inhibit the growth of carbon emissions, whereas total energy consumption, the volume of wastewater discharged and of common industrial solid waste are positive and direct influencing factors, and population density is indirect. In particular, this paper explores the important role of fisheries in reducing carbon emissions and discusses the relationship between population aging and carbon emissions. In terms of the level of low-carbon development, the assessment system of carbon emission is constructed from four dimensions, namely, population, economy, energy, and main pollutants, showing weak, basic, and sustainable stages of low-carbon development during the 1997–2012, 2013–2020, and 2021–2022 periods, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data is a pivotal factor in propelling the digital economy forward and emerges as a novel driver in realizing the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study focuses on a quasi-natural experiment, namely national big data comprehensive pilot zones (NBD-CPZs), and employs a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model to identify the influence of big data on carbon emissions. The findings of this study are as follows. Overall, big data significantly reduces carbon emissions within the pilot zones. Mechanism analysis shows that big data reduces urban carbon emissions by promoting green innovation, optimizing energy structure, mitigating capital mismatch and improving public awareness of environmental protection. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the carbon reduction effect of big data are more pronounced in cities with high levels of digital economy, non-resource-based cities, cities with strong intellectual property rights protection and the Guizhou Province. Spatial effect analysis indicates that within a radius of 400–500 km, the NBD-CPZ increases urban carbon emissions, signifying a significant siphoning effect; within a radius of 500–900 km, the NBD-CPZ reduces urban carbon emissions, signifying a significant spillover effect, and beyond a distance of 900 km, the spatial effect of the NBD-CPZ is not significant. Based on the above conclusions, this study puts forward several policy recommendations to effectively exert the carbon emission reduction effect of big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Beijing University of Technology is the property of Journal of Beijing University of Technology, Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coal is a non-renewable energy supply, exerting environmental threat by generating fly ash and toxic gases. As a renewable energy source, bio coal briquettes made from agricultural waste have a tremendous potential to replace coal. Using bio coal-based fly ash (BFA) as Geopolymer mortar, authors of the current study have discovered a novel, environmentally friendly method for controlling carbon emissions, raw material consumption, and land degradation caused by building materials. This research provides a mechanical and micro-structural analysis of fly ash, a by-product of burning bio-coal briquettes as fuel. Three bio coal briquettes from various farm wastes, including cotton, maize, and groundnut shells, were examined. SEM–EDX on BFA to show mimicking characteristics compared to coal-based fly ash is a significant study of micro-structural property (CFA). Fly ash samples from CB, MB, and GB contained 3.55%, 5.38%, and 10.36% of alumina, 11.40%, 14.24%, and 31.39% of silica 20.35%, 18.82%, and 5.39% of calcium, respectively. Cast, cured, and analysed for compressive strength with various alkaline activator ratios of CB, MB, and GB-based BFA with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), sand, and alkaline activators. Samples CB-BFA, MB-BFA, and GB-BFA had maximal compressive strengths of 35.79 N/mm2, 36.98 N/mm2, and 37.67 N/mm2, respectively. The observed results of various BFA samples were significantly good, indicating that it has a high potential for use as a construction material in a variety of applications such as paver blocks, bricks, concrete, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving carbon neutrality has become a global common goal. For China, to reach peak carbon emissions and long-term carbon neutrality, the transformation and development of resource-based cities are essential. This study uses data from 114 prefecture-level resource-based cities from 2008 to 2019 as a sample and empirically tests the impact of industrial land mismatch on carbon emissions using the fixed effects model. In addition, we analyze the heterogeneous influence of environmental regulation as a moderating effect on resource-based cities at different development stages. The study reveals that (1) there is a significant positive correlation between the imbalance in industrial land supply in resource-based cities and carbon emissions. The more severe the imbalance, the higher the carbon emissions. The improper supply mode of industrial land is also positively correlated with carbon emissions, although the impact is not significant. (2) Environmental regulation can significantly curb the carbon emission issues caused by the mismatch and imbalance in the scale of industrial land supply and the improper supply mode of industrial land. (3) Compared to strong resource-based cities, weak resource-security cities have a smaller impact on carbon emissions due to an imbalance in the supply of industrial land. This is mainly because resources in weak resource-security cities are becoming exhausted, making "ecology first, green and low carbon" the main tune for economic and social development. Both types of cities show a positive correlation between the improper supply of industrial land and carbon emissions, although neither is significant. (4) The intensity of the regulatory effect of environmental regulations on resource-based cities is influenced by resource abundance. The suppression of carbon emissions by environmental regulations is more apparent in strong resource-security cities than in weak resource-security cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The best available technology (BAT) for waste plastics relies on their components and the right technology employed, while the quality of waste plastics depends on the original plastics and the source separation processes simultaneously. In this study, the quality of waste plastics and the potential recycling processes, including recycling granulation, pyrolysis to oil, Green-RDF and incineration technology, were co-related from the economic and technical perspective. A database was established for waste plastic components, considering factors such as plastic fraction, waste composition, moisture content, and impurity rate. The corresponding environmental impacts for the typical resource processes were assessed by life cycle analysis (LCA) and cost–benefit analysis combined. It was found that around 23% ± 1% of waste plastics in residual waste had the resource potential if the stricter classification criteria of plastic wastes were adopted, such as the components, moisture content less than 5% or 8% and impurity rate less than 8%. Pyrolysis to oil had the best environmental benefits in GWP100, reaching -1,683.51 kg CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq), determined as the best method for high-value plastics, and incineration depicted poor environmental benefits for low-value plastics. The net income of recycling granulation for middle-value waste plastics would achieve 1383 ± 35 yuan/ton through cost–benefit analysis, which represented the optimal economic benefits. CO2 emissions for waste plastics could be mitigated around 29.74% by matching BATs compared to the current management system, which would provide policymakers with proper recommendations in terms of the adaptability of waste plastic sources and technologies. Highlights: Best available technology was assessed based on the characteristics of waste plastics. 23%±1% of waste plastics in residual waste could be extracted for resource utilization. Pyrolysis and granulation performed well in both environmental and economic impacts. The employment of BATs in residual waste contributed to 29.74% CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper smelting slag (CSS) are waste slag obtained from smelters after reusing sulphur smelting slag. This study explores the potential of CSS to serve as a resource in cement mortar construction. Specifically, the study investigates the use of mechanical and chemical methods to enhance the volcanic ash activity of CSS, enabling them to replace up to 30 % of the cement content in cement mortar. The modified CSS was analyzed in terms of particle size and (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) TCLP testing, while cement mortar specimens were subjected to a battery of tests including compressive strength, Freeze-thaw experiment, TCLP testing and cement stability testing. The results showed that compared with the unmodified CSS material, the copper smelting slag cement material with CaCO 3 meets the requirements of GB/T 1596–2017 on the standard compressive strength of OPC 42.5 grade, with a compressive strength of 38.88 MPa at 10 % CaCO 3 admixture, among which the CSS cement material with 10 % CaCO 3 is the best and meets the leaching toxicity standard. Moreover, the modified CSS reduced energy consumption by 7.15 %, CO 2 emissions by 27.41 %, and cost by 19.84 %. XRD, FTIR and SEM analysis showed that the mechanical activation of CaCO 3 doping more drastically damaged the crystal structure of CSS, and local lattice distortion occurred, which induced the transformation of CSS from crystalline phase to amorphous phase and destroyed the ordered structure of minerals, resulting in the volcanic ash activity increased. Overall, this study demonstrates that CSS can serve as a viable raw material in cement mortar samples, reducing environmental impact and achieving resourceful use of slag. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid-desiccant-based air conditioning demonstrates significant potential for energy conservation and emission reduction in industrial building applications, contributing to the advancement of a cleaner industrial future. In this study, the on-site performance of a hybrid liquid-desiccant air conditioning system installed in a pharmaceutical warehouse was assessed. The results revealed that blind use of the liquid desiccant caused considerable heat-cold offset in the system, which badly restricted its energy performance. Under the basic conditions, only 81.8% of the total cooling capacity provided by the system could be obtained through the return air, while the remaining 18.2% was wasted owing to the considerable heat-cold offset. A refined system was then proposed to improve the system energy performance. By avoiding the heat-cold offset, the coefficient of performance could be improved from 2.2-2.4 to 2.9-3.1. Moreover, an electricity savings rate of 20.2% was achieved with the refined system over the duration of the entire cooling season. Hence, this work provides valuable insights into energy conservation and emission reduction in industrial air conditioning systems, supporting the process of industrial decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the development of low-carbon buildings and carbon emission control in Jiangsu Province, China, utilizing a mathematical model. Through correlation analysis and principal component analysis, the carbon emissions of the entire life cycle of residential buildings are evaluated, and a Grey Prediction Model is established. The study shows that the annual carbon emission from air conditioners is 370.92 kg, given an annual electricity consumption of 1324.71 kW and a carbon emission of 0.28 kg per kWh. It identifies the key carbon emission indicators, including precipitation, temperature, energy consumption, building area, construction materials, water, natural gas, and waste. Principal component analysis ranks building area as the most significant factor. Using the GM (1,1) model, the carbon emissions of Jiangsu Province in 2024 were predicted to be 1.5576 million tons by historical data. Emission reduction suggestions are proposed, such as constructing thicker walls, increasing green spaces, reducing construction waste, and promoting balanced economic development. Moreover, prioritizing insulation materials in building design can reduce winter energy consumption since energy consumption is higher in winter than in summer. This research supports China's goals of achieving a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 while encouraging low-carbon technological innovation and improving people's living standards. This study also emphasizes the importance of locally tailored strategies for effective emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]