Carbon Reduction Research Articles

How Does a Green Supply Chain Improve Corporate Carbon Performance

Drawing from A-share listed companies’ data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets in China (2013–2022), this paper adopts the differential model to test the impact and mechanism of a green supply chain (GSC) pilot on pilot enterprises. The results show that the GSC pilot effectively improved the carbon performance of the pilot enterprises and passed a series of robustness tests. Mechanism analysis finds that green innovation, efficiency improvement, and environmental information disclosure (EID) can reduce the carbon emissions of enterprises. The moderating effect discovers that environmental regulation and environmental attention effectively strengthened the role of the GSC pilot in improving carbon performance. In addition, this paper finds that the pilot had a better carbon reduction effect on mature, technology-intensive, and non-state-owned enterprises. The above research conclusions provide strong support for the government to build a GSC and promote low-carbon development.

Optimising Portugal’s 2050 energy system: Electric vehicles and hydrogen integration using Grey Wolf Optimiser and EnergyPLAN

The global shift to sustainable energy, driven by climate concerns and energy security, is backed by worldwide governmental commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance renewable energy sources in the energy systems. In 2016, the Portuguese Government pledged to carbon neutrality by 2050 as part of this global effort. This article proposes technical solutions for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing renewable energy in the Portuguese mainland energy system by 2050, considering the targets set by the government. An energy system modelling approach based on the Grey Wolf Optimiser and the EnergyPLAN software was introduced. Seven scenarios for 2050 assess the impacts of transport electrification and hydrogen grid integration while minimising costs and/or carbon dioxide emissions. The results show that achieving a nearly 100% renewable electricity system and carbon neutrality is possible, considering a carbon capture ranging from 2.65Mt to 5.87Mt. The 2050 energy system requires a minimum battery storage of 5.1GWh and a minimum natural gas storage of 2,063GWh. Transport electrification requires an increase in the total installed capacity by at least 1.83GW, while hydrogen integration increases it by a minimum of 8.25GW. Developing interconnection capacity beyond 15% of the total installed capacity is crucial for grid stability and reducing fossil fuel dependence.

When talk meets actions – return to commission leadership in EU environmental policy-making with the European Green Deal

ABSTRACT With the Green Deal, the von der Leyen Commission has put forward an ambitious agenda to transform the European Union towards climate neutrality. However, this commitment to environmental and climate policy has been tested by the numerous crises that have shaped her tenure. Historically, previous Commissions have often deprioritized environmental policy in times of crisis. In light of this, we examine the Commission’s leadership in the realm of environmental policy. Our analysis demonstrates that both the President and her Executive Vice President provided strong leadership and maintained a clear focus on the Green Deal. We further explore this leadership by examining the Commission’s actions in relation to four key Green Deal policies: the Climate Law, the Battery Regulation, the Methane Regulation, and the Nature Restoration Law. Our findings reveal that the rhetorical commitment to environmental and climate policy has translated into mostly ambitious policy proposals, marking a significant departure from the more restrained environmental ambitions of previous Commissions. This analysis contributes to the body of research on the European Commission’s role in environmental and climate policy, as well as its leadership dynamics.

Artificial photosynthetic system for diluted CO2 reduction in gas-solid phase

Rational design of robust photocatalytic systems to direct capture and in-situ convert diluted CO2 from flue gas is a promising but challenging way to achieve carbon neutrality. Here, we report a new type of host-guest photocatalysts by integrating CO2-enriching ionic liquids and photoactive metal-organic frameworks PCN-250-Fe2M (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Mn) for artificial photosynthetic diluted CO2 reduction in gas-solid phase. As a result, [Emim]BF4(39.3 wt%)@PCN-250-Fe2Co exhibits a record high CO2-to-CO reduction rate of 313.34 μmol g−1 h−1 under pure CO2 atmosphere and 153.42 μmol g−1 h−1 under diluted CO2 (15%) with about 100% selectivity. In scaled-up experiments with 1.0 g catalyst and natural sunlight irradiation, the concentration of pure and diluted CO2 (15%) could be significantly decreased to below 85% and 10%, respectively, indicating its industrial application potential. Further experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that ionic liquids not only benefit CO2 enrichment, but also form synergistic effect with Co2+ sites in PCN-250-Fe2Co, resulting in a significant reduction in Gibbs energy barrier during the rate-determining step of CO2-to-CO conversion.

Unlocking Sustainable Growth in Urban Agglomerations: A Case Study of Carbon Emissions Trading in China

Amid global efforts to combat climate change, China’s targets for reaching carbon peak and achieving carbon neutrality are critical for enhancing environmental governance and promoting sustainable economic growth. This study investigates the impacts of experimental carbon emissions trading markets on industrial coordination within a typical inland urban cluster in China, employing innovative regression control methods (RCM) to analyze changes in regional industrial dynamics. The analysis reveals significant findings: firstly, the establishment of carbon emissions trading markets has tangibly influenced industrial coordination across the economic zone; and secondly, while industrial coordination within the manufacturing sectors has seen a substantial increase, coordination in the productive service sectors remains relatively unchanged. These outcomes highlight the differential effects of carbon market policies on various sectors and underscore the importance of targeted interventions in achieving broader environmental and economic objectives.

Empirical Research on the Impact of Technological Innovation on New Energy Vehicle Sales

In the context of global carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, researching the driving forces and influencing factors behind the growth in sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) is particularly urgent and crucial. Although the academic community has extensively explored various factors affecting NEV sales, technological innovation, as the core engine driving industry progress, is yet to receive sufficient and in-depth exploration regarding its potential profound impact on sales. Therefore, this study thoroughly analyzes the mechanism by which technological innovation influences sales, supplementing the existing literature, exploring sustainable industry development, and guiding the optimization of business strategies and precise government policies. This research employs the quality of NEV technology patents as a proxy variable for technological innovation, and conducts an empirical analysis using China’s NEV sales data from 2015 to 2022. The results of the study show the following: (1) the quality of technological innovation significantly contributes to the growth of new energy vehicle sales. This conclusion still holds when the administrative protection of intellectual property rights and the government’s public innovation environment indicators are used as instrumental variables of technological innovation quality. (2) Technological innovations in different links of the new energy vehicle industry chain have a positive impact on sales, especially those in the midstream battery, motor, and downstream charging services. This shows that in the critical period of new energy vehicle development, not only is the breakthrough of key technologies crucial, but also, non-critical technologies can promote sales growth by improving user experience and product performance. (3) Compared with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the overall technological innovation of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has a more significant effect on the sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). (4) In addition, the study finds that there is no significant difference between high-quality and low-quality technological innovations on the promotion of new energy vehicle sales, which indicates that the market values the overall effect of technological innovations more than the mere level of quality. The study of the impact of technological innovation on sales in different branches of the new energy industry chain can help to clarify the direction of technological innovation, optimize resource allocation, promote the synergistic development of the industry chain, enhance market competitiveness, and provide a scientific basis for policy formulation.

Improving indoor air quality and cooling efficiency: Indirect dew-point evaporative cooling in South China summers

The escalating impact of global warming and the increase in respiratory illnesses have heightened the demand for fresh air systems. However, the substantial power consumption and environmental harm associated with traditional air conditioning systems conflict with current international aspirations for carbon neutrality. To address these issues, a high-performance and compact counterflow indirect dew-point evaporative cooler have developed. This innovative design eliminates the U-turn of the working air seen in conventional M-cycle coolers, resulting in reduced pressure drop and enhanced energy efficiency. This study evaluates the performance of the newly developed dew-point cooler and explores its potential use in providing cool and fresh air for indoor spaces during the sub-tropical summer season in Zhenjiang city, Jiangsu province, China. The results indicate that despite the relatively low fan efficiency (ranging from 5% to 36%), a high cooling coefficient of performance (COP) between 5.2 and 9.3 was achieved. The cooler has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving both thermal comfort and air quality indoors. In Zhenjiang, the cooler can function as a standalone cooling device in June. However, during the hotter months of July and August, it is more suitable as an efficient pre-cooling device when used in conjunction with a conventional air conditioner. The developed cooler exhibited highly stable performance over a three-month test period, consistently maintaining effective cooling and fresh air supply. This study confirms the potential of the counterflow indirect dew-point evaporative cooler as a sustainable and efficient solution for improving indoor air ventilation and thermal comfort.

Does industrial agglomeration curb corporate carbon emissions? A perspective of financial constraints

This paper investigates the impact of industrial agglomeration on corporate carbon emissions in China. We measure the extent of industrial agglomeration utilizing distance-based continuous spatial measurement, differentiating between the quantity and scale of agglomeration. Using a panel of 7895 firm-year observations from 2007 to 2019, our findings indicate that regional industrial agglomeration contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions for firms located within those regions. Specifically, this reduction is primarily achieved through the alleviation of corporate financial constraints. We demonstrate that industrial agglomeration facilitates firms in accessing informal finance (e.g., trade credit) more effectively than formal finance (e.g., bank loans). Additionally, we find that the effect of industrial agglomeration on reducing carbon emissions is more pronounced for firms with higher environmental responsibility, while it is diminished in regions with greater marketization. The carbon reduction effect is also more significant for heavily polluting firms and those situated in areas with stricter environmental regulations. Furthermore, our study reveals that the implementation of green credit policies may weaken the carbon reduction effect of agglomeration by limiting access to financial resources. The robustness of our main results is confirmed through the Bartik-IV test and other robustness checks. Taken together, our findings suggest that industrial agglomeration can effectively lower corporate carbon emissions by easing financial constraints, offering valuable insights into strategies for enhancing corporate environmental performance.

Assessment of carbon efficiency in wastewater treatment plants through Stochastic non-parametric data envelopment analysis (StoNED): Insights from Spanish facilities

Evaluating the carbon efficiency (CE) of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is crucial for guiding these facilities towards carbon neutrality. Nevertheless, enhancing carbon performance ought not to be pursued to the detriment of pollutant removal efficiency. In this study, the CE of WWTPs is calculated as a composite index that integrates carbon emissions with the volume of pollutants removed from wastewater, including organic matter, suspended solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus. To achieve this, the Stochastic Non-parametric Envelopment of Data (StoNED) method is employed. This approach, distinct from the commonly used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), accounts for both empirical data and random variations in the estimation of CE, thereby enhancing the reliability of the CE evaluation. The study assesses the CE of 109 Spanish WWTPs, finding that none of them are fully carbon efficient. This involves that all plants have potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing pollutant removal efficiency. The average CE of the WWTPs is 0.529, indicating a possible reduction in carbon emissions by approximately 0.076 kg of CO2 equivalent per cubic meter of wastewater treated. The analysis also reveals that neither the volume of wastewater treated nor the type of reactor used for secondary treatment has a significant impact on the CE of the facilities. The CE metric proposed in this study serves as an important decision-support tool for advancing towards the carbon neutrality of wastewater treatment processes. By providing a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental performance of WWTPs, it helps identifying areas for improvement and guiding policy and operational decisions.

The Transformation Path of Industrial Parks under the Goals of Carbon Peak and Neutrality in China

The Transformation Path of Industrial Parks under the Goals of Carbon Peak and Neutrality in China

A Study On The Impact of The Digital Economy on China’s Carbon Neutrality Capability

The digital economy is a new economic form driven by digital technology, which contains green and low-carbon effects and can promote the transition to a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society. This paper explores the impact of the digital economy on carbon neutrality capability using panel data from 30 provinces in China between 2013 and 2021and finds that the digital economy has a positive effect on carbon neutrality capability with non-linear characteristics. It has a positive and then a negative effect on carbon reduction capability, as well as a positive effect on carbon removal capability. The digital economy can aid various societal actors in enhancing carbon neutrality capability by promoting corporate technological innovation, encouraging public green consumption, and adjusting government environmental regulations.

Wind speed effect on infrared-image-based coal and gangue recognition with liquid intervention in LTCC

The commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 makes the clean transition of fossil energy production inevitable in China. As the primary fossil energy source, China produced approximately 4.66 billion tons of raw coal in 2023. Among them, in the fields of mining engineering and environmental science, the accurate recognition of gangue (one of the environmental pollutants produced by coal combustion is black-gray solid waste) from coal is crucial because it is a key step in reducing resource waste and environmental pollution. Hence, coal and gangue automatic recognition with high accuracy is very important for intelligent longwall top coal caving (LTCC) mining. A novel approach of “liquid intervention + infrared detection” is introduced to enhance the recognition accuracy when the exterior color of coal and gangue is similar. This study focuses on the infrared image recognition of coal and gangue after liquid intervention under varying wind speed conditions, and optimizes the image processing path. The effect of varying wind speed conditions on the recognition accuracy of coal and gangue after liquid intervention was analyzed, and the optimal wind speed range was determined. The morphological evolution characteristics of droplets under varying wind field conditions were studied by COMSOL two-phase flow interface. The results show that with the increase of wind speed, the surface contour of coal is gradually clear, and the overall recognition accuracy is also improved. When the high wind speed is 1.55 m/s, the recognition accuracy reaches 99.89%, and the recognition accuracy of other wind speed regions is also above 90% (within 7s). In addition, the numerical simulation can maintain the volume fraction of the droplet in a short time under the constant flow wind flow field, thus inhibiting the phenomenon that the recognition accuracy decreases with time. The simulation results are in good agreement with the physical experimental phenomena, which proves the reliability of the numerical simulation. This study is of great significance to the recognition of coal gangue types with low identification characteristics in LTCC, so as to ensure the primary economic benefits, ecological environment safety and sustainable development of coal mines.

Unlocking the potential of natural resources, fintech and fiscal policy for carbon neutrality; evidence from N-11 nations

By controlling the quantity of greenhouse gases in the natural environment, carbon neutrality is designed to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change. The specific goal can be attained by enforcing carbon dioxide elimination approaches, fostering the growth of fintech, fiscal policy tools, and funding in human development, along with the lowering of emissions. The current research analyzes the influence of the human development index (HDI), natural resources (NR), fintech (FT), and fiscal policy (FP) on carbon neutrality within the parameters of a policy structure. This task is performed with the objective of fulfilling the goals stated above. The ongoing research applies the innovative " General Method of Moment Quantile-based Regression (GMMQR)" and “Panel Quantile ARDL" techniques on a sample of N-11 nations to accomplish the goal. The outcomes support the idea that NR and FP function as pivotal factors in diminishing carbon neutrality. On the other hand, FT and HDI improve carbon neutrality. Moreover, in accordance with the heterogeneous panel causality test developed by Dumitrescu and hurlin (2012), NR, FP, HDI, and FT have been determined to have a unidirectional link with carbon neutrality. In regard to these findings, the research outlines a strategy designed to attain SDG 13 for the chosen nations. Decision-makers in these nations need to focus on policies that encourage the efficient use of natural resources. In addition, the chosen nations need to enhance their level of fintech to combat environmental degradation and achieve the targets of carbon neutrality.

Spatial Pattern and Influence Mechanisms of Forest Land Quality under the Background of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality: A Case Study in Kaizhou District, Chongqing, China

Since the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality have been established, forest carbon sinks have garnered significant attention. As a fundamental component of forest carbon sinks, the quality of forest land significantly influences the carbon sink capacity of forests. This study utilized Kaizhou District, Chongqing City, a typical forest area as a case study, and used the correction method, factor method, CASA model, landscape ecology indexes, and canonical correlation analysis to evaluate the level of forest land quality and reveal the spatial distribution pattern and influencing mechanisms of forest land quality. The results showed that: (i) The quality index of public welfare forest land was distributed in [37.89, 148.15], and each quality level was diversified in space. The quality index of commodity forest land was distributed in [40.00, 92.67], and some high-quality forest land appeared in the transition zone of each region; (ii) The forest land quality index and the amount of net primary productivity passed the correlation test. Primary net productivity was higher on forest land with a high-quality index and lower on forest area with a low-quality index; (iii) public welfare forest land was mainly positively affected by community structure, average annual precipitation, average annual temperature, and soil moisture. Commodity forest land was mainly positively affected by average annual temperature, soil moisture, and slope aspect. However, landform had a significant negative impact on the two types of forest land. Given these findings, we also proposed a series of measures aimed at promoting the sustainable development of research on regional forest land.

Research progress of hydrogen blocking coatings

In the context of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the use of clean energy has become the focus of attention. Hydrogen energy as the most potential secondary energy has a very important position in various fields, so the storage and transport of hydrogen energy is one of our most important concerns. Long distance pipeline is regarded as an effective means to transport hydrogen, but the high pressure hydrogen environment is easy to cause hydrogen embrittleness and other problems in the pipeline, which seriously threatens the safety of pipeline transportation. Hydrogen blocking coatings are one of the most effective ways to solve such problems. In this paper, the research results in recent years are reviewed and summarized. The article points out the hydrogen barrier mechanism, advantages and disadvantages of various types of hydrogen barrier coatings, the current status of research, as well as future research focus and development trend.

The impact of a low-carbon transport system policy on total factor carbon emission performance: Evidence from 283 cities in China

Reducing carbon emissions from the transport sector is crucial to achieve “carbon neutrality” and is an important component of a low-carbon policy system. In response to the uncertainty of evaluating current low-carbon transport policies, we provide an in-depth analysis and examination of low-carbon transport system (LCTS) policies implemented in China. Using data from 283 Chinese cities between 2006 and 2020, we provide evidence on the policy effects, potential mechanisms, and heterogeneity of LCTS policies on carbon emission performance. Results showed that LCTS policies significantly improved carbon emission performance in pilot regions. The main ways to achieve this policy's objective were to reduce energy consumption in pilot cities, to promote the development of green technologies, and to implement low-carbon transformation of public transport. Moreover, there was heterogeneity in the policy's effects, with the implementation of a LCTS being more effective in eastern and central regions of China and in larger and more compact cities. By analysing the policy's mechanisms and heterogeneity of effects, this article provides a reference for the formulation and selection of low-carbon transport policies.

Assessment and multi-scenario simulation of ecosystem service values in Southwest China’s mountainous and hilly region

Abstract The southwestern mountainous and hilly regions of China are vital ecological barriers upstream of the Yangtze River. Assessing and simulating changes in ecosystem service value (ESV) in this area is essential for ensuring sustainable ecological development. In this study, our purpose was to evaluate and simulate the spatial patterns as well as trends in the changes shown by the ESV in Yanting County, China, from 2020 to 2030 via a grid-scale using the equivalent factor method and the Markov–patch-generating land use simulation model. The results indicated that (1) from 2020 to 2030, forest, cultivated, and construction lands would be the main types of land use. (2) In 2030, the projected ESVs in Yanting County under the as-usual, low-carbon, and shared development scenarios were 5.31, 5.30, and 4.99 billion RMB, respectively. Compared to the 2020 ESV of Yanting County, the as-usual scenario and low-carbon scenario ESVs increased. The shared development scenario ESVs decreased. It reflects the contra-diction between urbanization, industrialization, agricultural production, and ecological protection in Yanting County. The spatial distribution of the ESVs of all three scenarios showed an agglomeration trend. (3) Given the background of national food security and carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, the setting of a low-carbon development scenario combined with a shared development scenario appears to be more suitable for the future development of Yanting County, which is conducive to the rational planning of land-use patterns and the sci-entific growth of ESV in Yanting County. This study underscores the critical importance of integrating ESVs in sustainable land-use planning and management, and provides a reference for the rational use of land resources, land spatial planning, and policy-making for ecological protection in Yanting County.

Investigation of hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse into glucose over solid acid HSO3-ZSM-5 zeolite for fermentation to bioethanol

ABSTRACT In the pursuit of sustainable energy sources, biomass has emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels due to its renewability and carbon neutrality. This current work presents the application of solid acid zeolite catalyst for biomass hydrolysis into reducing sugar for fermentation. Sulfonated ZSM-5 zeolite was prepared by grafting sulfonic acid group on the surface and/or into the pores of porous ZSM-5 zeolite and characterized by several analyses. The as-synthesized HSO3-ZSM-5 zeolite was then investigated as a solid acid catalyst for the hydrolysis of alkaline pretreated sugarcane bagasse (SB). Containing sulfonic acid groups – a very strong acid – on the surface, HSO3-ZSM-5 zeolite presented high catalytic activity and high efficiency in the hydrolysis of SB biomass. When the hydrolysis was carried out under optimal conditions, approximately 106.8 g/L of reducing sugar including of glucose, xylose, arabinose, and cellobiose was recovered. 86.65% fermentable sugars could be achieved after catalytic hydrolysis, and 48.7% of SB in total was converted to reducing sugar and others. Moreover, this solid acid catalyst can be reused impressively several times with no significant loss in catalytic activity. The sugar hydrolyzate could be used for fermentative production of bio-ethanol. Results indicated the possibility of using solid acid zeolite in the hydrolysis of lignocellulose to generate sugars that can be further applied in biofuel or chemical manufacturing.

A study on the microstructure and power generation performance of colored BIPV modules

The need for greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality is increasing, and the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) power generation system is emerging as a key element. However, colored BIPV modules that enhance the aesthetic value of buildings have challenges in maintaining power generation efficiency due to their varied optical properties. This work investigates the structural, elemental, and power generation of colored BIPV modules fabricated using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), inorganic pigment dyeing (HAZE), and color dot printing (DOT) in comparison to a conventional BIPV module without color treatment. Comprehensive structural and elemental analyses were performed, and optical properties were assessed. Power generation performance was measured using an Outdoor-exposed Power Generation Evaluation (OPGE) test at various tilt angles and azimuths. The results indicated a 57.2 % decrease in power output for the PECVD module, while the DOT and HAZE modules showed a reduction of approximately 30 % compared to the reference module. The power output of the colored modules decreased compared to the conventional ones due to higher light reflectance. However, to enhance efficiency, an improved optical design was developed, reducing light reflectance by over 57 % on average. This provides the potential for optimizing both the aesthetic and functional aspects.

Granular insights into occupant behaviours and CO2 emissions in the UK

Addressing global climate change necessitates a deep understanding of the sources of CO2 emissions, particularly at the individual level. While existing research has explored in depth the behavioural awareness of individual/household carbon emissions and its overall impacts, there remain significant research gaps in the understanding of how behavioural adjustments, influenced by individual factors, can be made to achieve carbon emission reductions under the current market mechanisms. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a detailed analysis of the carbon emissions associated with various activities of residents. Utilising the UK Time Use Survey, we applied path analysis and t-statistics to dissect how distinct occupant behaviours and their characteristics impact CO2 emissions. Our findings reveal age is a predominant driving factor in employment, studying, and media consumption, while gender significantly impacts household and care-related activities, and income levels influence emissions from hobbies and transportation. These insights highlight the importance of developing carbon reduction strategies that are developed on an individual behavioural basis to reach behavioural adjustments. Our analysis provides quartile results for different behaviours, aiding policymakers in devising carbon reduction strategies tailored to occupants' emissions profiles. Meanwhile, using scenario analysis, the policy has a carbon reduction potential ranging from 29.59% to 75.36%. Overall, our study offers empirical data and granular insights that can inform targeted interventions and policy formulations aimed at promoting carbon neutrality by focusing on the specific behaviours of individual occupants.