Search Results (3)

This study examines the short- and long-term effects of various economic, environmental, and policy factors on renewable energy production (REP) in Saudi Arabia from 1990 to 2024, using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) techniques. The analysis focuses on fossil fuel consumption (FFC), renewable energy investment (REI), carbon emissions (CEs), energy prices (EPs), government policies (GPs), technological advancements (TAs), socioeconomic factors (SEFs), and economic growth (EG) as determinants of REP, measured as electricity generated from solar power sources in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Short-term findings reveal a positive momentum effect, where prior REP levels significantly influence current production, driven by factors such as learning by doing, economies of scale, and consistent policy support. However, FFC negatively impacts REP, highlighting resource competition and market dynamics favoring fossil fuels. Positive short-term influences include REI, CEs, EPs, GPs, TAs, SEFs, and EG, which collectively enhance renewable energy adoption through investments, technological innovation, policy incentives, and economic development. Long-term analysis underscores a strong negative relationship between FFC and REP, with a 7503-unit decline in REP associated with increased fossil fuel dependency. Conversely, REP benefits from REI, CEs, EPs, GPs, TAs, and EG, with significant contributions from technological advancements (3769-unit increase) and economic growth (9191-unit increase). However, SEFs exhibit a slight negative impact, suggesting that rapid urbanization and population growth may outpace renewable infrastructure development. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay of factors shaping renewable energy production, emphasizing the importance of sustained investments, supportive policies, and technological innovation, while addressing challenges posed by fossil fuel reliance and socioeconomic pressures. These insights provide valuable implications for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Saudi Arabia. Full article

Resource and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) is an important basis for achieving sustainable urban development, and analysis of the relationship between regional resources and human activities is of great significance for sustainable regional development. Taking the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as the study area, this study establishes a framework for analyzing RECC based on the resource and environmental support capacity (RES) and the pressure on the resource and environment (REP), calculates the RES and REP of 110 cities in the YREB from 2009 to 2018, and analyzes the main constraints on RECC. The results show that (1) there are inter-regional imbalances in RECC within the study area, with cities that are more economically developed or at a higher administrative level usually having more severe problems with RECC. (2) The RES and REP indices of cities in the YREB show an overall increasing trend, but the relative growth rates of the RES and REP indices of cities at different levels differ. (3) The built-up area, green space in built-up areas, total gas supply, and length of sewage pipes are hindering factors for most cities to improve their RES. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the current situation and changing trends of RECC in the YREB and can provide a reference for decision-making on sustainable development of the region’s large river basin. Full article

The analysis of the relationship between regional resources and environment and human activities plays an important role in sustainable regional development. This study proposes the pressure–capacity–governance (PCG) model, an analytic framework for the assessment of the resources and environmental pressure (REP), carrying capacity (RECC) and governance (REG) levels over a large watershed scale, with the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as the study area. A limiting factor analysis is used to recognize the limiting factors of the regional RECC. The coupling analysis of resources and environmental pressure–capacity–governance identifies the regional potential and utilization direction. The research results are as follows. (1) The REP, RECC and REG levels of the YREB exhibit spatial differences. The REPs of the upper reaches are lower than those of the lower reaches, which does not match the RECC but matches the REG levels. (2) The proportions of unused land, water resources, and atmospheric environmental quality are the main limiting factors of the regional RECC. (3) The PCG analysis framework is used as the basis to divide the YREB into several subareas to analyse the resources and environmental potential carrying capacity and utilization direction of different types of region. This research may provide decision-making references for regional sustainable development at the large watershed scale. Full article