Digital Intelligence Leads Environmental Regulation: A New Paradigm for Green Sustainable Development

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The digital intelligence era offers a new perspective on environmental regulation and sustainable development, in which advanced intelligent technologies and data science tools play a key role. Specifically, digital governance is emerging as a central driver for a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery of the global economy and society. Through data-driven decision-making models, digital environmental regulatory tools can more accurately diagnose problems and provide key indicators for sustainable economic and social development. For example, through innovative strategies such as smart climate monitoring, digital environmental assessment, and smart city construction, we can more effectively promote the low-carbon transformation and the green transformation, thus promoting sustainable and healthy economic growth. However, in the process of green transition of major economies, the relationship between environmental regulatory instruments and economic and social development in the context of digital intelligence still faces challenges and uncertainties. Some critical research questions remain to be answered (1) How to better identify the interaction between environmental regulation and sustainable development in the global wave of digital intelligence? (2) How can digital intelligence empower environmental regulation to facilitate the implementation of the systematic sustainable development framework? (3) How can new data models and algorithms be introduced to quantify the impact of environmental regulation on sustainable economic and social development? This topic welcomes innovative research related to the application of smart technologies in environmental monitoring, energy efficiency driven by smart technologies, heterogeneous environmental regulation for carbon reduction, adaptive climate policy approaches for climate governance, data science for green innovation and renewable energy, the role of data science in resource management, etc. These studies will help contribute to a clear comprehension of the relationship between environmental regulation and sustainable development in the era of digital intelligence.

Dr. Da Gao
Dr. Kun Duan
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Atmosphere atmosphere	2.5	4.6	2010	16.1 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Economies economies	2.1	4.0	2013	21.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Earth earth	2.1	3.3	2020	23.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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22 pages, 2720 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Diffusion of Green Energy Technological Innovation from the Perspective of International Cooperation

by Yan Li, Jun Wu and Xin-Ping Wang

Energies 2025, 18(11), 2816; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112816 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

The diffusion of green energy technological innovation based on international green energy cooperation is a critical pathway to achieving global low-carbon emission reductions. However, few studies have considered the innovation diffusion pathways of green energy technologies under bilateral policy uncertainties. This paper constructs [...] Read more.

The diffusion of green energy technological innovation based on international green energy cooperation is a critical pathway to achieving global low-carbon emission reductions. However, few studies have considered the innovation diffusion pathways of green energy technologies under bilateral policy uncertainties. This paper constructs an evolutionary game model for the diffusion of green energy technological innovation in a complex network environment, with a focus on analyzing the impacts of key parameters such as policy spillover effects, technological heterogeneity, technical leakage risks, and free-riding risks on the equilibrium outcomes of evolutionary strategies. The results of the study are as follows: (1) Technological synergy and technological heterogeneity have a significant role in promoting the diffusion of green energy technological innovation, but when technological heterogeneity is too high, it is difficult for the two parties to find more common interests and areas of technological interaction, and the cooperative innovation will be turned into an empty shell that has a name but no reality. (2) Policy uncertainty has a significant impact on the diffusion of green energy technology innovation, and the specific impact depends on the type of policy, policy intensity, policy spillover effects, and other key parameters. (3) The risk of technological obsolescence has prompted countries to deeply participate in green energy international cooperation to realize the “curved road overtaking” of green energy technology based on technological locking and latecomer advantages; due to the existence of the phenomenon of “free-riding”, the logic of value creation based on win–win cooperation is replaced by the opportunism of “enjoying the benefits”, and cooperative innovation may be turned into a one-time “handshake agreement”. The existence of the risk of technology leakage can turn collaborative innovation into a “witch hunt” by the underdog against the overdog, and the diffusion process of green energy technology innovation is led in the wrong direction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Digital Intelligence Leads Environmental Regulation: A New Paradigm for Green Sustainable Development)

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24 pages, 1155 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship of Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises, and Regional Carbon Emissions: Evidence from Chinese Provinces

by Juan Tan, Rui Liu, Jianle Lu and Qiong Tan

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2133; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052133 - 1 Mar 2025

Viewed by 557

Abstract

In recent years, the digital economy (DE) has gained significant attention for its potential in reducing carbon emissions (CE). This paper intends to explore the regional carbon reduction effect of the DE and the entrepreneurship of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs), as [...] Read more.

In recent years, the digital economy (DE) has gained significant attention for its potential in reducing carbon emissions (CE). This paper intends to explore the regional carbon reduction effect of the DE and the entrepreneurship of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs), as well as disclose the mechanism through which the entrepreneurship of SMMEs functions. To this end, this paper employs an extended STIRPAT model to analyze the panel data of 30 provinces in China spanning from 2011 to 2018. The empirical analysis shows that (1) the DE has a positive effect on reducing regional total carbon emissions (TCE) and carbon emissions intensity (CEI); (2) the entrepreneurship of SMMEs has a negative influence on reducing regional CE; (3) the entrepreneurship of SMMEs fully mediates the link between the DE and TCE and partially mediates the relationship between the DE and the CEI; and (4) the DE has a stronger carbon reduction effect in regions with low urbanization levels and low institutional quality, as well as non-industrial pilot areas. The findings provide empirical evidence to policymakers on promoting CE reduction and the DE. This study has practical value for SMMEs to improve competitiveness and survival under the current environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Digital Intelligence Leads Environmental Regulation: A New Paradigm for Green Sustainable Development)

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22 pages, 6366 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Simplified Framework to Integrate Databases with Building Information Modeling for Building Energy Assessment in Multi-Climate Zones

by Danny Lobos Calquín, Ramón Mata, Juan Carlos Vielma, Juan Carlos Beaumont-Sepulveda, Claudio Correa, Eduardo Nuñez, Eric Forcael, David Blanco and Pablo Pulgar

Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6123; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146123 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1690

Abstract

BIM models are seldom used for the energy certification of buildings. This paper discusses the advantages of linking two important fields: building information modeling (BIM) and building environmental assessment methods (BEAM), presented as a rating system and a proposal for the Chilean context. [...] Read more.

BIM models are seldom used for the energy certification of buildings. This paper discusses the advantages of linking two important fields: building information modeling (BIM) and building environmental assessment methods (BEAM), presented as a rating system and a proposal for the Chilean context. The state of the art in both fields around the world is discussed, with an in-depth examination of current BIM software and related applications, followed by a discussion about previous research on integrating them. A lack of interoperability and data losses between BIM and BEM were found. A new tool is presented that addresses these challenges to ensure accurate rating system data, and this new framework is based on database exchange and takes crucial information from BIM to BEAM platforms. The development of the method includes BIM programming (API), database links, and spreadsheets for a Chilean building energy certification through a new tool, also applicable to multiclimactic zones. This new semi-automatic tool allows architects to model their design in a BIM platform and use this information as input for the energy certification process. The potential and risks of this method are discussed. Several improvements and enhancements of the energy certification process were found when incorporating this new framework in comparison to current methodologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Digital Intelligence Leads Environmental Regulation: A New Paradigm for Green Sustainable Development)

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25 pages, 3893 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Has the Digital Economy Improved the Urban Land Green Use Efficiency? Evidence from the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone Policy

by Guangya Zhou, Helian Xu, Chuanzeng Jiang, Shiqi Deng, Liming Chen and Zhi Zhang

Land 2024, 13(7), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070960 - 30 Jun 2024

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2302

Abstract

The advancement of the big data industry is playing a pivotal role in urban land management refinement. Recently, China initiated a big data strategy, establishing national big data comprehensive pilot zones (NBDCPZs) across diverse regions. These initiatives present substantial opportunities for enhancing the [...] Read more.

The advancement of the big data industry is playing a pivotal role in urban land management refinement. Recently, China initiated a big data strategy, establishing national big data comprehensive pilot zones (NBDCPZs) across diverse regions. These initiatives present substantial opportunities for enhancing the urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE). Consequently, in this study, we utilized the super-efficiency slack-based measure (SBM) model with undesirable outputs to assess the ULGUEs across 281 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2021. Subsequently, leveraging the NBDCPZ establishment as a quasi-natural experiment, we employed the difference-in-differences (DID) method to empirically explore the impact of the NBDCPZ policy on the ULGUE for the first time. The findings revealed the following: (1) The implementation of the NBDCPZ policy significantly enhances the ULGUE; (2) the effects are mediated through mechanisms such as fostering technological innovation, mitigating resource misallocation, and promoting industrial agglomeration; (3) the heterogeneity analysis emphasizes the increased policy effectiveness in cities characterized by fewer natural resources, lower economic growth pressures, stable development stages, and moderate digital infrastructure and human capital levels; and (4) further analysis demonstrates the significant positive spillover effects of the NBDCPZ policy on the ULGUEs of neighboring non-pilot cities, with a diminishing impact as the proximity between pilot and non-pilot cities decreases. Overall, this study contributes to the literature on the relationship between the digital economy and land utilization, offering valuable insights for achieving sustainable urban development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Digital Intelligence Leads Environmental Regulation: A New Paradigm for Green Sustainable Development)

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