Search Results (161)

Forest certification in developing countries faces significant challenges due to weak institutions, limited market incentives, and complex trade conditions. This study investigates the status and key constraints of the Myanmar forest certification sector through a survey of 180 stakeholders from government organizations, NGOs, INGOs, third-party certification bodies, and private plantation owners, complemented by quantitative analysis and qualitative interviews. The results indicate a moderate level of familiarity with the Myanmar forest certification standard and high awareness of the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee; however, progress remains slow due to limited transparency, poor institutional coordination, financial and technical constraints, and insufficient stakeholder involvement. Non-compliances issues identified during pilot audits were primarily related to incomplete documentation, unclear land tenure, and weaknesses in environmental assessment. Geopolitical factors continue to limit Myanmar’s participation in certified timber markets and weaken efforts to improve traceability. Experiences from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam highlight that developing credible national certification systems requires time, clear legal frameworks, and strong cooperation among stakeholders. Strengthening institutional capacity, improving transparency, and aligning national standards with international forest governance frameworks are essential for Myanmar to build trust, achieve sustainable forest management, and regain market access. Full article

With the increasing penetration of renewable energy, the efficient dispatch of integrated energy systems (IESs) is facing severe challenges. Addressing the uncertainty of renewable energy output and designing efficient market mechanisms are crucial for achieving economical and low-carbon operation of IES. To this end, this paper unveils a comprehensive modeling and optimization framework: Firstly, a Spatio-Temporal Diffusion Model (STDM) is proposed, which generates high-quality wind power forecasting data by accurately capturing its spatio-temporal correlations, thereby providing reliable input for IES dispatch. Subsequently, a stochastic optimal scheduling model for electricity–heat–carbon coupled IES is established, comprehensively considering carbon capture equipment and a carbon quota mechanism. Finally, a multi-IES Nash bargaining cooperative game model is developed, encompassing bilateral energy trading and bilateral carbon trading, to equitably distribute cooperative benefits. Simulation results demonstrate that the STDM model significantly outperforms baseline models in both forecasting accuracy and scenario quality, while the designed bilateral market mechanism enhances system economics by reducing the total operating cost by 19.63% and lowering the total carbon emissions by 4.09%. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with recent upheavals in global trade and development assistance funding has disrupted routine immunization programmes and diverted health systems from the targets set in the Immunization Agenda 2030. Regulatory systems are often underappreciated or misunderstood but in fact play a critical role in enabling innovation and facilitating timely access to vaccines for sustained immunization, thereby building vaccine confidence and health system resilience. Regulation is the constant denominator throughout the vaccine life cycle, shaping the pathway from early research and development to approval and market entry and ultimately to equitable distribution and sustained safe use. This paper examines the role of regulation and proposes that regulation be reframed as a function of health system resilience and a structural determinant of immunization sustainability. We synthesize evidence across the vaccine regulatory life cycle, examining innovation facilitation, regional cooperation, public health strengthening and describe the roles of regulation in building health system resilience, namely driving sustainable vaccine access, enabling innovation, supporting regional collaboration and strengthening social acceptance. Without this shift in perspective, regulatory systems strengthening risks being underfunded, reactive, and fragmented; this will perpetuate inequities in vaccine access and undermine the sustainability of immunization programmes. Full article

To achieve low-carbon collaborative operation of active distribution networks (ADNs) and microgrid clusters, this paper proposes a signal-guided collaborative optimization method. Firstly, a spatiotemporal carbon intensity equilibrium model (STCIEM) is constructed, overcoming the limitations of centralized carbon emission flow models in terms of data privacy and equitable distribution, and enabling distributed and precise carbon emission measurement. Secondly, a dual-market mechanism for carbon and electricity is designed to support peer-to-peer (P2P) carbon quota trading between microgrids and ADN-backed clearing, enhancing market liquidity and flexibility. In terms of scheduling strategy optimization, the multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) algorithm is incorporated into the carbon-electricity cooperative game framework, enabling differentiated energy scheduling under constraints. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively coordinate the operation of energy storage, gas turbines, and demand response, reduce system carbon intensity, improve market fairness, and enhance overall economic performance and robustness. The study shows that this framework provides theoretical support and practical reference for future distributed energy consumption and carbon neutrality paths. Full article

Against the backdrop of great power strategic games, countries around the world have been continuously intensifying their control over the trade of critical metals, including tungsten, in order to seize the commanding heights of scientific, technological, and economic development, which has led to increasingly fierce competition in the global tungsten industry chain and supply chain. Although China is endowed with abundant tungsten ore reserves, its tungsten industry chain remains dominated by mid-to-low-end products, with low added value and limited pricing power in the international market. Therefore, it is of great significance to clarify the export competitiveness level of China in each link of the tungsten industry chain and to identify the influencing factors for improving the overall competitiveness of the industrial chain, which will enhance China’s international status and assist in formulating sustainable tungsten resource management strategies. Based on the industrial chain perspective and the trade data of typical products at various stages of the tungsten industry chain from 2008 to 2022, this study first selects the World Market Share Index, Trade Competitive Advantage Index, and Revealed Comparative Advantage Index to quantitatively depict the export competitiveness of the overall, upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of China’s tungsten industry chain, and a horizontal comparison is conducted with major global tungsten resource trading countries. Secondly, the entropy weight method is adopted to further comprehensively evaluate the competitiveness level of various countries. Finally, the potential influencing factors of the overall export competitiveness of the tungsten industry chain are explored in accordance with Porter’s Diamond Model, and a fixed-effect model is used to perform regression analysis on the panel data. The research findings show that China has strong export competitiveness in the midstream and downstream sectors of the tungsten industry chain, while its export competitiveness in the upstream tungsten ore sector is relatively weak. The level of education, human capital, educational expenditure, gross national product, and trade openness all have a significant positive impact on the export competitiveness of tungsten resources. Greater efforts should be made in China to cultivate high-end talents in the tungsten industry. Moreover, innovation in green technologies and products should be encouraged, and international cooperation should be deepened, to improve the efficiency of the entire industrial chain so that stable and green long-term competitiveness in the tungsten industry can be achieved. Full article

With the in-depth construction of the new power system, the importance of demand-side resources is becoming more and more prominent. The virtual power plant (VPP) has become a powerful means to explore the potential value of distributed resources. However, the differentiated resources between different VPPs are not reasonably deployed, and the problem of realizing the sharing of resources and the distribution of revenues among multi-VPP needs to be urgently solved. A cooperative operation optimization strategy for multi-VPP to participate in the energy and reserve capacity markets is proposed, and the potential risks associated with uncertainty in distributed generators (DGs) output are quantitatively assessed using conditional value-at-risk (CVaR). Firstly, due to the good adjustable performance of electric vehicles (EVs) and thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs), their virtual energy storage (VES) models are established to participate in VPP scheduling. Secondly, based on the asymmetric Nash negotiation theory, a P2P trading method between VPPs in a multi-marketed environment is proposed, which is decomposed into a virtual power plant alliance (VPPA) benefit maximization subproblem and a cooperative revenue distribution subproblem. The alternating direction multiplier method is chosen to solve the model, which protects the privacy of each subject. Simulation results show that the proposed multi-VPP cooperative operation optimization strategy can effectively quantify the uncertainty risk, maximize the alliance benefit, and reasonably allocate the cooperative benefit based on the contribution size of each VPP. Full article

In the face of marketization and globalization of agricultural product trade, ensuring food security through effective seed industry policies has become a vital objective for many nations, especially for developing countries striving toward this goal. The evolution of seed industry policies to meet the challenges of marketization and globalization has not been extensively examined. This study seeks to answer how China’s seed industry policies have been continuously adjusted since the 21st century to ensure seed security and food security amidst marketization and globalization. Focusing on 96 national-level seed policies issued between 2000 and 2024, we employ methods such as co-word analysis, social network analysis (SNA), cluster analysis, and content analysis to explore policy evolution from five perspectives: policy stakeholders, policy issues, objectives, discourse, and tools. The key findings are: (1) China’s seed policies have largely aligned with the country’s marketization and globalization processes, progressing through three stages: seed industry marketization, response to globalization, and modernization and self-strengthening, forming a comprehensive policy framework. (2) The scale of cooperation networks among policy issuers has expanded, shifting toward a loose-centralized structure, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as the core and coordinated involvement of other departments such as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation. (3) The policy discourse shifted from fostering a market-oriented environment to emphasizing seed industry innovation, reinforcing basic R&D capabilities, addressing innovation challenges, and promoting industrialization. (4) The policy paradigm transitioned from an initial phase of adjusting to market-oriented transformation to a comprehensive phase of modernization and self-reliance, with policy focus moving from incomplete market mechanisms and regulatory shortcomings toward issues like seed source bottlenecks, and objectives from reforming seed management to achieving technological independence. (5) The logic of policy evolution shows notable differences in attention focus related to management concepts, support for technological innovation, and promotion of quality seed breeding—shifting from regulation to service emphasis, from focusing on key projects to diversified innovation, and from importing superior varieties to breakthroughs in new breeds and technologies. These findings offer valuable insights for developing countries facing food security challenges. Full article

This entry examines how wage-setting institutions (WSIs) shape wages across advanced economies. It focuses on four core mechanisms—minimum wages, collective bargaining, wage coordination, and wage centralization—drawing on theoretical insights, empirical evidence, and cross-country comparisons. The analysis shows that minimum wages safeguard low-paid workers but have heterogeneous employment effects depending on their level and enforcement. Collective bargaining raises average wages and compresses wage inequality, though it can reduce flexibility and create insider–outsider dynamics. Wage coordination stabilizes wage growth, prevents inflationary spirals, and fosters equity, while wage centralization promotes solidarity wages and macroeconomic discipline but may limit adaptability. Using The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Institutional Characteristics of Trade Unions, Wage Setting, State Intervention and Social Pacts (ICTWSS) data, the study highlights institutional diversity, ranging from coordinated Nordic models to fragmented liberal systems, and identifies trends toward “organized decentralization”. Policy implications suggest that WSIs should be viewed not as rigidities but as adaptable frameworks that can balance efficiency, equity, and stability when carefully designed. The conclusion emphasizes that the future of wage-setting lies in leveraging institutional complementarities to respond to globalization, technological change, and shifting labor market conditions. Full article

Carbon emission trading and green certificate trading mechanisms constitute the cornerstone of low-carbon transitions in integrated energy systems (IESs). However, independent operation of these mechanisms creates coordination barriers that limit their synergistic emission reduction and economic potential. To address this problem, this paper propose a novel low-carbon cooperative operation model based on a green certificate and carbon emission trading mechanism. First, to maximize the environmental value benefits of the system, a dual-market linkage mechanism is constructed, which is mediated by the carbon reduction attributes of green certificates. Second, a multi-operator cooperative alliance is established based on cooperative game theory, and the Shapley value method is employed to rationally allocate cooperative surplus, thereby enhancing the multi-energy complementarity of the IES. Case analysis indicates that under this strategy, the system’s carbon emissions intensity decreased by 30%, while the alliance’s overall operating revenue increased by 22.6%, achieving low-carbon economic operation of IES. Full article

The value of personal data can only be unlocked through efficient circulation. This study explores a multi-party collaborative mechanism for personal-data trading, aiming to improve data quality and market vitality via incentive-compatible institutional design, thereby supporting the high-quality development of the digital economy. Symmetry enhancement refers to the use of strategies and mechanisms to narrow the information gap among data controllers, operators, and demanders, enabling all parties to facilitate personal-data transactions on relatively equal footing. Drawing on evolutionary-game theory, we construct a tripartite dynamic-game model that incorporates data controllers, data operators, and data demanders. We analyze how initial willingness, payoff structures, breach costs, and risk factors (e.g., data leakage) shape each party’s strategic choices (cooperate vs. defect) and their evolutionary trajectories, in search of stable equilibrium conditions and core incentive mechanisms for a healthy market. We find that (1) the initial willingness to cooperate among participants is the foundation of a virtuous cycle; (2) the net revenue of data products significantly influences operators’ and demanders’ propensity to cooperate; and (3) the severity of breach penalties and the potential losses from data leakage jointly affect the strategies of all three parties, serving as key levers for maintaining market trust and compliance. Accordingly, we recommend strengthening contract enforcement and trust-building; refining the legal and regulatory framework for data rights confirmation, circulation, trading, and security; and promoting stable supply–demand cooperation and market education to enhance awareness of data value and compliance, thereby stimulating individuals’ willingness to authorize the use of their data and maximizing its value. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, aim to address global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change, yet only 17% of these goals are on track for 2030. This study investigates the geopolitical, economic, and technological barriers to SDG progress, focusing on the middle-income trap, trade regionalisation, and automation’s impacts. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, we analysed World Bank, IMF, UN, and OECD data (2005–2024) on GDP, FDI, exports, and public debt across various income-level countries. Findings reveal that economic growth is hindered by market saturation, ageing populations, high debt, and declining FDI, while global trade stagnation since 2011 and regionalisation impede cooperation. Automation reduces employment, shrinks the middle class, and threatens stability, with geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains. The current economic model, reliant on consumption, investment, and exports, is insufficient for sustainable development. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated analysis of three structural global trends—trade stagnation, regionalisation, and automation—over the period 2005–2024. Unlike previous works that typically examine these factors in isolation or over shorter time horizons, our approach highlights their combined impact on SDG achievement. By formulating and testing specific hypotheses, the study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on how these interrelated processes jointly hinder sustainable development under the current global economic model. Full article

This study investigates the structural and cyclical determinants of tropical hardwood exports among member countries of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) over the period 1995–2022—a sector historically characterized by persistent value imbalances. The central research issue addresses the enduring asymmetries in the global value chain, shaped by unequal industrial capacities, limited access to environmental certifications, and entrenched North–South trade relations. The study pursues three main objectives: (1) to develop a typology of exporting countries; (2) to estimate heterogeneous trade elasticities; (3) to propose a policy framework that reconciles equity with sustainability. The empirical findings identify four export profiles: (i) raw producers with minimal local processing; (ii) marginal players with weak trade integration; (iii) high-value-added re-export platforms (notably in Asia); (iv) major consumer markets. Trade effects vary across regions. In the short term, imports boost exports (+0.33%), particularly in re-export models seen in Asia, the USA, and the EU, while local production remains limited in Africa due to weak industrial capacity. In the long term, both domestic production and imports have a positive impact (+0.38% and +0.37%), but only countries with strong industrial bases fully benefit. Population size (+1.29%) also reinforces the advantage of large markets like China and India, supported by short-term economic growth elasticity (+1.1%), likely driven by improved logistics or rising demand from importing countries. In response, the policy implications converge around the proposal of a “Fair and Digital Timber Trade Model” (F&DTTT), structured around three pillars: (a) specialized economic zones aligned with SDGs 8, 12, and 15; (b) blockchain-based traceability systems to enhance supply chain transparency; (c) South–South cooperation strategies aimed at commercial, regulatory, and institutional rebalancing, including potential cartelization initiatives among Southern countries. Supported by a robust methodological framework, this study provides a forward-looking pathway for transforming the tropical timber trade into a vector of equity and sustainability. Full article

Qilian Mountain National Park, an important forest ecosystem in northwest China, plays a crucial role in achieving the national “dual carbon” goals and advancing sustainable forest management. This study focuses on the systematic assessment of forest carbon storage and its market economic value, employing multi-source data fusion and the GARCH-M(1,1) model to integrate forest carbon storage data from 2000 to 2020 with historical trading records from the EU and Chinese carbon markets (2017–2025). The study utilizes three dynamic carbon pricing scenarios—low, medium, and high—to assess the carbon storage capacity and economic value of the park’s forest ecosystems. Results show that forest carbon storage increased by approximately 4.0 × 10⁷ tons, with an average annual growth rate of 0.27%. Under the high carbon pricing scenario in 2025, the forest carbon sink value in the EU market reaches CNY 518.2 billion, approximately 12.5 times that of the Chinese market, highlighting the differences in market maturity and volatility persistence. Through Monte Carlo simulations and dynamic pricing analysis, this research reveals the substantial market potential of Qilian Mountain’s forest carbon sinks, providing data-driven support for regional carbon trading optimization, ecological compensation mechanisms, and sustainable forest management, while contributing to the global carbon trading system and international cooperation in forest-based climate mitigation. Full article

Although Ethiopia has an enormous agroecological potential for beekeeping, only 10% of it is realized. As its conventional smallholder production calls for improvement in market relationships, this paper aims at an in-depth analysis of the honey value chain, value share distribution, and leverages for improvement. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, value chain mapping, and margin analysis were used for analysis. The main honey value chain actors were input suppliers, producers (beekeepers), collectors, wholesalers, processors, cooperatives, unions, retailers, and consumers. Agricultural offices, research centers, trade and market development offices, financial institutions, and NGOs are major supporters. The value share of beekeepers using traditional hives is still low, while the largest share goes to improved hive users and wholesalers, respectively. Weak market linkages, high costs and shortage of modern equipment, limited access to credit, lack of legal frameworks and standardized laboratories, absconding, pest infestation, and unsafe use of agrochemicals were the major challenges. Nevertheless, attractive investment policy, global market demand, low capital requirements, and support from NGOs were key opportunities. Improving access to better market, finance and modern inputs, capacity building, legal reform, and a standardized laboratory would help to support the honey value chain and its contribution. Full article

Illegal wildlife trade is a major global driver of biodiversity loss, shaped by high consumer demand, transboundary networks, and uneven enforcement. In the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, factors such as high purchasing power, cultural traditions (e.g., falconry, prestige pets), and expanding digital marketplaces sustain both legal and illegal flows. We present a nine-year (2017–2025) assessment based on weekly, repeated field surveys at the Friday Market, adjacent pet shops, and private farms, complemented by systematic monitoring of online advertisements on Haraj.com.sa. We recorded 1063 individual animals across 88 species, birds (39.4%), reptiles (52.0%), and mammals (8.6%), and analyzed prices, conservation status, and venue-specific patterns. The most frequently recorded taxa included the white-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis), common slider (Trachemys scripta), and Egyptian mastigure (Uromastyx aegyptia). Mammals, though fewer in number, commanded the highest prices, particularly cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and lions (Panthera leo). About 26% of species were IUCN-listed as threatened, with CITES Appendix I taxa fetching higher prices. Findings underscore the need for real-time monitoring, targeted enforcement, and cross-border collaboration to address escalating trade in rare and protected species. Full article