Search Results (213)

The Marine Pollution Control Act (MPCA) in Taiwan aims to align with international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (FUNDs), and the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM). However, Taiwan’s particular international status prevents formal participation in these treaties. This study evaluates Taiwan’s legal and institutional frameworks on ship emission control, pollution liability and compensation, and interagency coordination, identifying key gaps compared with global standards. By analyzing Japan’s and South Korea’s best practices in port management, cross-border pollution prevention, and vessel monitoring, this study proposes legal and policy reforms that are tailored to Taiwan. Recommendations include strengthening liability mechanisms, enhancing interagency collaboration, monitoring vessels, and fostering regional cooperation. Our findings suggest that these reforms will improve Taiwan’s marine environmental governance and contribute to regional and global ocean sustainability. Full article

With the increasing frequency of digital economic activities on a global scale, internet governance has become a pressing issue. Traditional multilateral approaches to formulating internet governance rules have struggled to address critical challenges such as privacy leakage and low global internet defense capabilities. To tackle these issues, this study integrates SAR data processing and interpretation using AI techniques with the development of governance rules through international agreements and multi-stakeholder mechanisms. This approach aims to strengthen privacy protection and enhance the overall effectiveness of internet governance. This study incorporates differential privacy protection laws and cert-free cryptography algorithms, combined with SAR data analysis powered by AI techniques, to address privacy protection and security challenges in internet governance. SAR data provides a unique layer of spatial and environmental context, which, when analyzed using advanced AI models, offers valuable insights into network patterns and potential vulnerabilities. By applying these techniques, internet governance can more effectively monitor and secure global data flows, ensuring a more robust defense against cyber threats. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly outperforms traditional methods. When processing 20 GB of data, the encryption time was reduced by approximately 1.2 times compared to other methods. Furthermore, satisfaction with the newly developed internet governance rules increased by 13.3%. By integrating SAR data processing and AI, the model enhances the precision and scalability of governance mechanisms, enabling real-time responses to privacy and security concerns. In the context of the Global Digital Compact, this research effectively improves the standards, rules, and practical pathways for internet governance. It not only enhances the security and privacy of global data networks but also promotes economic development, social progress, and national security. The integration of SAR data analysis and AI techniques provides a powerful toolset for addressing the complexities of internet governance in a digitally connected world. Full article

The decarbonization process of the carbon emissions in the Chinese building sector exerts a profound impact on the achievement of the national goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Currently, there is limited literature quantifying the impact of laws and policies on the achievement of carbon peak in the Chinese building sector and further utilizing deep learning technology to characterize the carbon emissions peak path under uncertainty in the Chinese building sector. To address this issue, a quantitative framework of legal and policy incentive intensity is constructed to capture both the immediate effects and the long-term evolution of laws and policies, and the index of legal and policy incentive intensity for carbon emissions in the building sector in China from 2010 to 2022 is calculated. Based on this, a dynamic scenario forecasting model for carbon emissions in the Chinese building sector is developed by integrating a CNN-BiLSTM-AM model with the Monte Carlo simulation algorithm, embedded within the scenario analysis method. The model projects the dynamic trajectories of carbon emissions in the Chinese building sector under different scenarios from 2023 to 2050 and identifies effective schemes for controlling carbon emissions in the Chinese building sector. Results indicate that the growth in legal and policy incentive intensity was most significant during the 12th Five-Year Plan period in China. During the 13th Five-Year Plan in China, the legal and policy system became increasingly mature, leading to a diminishing marginal effect of newly issued policies. A negative growth in legal and policy incentive intensity was observed in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2021 to 2022, the annual growth rate of policy intensity began to rebound. Under the current scenario, carbon emissions in the Chinese building sector are projected to reach its carbon peak in 2036 (±1), with a peak level of 28.617 (±1.047) × 10⁸ t CO₂. Energy consumption per unit floor space, population size, legal and policy incentive intensity, integrated carbon emission factor, and floor space per capita are identified as the most critical factors influencing the timing and value of carbon peaking. The research methodology employed in this study not only provides scientific insights for the emission reduction efforts in the building sector but is also applicable to related studies in other industries’ energy conservation and emission reduction. It holds universal value for environmental policymakers and strategic planners. Full article

This research examines the compounding risks of global environmental change, including climate change, environmental law, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which threaten the stability of economic systems worldwide. While digital technology and global governance regulation are increasingly being proposed as solutions, their synergistic potential in advancing economic sustainability has been less explored. How can these technologies mitigate environmental risks while promoting sustainable and equitable development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals? We analyze policy global environmental data from the World Bank and the United Nations, as well as literature reviews on digital interventions, artificial intelligence, and smart databases. Global environmental change presents economic stability and rule of law threats, and innovative governance responses are needed. This study evaluates the potential for digital technology to be leveraged to enhance climate resilience and regulatory systems and address key implementation, equity, and policy coherence deficits. Policy recommendations for aligning economic development trajectories with planetary boundaries emphasize that proactive digital governance integration is indispensable for decoupling growth from environmental degradation. However, fragmented governance and unequal access to technologies undermine scalability. Successful experiences demonstrate that integrated policies, combining incentives, data transparency, and multilateral coordination, deliver maximum economic and environmental co-benefits, matching digital innovation with good governance. We provide policymakers with an action plan to leverage technology as a multiplier of sustainability, prioritizing inclusive governance structures to address implementation gaps and inform legislation. Full article

This study presents the scientific and methodological foundation of Spain’s first national framework for the ethical management of community cat populations: the Action Plan for the Management of Community Cat Colonies (PACF), launched in 2025 under the mandate of Law 7/2023. This pioneering legislation introduces a standardized, nationwide obligation for trap–neuter–return (TNR)-based management of free-roaming cats, defined as animals living freely, territorially attached, and with limited socialization toward humans. The PACF aims to support municipalities in implementing this mandate through evidence-based strategies that integrate animal welfare, biodiversity protection, and public health objectives. Using standardized data submitted by 1128 municipalities (13.9% of Spain’s total), we estimated a baseline population of 1.81 million community cats distributed across 125,000 colonies. These data were stratified by municipal population size and applied to national census figures to generate a model-ready demographic structure. We then implemented a stochastic simulation using Vortex software to project long-term population dynamics over a 25-year horizon. The model integrated eight demographic–environmental scenarios defined by a combination of urban–rural classification and ecological reproductive potential based on photoperiod and winter temperature. Parameters included reproductive output, mortality, sterilization coverage, abandonment and adoption rates, stochastic catastrophic events, and territorial carrying capacity. Under current sterilization rates (~20%), our projections indicate that Spain’s community cat population could surpass 5 million individuals by 2050, saturating ecological and social thresholds within a decade. In contrast, a differentiated sterilization strategy aligned with territorial reproductive intensity (50% in most areas, 60–70% in high-pressure zones) achieves population stabilization by 2030 at approximately 1.5 million cats, followed by a gradual long-term decline. This scenario prioritizes feasibility while substantially reducing reproductive output, particularly in rural and high-intensity contexts. The PACF combines stratified demographic modeling with spatial sensitivity, offering a flexible framework adaptable to local conditions. It incorporates One Health principles and introduces tools for adaptive management, including digital monitoring platforms and standardized welfare protocols. While ecological impacts were not directly assessed, the proposed demographic stabilization is designed to mitigate population-driven risks to biodiversity and public health without relying on lethal control. By integrating legal mandates, stratified modeling, and realistic intervention goals, this study outlines a replicable and scalable framework for coordinated action across administrative levels. It exemplifies how national policy can be operationalized through data-driven, territorially sensitive planning tools. The findings support the strategic deployment of TNR-based programs across diverse municipal contexts, providing a model for other countries seeking to align animal welfare policy with ecological planning under a multi-level governance perspective. Full article

Incineration at sea is a significant source of marine pollution, threatening biodiversity and public health. Although Peru ratified the 1996 London Protocol in 2018, key deficiencies persist in its domestic legal framework, particularly the absence of clear and internationally aligned definitions for “incineration” and “incinerator.” These gaps hinder effective enforcement by the National Maritime Authority (NMA-DICAPI) and limit regulatory compliance with international obligations. This study analyzes Peru’s current legislation in light of the London Protocol and includes a comparative overview of regional regulatory approaches in Latin America. Based on this analysis, the study identifies regulatory inconsistencies that compromise environmental protection and proposes three key legal reforms: (1) refining the definition of “incineration” to reflect international standards; (2) formally incorporating a definition for “incinerator”; and (3) establishing specific administrative and economic sanctions for related infractions. Through comparative analysis with Mexico and Colombia’s approaches, we propose targeted amendments including refined definitions aligned with IMO standards and explicit administrative/economic sanctions. Implementing these recommendations would enhance Peru’s legal clarity, enforcement capacity, and compliance with international maritime law, reinforcing its role as a responsible actor in marine environmental governance. Full article

This study provides an up-to-date assessment of the environmental status in the area of the S/s Stuttgart wreck in the southern Baltic Sea, focusing on macrozoobenthos, sediment chemistry, and contamination in Mytilus trossulus soft tissues. Comparative analyses from 2016 and 2023 revealed increased species richness and distinct benthic assemblages, shaped primarily by depth and distance from the wreck. Among macrozoobenthos, there dominated opportunistic species, characterized by a high degree of resistance to the unfavorable state of the environment, suggesting adaptation to local conditions. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals were detected in sediments, with maximum values of Cd—0.85 mg·kg⁻¹, Cu—34 mg·kg⁻¹, Zn—119 mg·kg⁻¹, and Ni—32.3 mg·kg⁻¹. However, no significant correlations between sediment contamination and macrozoobenthos composition were found. In Mytilus trossulus, contaminant levels were mostly within regulatory limits; however, mercury concentrations reached 0.069 mg·kg⁻¹ wet weight near the wreck and 0.493 mg·kg⁻¹ at the reference station, both exceeding the threshold defined in national legislation (0.02 mg·kg⁻¹) (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 568). Condition indices for Macoma balthica were lower in the wreck area, suggesting sublethal stress. Ecotoxicological tests showed no acute toxicity in most sediment samples, emphasizing the complexity of pollutant effects. The data presented here not only enrich the existing literature on marine pollution but also contribute to the development of more effective environmental protection strategies for marine ecosystems under international protection. Full article

According to Victor Ernest Shelford’s ‘Law of Tolerance,’ organisms within ecosystems thrive optimally when environmental conditions are favorable. Applying this principle to ecosystems and agro-ecosystems facing water scarcity or environmental challenges can significantly enhance their productivity. In these ecosystems, phytocenosis adjusts its conditions by utilizing water with varying salinity levels. Moreover, establishing optimal drinking water conditions for human populations within an ecosystem can help mitigate future negative succession processes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of two distinct water sources in the Amudarya district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan: collector-drainage water and groundwater at depths of 10 to 25 m. This research is highly relevant in the context of climate change, as improper management of water salinity, particularly in collector-drainage water, may exacerbate soil salinization and degrade drinking water quality. The primary methodology of this study is as follows: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) standard for collector-drainage water is applied, and the water quality index is assessed using the CCME WQI model. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) model is adapted to assess groundwater quality using Uzbekistan’s national drinking water quality standards. The results of two years of collected data, i.e., 2021 and 2023, show that the water quality index of collector-drainage water indicates that it has limited potential for use as secondary water for the irrigation of sensitive crops and has been classified as ‘Poor’. As a result, salinity increased by 8.33% by 2023. In contrast, groundwater quality was rated as ‘Fair’ in 2021, showing a slight deterioration by 2023. Moreover, a comparative analysis of CCME WQI values for collector-drainage and groundwater in the region, in conjunction with findings from Ethiopia, India, Iraq, and Turkey, indicates a consistent decline in water quality, primarily due to agriculture and various other anthropogenic pollution sources, underscoring the critical need for sustainable water resource management. This study highlights the need to use organic fertilizers in agriculture to protect drinking water quality, improve crop yields, and promote soil health, while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Furthermore, adopting WQI models under changing climatic conditions can improve agricultural productivity, enhance groundwater quality, and provide better environmental monitoring systems. Full article

This study discusses the role of organizational pro-environmental behavior in driving sustainable development. Studies of green practices highlight their capacity to achieve ecological goals while delivering economic sustainability with business strategies for sustainable businesses and advancing environmental sustainability law. It also considers how the development of artificial intelligence, resource management, big data analysis, blockchain, and the Internet of Things enables companies to maximize supply efficiency and address evolving environmental regulations and sustainable decision-making. Through digital technology, businesses can facilitate supply chain transparency, adopt circular economy practices, and produce in an equitable and environmentally friendly manner. Additionally, intelligent business management practices, such as effective decision-making and sustainability reporting, enhance compliance with authorities while ensuring long-term profitability from a legal perspective. Integrating business innovation and digital technology within legal entities enhances economic efficiency, reduces operational costs, improves environmental sustainability, reduces paper usage, and lowers the carbon footprint, creating a double-benefit model of long-term resilience. The policymakers’ role in formulating policy structures that lead to green digital innovation is also to ensure that economic development worldwide is harmonized with environmental protection and international governance. Using example studies and empirical research raises awareness about best practices in technology-based sustainability initiatives across industries and nations, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This study analyzes forest fire legislation and policies in the Andean Community of Nations (ACN)—Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia—focusing on prevention and control. Using a comparative law approach, similarities, differences, and implementation challenges were identified. Ecuador and Peru have more comprehensive legal structures, while Colombia’s is simpler, and Bolivia falls in between. To address these gaps, this study proposes an Andean Directive for Integrated Fire Management (ADIFM) to harmonize policies and incorporate fire ecology, ancestral knowledge, education, monitoring technologies, and post-fire restoration. This regulatory framework, tailored to Andean ecological and sociocultural conditions, would optimize fire management and strengthen ecosystem resilience. Additionally, harmonizing sanctions and regulations at the regional level would ensure more coherent and effective governance. The ADIFM would provide strategic guidance for policymakers, fostering sustainable fire management and environmental restoration across Andean ecosystems. Full article

Small island developing states (SIDS) face a dual constraint of “environmental vulnerability and energy dependence” in the context of climate change. How to achieve just energy transitions has become a core proposition for SIDS to address. This paper focuses on how SIDS can advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 (affordable and clean energy) and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action) through UNCLOS–Paris Agreement integration in energy transitions. Grounded in the theoretical framework of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), this research aims to construct a comprehensive analytical system that systematically examines the energy transition challenges facing SIDS and provide multi-level energy transition solutions spanning from international to domestic contexts for climate-vulnerable SIDS. The research findings reveal that SIDS face a structural predicament of “high vulnerability–low resilience” and the triple challenge of “energy–climate–development”. International climate finance is severely mismatched with the degree of vulnerability in SIDS; the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Paris Agreement lack institutional synergy and fail to adequately support marine renewable energy development in SIDS. In response to these challenges, this study proposes multi-level solutions to promote the synergistic achievement of SDG 7 and SDG 13: at the international level, improve climate finance rules, innovate financing mechanisms, strengthen technological cooperation, and integrate relevant international legal framework; at the domestic level, optimize the layout of marine renewable energy development, construct sustainable investment ecosystems, and strengthen environmental scientific research and local data governance. Full article

Land use transformation, the longest-standing human-driven environmental alteration, is a pressing and complex issue that significantly impacts European landscapes and contributes to global environmental change. The urgency to act is reinforced by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which identifies industrial, commercial, and residential development—particularly near major urban centers—as key contributors to land take. As the EU sets a vision for achieving zero net land take by 2050, assessing the readiness and coherence of national legislation becomes critical. This comprehensive study employs a comparative legal analysis across five European countries—Italy, Greece, Poland, France, and Ukraine—examining their laws, strategies, and commitments related to land degradation neutrality. Using a review of national legislation and policy documents, the research identifies systemic patterns, barriers, and opportunities within current legal frameworks. The present study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and academic institutions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of existing gaps, implementation, and inconsistencies in national land use legislation. Among the results, it has become evident that a typical “pathway” between the examined states in terms of the legislative framework on land use–land take is probably a utopia for the time being. The legislations in force, in several cases, are labyrinthine and multifaceted, highlighting the urgent and immediate need for simplification and standardization. The need for this action is further underscored by the fact that, in most cases, land use frameworks are characterized by complementary legislation and ongoing amendments. Ultimately, the research underscores the critical need for harmonized governance and transparent, enforceable policies, particularly in regions where deregulated land use planning persists. The diversity in legislative layers and the decentralized role of the authorities further compounds the complexity, reinforcing the importance of cross-country dialogue and EU-wide coordination in advancing sustainable land use development. Full article

Ecological restoration and brownfield reuse are important issues in the current field of urban sustainable development and environmental protection. This paper adopts bibliometric and network analysis methods, using more than 600 literature from Web of Science (WOS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases as research objects, to analyze the research trends, main researchers, contributions of different disciplines, and research hotspots in ecological restoration and brownfield reuse. Based on the results of quantitative analysis, this paper reviews the main research theories, methods, and technologies of ecological restoration and brownfield reuse at home and abroad, as well as response strategies in different regions and future prospects under challenges. Among the top 10 disciplines in terms of disciplinary contribution, the discipline with the highest relevance in the research articles of CNKI is “Environmental Science and Technology”, accounting for approximately 47.24%. The discipline with the highest relevance in the research articles of WOS is “Building Science and Engineering”, accounting for approximately 61.21%. In terms of research theories and methods, emphasis is placed on the application of ecological engineering, landscape ecology, land economics, and sustainable development methods. At the same time, adaptive management methods are emphasized, aiming to achieve a balance between ecological protection and urban development. In terms of response strategies for different regions, the main strategies for ecological restoration and brownfield reuse are proposed from five main aspects: reducing soil erosion and controlling water pollution, restoring ecological communities and enhancing biodiversity, landscape reshaping and spatial transformation, tourism development, and leisure space design. Based on the current challenges in technology, law, funding, management, and society, research prospects for strengthening interdisciplinary integration, digital drive, interdisciplinary collaboration, and multi-party cooperation in the future are proposed. It can be seen that research in this field is no longer just a simple ecological issue, but a comprehensive social problem. Full article

Marine plastic pollution (MPP) has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges, severely affecting marine ecosystems and human health. Even though international agreements such as UNCLOS and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) exist, the existing laws are often being introduced to question the inability of the present laws to do something about the escalating issue of plastic pollution. This study uses a doctrinal legal approach to examine how UNCLOS and MARPOL respond to marine plastic pollution (MPP) with a focus on their ability to handle land-based and ship-based MPP. Gaps in these frameworks are underlined, such as a lack of enforceable requirements under UNCLOS on reducing plastic rubbish from LBS and disparities in implementing MARPOL’s regulations on plastic discharges from ships. This paper also explores activities of organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with a focus on the Regional Seas Programme and the Global Programme of Action. Although a lot has been achieved, much remains to be done to resolve the problem of marine plastic pollution. This paper concludes with a series of practical proposals aimed at refining international laws, strengthening enforcement, and encouraging collective action at the international level. The proposed measures are aimed at advancing a circular economy model, strengthening legal infrastructure, and fostering a single global response against marine plastic pollution. Full article

The Chinese government has been continuously strengthening environmental regulations. to promote the reduction in pesticide use. However, the issue of excessive pesticide use remains unresolved. Technological progress of the pesticide manufacturing industry plays a critical role in reducing pesticide intensity and is a key objective of environmental regulations for pesticides. This study examines the impact of China’s environmental regulations on technological progress of the pesticide manufacturing industry by using panel data from 30 provinces between 2004 and 2020 and constructing command-and-control and market-incentive environmental regulations. Empirical results show that environmental regulations have significantly promoted technological progress of the pesticide manufacturing industry, with market-incentive environmental regulations proving more effective than command-and-control environmental regulations. Regional analysis reveals that the eastern and western regions are consistent with the national results, while the central region shows heterogeneity. In the eastern and western regions, environmental regulations have fostered technological progress, generating an “innovation compensation effect”. However, the central region exhibits a dual effect. On one hand, environmental regulations have stimulated research in pesticide technologies; on the other hand, they have squeezed out investment in high-quality and innovative technologies, thereby hindering technological progress to some extent. Consequently, the government should enhance environmental supervision, revise environmental protection laws, and increase investments and subsidies for pesticide enterprises to foster technological innovation. Moreover, the formulation and implementation of environmental regulations should account for regional disparities. Full article