Search Results (2,262)

This study focuses on highway service areas. Building upon prior research that identified key influencing factors through surveys and ISM–MICMAC analysis, it constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model involving the government, service area operators, and carbon reduction technology providers based on stakeholder theory. Combined with MATLAB simulations, the model reveals the dynamic patterns of the carbon reduction system. The results indicate that government strategies exert the strongest influence on the system and catalyze the other two parties, followed by service area operators. Carbon reduction technology providers adopt a more cautious stance in decision-making. Government actions shape system evolution through a “cost-benefit-incentive” triple mechanism, with its strategies exhibiting significant spillover effects on other actors. Enterprise behavior is markedly influenced by Xinjiang’s regional characteristics, where the core barriers to corporate carbon reduction lie in the costs of proactive equipment and technological investments. The willingness of technology providers to cooperate primarily depends on two drivers: incremental baseline benefits and enhanced economies of scale. The core trade-off in government decision-making lies between the cost of strong regulation (Cg1) and the cost of environmental governance under weak regulation (Cg2). An increase in Cg1 prolongs the government’s convergence time by 233.3% and indirectly suppresses the willingness of enterprises and technology providers due to weakened subsidy capacity. Enterprises are relatively sensitive to the investment costs of carbon reduction equipment and technology, with convergence time extending by 120%. Technology providers are highly sensitive to incremental baseline returns (Rt), with stabilization time extending by 500%. Compared to existing research, this model quantitatively reveals the “cost-benefit-incentive” triple transmission mechanism for carbon reduction coordination in “grid-end” regions, identifying key parameters for strategic shifts among stakeholders. Based on this, corresponding policy recommendations are provided for all three parties, offering precise and actionable directions for the sustainable advancement of carbon reduction efforts in service areas. The research conclusions can provide a replicable collaborative framework for decarbonizing transportation infra-structure in grid-end regions with high clean energy endowments. Full article

The building sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy consumption and over one-third of energy-related carbon emissions. Therefore, it is vital to adopt low-carbon design strategies. Double-Skin Façades (DSFs) offer significant potential to improve energy efficiency through the dynamic control of heat and daylight. This study evaluates the combined effects of building orientation, fixed shading devices, and adjustable blinds on the performance of DSFs across six cities representing diverse climate types: Phoenix, Stockholm, Kuala Lumpur, London, Cape Town, and Tokyo. Using a model developed in DesignBuilder, 852 scenarios were simulated with 5-min time steps over a full year. The results show that optimal orientation depends on the climate and that cooling load may be reduced up to 59%, with CO₂ emission savings up to 11.7% compared to a base south-facing configuration. External blinds outperformed internal blinds in reducing the cooling demand, reaching reductions of up to 27.7% in hot climates, though often increasing the heating load in cold climates. Combining overhangs and external blinds provided additional cooling savings in some cases but was generally less effective than external blinds alone. The findings highlight the importance of climate-specific DSF designs, with orientation and external blinds being the most effective strategies for reducing operational energy use and emissions. Full article

With the continuous expansion in China’s vehicle fleet, emissions of CO₂ and air pollutants from the on-road transportation sector are widely projected to be rising, posing a challenge to realizing China’s targets of carbon peaking in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060, as well as the national target for air quality improvement. Therefore, vehicle electrification in the on-road transportation sector is urgently needed to reduce emissions of CO₂ and air pollutants, as it serves as a key pathway to align transportation development with sustainability goals. While vehicle electrification is supposed to be the primary solution, there is a research gap in quantifying the provincial, environmental, and economic impacts of implementing such a policy in China. To bridge this gap, we projected the provincial-level ownership of different types of vehicles based on historical trends, assessed the emission reduction potential for CO₂ and air pollutants using the LEAP model from 2021 to 2060, and predicted the provincial marginal abatement costs at different mitigation stages under various scenarios with different strategies of vehicle electrification and development patterns of electricity structure. Our results show that the implementation of vehicle electrification lowers the national carbon peak by 0.2–0.6 Gt yr⁻¹ and advances its achievement by 1–3 years ahead of 2030. The marginal abatement cost ranges from $532 to $3466 per ton CO₂ (tCO₂⁻¹) in 2025 and from −$180 to −$113 tCO₂⁻¹ in 2060 across scenarios. The provincial marginal abatement cost curves further indicate that China’s vehicle electrification should be prioritized in cost-effective regions (e.g., Shanghai and Guangdong), while concurrently advancing nationwide grid decarbonization to guarantee the supply of low-carbon electricity across the country. This optimized pathway ensures that transportation decarbonization aligns with both environmental and economic requirements, providing actionable support for China’s sustainable development strategy. Full article

Low temperature combined with fluctuating irradiance frequently co-occurs and suppresses photosynthesis, with irreversible injury to photosystem I (PSI) recognized as a key constraint on growth and yield. To test whether exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) mitigates this “cold–fluctuating light” stress in mulberry, we established six treatment combinations (room temperature controls, sodium hydrosulfide, and hypotaurine, each with or without low temperature plus fluctuating light). We quantified PSI/PSII photochemical properties, gas exchange, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and antioxidant enzyme activities. Under cold with fluctuating light, PSI was strongly inhibited: Y_NA increased, whereas Y_I and ΔI/I_o decreased, and the P700 re-reduction half-time (t½) was prolonged (ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, p < 0.05), indicating pronounced acceptor-side over-reduction and impaired electron transport. PSII performance also declined (lower F_v/F_m and PI_ABS, higher ΔV_J; p < 0.05). NaHS pretreatment significantly alleviated these effects relative to the stressed control: PSI/PSII metrics partly recovered, net photosynthetic rate (P_n) and water-use efficiency (WUE) increased, H₂O₂ and MDA decreased, and SOD/POD/CAT activities rose (p < 0.05). Notably, NPQ_high correlated negatively with Y_NA (Pearson r < 0, p < 0.001), consistent with the notion that enhanced energy dissipation relieves PSI acceptor-side limitation. We propose that exogenous H₂S stabilizes electron transport and supports carbon assimilation via a dual strategy—faster engagement of energy dissipation and activation of antioxidant defenses—highlighting its potential utility for managing stress in fruit crops under erratic early-season weather. Full article

Sustainable energy systems necessitate an equitable distribution of carbon burdens among stakeholders. This paper proposes a Shapley value-based carbon pricing mechanism embedded in a dual-layer Stackelberg framework, where the upper layer optimizes generation schedules and carbon prices, while the lower layer coordinates demand response strategies. The approach introduces several key innovations, including a Shapley allocation method that enhances fairness (achieving a Jain index of 0.94 compared to 0.78 in baselines), multi-dimensional dynamic pricing, and an improved ADMM algorithm that reduces computational demands by 34.2%. Validation on the IEEE 33-node test system yields a 27.5% reduction in operational costs (from USD 1.952 M to 1.415 M), a 17.8% decrease in emissions, and 97.8% integration of renewable energy sources. Overall, this framework promotes the transition to sustainable energy systems while upholding principles of equity. Full article

The energy-saving performance of the building envelope, which plays a pivotal role in energy conservation and thermal insulation, has been the subject of extensive research. In the context of China’s high-quality green development, this study proposes a building energy-saving strategy based on optimal thermal comfort. It analyzes the impact of factors such as regional dwell time and PMV types on energy-saving effects, summarizes the optimal comfort parameters under the highest energy efficiency rate, and sets relevant parameters in the DeST building energy simulation software to analyze a typical public building. The analysis examined the impact of changing the heat transfer coefficients of exterior walls and windows on the annual cumulative heating and cooling loads. It established the relationship between the thermal transmittance of building envelopes and energy consumption and assessed the carbon emissions during the building’s operation and maintenance phase. The results indicate that as building envelope thermal transmittance coefficient decreases, particularly that of external windows and walls, overall cumulative heating and cooling loads decline accordingly. Notably, the reduction in external windows’ thermal transmittance coefficient has the most significant impact on total building thermal load. Furthermore, as the envelope thermal transmittance coefficient decreases, seasonal heating and cooling demands decline simultaneously, with the most substantial effect on heating load reduction during winter. Total annual building carbon emissions also decrease with the reduction in envelope thermal transmittance coefficient, particularly external wall thermal transmittance coefficient. Based on the findings of this study, the building envelope of the public building was redesigned, taking into account construction costs, the owner’s requirements, and energy efficiency alongside the reduction in carbon emissions. Comparisons of the redesigned building’s envelope thermal performance, experimental testing, and in situ measurements confirmed that it fulfilled the engineering requirements. This study also demonstrates that DeST software provides reliable technological support for low-carbon building design, retrofitting, and operation. Full article

Soil degradation, declining fertility, and rising greenhouse gas emissions highlight the urgent need for sustainable soil management strategies. Among them, biochar has gained recognition as a multifunctional material capable of enhancing soil fertility, sequestering carbon, and valorizing biomass residues within circular economy frameworks. This review synthesizes evidence from 186 peer-reviewed studies to evaluate how feedstock diversity, pyrolysis temperature, and elemental composition shape the agronomic and environmental performance of biochar. Crop residues dominated the literature (17.6%), while wood, manures, sewage sludge, and industrial by-products provided more targeted functionalities. Pyrolysis temperature emerged as the primary performance driver: 300–400 °C biochars improved pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water retention, and crop yield, whereas 450–550 °C biochars favored stability, nutrient concentration, and long-term carbon sequestration. Elemental composition averaged 60.7 wt.% C, 2.1 wt.% N, and 27.5 wt.% O, underscoring trade-offs between nutrient supply and structural persistence. Greenhouse gas (GHG) outcomes were context-dependent, with consistent Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) reductions in loam and clay soils but variable CH₄ responses in paddy systems. An emerging trend, present in 10.6% of studies, is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve predictive accuracy, adsorption modeling, and life-cycle assessment. Collectively, the evidence confirms that biochar cannot be universally optimized but must be tailored to specific objectives, ranging from soil fertility enhancement to climate mitigation. Full article

Expansive clay soils present major challenges for infrastructure due to their high swelling potential and low bearing capacity. While conventional stabilisers, such as lime and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), are effective, they are environmentally unsustainable due to their high carbon footprint. This study examines the potential of shredded recycled polyethene terephthalate (PET) fibres as a low-carbon alternative for stabilising high-plasticity clays. PET fibres were incorporated at dosages ranging from 0% to 1.2% by dry weight, and their influence on compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), swelling behaviour, and microstructure was evaluated through laboratory testing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Among the tested mixes, the 1.0% PET content exhibited the highest measured performance, resulting in a 37% increase in UCS, a 125% enhancement in unsoaked CBR, more than a two-fold increase in soaked CBR, and a 15% reduction in the Differential Free Swell Index (DFSI). SEM analysis indicated the formation of a three-dimensional fibre matrix, which improved particle interlock and reduced microcrack propagation. However, higher fibre dosages caused agglomeration and macrovoid formation, which adversely affected performance. Overall, the findings suggest that the inclusion of PET fibres can enhance both geotechnical and environmental performance, providing a sustainable stabilisation strategy that utilises plastic waste while reducing reliance on OPC. Full article

Peatlands are the most efficient terrestrial ecosystems for long-term carbon (C) storage. In Ireland, approximately 84% of raised bogs are degraded, contributing an estimated emission of 1.9 Mt C year⁻¹, nearly one-third of which originates from domestic peat extraction sites. Rewetting aims to reduce C emissions and restore sequestration capacity; however, immediate post-restoration effects remain poorly quantified. We investigated the short-term impact of rewetting on C fluxes over a 3-year period at a former domestic peat extraction site. CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes were measured across rewetted and adjacent unrestored areas with matched ecotopes (vegetation communities). Results show that rewetting led to substantial reductions in C emissions across all ecotopes. Compared to unrestored areas, the Sub-marginal and Facebank ecotopes had lower average annual C emissions by 0.88 and 0.74 t C ha⁻¹, respectively. In the cutover bog, rewetting reduced emissions in Eriophorum and Molinia ecotopes by 2.17 and 0.59 t C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. This study demonstrates that rewetting led to immediate carbon reduction, and can deliver immediate climate mitigation benefits. Expanding restoration to include undesignated domestic extraction bogs offers a cost-effective strategy to reduce emissions from degraded peatlands in the near term. Full article

The growing integration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) into microgrids presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. This paper proposes a dynamic horizon optimization (DHO) framework with adaptive pricing for real-time scheduling of PEVs in a renewable-powered microgrid. The system integrates solar and wind energy, V2G capabilities, and time-of-use (ToU) tariffs. The DHO strategy dynamically adjusts control horizons based on forecasted load, generation, and electricity prices, while considering battery health. A PEV-specific pricing scheme couples ToU tariffs with system marginal prices. Case studies on a microgrid with four heterogeneous EV charging stations show that the proposed method reduces peak load by 23.5%, lowers charging cost by 12.6%, and increases average final SoC by 12.5%. Additionally, it achieves a 6.2% reduction in carbon emissions and enables V2G revenue while considering battery longevity. Full article

In recent years, the European Union has played a key role in global efforts to combat climate change and the energy transition, focusing on creating fiscal, legal and regulatory policies and instruments capable of supporting the decarbonization process and ensuring a sustainable energy future. Environmental taxation has been considered not only as an essential tool to discourage pollution but also to stimulate cleaner energy production, the integration of renewable sources and energy efficiency. Our research analyses the impact of environmental tax revenues on CO₂ across 27 EU member states from 2012 to 2023. A mixed-method research approach is used, combining policy and strategy analysis, bibliometric mapping and econometric data analysis using OLS, as well as fixed and random effects models that are selected based on the Hausman test. The methodological mix approach provides empirical evidence on how fiscal instruments can simultaneously support environmental sustainability and energy resilience. The results show that environmental taxes are associated with greenhouse gas emission reductions and an increase in the share of renewable energy, especially when integrated into a coherent national policy framework. The policy analysis highlights the role of the Climate Action Budgetary Mechanism (CABM) and the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), underlining their importance for the European Union’s energy strategy. The bibliometric results indicate the existence of thematic clusters focused on carbon pricing, renewable energies and international comparisons, particularly with China. Finally, this study suggests that the maximum efficiency of environmental taxes is achieved when the revenues generated are reinvested in green infrastructure, innovation and sustainable jobs. Furthermore, policies should be adapted to the specificities of each Member State to ensure a fair and sustainable energy transition at the EU level. Full article

The decarbonization of regional passenger rail transport is one of the key challenges for the sustainable transformation of the transport sector in Poland. While railway transportation remains one of the least carbon-intensive modes of transport, significant emission disparities persist between electrified and non-electrified lines, where diesel traction is still prevalent. This article presents a comparative analysis of various propulsion technologies—diesel, hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell—taking into account both local (TTW) and total (WTW) greenhouse gas emissions. The study incorporates Poland’s current energy mix and proposes a methodological framework to assess emissions at the line level. It highlights the risks of focusing exclusively on in situ zero-emission technologies and calls for a more flexible, efficiency-based approach to fleet modernization. The analysis demonstrates that hybrid and optimized combustion-based systems can provide substantial emission reductions in the short term, especially in rural and transitional regions. The paper also critically discusses transport funding policies, pointing to discrepancies between incentives for private electric mobility and the lack of support for public transport solutions that could effectively counter mobility exclusion. The presented methodology and conclusions provide a basis for further research on transport decarbonization strategies tailored to national and regional contexts. Full article

Biochar and organic fertilizer applications are widely recognized as effective strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and controlling agricultural non-point source pollution in agroecosystems. However, the combined effects of these two approaches on greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural non-point source pollution remain insufficiently understood. Through consecutive field-based positioning plot trials, this study systematically examined the individual and combined effects of biochar and organic fertilizer amendments on N runoff loss (WTN) and gaseous emissions (N₂O and NH₃), N-cycling functional microbial communities, and soil physicochemical properties. Results demonstrated that conventional chemical fertilization resulted in 20.70% total N loss (4.48% gaseous emissions, 15.22% runoff losses). Biochar and organic fertilizer applications significantly reduced WTN losses by 8.06% and 7.43%, respectively, and decreased gaseous losses by 2.01% and 1.88%, while concurrently enhancing plant N uptake and soil residual N. Random forest analysis combined with partial least squares structural equation modeling revealed that soil organic carbon directly modulated nitrogen runoff losses and indirectly influenced aggregate stability and macroaggregate formation. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) exhibited dual regulatory effects on NH₃ volatilization through both direct pathways and indirect mediation via aggregate stability. Notably, biochar and organic fertilizer amendments induced significant compositional shifts in nirS- and nirK-type denitrifying microbial communities. pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and iron oxide–carbon complexes (IOCS) were identified as key factors suppressing N₂O emissions through inhibitory effects on Azoarcus and Bosea genera. Our findings demonstrate that biochar and organic fertilizers differentially modulate soil physicochemical properties and denitrifier community structure, with emission reduction disparities attributable to distinct mechanisms’ enhanced aggregate stability and modified denitrification potential through genus-level microbial community restructuring, particularly affecting Azoarcus and Bosea populations. This study offers valuable insights into the regulation of carbon sources for nitrogen management strategies within sustainable acidic soil vegetable production systems. Full article

The production of concrete strongly influences the environment. It is a versatile and sustainable construction material capable of creating a wide range of structures. It has always been indispensable as a material for the engineering and construction industry, including applications in hydraulic structures (e.g., dams, underwater tunnels, sluices, and other concrete structures), where mass concrete is a fundamental material in the construction industry. Developing sustainable concrete as an alternative construction material to the traditional one provides a reduction in the carbon dioxide footprint with regard to cement use and waste material disposal in landfills. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current trends and opportunities in sustainable construction using mass concrete. It underscores the importance of incorporating eco-friendly practices to mitigate environmental impact by using by-products as green materials. The review highlights how optimizing clinker content, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and aggregates can improve the strength, durability, and thermal stability of mass concrete. Strategic material selection helps minimize thermal cracking, extend service life, and reduce environmental impact. Future research should focus on developing advanced mix design strategies and standardized practices for sustainable infrastructure. Full article

This paper addresses the low-carbon operation of integrated energy systems (PIESs) by proposing a carbon-aware demand response strategy with synergistic participation from consumers and energy storage. Initially, two typical scenarios—“electricity–carbon peak alignment” and “electricity–carbon peak misalignment”—are generated based on uncertainties in renewable generation and load profiles. These scenarios aim to characterise the coupling relationship between electricity and carbon emissions, providing a contextual basis for guiding responsive behaviours of consumers and storage systems. Subsequently, a carbon emission flow model incorporating energy conversion and storage is developed to quantify the carbon emission impacts of both consumers and energy storage units. Furthermore, a carbon-aware demand response strategy is formulated using dynamic carbon signals, coupled with an assessment model for carbon reduction benefits. Experimental validation across both scenarios demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed strategy in promoting low-carbon PIES operation. Compared to traditional electricity demand response, the proposed low-carbon demand response strategy enhances carbon emission reduction by 21.5% under the “electricity–carbon peak alignment” scenario, and this reduction even doubles under the “electricity–carbon peak misalignment” scenario. Additionally, the integration of energy storage for response increases the park’s average carbon reduction by 15%. This demonstrates that the strategy proposed in this paper significantly improves the park’s capability for carbon emission reduction. Full article