Environmental Management Policies Research Articles

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish from four lakes in central and eastern China: Bioaccumulation, pollution characteristics, sources, and health risk assessment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly concerning environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. In this paper, concentrations and compositions of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority control PAHs in the fish collected from four lakes in central and eastern China were analyzed. 18 species of fish were collected from four typical lakes, namely Taihu Lake, Danjiangkou Reservoir, Yuncheng Salt Lake, and Nansi Lake. Quantitative analysis of PAHs were carried out with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, and 13 out of 16 PAHs were identified, with the main components being pyrene, chrysene, naphthalene, and benzo(b)fluoranthene. The accumulation of PAHs in fish from Taihu Lake, Danjiangkou Reservoir, Yuncheng Salt Lake, and Nansi Lake was 28.75–47.27, 26.60–31.93, 33.56–39.30, and 27.22–43.01 ng·g−1, respectively. The toxic equivalents of high-cyclic PAHs in fish of the four lakes were significantly higher than those of low-cyclic and middle-cyclic PAHs (P < 0.05). In Taihu Lake, Danjiangkou Reservoir, and Nansi Lake, the toxicity equivalents were predominantly contributed by benzo[a] pyrene (BaP), while in Yuncheng Salt Lake, dibenzo(a,h) anthracene (DahA) was the main contributor. The residents in central and eastern China exposed to PAHs had a negligible non-cancer risk (non-carcinogenic risk values <1) and a potential low cancer risk. It was noteworthy that the Pleuronichthys cornutus and Lateolabrax japonicus from Yuncheng Salt Lake could pose carcinogenic risks (>10−4) to humans, with benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) having the highest risk contribution rate. Source analysis indicated that the main source of PAHs in fish was combustion sources. BaP, DahA, and BbF could become potential pollutants of concern in the field of ecotoxicology. The results of this study on PAHs bioaccumulation, pollution characteristics, sources and health risks in fish from four lakes would provide a scientific basis for local governments to formulate targeted environmental management policies, pollution control measures, and public health strategies.

Internet of Things (IoT) for Environmental Monitoring

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to explore the Internet of Things for environmental monitoring. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the Internet of Things for environmental monitoring. Preliminary empirical review revealed that IoT technologies have significantly enhanced environmental management practices by revolutionizing data collection and analysis across various ecosystems. By integrating IoT sensors with existing monitoring frameworks, real-time data on air and water quality, agriculture, wildlife habitats, and urban green spaces was efficiently gathered. This data facilitated proactive decision-making, early detection of environmental risks, and evidence-based policy formulation to address climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management challenges. Despite challenges like data security and interoperability, collaborative efforts among stakeholders paved the way for more effective environmental monitoring and sustainable development initiatives globally. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Complex Adaptive Systems Theory, Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Resource Dependence Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the Internet of Things technology. The study provided several recommendations that contributed significantly to theory, practice, and policy in environmental management. The study emphasized interdisciplinary approaches to enhance theoretical frameworks, advocating for advanced models and algorithms integrating IoT with environmental science and data analytics. In practice, it recommended widespread adoption of IoT-enabled sensor networks with enhanced capabilities for precise and reliable data collection. Policy-wise, the study called for regulatory frameworks supporting IoT integration, data standards, and international cooperation to address global environmental challenges collaboratively. Capacity building and continuous research and development were also highlighted to optimize IoT technologies for sustainable environmental monitoring and management globally.

Identification of Marine Landforms as a Form of Coastal Area Management in Pangandaran District

Changes in marine landforms in coastal areas are relatively rapid and need to be analyzed to determine environmental management policies. Complex marine landforms are found in the coastal areas of Pangandaran Regency and have strong pressure to fulfill community activities, not only for local communities but also for outside communities. Basically, community activities are adapted to regional environmental conditions. The aim is to optimize the potential of natural resources and minimize environmental degradation, but in reality, this has not been fully implemented. The method used in this research is a descriptive method using a field survey approach. Marine landforms resulting from the accretion process in the Pangandaran coastal area are spit landforms, aeolian-marine sedimentation in the form of coastal dunes, fluvio-marine sedimentation in the form of estuaries and alates, organic-marine landforms and white sand beaches associated with reefs. The landforms resulting from erosion are Cliffs, notches, wave-cut platforms, stacks, and stumps. The impact of landforms resulting from sedimentation in the Pangandaran coastal area is mainly spit landforms that cover river mouths and the occurrence of flooding, puddles, and even accumulation of organic waste, landforms resulting from erosion, the impact of which is the decline of the coastline accompanied by avalanches of material towards the sea, especially on beaches that have non-resistant rocks such as sedimentary rocks and alluvial deposits. Management of the Pangandaran coastal environmental area must be carried out in an integrated manner, land buritan (hinterland), which has steep slopes and resistant rock, is designated as limited production land, and the development of the spit at the river mouth is made into a jetty, and the beach has beach cups waves with rip currents and water bathymetry. -10 meters above sea level, a wave-protecting wall must be built, and the coastal border area must be used as vegetative-based conservation land.Keywords: Marine landforms, Coastal Management, Pangandaran

The impact of ESG performance on corporate sustainable growth from the perspective of carbon sentiment

With the increasing importance of environmental and economic sustainability concerns, the concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has gained significant attention. In the era of digitalization, a research approach called carbon sentiment analysis has emerged as an innovative method. This study aims to explore the connections between carbon sentiment, ESG, and corporate sustainable growth within the context of the green economy. By using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis and establishing a panel data model of ESG performance and sustainable growth for Chinese listed companies, a notable positive correlation between the two variables was observed. Endogeneity was addressed using the two-stage instrumental variable method (2SLS) and the dynamic panel Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model, with the results remaining robust both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Carbon-related news and textual information were collected and analyzed using advanced deep learning methods in Natural Language Processing (NLP), specifically Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models. This analysis enabled sentiment analysis and identification of the sentiment orientation of carbon news. The obtained sentiment scores were then integrated with company data to establish a moderation effect model. The findings of the study reveal that carbon sentiment significantly and positively moderates ESG performance in relation to corporate sustainable growth. Furthermore, the construction of a mediation effect model showed that carbon sentiment can moderate ESG performance by reducing environmental uncertainty, enhancing social trust, and alleviating financing constraints, thereby influencing corporate sustainable growth. The results of the heterogeneity group regression analysis demonstrate that the impact of ESG performance driven by carbon sentiment on sustainable growth is more pronounced in carbon market pilot regions, non-heavily polluting industries, and labor-intensive industries. This research provides a fresh perspective for understanding the dynamics of ESG, online carbon sentiment, and their implications for corporate sustainable growth. Additionally, it contributes to the development of the green economy and the formulation of environmental management policies.

Analysis of Environmental Management Policy Strategies Due to Increased Land Built in Pekanbaru City

Analysis of Environmental Management Policy Strategies Due to Increased Land Built in Pekanbaru City

The Efficiency of Financing Environmental Protection Measures in the Context of Ukraine’s Future Membership in the EU

In recent decades, humanity has had a significant negative impact on the environment. This problem can be solved only by establishing a rational environmental management policy and ensuring an effective financial policy in the context of balancing emissions and expenditures on environmental protection measures. The purpose of this article is to analyze the efficiency of financing environmental protection measures by determining the dependence of pollutant emissions on environmental protection expenditures in Ukraine and the European Union. The following methods were used for the study: analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison, specification, and statistical and graphical methods. The statistical information was systematized on the basis of open data from the Open Budget web portal, the State Statistics Service, and Eurostat. This study identified the dynamics of revenues from environmental taxes in Ukraine; taxes on air emissions prevail. Most of the expenditures are made from the state budget. According to the functional classification, environmental expenditures are mainly aimed at preventing and eliminating environmental pollution. The dynamics of capital investments in environmental protection were also studied. To assess the effectiveness of the state policy in the field of environmental protection, we analyzed the dependence of pollutant emissions in Ukraine, Poland, and Romania on the amount of environmental expenditures and investments in this area and revenues from environmental tax. In Ukraine, the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere depends mostly on investments in this area; in Poland—on revenues from environmental taxes; and in Romania—on expenditures on environmental protection. It has been established that the obtained models are adequate and can be used to build future forecasts of pollutant emissions. Directions for the development of financial and environmental policy are proposed. Post-war restoration of the environmental situation should be carried out on the basis of sustainable development, focusing on the European Green Deal A triple-task approach should be implemented, including environmental restoration, the minimization of negative climate change and balanced use of resources, and the expansion of powers of the relevant ministry with a focus on the strategic goals of the state policy. It is necessary to develop methodological recommendations according to international standards to assess the real state of the environment.

Analysis of Environmental Management Policies, Livestock Husbandry Practices, and Production Technology on Cattle Farm Productivity in West Java

This research explores the effects of environmental management policies, livestock husbandry practices, and the adoption of production technologies on the productivity of cattle farms in West Java, Indonesia. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, data were collected from 100 cattle farms across three productivity levels. Statistical analysis, including multiple regression, was employed to assess the influence of these factors on farm productivity. The results indicate that the adoption of production technologies had the most significant positive impact on productivity, followed by adherence to environmental management policies and the implementation of advanced husbandry practices. Qualitative findings support the quantitative results, highlighting the role of governmental support and training in facilitating the adoption of effective farming practices. This study underscores the necessity of integrated approaches that enhance both sustainability and efficiency, recommending policies that support technological innovation and environmental compliance. The findings serve as a valuable reference for policymakers and farm managers aiming to optimize productivity and sustainability in livestock farming.

Coupling and interaction mechanism between green urbanization and tourism competitiveness based an empirical study in the Yellow River Basin of China

Exploring the spatial coupling relationship and interaction mechanism between green urbanization (GU) and tourism competitiveness (TC) is of great significance for promoting urban sustainable development. However, the lack of research on the interaction mechanism between GU and TC limits the formulation of effective environmental management policy and urban planning. Taking 734 counties in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) as the study area, this paper analyzes the spatial coupling relationship between GU and TC on the basis of comprehensive evaluation of GU and TC. Then, the interactive mechanism between GU and TC is systematically discussed, and the synergistic development strategy of the two is proposed. The results show that the GU level presents a multicore circle structure, with provincial capitals, prefecture-level urban districts and economically developed counties in east-central regions as high-value centers. The TC at county scale presents a multi-center spatial structure. Additionally, there is a significant positive spatial coupling between GU and TC in the YRB. The analysis further reveals that green urbanization level, social progress, population development, infrastructure construction, economic development quality, and eco-environmental protection has a observably influence on TC. Tourism competitiveness, service competitiveness, location competitiveness, resource competitiveness, market competitiveness, environmental influence, and talent competitiveness has a observably influence on GU. TC can promote GU, and the improvement of green urbanization level can support the development of tourism competitiveness. According to the spatial zoning method, 734 counties are divided into 6 categories, and the coordinated development strategy of GU and TC for each type of district is proposed.

Time-varying causality relationships between trade openness, technological innovation, industrialization, financial development, and carbon emissions in Thailand.

Over the last twenty years, there has been swift growth in industrialization and technological advancements, driving economic progress. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that these sectors will bring about environmental shifts. Thus far, endeavors have been undertaken to assess the influence of industrialization and technological advancements on environmental deterioration. Additionally, the extensive discussion surrounding the impact of financial development, trade openness, and technological innovation on the environment has not yielded conclusive empirical findings. Studies often operate under the assumption of symmetric relationships, potentially leading to biased results. Adding to the discussion on the drivers of carbon neutrality, the time-dependent effects of critical aspects such as financial development and technological innovation should inform meaningful policies for environmental management. This article explores the time-varying causal association between trade openness, industrialization, financial development, technological innovation, and CO2 emissions in Thailand using novel time-varying Granger causality tests. The time-varying causality outcomes demonstrate that the associations change significantly over time, in contrast to the results of Toda-Yamamoto causality. Overall, there exists a bidirectional relationship between industrialization, financial development, trade openness, technological innovation, and CO2 emissions over different time sequences. These outcomes have implications for both policy and research.

Economic globalization-energy diversification nexus and implications for environmental management in China

Every nation on earth has the responsibility to implement effective environmental management measures for sustainable environmental quality. In doing so, this study scrutinizes the relationship between economic globalisation and energy diversification in the Chinese economy from 1995 to 2022 for designing and implanting policies for environmental management. It uses industrialization, foreign direct investment, foreign remittances, and information & communication technology as supplementary factors into augmented energy diversification demand function. This empirical analysis shows cointegration between the variables, with economic globalisation positively impacting energy diversification. Factors such as foreign direct investment, foreign remittances, and information & communication technology contribute to energy diversity. However, industrialization has an adverse relationship with energy diversification. The relationship forms an inverted-U shaped between economic globalization and energy diversification. Our causality analysis indicates that economic globalization positively causes energy diversification. This study also reveals a reciprocal and beneficial cause-and-effect association between foreign direct investment and energy diversification. Lastly, foreign remittances and information & communication technologies positively cause energy diversification.

Prevention and management of forest fires in an immersive environment

The global trend of innovative development of society positions virtual reality (VR) technologies as an integral tool in the management process. The study aims to analyse the potential of using immersive technologies in the system of forest fire prevention and management. The research was conducted using special scientific methods – experimentation and statistical methods descriptive and inferential statistics. The study determined that immersive technologies are now rapidly developing from the position of innovation to a practical range of tools. The study established that their implementation in the paradigm of environmental management policy is positioned as a prospective necessity and a factor in intensifying the quality of preventive environmental protection. The essence of the phenomenon of immersive technologies is specified, and their components, in particular, objective, virtual and augmented reality, are described. The potential of immersive technologies in the concept of expanding the toolkit of a modern industry specialist is investigated. The study proved that the use of VR applications has a significant potential for a positive impact on reducing the number of forest fires and improving the state of forest ecosystems. The specifics of the use of immersive technologies in the concept of forest fire prevention and management were analysed in the study. An example of the use of virtual reality technologies in the process of modelling the situation of fire prevention in a certain forest area using a VR application in the educational environment is presented. In the process of studying the features of virtual reality technologies in environmental modelling, the advantages and risks of their integration are highlighted. The results of the study can be effectively used in the practical process of implementing the concept of ensuring a sustainable environment in terms of forest fire prevention

Society and the State: The Movement to Protect the Living Space of Indigenous People on Bengkalis Island

This research aims to analyze community movements and efforts made by the state to protect the living space (territory) of indigenous peoples on Bengkalis Island. For generations, indigenous people have used the mangrove forest area as a living space. On the way, the indigenous people found that their living space was damaged and narrowed, which they understood but were unable to control. This research is qualitative, obtaining data through observation, interviews, and aggregate data. The research data is then analyzed following a logical flow built and adjusted to the flow of field research data. The resource mobilization theory was used as a guide. This research found that facing the rate of mangrove destruction as a living space, indigenous tribes can only adapt slowly by utilizing the remaining open resources and opportunities. The community movement to protect mangrove forests as a living space for indigenous people on Bengkalis Island is still limited to being carried out by the indigenous people. The new movement is only in the form of building relationships with officials who have power in the region, hoping that indigenous people can carry out their traditional activities, namely utilizing mangrove forests as their living space. This movement is far from successful. In the form of the Regional Environmental Protection and Management Policy, local government policy keeps indigenous people away from mangrove forests as their living space.

유아교사의 유아교육기관 ESG 인식 및 중요도에 따른 교육 요구도 분석

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore the educational needs of early childhood educators based on the analysis of their current awareness levels and perceived importance of ESG, utilizing the Borich needs assessment and The Locus for Focus model. Methods For this purpose, a study was conducted with 202 kindergarten teachers in the metropolitan area(Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon) using SPSS 23.0 and Excel programs. Through IPA analysis, we identified areasin need ofimprovement and areasofexcess. We conducted a t-test to examine the difference between the current level and importance of ESG. Additionally, we determined the top priority for educational support by comparing the Borich needs assessment and The Locus for Focus Model. Results The main results are as follows, First, within the IPA framework, HH was categorized into four areas, all of which fall under the “S” domain. HL comprised a total of three areas, with two falling under the “E” domain and one falling under the “G” domain. LL also had a total of three areas, with one falling under each of the “E”, “S”, and “G” domains. LH consisted of four areas, with two categorized under the “E” and “G” domains. Second, The analysis of the difference between the current perception levels and importance of ESG items revealed statistically significant differences in the “E” domain. Specifically, there were significant differences inthe items related to ‘waste recycling in early childhood education institutions,’ ‘implementation of environmental management policies in early childhood education institutions,’ and ‘establishment of environmental performance evaluation systems in early childhood education institutions.’ In the “S” domain, there were statistically significant differences observed for the items related to the establishmentand implementation of policies for employee stability within early childhood education institutions, as well as the establishmentand implementation of fair trade, anti-corruption, and ethical management policies for cooperation with suppliers within early childhood education institutions. Similarly, in the “G” domain, statistically significant differences were found for the items related to ‘public disclosure of management activities’ onthe website of early childhood education institutions and ‘prevention of inappropriate succession methods in early childhood education institutions.’ These differencesindicatethat these items are perceived as more important than the current level of awareness. According to the Borich Needs Assessment, the priority areas were ranked as follows:‘wasterecycling in early childhood education institutions,’ ‘prevention of inappropriate succession methods in early childhood education institutions,’ ‘implementation of environmental management policies in early childhood education institutions,’ ‘public disclosure of the management activities on the early childhood education institution’ swebsite, ‘and’ establishmentand implementation of fair trade, anti-corruption, and ethical management policies for cooperation with suppliers within early childhood education institutions.' Third, According to the analysis of The Locus for Focus model, the HH domain consists of 5 items, including ‘waste recycling in early childhood education institutions,’ ‘implementation of environmental management policies in early childhood education institutions,’ ‘establishment and implementation of policies for employee stability within early childhood education institutions,’ and ‘establishment and implementation of fair trade, anti-corruption, and ethical management policies for cooperation with suppliers within early childhood education institutions,’ as well as ‘prevention of inappropriate succession methods in early childhood education institutions.’ Fourth, The results indicate a common priority for the followingitems

Monitoring and Assessing (PM10 &amp; PM2.5) Particulate Matters within Federal University Otuoke amidst Seasonal Variation of Relative Humidity

This study examines the seasonal variation of particulate matter (PM10; PM2.5) concentrations within Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria. The study is premised on monitoring and assessing PM10 and PM2.5 in the environment of the university. Dustmate and Kane 100-1 and 3.5.1 RS-1361C-Humidity/Temperature meter were used in sampling between the hours of 8am to 5pm per day in five day per week for a period of 6month which covers both the rainy and dry season. The sampled concentration of PM10 and PM 2.5 obtained was compared with the guidelines of “The National Ambient Air Quality Standard” established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for compliance and regulation. Descriptive statistically methods were used in data analysis. The Results revealed that the averages PM10 are 116.71 µg/m3 and 107.25 µg/m3, while PM 2.5 records as 27.52 µg/m3 and 32.21 µg/m3 respectively. Relative humidity was also recorded 55.53 µg/m3 and 73.74 µg/m3. Similarly the results in both seasons shows the total average of PM10 as 100.19 µg/m3 and 110.07 µg/m3, PM 2.5 records 23.88 µg/m3 and 23.37 µg/m3 while relative humidity records 55.78 µg/m3 and 68.18 µg/m3 respectively. These were significantly influenced by the relative humidity of the environment of Federal University Otuoke. The study concludes that the seasonal variation of the relative humidity has an effect on the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and consequently the air quality of the university, hence further research into methods that will reduce particulate matter, as well as strategic environmental management policies within the university and beyond is recommended.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF LAND USE CHANGE IN SLAWI SUBDISTRICT, TEGAL REGENCY, 2014 - 2024 USING HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE IMAGERY DATA

This research aims to analyze land use change in Slawi Sub-district, Tegal Regency, from 2014 to 2024 using high-resolution satellite image data. This study used Worldview-2 high resolution satellite image data in 2014 and Geoeye-1 in 2024. This study was classified into 14 land use classes consisting of rivers, roads, railways, agriculture, green open space, other vegetation, industry, housing, government, public service facilities, trade services, transportation, defense and security and open land. The spatial analysis method was used to map changes in land area based on the main use classes such as agriculture, housing, and infrastructure. The results showed a significant decrease in agricultural land area as well as an increase in residential land area and infrastructure, reflecting the changing pattern of regional growth and development. In conclusion, an in-depth understanding of land use dynamics in Slawi Sub-district is important to support environmental management policies, natural resource conservation, and sustainable regional development in the future.

Assessment of clean production level in phosphate mining enterprises: Based on the fusion group decision weight and limited interval cloud model

To develop a robust cleaner production level assessment model for phosphate mining enterprises, this study investigated the key factors influencing their cleaner production levels. The model incorporates integrated group decision weights and a limited interval cloud model. Based on the comprehensive life cycle of phosphate mining production, we constructed a detailed evaluation index system to assess the cleaner production level of these enterprises. This system defined the quantitative ranges for each level and revealed the interrelationships among the indicators. To ensure comprehensive weight determination, we proposed a method that integrates the expertise of multiple stakeholders. This method leveraged group decision-making principles to effectively resolve conflicts in expert judgments during the weight determination process. In addressing the characteristics of evaluation indicators for the cleaner production level of phosphate mining enterprises, we proposed employing a finite interval cloud model to accurately characterize the distribution of the indicators. Leveraging the finite interval cloud model, we obtained numerical characteristics for various indicators and incorporated the weights of the integrated group decision-making attributes. This approach enabled us to determine the cleaner production level of phosphate mining using a finite interval cloud generator. Validation using five phosphate mining enterprises in Hubei Province, China, confirmed the model's high accuracy. This model demonstrated its applicability in evaluating cleaner production levels for phosphate mining enterprises, offering a theoretical foundation for developing targeted environmental management policies.

Land-Use Transitions Impact the Ecosystem Services Value in a Coastal Region by Coupling the Geo-Informatic Tupu and Benefit-Transfer Method: The Case of Ningde City, China

Exploring the mechanisms and processes of land-use transitions (LUTs) and their impact on ecosystem services can effectively elucidate the intricate interactions between human and natural systems, which is pivotal for advancing the sustainable development of regional economies and enhancing ecological environments. However, the existing literature lacks comprehensive analysis regarding the spatial and temporal evolution of LUTs, with insufficient integration of the “spatial pattern” and “time process”. Moreover, traditional assessments of the ecosystem services value (ESV) often overlook their negative costs. To address these gaps, this study first utilized the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform and employed the random forest algorithm to conduct supervised classification on Landsat remote-sensing images from the years 2000, 2010, and 2020 within the research area, thereby obtaining land-use data for three distinct periods. And then, we investigated the geographic features of LUTs and their ecological effects in the Ningde City of China from 2000 to 2020. The geo-informatic Tupu model and a newly revised method of benefit transfer were primarily employed for this purpose. The findings indicate the following: (1) Over the study period, the land-use structure of Ningde City predominantly comprised cultivated land and forest land, with continuous decreases in both types and a concurrent increase in built-up land. (2) Significant disparities exist in the spatial distribution of Tupu units, notably with “forest land → cultivated land” and “cultivated land → built-up land” as crucial units influencing ESV changes. (3) The ESV in Ningde City decreased from CNY 1105.54 × 108 to CNY 1020.47 × 108 over 2000–2020, while the ecosystem dis-services value exhibited an opposing trend, rising from CNY 12.68 × 108 to CNY 20.39 × 108. (4) The net ESV in Ningde City showed a decline over the same period, indicating a certain vulnerability in the city’s ecological system structure. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the influence of land-use patterns on ESV, offering valuable insights for regional ecological–environment management and land-use policy formulation, thereby fostering sustainable development in ecological, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions. Furthermore, the results serve as a reference for evaluating net ecosystem services value in other countries/regions.

Ethnoecological perspectives on environmental stewardship: Tenets and basis of reciprocity in Gitxsan and nłeʔkepmx (Nlaka'pamux) Territories

Abstract Local and Indigenous Peoples steward and protect a significant proportion of biologically diverse ecosystems globally. This fact is increasingly acknowledged by researchers and international organizations, offering both opportunities and challenges at the intersection of Indigenous and western knowledge production in the context of environmental management research and policy. Drawing on half a century of ethnoecological research and personal experiences in Gitxsan and nłeʔkepmx Territories in the Pacific Northwest of North America, this research considers the role of reciprocity as an inherent philosophy and tenet for successful environmental stewardship. Reciprocity is a legal responsibility and moral perspective that foregrounds many Indigenous worldviews. Such cultural drivers and obligations towards lands and biota appear to be unknown, marginalized or instrumentalized in mainstream and western science and policy. We conclude that fundamental elements of reciprocity may not be adequately blended or braided into western environmental management frameworks. As such, alternatives to blending include acknowledging sole proprietary and self‐determining rights for Indigenous Peoples to govern and steward lands outside of western infrastructures and value systems. This study raises critical questions about the feasibility of reconciling reciprocity with western environmental management practices and regulations. It explores the implications for Indigenous rights and sovereignty, and climate change mitigation. By addressing these complex issues, we contribute to ongoing discourse on the integration of Indigenous and western knowledge in environmental stewardship research, and the ethical, historical and cultural challenges that come with it. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Cultivating Empathy and Environmental Stewardship: Harnessing the Partnerships of Parents, Teachers and Communities for Sustainable Moral Development and Social Cohesion

Objective: This study aims to delve into how integrating the Islamic principle of Rahmatan Lil Alamin with the concept of empathy development can, through the collective efforts of parents, teachers, and communities, nurture empathy and environmental stewardship. This synergy aims at fostering sustainable moral development and social cohesion. Theoretical framework: Grounded in the Islamic principle of Rahmatan Lil Alamin, which advocates for mercy, love, and benevolence towards all creation, including our planet, this study intertwines this principle with the concept of empathy development. This emphasizes compassion and understanding between people and towards the environment. Drawing on theories of moral development, social cohesion, and environmental education, this framework seeks to explore the interconnectedness of these concepts within the study. Method: Employing a systematic literature review, this paper aims to establish a theoretical base and identify gaps within existing research on this subject. Results and conclusion: Anticipated findings suggest that the integration of Rahmatan Lil Alamin and empathy development into environmental management and education could highlight the crucial role of collaborative partnerships among parents, teachers, and communities. This collaboration is expected to foster a culture of environmental stewardship. The study's conclusion is poised to showcase how such an integrated approach can contribute to nurturing a culture that values stewardship of the environment. Implications of the research: The study has significant implications for environmental management, education, and social policy. Demonstrating the integration of Rahmatan Lil Alamin with empathy development could lead to more inclusive educational approaches to environmental stewardship, benefiting educators and practitioners alike. Originality/value: The distinctiveness of this study lies in its interdisciplinary approach, linking Islamic principles and empathy with environmental education and management. By showcasing how integration can lead to sustainable moral development and meet sustainability goals, the paper offers valuable insights for educational practitioners and policymakers worldwide.

How does the impact of a two-stage air pollution control policy on air quality different? Evidence from 258 cities in China

Air pollution control has become a core task in the construction of China's “ecological civilization”. From 2013 to 2020, the Chinese government successively implemented two consecutive environmental management policies targeting air pollution, namely the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) and the Blue Sky Defense War (BSDW). To compare and analyze the effects of these two consecutive policies on air pollution control and their differences in governance mechanisms, this paper employs daily air pollution data from 258 cities in China from January 2013 to September 2020 for empirical analysis. We examines the direct impact of the two-stage policies on air pollution and explores the impact mechanisms from three aspects: technological effects, structural effects, and scale effects. The results indicate: (1) Both APPCAP and BSDW significantly reduced AQI, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, nitrogen dioxide, and CO. (2) Compared to APPCAP, BSDW had a stronger effect on reducing nitrogen dioxide and managed O3 in coordination. (3) APPCAP did not have significant impacts on technology, scale, and structure effects, whereas BSDW significantly promoted technological innovation and industrial restructuring but significantly suppressed the scale effect. Our work provides new empirical evidence for the policy heterogeneity in air pollution control and offers useful policy implications for improving air quality and coordinated pollution control.