Search Results (203)

In recent years, growing concerns over environmental degradation and deepening awareness of the necessity of sustainable development have propelled green and low-carbon energy transition into a focal issue for both academia and policymakers. By decomposing energy transition into the transformation of energy structure and the upgrading of energy efficiency, this study investigates the impact and mechanisms of green finance on energy transition across 30 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China, with the exception of Tibet. In addition, the impact of climate change is incorporated into the analytical framework. Empirical results demonstrate that green finance development significantly accelerates energy transition, a conclusion robust to rigorous validation. Analysis of the mechanism shows that green finance promotes energy transition through the facilitation of technological innovation and the upgrade of industrial structures. Moreover, empirical evidence reveals that climate change undermines the promotional influence of sustainable finance on energy system transformation. The magnitude of this suppression varies nonlinearly across provincial jurisdictions with differing energy transition progress. Regional heterogeneity analyses further uncover marked discrepancies in climate–finance interactions, demonstrating amplified effects in coastal economic hubs, underdeveloped western provinces, and regions with mature eco-financial markets. According to these findings, actionable policy suggestions are put forward to strengthen green finance and accelerate energy transition. Full article

Based on a comprehensive review of the current research status of ecological compensation both domestically and internationally, combined with field survey data, this study delves into the issue of multi-stakeholder participation in the ecological compensation mechanisms of the Xin’an River Basin. This research reveals that the joint participation of multiple stakeholders is crucial to achieving the goals of ecological compensation in river basins. The government plays a significant role in macro-guidance, financial support, policy guarantees, supervision, and management. It promotes the comprehensive implementation of ecological environmental protection by formulating relevant laws and regulations, guiding the public to participate in ecological conservation, and supervising and punishing pollution behaviors. The public, serving as the main force, forms strong awareness and behavioral habits of ecological protection through active participation in environmental protection, monitoring, and feedback. As participants, enterprises contribute to industrial transformation and green development by improving resource utilization efficiency, reducing pollution emissions, promoting green industries, and participating in ecological restoration projects. Scientific research institutions, as technology enablers, have effectively enhanced governance efficiency through technological research and innovation, ecosystem value accounting to provide decision-making support, and public education. Social organizations, as facilitators, have injected vitality and innovation into watershed governance by extensively mobilizing social forces and building multi-party collaboration platforms. Communities, as supporters, have transformed ecological value into economic benefits by developing characteristic industries such as eco-agriculture and eco-tourism. Based on the above findings, further recommendations are proposed to mobilize the enthusiasm of upstream communities and encourage their participation in ecological compensation, promote the market-oriented operation of ecological compensation mechanisms, strengthen cross-regional cooperation to establish joint mechanisms, enhance supervision and evaluation, and establish a sound benefit-sharing mechanism. These recommendations provide theoretical support and practical references for ecological compensation worldwide. Full article

Moringa oleifera (MO), a nutritionally and pharmacologically potent species, is emerging as a sustainable candidate for applications across bioenergy, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine. This review explores recent advances in MO-based biotechnologies, highlighting novel extraction methods, green nanotechnology, and clinical trial findings. Although MO’s resilience offers promise for climate-smart agriculture and public health, challenges remain in standardizing cultivation and verifying therapeutic claims. This work underscores MO’s translational potential and the need for integrative, interdisciplinary research. MO is used in advanced materials, like electrospun fibers and biopolymers, showing filtration, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties—important for the biomedical industry and environmental remediation. In textiles, it serves as an eco-friendly alternative for wastewater treatment and yarn sizing. Biotechnological advancements, such as genome sequencing and in vitro culture, enhance traits and metabolite production. MO supports green biotechnology through sustainable agriculture, nanomaterials, and biocomposites. MO shows potential for disease management, immune support, metabolic health, and dental care, but requires further clinical trials for validation. Its resilience is suitable for land restoration and food security in arid areas. AI and deep learning enhance Moringa breeding, allowing for faster, cost-effective development of improved varieties. MO’s diverse applications establish it as a key element for sustainable development in arid regions. Full article

This study focuses on the impact of China’s digital economy on sustainable modernization from 2011 to 2021, using provincial panel data for empirical analysis. By applying threshold and mediation models, we find that the digital economy promotes modernization through industrial upgrading (with a mediating effect of 38%) and trade openness (coefficient = 0.234). The research reveals “U-shaped” nonlinear threshold effects at specific levels of digital development (2.218), market efficiency (9.212), and technological progress (12.224). Eastern provinces benefit significantly (coefficient ranging from 0.12 to 0.15 ***), while western regions initially experience some inhibition (coefficient = −0.08 *). Industrial digitalization (coefficient = 0.13 ***) and innovation ecosystems (coefficient = 0.09 ***) play crucial roles in driving eco-efficiency and equity, in line with Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 13. Meanwhile, the impacts of infrastructure (coefficient = 0.07) and industrialization (coefficient = 0.085) are delayed. Economic modernization improves (coefficient = 0.37 ***), yet social modernization declines (coefficient = −0.12 *). This study not only enriches economic theory but also extends the environmental Kuznets curve to the digital economy domain. We propose tiered policy recommendations, including the construction of green digital infrastructure, carbon pricing, and rural digital transformation, which are applicable to China and offer valuable references for emerging economies aiming to achieve inclusive low-carbon growth in the digital era. Future research could further explore the differentiated mechanisms of various digital technologies in the modernization process across different regions and how to optimize policy combinations to better balance digital innovation with sustainable development goals. Full article

The increasing incidence of oil contamination in many aquatic ecosystems, particularly in oil-rich regions such as Qatar, poses significant threats to marine life and human activities. Our study addresses the critical need for effective and eco-friendly oil-water separation techniques, focusing on developing graphene and chitosan-based three-dimensional (3D) polymeric sponges. These materials have demonstrated potential due to their high porosity and surface area, which can be enhanced through surface treatment to improve hydrophobicity and oleophilicity. This study introduces a new technique dependent on the optimization of the graphene oxide (GO) concentration within the composite sponge to achieve a superior oil uptake capacity (51.4 g oil/g sponge at 3% GO), and the detailed characterization of the material’s performance in separating heavy oil-water emulsions. Our study seeks to answer key questions regarding the performance of these modified sponges and their scalability for industrial applications. This research directly aligns with Qatar’s environmental goals and develops sustainable oil-water separation technologies. It addresses the pressing challenges of oil spills, ultimately contributing to improved marine ecosystem protection and efficient resource recovery. Full article

The coupled development of economic and ecological systems is crucial for achieving sustainable growth, with the financial system playing a pivotal adaptive role. Green financial innovation (GFI) is central to enhancing this adaptation. Urban land use eco-efficiency (ULUEE) serves as an effective measure of economic–ecological coupling. Using China’s Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones (GFRPZs) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study assesses the impact of GFI on ULUEE, employing panel data from 283 prefecture-level cities (2013–2021). The results show that GFI significantly enhances ULUEE through technological spillovers, strengthened environmental regulation, industrial upgrading, and resource agglomeration. Heterogeneity analyses further reveal that GFI’s positive effects are more pronounced in economically developed regions, cities without legacy heavy-industry reliance, and those with deeper financial development. Additionally, GFI demonstrates cross-regional spillover effects, effectively interacting with other environmental policies. While GFI’s impact is more pronounced in economic growth, its ecological governance improvements are modest. This study provides critical insights for tailored green financial policies aimed at harmonizing economic and ecological objectives. Full article

In light of increasing environmental issues, green and environmentally friendly growth has emerged as a global consensus., making the progression of a low-carbon and eco-friendly new energy vehicle (NEV) industry essential for countries globally. This study focuses on the 26 provinces of China, employing benchmark regression, mediation analysis, spatial econometrics, and difference-in-differences models to comprehensively investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of NEV industry agglomeration on high-quality green development, using a unified framework to measure both agglomeration and development standards, which enhances the accuracy of previous measurements using a single indicator. The findings show that NEV industry agglomeration directly promotes high-quality green development, mediated significantly by green technological innovation and public environmental awareness. Analysis reveals significant regional heterogeneity, with stronger NEV industry agglomeration in midwestern regions, areas prioritizing sustainable and low-carbon policies, and regions with advanced economic and financial systems, leading to a greater positive impact on high-quality green development. NEV industry agglomeration influences high-quality green development in neighboring regions through spatial spillover effects. The results remain robust when using instrumental variables and treating NEV-related policy formulation as a quasi-natural experiment. This study provides theoretical guidance and policy recommendations to encourage high-quality green development through NEV industry agglomeration. Full article

(1) Background: As a prominent zoonotic parasitic disease, fascioliasis threatens the sustainable development of animal husbandry and public health. Current research focuses mainly on individual species (parasite or intermediate host), neglecting systematic evaluation of the transmission chain and exposure risks to animal husbandry. Thus, comprehensive studies are urgently needed, especially in the ecologically fragile alpine region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; (2) Methods: Distribution data of Radix spp. and Fasciola hepatica in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent areas were gathered to establish a potential distribution model, which was overlaid on a map of livestock farming in the region; (3) Results: The key environmental factors influencing Radix spp. distribution were temperature seasonality (21.4%), elevation (16.4%), and mean temperature of the driest quarter (14.7%). For F. hepatica, the main factors were elevation (41.3%), human footprint index (30.5%), and Precipitation of the driest month (12.1%), with all AUC values exceeding 0.9. Both species exhibited extensive suitable habitats in Qinghai and Tibet, with higher F. hepatica transmission risk in Qinghai than Tibet; (4) Conclusions: The significant transmission risk and its impacts on the livestock industry in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau highlight the need for proactive prevention and control measures. This study provides a scientific foundation for targeted alpine diseases control, establishes an interdisciplinary risk assessment framework, fills gaps in high-altitude eco-epidemiology, and offers insights for ecological conservation of the plateau. Full article

Lithium, a critical element for clean energy and modern technologies, plays an indispensable role in advancing renewable energy storage, electric vehicles, and high-tech industries. The rapidly growing demand for lithium, along with its limited global production, has led to concerns about the sustainability of current extraction and processing technologies for efficient lithium recovery. This comprehensive review explores global trends in lithium processing, focusing on spodumene beneficiation and extraction techniques. While highlighting well-established conventional processes, such as dense media separation (DMS), flotation, high-temperature roasting, and acid or alkali treatment, it underscores the environmental and economic challenges of these processes, particularly when applied to low-grade lithium ores, which are increasingly being targeted to meet lithium demand. Innovative methods, such as microwave irradiation, are also explored for their potential to improve process efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact, offering promising pathways to overcome the limitations of traditional lithium recovery techniques. A significant contribution of this review is its focus on the largely untapped lithium resources of Kazakhstan, presenting geological insights and the potential for sustainable development. By addressing knowledge gaps and integrating technological, eco-friendly, and regional development perspectives, this study provides valuable insights for advancing lithium processing toward more sustainable and circular practices aligned with global climate and resource efficiency goals. Full article

In the context of global climate change and the deepening of ecological civilization construction, forestry, as an ecological security barrier and green economic engine, faces many challenges to the enhancement of its ecological total factor productivity in the traditional development model. As a new type of production factor, the data factor provides a new path to crack the bottleneck of forestry eco-efficiency improvement. Based on China’s provincial annual panel data from 2014 to 2022, this study systematically examines the impact and mechanism of data factors on forestry ecological total factor productivity by using the SBM-GML model and dual machine learning model. It was found that data factors have a significant contribution to forestry ecological total factor productivity, a conclusion that passes a series of robustness tests and endogeneity tests. The analysis of the mechanism shows that the data factor enhances the total factor productivity of forestry ecology mainly through three paths: promoting the progress of forestry technology and promoting the rationalization and advanced structure of the forestry industry. Further analysis showed that the promotional effect of data elements is more obvious in regions with a high level of green finance development, high intensity of environmental regulation, and strong financial autonomy. It is recommended to systematically promote the in-depth application of data elements in forestry, build a data element-driven innovation system for the whole chain of forestry, and implement regionally differentiated data element-enabling strategies. Full article

The construction industry generates large amounts of waste and high CO₂ emissions, especially from cement production. Sustainable alternatives, such as geopolymers, help reduce these impacts by promoting eco-friendly materials. This study aimed to develop geopolymer mortar using ignimbrite (IG) residues from the Arequipa region, Peru, combined with metakaolin (MK). The raw materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to assess the chemical composition, structure, and morphology. Geopolymeric mortars were synthesized with varying MK/IG ratios while maintaining a fixed fine sand proportion. An activating solution of 9 mol/L NaOH was used with different liquid-to-solid ratios. Geopolymers cured at room temperature for 28 days exhibited lower compressive strength than those dried at 50 °C for 48 h or sequentially at 50 °C for 48 h followed by 90 °C for 12 h. The highest IG-content mixture achieved a compressive strength of 18 MPa, while the MK-based geopolymer reached 12 MPa, both under high-temperature curing. An increase in the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio was also associated with improved mechanical performance, reinforcing the influence of precursor composition on geopolymerization. These results highlight the potential of regional ignimbrite for the production of geopolymer mortar, promoting sustainable and innovative building materials. Full article

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives, utilizing fungal mycelium as a natural binder for agro-industrial residues. This study focuses on developing an MBC based on abundant waste in Colombia, pith Arboloco (A) (Montanoa quadrangularis), a plant endemic to the Colombian–Venezuelan Andes with outstanding insulating properties, and natural fiber of Kikuyu grass (G) (Cenchrus clandestinus), utilizing Ganoderma lucidum as an agent to form a mycelium network in the MBC. Three formulations, T (100% A), F1 (70% A/30% G), and F2 (30% A/70% G), were evaluated under two different Arboloco particle size ranges (1.0 to 5.6 mm) for their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The Arboloco particle sizes did not show significant differences in the MBC properties. An increase in Kikuyu grass proportion (F2) demonstrated superior density (60.4 ± 4.5 kg/m³), lower water absorption (56.6 ± 18.4%), and better compressive strength (0.1686 MPa at 50% deformation). Both mixing formulations (F1–F2) achieved promising average thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity values of 0.047 ± 0.002 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and 1714 ± 105 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, comparable to commercial insulation materials. However, significant shrinkage (up to 53.6%) and high water absorption limit their scalability for broader applications. These findings enhance the understanding of MBC’s potential for non-structural building materials made of regional lignocellulosic waste, promoting a circular economy in waste management for developing countries. Full article

The development of the construction industry in Hong Kong and the UK has long played a vital role in economic development, advanced or otherwise, but has also brought formidable environmental challenges, particularly in terms of the huge volume of waste generated. This review paper puts under scrutiny the environmental management practices and green materials and technologies adoption in the construction industries of two developed regions, Hong Kong and the UK, the main objective being to compare their approaches to construction waste management and assess the level to which they have adopted sustainable practices. This review recognizes construction waste as a major contributor to environmental degradation and indicates the on-site waste reduction according to waste hierarchy as adopted by both regions. Major findings are that effective environmental management practices, such as resource optimization, waste minimization, and pollution prevention, are also enforced through legislation and fiscal policies. The use of eco-concrete, plastic wood, and recycled steel, together with high-tech roofs and solar panels, shows a move toward sustainable and energy-saving building that is taking root more and more. This paper highlights the need for policies and innovation in promoting sustainable building. Future studies should look into the green techs’ long-term performance, cross-area policy spread, and how digital tools help maximize waste and create sustainably. Full article

This study constructs an index system based on provincial data from 2012 to 2023 for forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency. Using methods such as the Coupling Coordination Degree and Relative Development Degree, the study explores the relationship between the coupled and coordinated development of forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency at the provincial level, and introduces a balanced interval to regulate the coupling and coordination process between forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency. The results indicate that: (1) During the study period, the overall coupled and coordinated development of China’s forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency was in an antagonistic stage, with the development of forestry industry agglomeration lagging behind the level of eco-efficiency. (2) The Relative Development Degree of forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency shifted from a “ladder” pattern to an “hourglass” pattern. (3) The process of coupling and coordinating the development of forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency exhibited fluctuations, indicating that future efforts should focus on improving the quality of both forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency to promote coordinated development. (4) During the period from 2012 to 2023, China’s forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency generally failed to simultaneously reach a reasonably balanced state, with notable regional differences. Factors such as the number of non-forestry employees, geographic location, and environmental conditions significantly impacted the balance between forestry industry agglomeration and eco-efficiency. Full article

Urban agglomerations serve as essential platforms for regional innovation, while agricultural technology innovation and diffusion play pivotal roles in enhancing agricultural eco-efficiency (AEE). Based on panel data from the Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) (2001–2023), this study employs a super-efficiency slacks-based measure model incorporating undesirable outputs to evaluate agricultural eco-efficiency. A modified gravity model is utilized to construct agricultural technology innovation networks (ATINs) in urban agglomerations, and a spatial Durbin model is applied to examine the spillover effects of network structure on eco-efficiency. The results indicate that: (1) Higher-degree centrality within the innovation network significantly improves local agricultural eco-efficiency and produces positive spillover effects on neighboring cities; (2) both direct and spillover effects are significant in central cities, whereas sub-central cities exhibit only a significant direct effect, and peripheral cities display an insignificant direct effect but a significant spillover effect; and (3) enhanced urban informatization, agricultural financial development, and industrial scale substantially strengthen the spatial spillover effects of the innovation network, thereby further advancing agricultural eco-efficiency within the agglomeration. These findings offer theoretical and empirical support for optimizing agricultural technology pathways and enhancing eco-efficiency in urban agglomerations. Full article