Environmental Policy Research Articles

Small Streams Support Beta Diversity in Neotropical Fish Assemblages in the Upper Paraná River Basin

ABSTRACTVariation in species composition along an environmental gradient (β‐diversity) can inform our understanding of biodiversity patterns and species composition. Beta diversity can be partitioned into species contributions to beta diversity (SCBD) and local contributions to beta diversity (LCBD). While SCBD describes the variations in species composition among samples, LCBD measures the uniqueness of a biological community within a larger ecosystem. Recently developed metrics enabled the estimation of species contribution to total beta diversity (SCBD) and the contribution of individual sites to total beta diversity (LCBD). Utilising these metrics, a one‐time survey of 275 sampling points within four sub‐basins of the Upper Paraná River Hydrographic Basin (low‐flow streams, < 5 m3/s) was conducted to assess fish community composition. Our results show that limnological influences at different scales contribute to higher LCBD. However, land use and species richness were not directly linked to this outcome, suggesting that sites with fewer fish species along sub‐basins contributed to higher beta diversity. It was concluded that beta diversity is more influenced by limnological characteristics and the position of sampling sites along the longitudinal gradient than that based on variations in species composition (SCBD). Moreover, high LCBD values were even found in portions of the gradient with lower species richness. This means that small streams in the sub‐basins of the upper Paraná River are unique and are comprised of varied habitats that contribute to increasing diversity. As such, they should be seen as a target in the development of environmental policies designed to conserve their pristine condition.

Dynamic role of medium- and high-tech industries and environmental policy stringency in environmental sustainability: fresh insights from Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression (DSUR) analysis.

Since the last two decades, carbon neutrality has become a primary target of all economies. Governmental environmental policies stand as the most potent tools in the arsenal when it comes to tempering the effects of climate change. Fostering the adoption of green energy sources and embracing energy efficiency principles may assume an essential role in upholding the standard of ecological integrity. The primary objective of this inquiry revolves around the meticulous analysis of the intricate interplay between economic growth, the trajectory of industrialization, the up-gradation of industrial sector structure, the integration of green energy paradigms, and the implementation of energy efficiency strategies and environmental policies in the frame spanning from 2000 to 2019. To tackle the matter of cross-sectional dependency and heterogeneity, second-generation cointegration estimators, Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression (DSUR) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG), were employed to estimate long-run relationships. The consequences of DSUR and AMG indicate that while economic and industrial growth contributes to environmental degradation, renewable energy usage, and medium-high-tech industries mitigate the carbon emissions in selected countries. Further study results suggest that energy intensity positively impacts environmental degradation, which means energy efficiency helps mitigate CO2 emissions in these countries. This study also reveals that the degree of stringency in environmental policy negatively affects CO2 releases in the selected nations. Consequently, our study recommends the enhancement of the stringency of environmental policies, promoting environmentally friendly energy usage, the efficient use of energy, and the advancement of industries into medium-high-tech industries as effective ways to mitigate climate change in specific developing countries.

Deconstruction of green product innovation drivers for regional export-oriented industrial enterprises in China: the product space perspective

Achieving green economic growth requires enterprises to develop and promote green products that balance environmental protection, intensive resource utilization, and sustainable development. However, under the externality assumption, the green market is often faced with the challenge of insufficient supply. Based on 2004–2018 panel data covering regional industrial enterprises in 30 provinces in China, this study empirically tests the composite driving mechanism of the effect of an increase in the regional green production capacity, organizational factors, and environmental policies on the green product innovation (GPI) of regional export-oriented industrial enterprises (REIEs). This study finds that the increase in regional green production capacity directly drives an improvement in REIEs’ GPI level, that the regional green technology level and degree of human capital accumulation are indirect driving channels between capacity increases and product innovation, and that environmental regulations and green credit have a positive moderating effect on the influence of increasing green production capacity on GPI. Further threshold regression analysis reveals that increasing green production capacity, foreign direct investment, digitization, and trade openness have an inverted U-shaped promoting effect on GPI and that the proportion of local government expenditure shows a diminishing marginal utility effect on GPI.

Sequencing dengue control policy in Singapore: an evolutionary perspective for policy design

ABSTRACT About half the global population is now at risk of contracting dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe morbidity and fatalities. Effective dengue control depends on controlling the mosquito vector, but finding the right mix of vector control policies has proved challenging. Using a content analysis of 208 Hansard records from parliamentary proceedings in Singapore, where dengue outbreaks have significantly increased in both frequency and magnitude since the early 1990s, we trace the processual evolution of Singapore’s anti-dengue policy mix from 1960 to 2023 and conclude that the evolution of dengue control policies is consistent with a customized initial policy design with a ‘smart patching’ mode of policy change via layering over time. This article contributes to both the environmental public health and policy design literatures.

Social Media and Digital Inequity: Reducing Health Inequities by Closing the Digital Divide

As its usage has grown, social media has positively and negatively impacted public health. Although social media presents known harms to mental health and spreads misinformation, it also offers rapid dissemination of public health information, expanded access to health resources, and a robust source of health information. However, these benefits are not equitably shared due in part to the “digital divide” of unequal access and use of information and communication technologies. Measurable inequalities in digital access exist among regions, with an eight-fold difference between Central Africa (9.8% social media penetration) and Northern Europe (80.2% social media penetration). Digital inequalities also differ by gender, age, and socioeconomic classes within countries. Increased digital access has been positively associated with improved health information and outcomes related to chronic diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, and reproductive health. Given the expanding role of social media in public health and the emerging evidence on the health benefits of digital access, we argue for reducing digital inequities by (1) creating an enabling government policy and regulatory environment that views digital health access as a social determinant of health; (2) targeting public and private investments to expand digital access for underserved regions and populations; (3) making digital access and use affordable to low-resource populations; and (4) improving digital competency among these groups through digital literacy programs.

Game theoretical analysis and mechanism design to find effective environmental policies for greening Iran’s automotive industry

Game theoretical analysis and mechanism design to find effective environmental policies for greening Iran’s automotive industry

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM: CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development is a key topic on today's global agenda due to the threats posed by climate change, environmental pollution, and other ecological issues. Governments and international institutions aim to achieve a balance between economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection. In this context, new technologies and support for green innovations, which have the potential to enhance environmental safety, play a particularly important role. Effective public administration must adapt to these challenges by actively implementing environmental policies and promoting sustainable development. International cooperation is also critical for integrating global commitments into national strategies. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how environmental policy can support sustainable development through the improvement of the public administration system. The study provides a detailed analysis of international legal frameworks that regulate environmental policy and sustainability in public administration. Based on a systems approach, the complex interrelationships between government, society, business, and environmental factors are explored, allowing for a deeper understanding of how these elements interact. Using Switzerland as an example, one of the leading countries in environmental governance, the article identifies key elements for integrating environmental principles into public administration. This example demonstrates specific approaches and tools that other countries can adopt. Additionally, the statistics highlight not only global trends in plastic production and consumption but also the number of countries that have implemented environmental policy instruments between 2010 and 2023. This helps assess the scale of environmental initiatives at the global level. A SWOT analysis was conducted to assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing environmental policies, as well as to identify opportunities and threats for future development. This analysis helped outline the key directions for improving environmental policy to further support sustainable development. As a result, it was found that environmental policy within public administration has significant potential for growth, but its success depends on the establishment of an effective monitoring system, the intensification of international cooperation, the adoption of advanced technologies, and active public participation.

Research on the Correlation Between Carbon Emission Rights and Energy Market: A Case Study of EUA and Oil Market

This study focuses on the importance of the relationship between carbon and oil in the context of global climate change and energy transition. In particular, this paper explores the link between fluctuations in the price of Brent crude oil in the United Kingdom and changes in the European Union Emission Allowances (EUA), which has significant implications for insight into energy market dynamics and policy making. This study uses an autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze the dynamic relationship between the European Union Emission allowances (EUA) market and the oil market from 2018 to 2024. Through Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) stability test, the VAR model is established, the optimal lag order is determined, and the impulse response and Variance decomposition are analyzed. The results show that the EUA market has a short-term positive impact on the response of the oil market. But this effect has diminished over time, indicating the market's ability to self-regulate and stabilize. These findings provide new perspectives for understanding the interaction between global energy markets and environmental policy tools. The findings highlight the importance of considering these market dynamics when developing market strategies and environmental policies.

The Heterogeneous Impact of Economic and Environmental Policy Uncertainty on the Digital Economy: Fresh Evidence Based on the Bilateral Stochastic Frontier Model

The Heterogeneous Impact of Economic and Environmental Policy Uncertainty on the Digital Economy: Fresh Evidence Based on the Bilateral Stochastic Frontier Model

Analisis Faktor-Faktor Strategis yang Mempengaruhi Pengelolahan Sampah di Kota Jambi

This research aims to analyze the factors that influence waste management in Jambi City through a case study approach and environmental policy implementation. This research uses a mixed method, which combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and direct observation, while secondary data was obtained from document studies such as journals, books, reports and related regulations. Data analysis was carried out using the SWOT technique to evaluate internal and external factors that influence waste management in Jambi City. The research results show that waste management in Jambi City still faces various challenges, including a lack of waste separation at the source and fluctuations in the price of recycled products. Strong regulatory support and local government commitment provide opportunities for better waste management. Advanced waste processing technology and increasing public awareness were also identified as important factors that can support the success of waste management in Jambi City.

Analysis of New Energy Generation Technology Based on the "Dual Carbon" Goal

With the increasingly severe global climate change issues, achieving the "dual carbon" goal has become a common pursuit for China and the world. The development of new energy power generation technology is of great significance for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimizing energy structure. This article first outlines the background and significance of the "dual carbon" goal, and analyzes its driving effect on new energy power generation technology. Subsequently, this paper discusses in detail several mainstream new energy power generation technologies, including wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy, and geothermal energy, and systematically analyzes their development status and challenges. In the part of technological innovation, this paper focuses on the application and innovation trend of smart grid technology, energy storage technology and power electronics technology in the field of new energy power generation. In addition, this paper also evaluates the economy of new energy power generation technology, including cost-benefit analysis and the impact of policy environment. Finally, this paper summarizes the research results and puts forward the direction and suggestions for future research.

A contemporary analysis of policy implementation for the coastal mangrove forest management in Bangladesh Sundarbans

Despite having more than 200 environmental laws and policies in Bangladesh, the overall ecological situation is almost beyond control. Relying on both primary and secondary sources of data, particularly the legal texts, this study delves into analysing the legal frameworks of Bangladesh pertaining to wildlife and biodiversity conservation in the Sundarbans mangrove forest (SMF). This study finds that the lack of implementation of stringent provisions is one of the key reasons for the failure to successfully conserve biological diversity in the SMF. The other reason that heavily accelerates environmental crimes in Bangladesh is the less severe punishment compared to other crimes. This study result reveals that the Animal Welfare Act 2019 imposes a mere BDT 10,000 (USD 116) for harming any animal. This study also finds that the Environment Court Act 2010 strives to expand environmental governance in every district, but the absolute authority of the Department of Environment (DoE) and its limited resources hinder such lavish expansion. Although the government has revised many outdated laws and policies and enacted new laws such as Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 (2023), Forest Act 2023, and Forest Conservation Act 2023, evidence indicates that most of the provisions were not successfully implemented due to overlaps with other laws and loopholes within the laws. In addition, complex bureaucratic systems significantly hamper the administration system in forest management. Furthermore, the Director General (DG) of the DoE’s sole authority often sparked concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of this department. Therefore, this paper examines the domestic legal system of Bangladesh for conserving biodiversity in the SMF.

Comparison of Biohydrogen Production by Tetraselmis subcordiformis During Cultivation Using Soil-Less Agricultural Wastewater and Effluent from Microbial Fuel Cells

The development and implementation of innovative production technologies have a direct influence on the creation of new sources of pollution and types of waste. An example of this is the wastewater from soil-less agriculture and the effluent from microbial fuel cells. An important topic is the development and application of methods for their neutralisation that take into account the assumptions of global environmental policy. The aim of the present study was to determine the possibilities of utilising this type of pollution in the process of autotrophic cultivation of the biohydrogen-producing microalgae Tetraselmis subcordiformis. The highest biomass concentration of 3030 ± 183 mgVS/L and 67.9 ± 3.5 mg chl-a/L was observed when the culture medium was wastewater from soil-less agriculture. The growth rate in the logarithmic growth phase was 270 ± 16 mgVS/L-day and 5.95 ± 0.24 mg chl-a/L-day. In the same scenario, the highest total H2 production of 161 ± 8 mL was also achieved, with an observed H2 production rate of 4.67 ± 0.23 mL/h. Significantly lower effects in terms of biomass production of T. subcordiformis and H2 yield were observed when fermented dairy wastewater from the anode chamber of the microbial fuel cell was added to the culture medium.

Deciphering decadal urban ozone trends from historical records since 1980

Abstract Ozone pollution is a major environmental threat to human health. Timely assessment of ozone trends is crucial for informing environmental policy. Here we show that for the most recent decade (2013–2022) in the Northern Hemisphere, warm-season (April-September) mean daily 8-h average maximum (MDA8) ozone increases much faster in urban regions with top ozone levels (mainly in North China Plain, 1.2 ± 1.3 ppbv year−1) than that in other low-ozone regions (0.2 ± 0.9 ppbv year−1). These trends widen the ozone differences across urban regions, and increase extreme pollution levels and health threats from a global perspective. Comparison of historical trends in different urban regions reveals that, ozone increases in China during 2013–2022 differ in magnitude and mechanisms from historical periods in other regions since 1980. This reflects a unique chemical environment characterized by exceptionally high nitrogen oxides and aerosol concentrations, where reducing ozone precursor emissions leads to substantial ozone increase. Ozone increase in China has slowed down in 2018–2022 compared to 2013–2017, driven by ongoing emission reductions but with ozone-favorable weather conditions. Historical ozone evolution in Japan and South Korea indicates that ozone increases should be suppressed with continuous emission reduction. Increasing temperature and associated wildfires have also reversed ozone decreases in the US and Europe with anthropogenic ozone control slowing down in recent decades.

Case Analysis of Tianqi Lithium Corp’s Acquisition of Sociedad Química y Minera

Enterprise mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are vital strategies for companies worldwide to expand markets, enhance competitiveness, and achieve strategic goals. The Chinese government’s strong support for the new energy industry has created a favorable policy environment for the development of the lithium battery sector. Against this backdrop, Tianqi Lithium Corp’s acquisition of Sociedad Química y Minera (SQM) in Chile has garnered widespread attention. This paper takes Tianqi Lithium Corp’s acquisition of SQM as the research subject, conducting a detailed analysis of the motives behind the M&A. Subsequently, financial indicators are employed to conduct a performance analysis from a financial perspective, examining the impact of the M&A. Finally, based on the findings of the case analysis, relevant suggestions are proposed to offer a reference for the development of enterprise mergers and acquisitions.

Environmental Policies and Tax Incentives in the Pillar Two Era: A Comparison of the EU and US Approaches

This article explores the interaction between global corporate taxes, specifically under the OECD’s Pillar Two, as implemented by the EU Minimum Taxation Directive (2022/2523) in the European Union and by the Corporate Minimum Tax (CAMT) in the United States, and fiscal incentives supporting environmental tax policies under the European Union’s Green Deal and the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The article compares the EU and US approaches and reveals the impact on the investment strategies of MNEs, with a focus on the location of intangibles related to renewable energy technologies, as well as State aid considerations. The article proposes that, instead of marginalizing the green tax credits, they should be reshaped and made subject to a benchmark that supports sustainable innovation within the global tax framework.

Pathways to corporate green technological innovation: An analysis from the perspective of dynamic capabilities

Green technological innovation has become a pivotal tool for driving economic restructuring and achieving environmental sustainability. However, in the face of complex and volatile market and policy environments, a critical question remains: how can enterprises effectively select and implement innovation pathways to address environmental turbulence? Drawing on data from 14,751 Chinese listed companies from 2012 to 2022, this study employs dynamic capabilities theory and a fixed-effects panel model to examine the impact of dynamic capabilities on firms’ choice of green innovation pathways. Results show a significant positive influence of dynamic capabilities on green innovation, although this effect varies depending on the research and development model and the level of environmental turbulence. Firms with high dynamic capabilities tend to favor independent research and development, with an effect coefficient of 0.778 (p<0.01); firms with moderate dynamic capabilities benefit more from cooperative research and development, with a coefficient of 0.045 (p<0.01); and firms with lower dynamic capabilities primarily pursue green innovation through technology transactions, with a coefficient of 0.052 (p<0.01). Furthermore, environmental turbulence significantly moderates the relationship between dynamic capabilities and green innovation negatively, with an interaction coefficient of -0.088 (p<0.05), indicating that environmental uncertainty weakens the positive impact of dynamic capabilities.These findings suggest that firms can select suitable research and development models aligned with their level of dynamic capabilities and adopt flexible innovation strategies to effectively manage environmental turbulence. This study proposes the following policy recommendations: enterprises should strengthen their dynamic capabilities, particularly in knowledge acquisition, resource integration, and adaptability to environmental changes, to enhance their green innovation capacity. Additionally, the government should increase policy support for green technological innovation by offering financial subsidies, tax incentives, and intellectual property protections, helping enterprises maintain their innovation momentum amid environmental turbulence.

Decent work deficit in India: Deterioration and determinants

Abstract India is being projected internationally as a country of good growth and good governance, which in turn, it is asserted, should lead to prosperity for its people, especially in terms of proper employment, income, and overall standard of living. Drawing on certain dimensions of decent work proposed by International Labour Organization to measure the quality of employment in India, this article explores how far the notions of good/high growth and good governance discourse are corroborated by the evidence of good quality employment in India. The study is based on the nationally representative unit/individual-level data published by the Government of India during the three periods 2009–10, 2018–19, and 2022–23. The main findings of analysis are: (a) the overall quality of employment in India is poor and stagnant or deteriorating, and (b) the macro-level (sub-national state-level) aspects, such as the overall volume of economic activities, the extent of quality governance, the flexibility of business regulatory environment and better labour law-related compliance, have had a significant negative influence on the quality of employment. Thus, this paper suggests that the very policy environment and the pattern of economic growth have put a drag on the quality of employment in India. Given this, we suggest a variety of countervailing policy options and emphasise the role of civil society and politics.

The stringency and potential impact of climate laws and policies in the European Union and the 21OECD countries

In this paper, I offer a way to measure the stringency of climate change legislation for macro-comparative studies using publicly available data. The paper is innovative in that it examines the complex interrelationship between national, subnational, and supranational legislation using data from the FaoLex database on environmental laws and policies. It is also novel in that it conducts a contextualized comparison that takes into account different national conditions for climate change policies. The resulting index is the Gross Potential Impact (GPI), which is a measure of the stimulus of legislation before taking into account implementation issues. To demonstrate the validity of the index, findings from case study research on the European Union’s 2020 and 2030 climate and energy frameworks are used. The rest of the paper presents the GPI for 21 OECD countries for the period between 1990 and 2020.

Effects of The Cistern Program on Environmental Recovery and Desertification Mitigation in The Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba

Objective: This study aims to analyze the impact of the Cistern Program on mitigating desertification and promoting environmental recovery in the semi-arid region of Paraíba, focusing on the municipalities of Esperança, Lagoa Seca, and São Sebastião de Lagoa de Roça. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on studies addressing the effects of climate change and water scarcity in Brazil’s semi-arid region. Theories of public water policies and strategies for living with the semi-arid climate were also examined, with a focus on the role of cisterns in ensuring water security. Method: This descriptive study employs geotechnologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing to develop desertification maps and track the distribution of cisterns. Data from the Trends.Earth plugin and images from MapBiomas were used to analyze soil degradation between 2004 and 2020. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that the Cistern Program significantly contributed to reducing soil degradation and increasing vegetation cover. Continuous access to water enabled the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced environmental resilience in the studied areas. Research Implications: This study contributes to the formulation of public policies that promote water security and sustainable development, reinforcing the importance of social technologies for living in the semi-arid region. Originality/Value: The study provides a novel analysis of the effectiveness of the Cistern Program in combating desertification in the semi-arid region of Paraíba, highlighting its relevance for environmental sustainability policies.