Search Results (32)

Achieving synergies between government-led and market-based policy instruments is critical to advancing Energy–Environmental Productivity and Sustainable Urban Development. This study investigates the effects of China’s dual-pilot energy policies (New Energy Demonstration Cities (NEDCs) and Energy Consumption Permit Trading (ECPT)) on urban environmental productivity (UEP) across 279 prefecture-level cities from 2006 to 2023. Utilizing a Non-Radial Directional Distance Function (NDDF) approach, combined with Difference-in-Differences (DID) estimation and spatial econometric models, the analysis reveals that these synergistic policies significantly enhance both comprehensive and net measures of UEP. Mechanism analysis highlights the roles of industrial restructuring, technological innovation, and energy transition in driving these improvements, while heterogeneity analysis indicates varying effects across different city types. Spatial spillover analysis further demonstrates that policy impacts extend beyond targeted cities, contributing to broader regional gains in UEP. These findings offer important insights for the design of integrated energy and environmental policies and support progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7, SDG 11, and SDG 12). Full article

Amid mounting global climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental pressures, regional economies are accelerating their transition towards green and inclusive growth models. This research examines how China’s New Energy Demonstration City (NEDC) policy influences inclusive green growth (IGG), including its underlying mechanisms. Harnessing policy interventions as quasi-natural experiments, we use 2006–2022 panel datasets of 284 Chinese cities to develop a spatial difference-in-differences (SDID) model for causal inference. The findings are as follows: (1) The NEDC policy significantly enhances IGG in pilot cities while generating positive spatial spillover effects on neighboring cities, exhibiting an inverted U-shaped pattern; (2) The policy effects demonstrate pronounced regional heterogeneity, with the strongest impact observed in western China; (3) Mechanism analysis confirms that green technology innovation serves as a critical pathway through which the NEDC policy drives IGG. These findings provide robust empirical evidence for designing scalable policy promotion mechanisms and refining innovation-driven governance frameworks. Full article

Promoting urban energy transition is essential for achieving environmental sustainability, yet how to effectively guide this process through public policy remains a key research question. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of government policy in facilitating urban energy transition, with a specific focus on China’s National New Energy Demonstration City Construction (NEDC) Policy. Using a difference-in-differences model with panel data from 274 Chinese cities, the empirical results indicate that the NEDC policy significantly advances urban energy transition, resulting in a notable increase of 0.571 units in the Urban Energy Transition Index and an improvement of 0.0321 units in the Urban Energy Transition Efficiency Index. Mechanism analysis further reveals that the NEDC policy promotes urban energy transition primarily by advancing financial development, strengthening environmental regulations, and encouraging capital-biased technological progress. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the NEDC policy significantly boosts urban energy transition in resource-based cities, whereas it exerts a suppressive effect on urban energy transition in non-resource-based cities. This study offers valuable policy implications for developing countries seeking sustainable urban transformation. Full article

In the era of energy transition, there is a lack of targeted research on the synergistic effects of new energy policies and informal institutions on carbon equity. This study examines how new energy policies influence urban carbon equity, with a focus on the mediating role of cultural forces. Utilizing panel data from 256 Chinese cities (2000–2021) and employing the New Energy Demonstration City (NEDC) policy as a quasi-natural experiment, this study adopts a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach to identify causal relationships. Key findings reveal: (1) China has been accompanied by a rise in carbon distribution inequity measured through the cumulative distribution patterns of carbon emissions and economic outcomes, highlighting the equity-efficiency trade-off. (2) The NEDC policy, while advancing energy transition, inadvertently exacerbates urban carbon inequity. The conclusion is robust to parallel trend tests, placebo analyses, and controls for concurrent policies. (3) Confucianism, as an informal institutional force, can effectively mitigate the urban policy-driven inequities. (4) Heterogeneity analysis finds that the synergistic effect of Confucianism and the policy is more significant in non-old industrial base cities and non-resource-dependent cities. Theoretically, this research bridges energy transition literature with institutional theory by revealing the compensatory role of cultural systems in formal policy frameworks. Practically, it advocates for culturally informed energy governance models, proposing Confucian principles of harmony and collective responsibility as design pillars for equitable sustainability transitions. Full article

The rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry has resulted in a significant number of waste electric vehicle batteries (WEVBs) reaching the end of their useful life. The recycling of these batteries holds both economic and environmental value. As policy is a critical factor influencing the recycling of waste electric vehicle batteries, its role in the network warrants deeper investigation. Based on this, this study integrates both subsidy and penalty policy into the design of the waste electric vehicle battery reverse logistics network (RLN), aiming to examine the effects of single policy and policy combinations, thereby filling the research gap in the existing literature that predominantly focuses on single-policy perspectives. Considering multiple battery types, different recycling technologies, and uncertain recycling quantities and qualities, this study develops a fuzzy mixed-integer programming model to optimize cost and carbon emission. The fuzzy model is transformed into a deterministic equivalent form using expected intervals, expected values, and fuzzy chance-constrained programming. By normalizing and weighting the upper and lower bounds of the multi-objective functions, the model is transformed into a single-objective optimization problem. The effectiveness of the proposed model and solution method was validated through an empirical study on the construction of a waste electric vehicle battery reverse logistics network in Zhengzhou City. The experimental results demonstrate that combined policy outperforms single policy in balancing economic benefits and environmental protection. The results provide decision-making support for policymakers and industry stakeholders in optimizing reverse logistics networks for waste electric vehicle batteries. Full article

The new energy transition creates favorable opportunities for popularizing green technologies, while the new energy demonstration city (NEDC) policy provides pivotal platforms for propelling China’s energy transition. Using panel data for listed companies in China, this study ascertains the impact of the NEDC policy on green innovation. The results indicate that the NEDC policy has a positive effect on fostering corporate green innovation. The beneficial impact of the policy is primarily attributed to heightened R&D investment, enhanced human capital, and the mitigation of financial constraints. The NEDC policy exerts a more pronounced influence on green innovation for non-state-owned enterprises, high-energy-consuming enterprises, and those located in the mid-west or in non-resource-based cities. Further, the NEDC policy exhibits negative spillover effects across regions, but positive spillover effects within industries. The regional spillover effects exhibit heterogeneity, with inhibitory effects being more significant in the eastern regions and non-resource-based cities. Full article

Traditional centralized energy grids struggle to meet urban areas’ increasingly complex energy demands, necessitating the development of more sustainable and resilient energy solutions. Smart microgrids offer a decentralized approach that enhances energy efficiency, facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources, and improves urban resilience. This study follows a systematic review approach, analyzing the literature published in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and industry reports between 2011 and 2025. The research draws from academic publications of energy institutions alongside regulatory reports, examining actual smart microgrid deployments in San Diego, Barcelona, and Seoul. Additionally, this article provides real-world case studies from New York and London, showcasing successful and unsuccessful smart microgrid deployments. The Brooklyn Microgrid in New York demonstrates peer-to-peer energy trading, while London faces regulations and funding challenges in its decentralized energy systems. The paper also explores economic and policy frameworks such as public–private partnerships (PPPs), localized energy markets, and standardized regulatory models to enable microgrid adoption at scale. While PPPs provide financial and infrastructural support for microgrid deployment, they also introduce stakeholder alignment and regulatory compliance complexities. Countries like Germany and India have successfully used PPPs for smart microgrid development, leveraging low-interest loans, government incentives, and regulatory mechanisms to encourage innovation and adoption of smart microgrid technologies. In addition, the review examines new trends like the utilization of AI and quantum computing to optimize energy, peer-to-peer energy trading, and climate resilient design before outlining a future research agenda focused on cybersecurity, decarbonization, and the inclusion of new technology. Contributions include the development of a modular and scalable microgrid framework, innovative hybrid storage systems, and a performance-based policy model suited to the urban environment. These contributions help to fill the gap between what is possible today and what is needed for future sustainable urban energy systems and create the foundation for resilient cities of the next century. Full article

To advance the global sustainable development agenda and uphold the emission reduction commitments of the Paris Agreement, this study is dedicated to exploring the potential of digital infrastructure construction in fostering carbon emission reductions. Drawing on panel data from 249 cities in China spanning the period from 2010 to 2021, we empirically analyze the impact, mechanisms, and heterogeneous effects of digital infrastructure construction on urban carbon emissions using a two-way fixed-effect model. Furthermore, we delve into the carbon-reducing effects of new-type digital infrastructure construction. The research findings indicate that digital infrastructure construction can significantly decrease urban carbon emissions; it achieves this by enhancing urban green innovation and heightening public environmental awareness, thereby further reducing urban carbon emissions. In city samples located in western regions, with higher government fiscal expenditures and better foundations for new energy utilization, the promotional effect of digital infrastructure construction on urban carbon emission reductions is more pronounced. Additionally, new-type digital infrastructure construction demonstrates a significant reduction in urban carbon emissions, and where new-type digital infrastructure is well developed, the carbon-reducing effect of digital infrastructure is even more evident. This study deepens our understanding of the mechanisms through which digitization empowers carbon emission reductions and the regional variations involved, providing empirical evidence for governments to formulate differentiated policies on digital infrastructure construction and carbon emission reductions. In future research, we plan to expand the scope of our investigation to more countries and regions globally; concurrently, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of the long-term effects of digital infrastructure construction on carbon emissions. Full article

Sustainable tourism entails balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and energy utilisation. However, the current interactive dynamics between urban agglomeration tourism systems and the energy–economy–environment (EEE) system, as well as the sustainable efficiency of the tourism–energy–economy–environment (TEEE) system, remain unclear. For the first time, this study employs a super-efficiency network slacks-based measure (SE-NSBM) model to interact with tourism and EEE systems, proposing a novel network structure that includes feedback variables. To validate the proposed model, this study evaluated the efficiency of the TEEE system and its subsystems in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA) from 2016 to 2020. The study revealed significant variations in the efficiency of the TEEE, tourism, and EEE systems among cities in the YRDUA, with a discernible downward trend. The TEEE and tourism systems exhibit relatively weak coping capabilities when faced with significant unforeseen events, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen system resilience. The results also demonstrate that the new model effectively resolves the issue of efficiency overestimation in the TEEE system observed in traditional models, which tend to overestimate actual efficiency by 3%. The novel model and empirical results offer decision-makers new perspectives and practical insights into formulating sustainable tourism policies. Full article

Achieving the “double carbon” goal and optimizing the energy structure necessitates strategic deployments such as low-carbon cities (LCCs) and new energy demonstration cities (NEDCs). Prior research has primarily examined the effectiveness of these two policies when implemented independently. Despite overlapping scopes, there remains a need for a definitive conclusion regarding whether the concurrent implementation of these policies will yield a synergistic effect, thereby further reducing carbon emissions. Employing panel data spanning 2007–2021 from 280 Chinese cities, this study investigates the carbon emission reduction (CER) effect of the dual pilot policy (DPP), focusing specifically on LCCs and NEDCs through a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) analysis. The findings reveal a significant synergistic effect between LCCs and NEDCs on CER, with the sequence of policy implementation playing a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of CER. Notably, cities first become NEDCs and subsequently transition into LCCs, demonstrating a more pronounced CER effect. Further analysis of the impact mechanism underscores that the DPP fosters urban CER by elevating inventive and improved green technology innovation. Among these, the contribution of inventive green technology innovation is particularly prominent, accounting for as much as 24%, far surpassing the 20% contribution of improved green technology innovation. A heterogeneity analysis indicates that the DPP’s impact is more significant in western and non-resource-based cities. Given China’s status as one of the world’s foremost carbon emitters, exploring China’s CER pathways holds profound practical significance and offers invaluable empirical insights for advancing global CER efforts. Full article

The Energy Rights Trading Pilot Policy represents an incentive-based environmental policy, implemented under the auspices of the “dual control” targets, with the objective of promoting energy conservation and emission reduction. However, given the lack of consensus among researchers regarding the relationship between environmental regulation and carbon emissions, this provides new space for further investigation and analysis. This study aims to contribute to this ongoing discourse by examining the mechanisms through which China’s Energy Rights Trading Pilot Policy affects carbon emissions. This paper employs a sample of 285 Chinese cities from 2010 to 2020 and utilizes the difference-in-differences method to evaluate the impact and mechanisms. The findings demonstrate that the energy rights trading pilot system has a considerable impact on reducing urban carbon emissions. Further analysis indicates that the pilot system curbs the increase in urban carbon emissions through the promotion of green technology innovation and industrial structural upgrades. The results of the heterogeneity analysis indicate that the pilot system is more effective in reducing carbon emissions in non-resource-based cities, smaller cities, and in those where chief officials are in a period of critical promotion. This paper makes a marginal contribution to the research on the impact mechanism of market-based environmental regulation policies on urban carbon emissions by taking China’s regulation policies as an example. It also provides empirical support for the goal realization of the incentive-oriented environmental regulation approach in developed countries, as represented by TWC. Full article

Climate change is a challenge facing all countries around the world. In response to the global climate change, China has pledged a two-stage carbon reduction goal of “dual carbon” to realize sustainable development. Industrial structure upgrading driven by green finance is an important way to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainable development. In this work, we investigate the impact of green finance on promoting industrial structure upgrading in Jiangsu province. We construct the grey correlation degree and coupling coordination degree model to analyze the relationship between green finance development and industrial structure upgrading with data from 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu province from 2010 to 2021. The results demonstrate that green finance policies inhibit the financing tendencies of high-energy consumption industries and improve the financing difficulties of high-energy enterprises, forcing high-energy industries to transform and realize industrial upgrading. In addition, the improvement in green energy consumption structure and energy production efficiency will promote an improvement in carbon emission efficiency. Moreover, the development of green finance contributes to promoting industrial structure upgrading, putting forward new requirements for the development of green finance as well. Furthermore, the promotion of green finance and low-carbon industries provides a strong driving force for industrial structure upgrading as well as high-quality economic development in Jiangsu province. Therefore, the green finance policy system, as well as innovation in green financial products, needs to be further improved to accelerate industrial structure upgrading. Full article

The advance of the new energy industry and the promotion of green innovation are both important ways to solve environmental pollution and achieve economic green transformation, and there may be a non-negligible intrinsic connection between the two. Utilizing panel data covering the period from 2011 to 2021, encompassing 30 provinces and cities in China, this study measures agglomeration levels of the new energy sector and green innovation performance in each region. Via the application of the fixed-effect model and spatial Durbin model, this study empirically examines the impact mechanism of green innovation performance resulting from the agglomeration of the new energy industry. This investigation discloses that there is regional heterogeneity in China’s new energy industry agglomeration level, with the highest level observed in the western region. The distribution of green innovation performance forms an “East–Middle–West” ladder pattern, with both the central and western regions falling below the national average. Agglomeration of the new energy sector exerts a non-linear, “U-shaped” influence on green innovation performance, demonstrating conspicuous regional heterogeneity; opening up positively moderates the “positive U-shaped” correlation between new energy agglomeration and green innovation performance. A clear spatial spillover effect characterizes the agglomeration of the new energy industry, demonstrating a non-linear “inverted U-shaped” influence on the green innovation performance of surrounding regions. This paper aims to offer policy insights into the establishment of developmental layouts for the new energy industry in China while simultaneously providing practical references for enhancing regional green innovation performance. Full article

The climate crisis is a health emergency: breaking temperature records every successive month, increasing mortality from hurricanes/cyclones resulting in >USD150 billion/year in damages, and mounting global loss of life from floods, droughts, and food insecurity. An entire course on climate change and global public health was envisioned, designed for students in public health, and delivered to Masters level students. The course content included the physical science behind global heating, heat waves, extreme weather disasters, arthropod-related diseases, allergies, air pollution epidemiology, melting ice and sea level rise, climate denialism, renewable energy and economics, social cost of carbon, and public policy. The methods included student engagement in presenting two air pollution epidemiological or experimental papers on fossil fuel air pollution. Second, they authored a mid-term paper on a specific topic in the climate crisis facing their locale, e.g., New York City. Third, they focused on a State, evaluating their climate change laws and their plans to harness renewable wind, solar, storage, nuclear, and geothermal energy. Students elsewhere covered regional entities’ approach to renewable energy. Fourth, the global impact was presented by student teams presenting a country’s nationally determined contribution to the Paris Climate Agreement. Over 200 Master’s students completed the course; the participation and feedback demonstrated markedly improved knowledge and evaluation of the course over time. Full article

The renovation of public lighting installations by replacing the traditional systems with LED technologies and introducing smart lighting control systems is a policy widely adopted to contain energy consumption and expenditure. Additionally, the long-term monitoring of the depreciation of the new lighting systems is a crucial issue. The aim of this study is to report the results of in-field measurements of new LED lighting systems in the city of Turin (Italy). A method was defined to assess: (i) energy performance (through data from the remote-control system); (ii) photometric performance (through in-field measurement campaigns); and (iii) depreciation of the photometric performance over a period of approximately 5 years. Results demonstrated that the new LED systems allow us to achieve an average energy saving of 51% compared to the ex-ante condition, improving the photometric performances and compiling the standard requirements by lowering the over-illumination levels. Moreover, the measured depreciation of the LED systems over time was compared with the predicted depreciation, estimated based on the calculation method proposed in Standards BS 5489-1:2020 and ISO/CIE TS 22012:2019. The results obtained showed that the measured depreciation of the photometric performance was closer to the predicted depreciation trend according to BS 5489-1:2020 (variations between 0% and 4%), while greater variations (between 17% and 23%) emerged considering the ISO/CIE TS 22012:2019. Full article