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	2.3	4.9	2010	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Earth earth	3.4	5.9	2020	21.3 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Economies economies	2.1	4.7	2013	23.1 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Land land	3.2	5.9	2012	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
World world	1.9	-	2020	24.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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42 pages, 429 KB  

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Data Element Agglomeration on Inclusive Green Development: Evidence from Threshold and Spatial Spillover Effects

by Juntong Liu and Zhiheng Shi

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2973; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062973 - 18 Mar 2026

Viewed by 527

Abstract

As a production factor, data plays an increasingly important role in sustainable development. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2011–2023) and employing fixed-effects, panel threshold, and spatial Durbin models, this study examines the impact of data element agglomeration on inclusive green development. [...] Read more.

As a production factor, data plays an increasingly important role in sustainable development. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2011–2023) and employing fixed-effects, panel threshold, and spatial Durbin models, this study examines the impact of data element agglomeration on inclusive green development. The results reveal four main findings. First, data element agglomeration significantly improves inclusive green development, though this positive effect stems primarily from economic growth and social inclusion rather than direct environmental gains. Second, industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation function as underlying mechanisms, but exhibit suppression effects—their indirect contributions are negative, reflecting short-term adjustment costs and institutional frictions. Third, fiscal support intensity exhibits a nonlinear moderating effect with diminishing returns. Fourth, the effect is more pronounced in coastal provinces, regions with stringent environmental regulation, and the pre-2020 period, and generates significant spatial spillovers to neighboring regions. These findings highlight the conditional nature of data-driven green development and offer insights for designing context-sensitive data policies. Full article

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

16 pages, 252 KB  

Open AccessReview

The Role of Digitalization in Implementing Green Logistics Principles in Warehousing Operations: A Case Study

by Diana Šateikiene and Juliana Kovalevskaja

World 2026, 7(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/world7030043 - 10 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1112

Abstract

Warehouses are energy-intensive nodes in a logistics chain and critical hotspots for decarbonization efforts. Digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies are increasingly promoted as enablers of greener warehousing; however, environmental benefits are often implied rather than empirically quantified. This study examines how digitalization, automation, [...] Read more.

Warehouses are energy-intensive nodes in a logistics chain and critical hotspots for decarbonization efforts. Digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies are increasingly promoted as enablers of greener warehousing; however, environmental benefits are often implied rather than empirically quantified. This study examines how digitalization, automation, and robotization support the implementation of green logistics principles in warehousing operations. The research combines a scientific literature review and document content analysis with semi-structured interviews with company managers and logistics professionals. The results indicate that implementing a warehouse management system (Vision Equinox), integrating information systems, and adopting RFID technology reduce paper-based processes, improve picking accuracy and internal routing, shorten loading and unloading times, and may decrease the risk of human error. Consequently, these technologies enable more efficient resource use and can contribute to lower energy consumption and a reduced environmental footprint associated with warehouse activities. The study concludes that digital technologies already serve as a systematic enabler of green logistics within the organization; however, their environmental benefits have not yet been quantified. Future research should therefore focus on measuring changes in energy use and CO₂ emissions under different warehousing scenarios. Full article

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

23 pages, 463 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Trade, Growth, and Logistics Performance: Dynamic and Distributional Insights into the Drivers of CO₂ Emissions in the Mediterranean Basin

by Ioannis Katrakylidis, Athanasios Athanasenas, Michael Madas and Constantinos Katrakilidis

Economies 2026, 14(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies14010024 - 15 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 817

Abstract

This paper examines how logistics performance conditions the relationship between trade openness, economic growth and per capita CO₂ emissions in Mediterranean economies. Using an unbalanced panel of 20 countries over the period 2007–2022, we combine static fixed-effects, dynamic panel generalized method of [...] Read more.

This paper examines how logistics performance conditions the relationship between trade openness, economic growth and per capita CO₂ emissions in Mediterranean economies. Using an unbalanced panel of 20 countries over the period 2007–2022, we combine static fixed-effects, dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators and Method-of-Moments Quantile Regression (MM-QR). CO₂ emissions per capita, the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI), trade openness and GDP per capita are drawn from World Bank databases, and interaction terms between LPI and both income and trade openness are constructed to capture conditional effects. The results from fixed-effects and system GMM estimations show that logistics performance exerts a robust and statistically significant negative effect on emissions, whereas GDP per capita is a positive driver and trade openness tends to reduce emissions when logistics capacity is sufficiently strong. Negative and significant interaction terms between LPI and both income and openness indicate that logistics efficiency amplifies the environmental benefits of trade and growth. Quantile regressions reveal that these patterns are most pronounced in high-emission countries, where improvements in logistics performance and its interaction with trade and income generate larger marginal reductions in CO₂ emissions. Overall, the findings highlight the central role of logistics modernization and green trade facilitation in reconciling trade-led growth with decarbonization in the Mediterranean Basin. From a policy perspective, the evidence suggests that prioritizing green logistics and trade facilitation—particularly in high-emission Mediterranean economies—can yield the largest marginal reductions in CO₂ emissions. Full article

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

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34 pages, 942 KB  

Open AccessArticle

From Carbon Constraints to Digital Solutions: How Climate Governance Drives Corporate Transformation in China

by Da Cui, Min Chen and Jianxu Liu

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010238 - 25 Dec 2025

Viewed by 571

Abstract

With climate governance playing an increasingly crucial role in driving the low-carbon transition and digital transformation being regarded as vital for sustainable development, China has formulated a comprehensive climate governance system with the Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme (CETS) at its core. This research [...] Read more.

With climate governance playing an increasingly crucial role in driving the low-carbon transition and digital transformation being regarded as vital for sustainable development, China has formulated a comprehensive climate governance system with the Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme (CETS) at its core. This research utilizes the implementation of China’s CETS as a quasi-experimental setup to explore how climate governance enables corporate digital transformation to support the low-carbon transition. Findings show that climate governance remarkably boosts corporate digital transformation by 18.8%, mainly by relieving financing limitations and encouraging green technological innovation. Nonetheless, the “crowding-out impact” of regulatory environmental measures and the “policy replacement impact” of eco-friendly loans somewhat dampen these beneficial influences. Findings from the heterogeneity analysis indicate that the positive influence of climate governance is more evident in areas where the public has a greater awareness of the environment and in industries that are not major polluters, demonstrating differences in geographical and industrial features. Based on the research findings, this paper will provide comprehensive suggestions for improvement in institutional factors, financial and innovation support, differentiated implementation, and policy coordination. The suggestions will provide both theoretical and empirical insights for enterprises to advance towards achieving the integrated development of low-carbon economy and digitalization. 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, 647 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Smarter and Greener: How Does Intelligent Manufacturing Empower Enterprises’ Green Innovation?

by Shuying Chen, Da Gao and Linfang Tan

Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7230; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167230 - 10 Aug 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1916

Abstract

Intelligent manufacturing is the inevitable path for China to achieve its strategy of becoming a manufacturing power. Exploring how intelligent manufacturing policies can promote green innovation, which refers to promoting innovative technologies aimed at improving resource utilization efficiency, is of great significance for [...] Read more.

Intelligent manufacturing is the inevitable path for China to achieve its strategy of becoming a manufacturing power. Exploring how intelligent manufacturing policies can promote green innovation, which refers to promoting innovative technologies aimed at improving resource utilization efficiency, is of great significance for promoting the green transformation of enterprises. Based on the data of A-share listed enterprises from 2010 to 2023, this study regards the intelligent manufacturing demonstration project pilot as a quasi-natural experiment and explores its policy spillover effects and mechanism. The research findings indicate that the intelligent manufacturing policy can greatly improve firms’ green innovation, and non-state-owned and non-high-pollution enterprises are more sensitive to intelligent manufacturing policies. It has a significant spatial spillover effect in both the district and industry dimensions. In addition, the mechanism analysis indicates that alleviating enterprises’ financing constraints and environmental uncertainty are important ways to promote enterprises’ green innovation. This study empirically designs to fill the theoretical gap in the association between intelligent manufacturing policies and green innovation in the body of knowledge, and innovatively verifies the spatial spillover effect of intelligent manufacturing policies from both the district and industry dimensions. At the practical level, its conclusion provides an operational decision-making toolbox for multiple entities such as the government, enterprises, and financial institutions to jointly promote green transformation. Full article

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

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27 pages, 1617 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Green Finance Reform: How to Drive a Leap in the Quality of Green Innovation in Enterprises?

by Shuying Chen, Da Gao and Linfang Tan

Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7085; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157085 - 5 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1579

Abstract

Improving green innovation quality is a critical component for speeding green transformation and generating high-quality growth. This study examines the link between the pilot zone for green finance reform and innovations (PZGFRI) policy and the quality of green innovation in Chinese A-share listed [...] Read more.

Improving green innovation quality is a critical component for speeding green transformation and generating high-quality growth. This study examines the link between the pilot zone for green finance reform and innovations (PZGFRI) policy and the quality of green innovation in Chinese A-share listed firms from 2010 to 2020. This study demonstrates that the PZGFRI may greatly enhance the quality of enterprises’ green innovation. Additionally, by promoting environmental investment and reducing financial barriers, we use the mediating effect model to confirm that the PZGFRI improves the enterprises’ quality of green innovation. Meanwhile, the heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the PZGFRI is more successful in raising the green innovation quality in state-owned, large-sized, and heavily polluting businesses. Our study’s findings offer a strong theoretical basis for improving the PZGFRI and encouraging businesses to undergo high-quality transformation. Full article

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

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21 pages, 461 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Perception of Economic Policy Uncertainty and Energy Consumption Intensity: Evidence from Construction Companies

by Yulu Liang, Ruiling Dong, Ruiyifan Wan, Shenglin Ma, Yongjian Huang and Donghui Pan

Energies 2025, 18(12), 3183; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18123183 - 17 Jun 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1287

Abstract

Using 2010–2019 data from 404 listed construction companies in China, we explore the relationship between perception of economic policy uncertainty (PEPU) and energy consumption intensity (ECI) based on a fixed effects model controlling for company, year, and city fixed effects, with standard errors [...] Read more.

Using 2010–2019 data from 404 listed construction companies in China, we explore the relationship between perception of economic policy uncertainty (PEPU) and energy consumption intensity (ECI) based on a fixed effects model controlling for company, year, and city fixed effects, with standard errors clustered at the industry level. The results show that the perception of economic policy uncertainty reduces construction enterprise energy consumption intensity, and this result holds after a series of robustness and endogeneity tests. Further, this effect is stronger in firms with more green shareholders, environmental information disclosure, and external attention. Moreover, mechanism analysis indicates that internal control enhancement and green innovation improvement, including quantity and quality, are the underlying channels through which the perception of economic policy uncertainty influences energy consumption intensity. 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, 2720 KB  

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

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1526

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 KB  

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1353

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 KB  

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 6 | Viewed by 2930

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 KB  

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 28 | Viewed by 3980

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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