Environmental Protection Management Research Articles

Deciphering the driving factors and probabilistic health risks of potentially toxic elements in arid surface water: Insights from the Tarim River Basin

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in surface water in arid areas pose a serious threat to environmental safety and human health within a basin. It is important to determine the factors controlling PTEs and to assess the likelihood that they will pose a risk to human health in order to support the development of environmental protection and risk management strategies. In this study, a structural equation model and Bayesian method were combined to discuss the distribution and probabilistic health risks of PTEs in surface water in arid area, and the Tarim River Basin was taken as a case study. The results show that the average concentrations of As, Co, Cu, and Ni in the surface water in the Tarim River Basin ranged from 0.04 to 2.92 μg/L, which do not exceed the international standard values. However, the maximum value of As (19.20 μg/L) exceeded both the recommended drinking water standards and the Chinese irrigation water standards. Spatially, the high As concentrations were distributed in the upper reaches of the Kashgar River, and the high Co, Cu and Ni concentrations were distributed in reservoirs and lakes on the main stream of the Tarim River. The concentrations of the PTEs in the surface water in the basin were not only affected by random anthropogenic factors such as traffic discharge, agricultural activities and mining industry, but were also directly and indirectly influenced by climatic factors. The results of the probabilistic health risk assessment showed that the 95th percentile the total hazard index for infants exceeded the allowable value of 1, and the total carcinogenic risk of PTEs exposure in four age groups was at the notable level. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the controlling factors and health risks associated with PTEs in surface water in the Tarim River Basin, and the findings are expected to provide a scientific basis for regional water environment management and safety control.

An improved framework for quantifying the contribution of climatic and anthropogenic factors to vegetation dynamics - A case study of China

Accurately quantifying the impact of climatic and anthropogenic factors on vegetation change is critical for developing and evaluating ecological management strategies. However, most presented studies typically ignore the climate temporal effects and assume that all pixels are affected by both climate change (CC) and human activities (HA), which often introduce uncertainties. In this study, Leaf area index (LAI), temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and land cover data from 1982 to 2020 were used to detect and attribute vegetation dynamics in China. We used partial correlation analysis, generalize linear model, trend analysis, and improved RESTREND to analyze the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of vegetation LAI from 1982 to 2020 and to quantify the effects of CC and HA on vegetation dynamics since the implementation of the Grain for Green Project (GGP). The results indicate that significant vegetation greening appeared in most areas (66.2%) between 2000 and 2020. Both CC and HA have positive effects on vegetation greening. In arid and semi-arid regions, precipitation was the primary driver of vegetation change, while in high-latitude areas of southern and southwestern China, temperature was the primary determinant. After considering the temporal effects, the explanatory power of climate variables for vegetation dynamics increased by 4.0% compared to ignoring the temporal effects, accounting for 72.81%. After dividing the pixels into those affected by CC and those affected by both CC and HA, the contribution of HA was decreased from 31.19% to 25.96%. Although the contribution of HA is lower than that of CC, ecological engineering has effectively promoted vegetation greening. These research findings provide scientific data and theoretical basis for ecological environment protection and natural resource management.

Satellite Reveals a Coupling between Forest Displacement and Landscape Fragmentation across the Economic Corridor of the Eurasia Continent

Jointly building the Economic Corridor of the Eurasia Continent (ECEC), which is one of the most important parts of the Silk Road Economic Belt, is a pivotal initiative for fostering regional development. Forests, which serve as a green foundation of economic resilience, underpin this effort. However, there is an imbalance in ecological status due to differences in natural resources and the social economy along the economic corridor. This imbalance has led to alterations in landscapes, yet the specific changes and their underlying relationships are still much less understood. Here, we quantitatively detected changes in the forest landscape and its ecological efforts over the ECEC via widespread, satellite-based and long-term land cover maps released by the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI). Specifically, the coupling between changes in forest coverage and landscape patterns, e.g., diversity, was further examined. The results revealed that forest coverage fluctuated and declined over the ECEC from 1992 to 2018, with an overall reduction of approximately 9784.8 km2 (i.e., 0.25%). Conversions between forests and other land cover types were widely observed. The main displacements occurred between forests and grasslands/croplands (approximately 48%/21%). Moreover, the landscape diversity in the study area increased, as measured by the effective diversity index (EDI), during the study period, despite obvious spatial heterogeneity. Notably, this pattern of landscape diversity was strongly associated with forest displacement and local urban development through coupling analysis, consequently indicating increasing fragmentation rather than biological diversity. This study highlights the coupled relationship between quantitative and qualitative changes in landscapes, facilitating our understanding of environmental protection and policy management.

LSTM-Autoencoder Based Detection of Time-Series Noise Signals for Water Supply and Sewer Pipe Leakages

The efficient management of urban water distribution networks is crucial for public health and urban development. One of the major challenges is the quick and accurate detection of leaks, which can lead to water loss, infrastructure damage, and environmental hazards. Many existing leak detection methods are ineffective, especially in complex and aging pipeline networks. If these limitations are not overcome, it can result in a chain of infrastructure failures, exacerbating damage, increasing repair costs, and causing water shortages and public health risks. The leak issue is further complicated by increasing urban water demand, climate change, and population growth. Therefore, there is an urgent need for intelligent systems that can overcome the limitations of traditional methodologies and leverage sophisticated data analysis and machine learning technologies. In this study, we propose a reliable and advanced method for detecting leaks in water pipes using a framework based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks combined with autoencoders. The framework is designed to manage the temporal dimension of time-series data and is enhanced with ensemble learning techniques, making it sensitive to subtle signals indicating leaks while robustly dealing with noise signals. Through the integration of signal processing and pattern recognition, the machine learning-based model addresses the leak detection problem, providing an intelligent system that enhances environmental protection and resource management. The proposed approach greatly enhances the accuracy and precision of leak detection, making essential contributions in the field and offering promising prospects for the future of sustainable water management strategies.

Identification of High-Quality Vegetation Areas in Hubei Province Based on an Optimized Vegetation Health Index

This research proposes an optimized method for identifying high-quality vegetation areas, with a focus on forest ecosystems, using an improved Vegetation Health Index (VHI). The study introduces the Land Cover Vegetation Health Index (LCVHI), which integrates the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) with land cover data. Utilizing MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine (GEE), the study assesses the impact of land cover changes on vegetation health, with particular attention to forested areas. The application of the LCVHI demonstrates that forests exhibit a VHI approximately 25% higher than that of croplands, and wetlands show an 18% higher index compared to grasslands. Analysis of data from 2012 to 2022 in Hubei Province, China, reveals an overall upward trend in vegetation health, highlighting the effectiveness of environmental protection and forest management measures. Different land cover types, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands, significantly impact vegetation health, with forests and wetlands contributing most positively. These findings provide important scientific evidence for regional and global ecological management strategies, supporting the development of forest conservation policies and sustainable land use practices. The research results offer valuable insights into the effective management of regional ecological dynamics.

Innovative Approach for Serious Educational Games with Creative Visualization in Selected Eco-context

This paper presents a new research approach for technological solutions in the ProNature project to create an innovative software platform for serious educational games with creative visualization to build competence on natural ecosystems, responsible management of natural resources and environmental protection. With the built software platform and based on created educational game scenarios, demonstration serious educational games with creative visualization will be developed in a selected eco-context.

Прокурорский надзор за исполнением законов в сфере охраны окружающей среды в Арктической зоне Российской Федерации

Federal executive authorities, the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation, the Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) pay special attention to the state of the Arctic environment. However, the situation in this region is far from normal. The results of the prosecutor's inspections indicate the presence of numerous violations of environmental legislation in the field of subsoil use, marine and river transport, construction, land use and reclamation, and the elimination of accumulated damage as a result of past years. There are cases of industrial safety violations. A serious problem for the Arctic regions is the lack of an effective waste management system in the Arctic zone. Global warming and disruption of the Arctic environment leads to climate change and can lead to even more tangible and severe environmental consequences. The Environmental Prosecutor's Office has a significant impact on correcting the situation in the Arctic, which conducts inspections of enterprises, organizations and citizens for compliance with environmental legislation, prevents and suppresses environmental offenses, and ensures compliance with environmental protection and environmental management requirements.

Intelligent enhanced particle filter with deep residual network surrogate for accurate groundwater pollution source characterization

Accurate groundwater pollution source characterization (GPSC) is crucial for environmental protection and water resource management. Although the particle filter (PF) algorithm is widely employed for GPSC, it suffers from particle degradation and loss of diversity. To address this challenge, this study proposes an intelligent enhanced particle filter (IEPF) method to enhance GPSC’s accuracy and efficiency. First, this method optimizes the resampling process by defining a weight threshold while introducing an information transmission mechanism. This mechanism enables low-weight particles to update their positions by leveraging information from high-weight particles and neighboring particles, thereby enhancing information exchange among particles and improving the algorithm’s global search capability. Crossover and mutation operations are introduced to further increase the particle diversity, effectively preventing particles from concentrating on local optimal solutions. Furthermore, this study employs a deep residual network (ResNet) as a surrogate model for the simulation model. The ResNet has strong feature learning and expression capabilities and efficiently captures nonlinear relationships in data, thus significantly improving computational efficiency while ensuring accuracy. The results demonstrate that the IEPF method significantly enhances GPSC accuracy. In summary, the proposed IEPF method combined with the ResNet surrogate model provides an efficient and accurate approach to GPSC, with considerable benefits for groundwater pollution management.

Impacts of Environmental Concentrations of Nanoplastics on Zebrafish Neurobehavior and Reproductive Toxicity.

Nanoplastics, as emerging environmental pollutants, can transport contaminants across marine environments, polluting pristine ecosystems and being ingested by marine organisms. This transfer poses a severe threat to global aquatic ecosystems and potentially impacts human health through the food chain. Neurobehavioral and reproductive toxicity are critical areas of concern because they directly affect the survival, health, and population dynamics of aquatic species, which can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem. Using zebrafish as a model organism, we investigated the toxic effects of environmental concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). Behavioral assessments, including the novel tank test and open field test, demonstrated significant neurobehavioral changes, indicating increased anxiety and depressive behaviors. A pathological analysis of brain and gonadal tissues, along with evaluations of neurobehavioral and reproductive toxicity biomarkers, revealed that exposure to PS-NPs leads to brain tissue lesions, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress activation, hormone level disruptions, and gonadal damage. Real-time quantitative PCR studies of reproductive gene expression further showed that PS-NPs disrupt the endocrine regulation pathways of the brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis, causing reproductive toxicity with sex-specific differences. These findings provide crucial insights into the impacts of nanoplastics on aquatic organisms and their ecological risks, offering theoretical support for future environmental protection and pollutant management efforts.

Hormesis in the Assessment of Toxicity Assessment by Luminescent Bacterial Methods.

The threat posed by water pollutants to aquatic ecosystems and human health cannot be overlooked, and the assessment of the toxicity of these contaminants is paramount to understanding their risks and formulating effective control measures. Luminescent bacteria-based assays, as a vital tool in evaluating contaminant toxicity, encounter a challenge in ensuring accuracy due to the phenomenon of "Hormesis" exhibited by pollutants towards biological entities, which may skew toxicity assessments. This study elucidated the specific effects of pollutants on luminescent bacteria at different concentrations, used modeling to characterize the effects and predict their toxicity trends, and explored the applicable concentration ranges for different pollutants. Research revealed that six typical pollutants, namely PAHs, endocrine disruptors, antibiotics, pesticides, heavy metals, and phytosensory substances, could promote the luminescence intensity of luminescent bacteria at low concentrations, and the promotional effect increased and then decreased. However, when the concentration of the substances reached a certain threshold, the effect changed from promotional to inhibitory, and the rate of inhibition was directly proportional to the concentration. The EC50 values of six types of substances to luminescent bacteria is as follows: endocrine disruptors > pesticides > antibiotics > heavy metals > polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons > chemosensory agents. The effect curves were further fitted using the model to analyze the maximum point of the promotion of luminescence intensity by different substances, the threshold concentration, and the tolerance of luminescent bacteria to different substances. The maximum promotion of bacterial luminescence intensity was 29% for Bisphenol A at 0.005 mg/L and the minimum threshold concentration of chromium was 0.004 mg/L, and the maximum bacterial tolerance to erythromycin is 6.74. In addition, most of the current environmental concentrations had a positive effect on luminescent bacteria and may still be in the range of concentrations that promote luminescence as the substances continue to accumulate. These findings will enhance the accuracy and comprehensiveness of toxicity assessments, thereby facilitating more informed and effective decision-making in the realms of environmental protection and pollution management.

Challenges and way forward in the handling and disposal of battery waste: Towards sustainable practices

<p>The management and disposal of battery waste, particularly lead-acid batteries, present numerous challenges that must be addressed to ensure environmental protection, public health, and sustainable resource management. This thesis examines the multifaceted nature of these challenges and explores potential solutions for sustainable battery management. Drawing on insights from prior research, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and literature reviews, the study synthesizes existing knowledge to inform strategies for mitigating the environmental, safety, and economic impacts associated with battery waste. The current scenario on battery waste management highlights significant challenges, including environmental pollution, health risks, safety hazards, recycling challenges, regulatory compliance issues, technological limitations, infrastructure constraints, and the need for public awareness and education. Countermeasures to address these challenges encompass regulatory interventions, technological innovations, infrastructure development, capacity building, and public engagement initiatives. By integrating findings from diverse sources, this thesis aims to contribute to the existing knowledge base on battery waste management and propel strategies for sustainable resource management.<strong></strong></p>

Adsorption of Cobalt Ions by Activated Carbon Prepared from Agricultural Waste Residues and Treated with Magnetic Nanomaterials: A Review

General Background: The study of heavy metal adsorption is crucial for environmental protection and industrial wastewater management. Specific Background: The adsorption of cobalt ions (Co2+) by activated carbon derived from agricultural waste, enhanced with magnetic nanomaterials, has garnered significant interest due to its potential for cost-effective and efficient wastewater treatment. Knowledge Gap: Despite numerous studies, there remains a lack of comprehensive research on the specific combination of agricultural waste-derived activated carbon and magnetic nanomaterials for Co2+ adsorption. Aims: This study aims to meticulously review the existing literature on the preparation of activated carbon from agricultural residues, the enhancement of its properties with magnetic nanomaterials, and its effectiveness in Co2+ ion adsorption. Results: The review demonstrates that activated carbon with a large specific surface area and diverse functional groups significantly improves Co2+ adsorption. The incorporation of magnetic nanomaterials further enhances this efficiency due to increased surface area and magnetic properties. Novelty: This research uniquely combines agricultural waste valorization with advanced nanotechnology, presenting a sustainable and innovative approach to heavy metal adsorption. Implications: The findings underscore the dual environmental benefits of recycling agricultural waste and mitigating industrial pollution, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for cobalt ion recovery from wastewater. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers focusing on sustainable environmental remediation technologies. Highlights: Enhanced Adsorption: Magnetic nanomaterials boost activated carbon's efficiency. Sustainable Solution: Agricultural waste-derived activated carbon is eco-friendly and cost-effective. Comprehensive Insight: Review identifies research gaps and future directions. Keywords: cobalt ion adsorption, activated carbon, agricultural waste, magnetic nanomaterials, wastewater treatment

Research on the Application of Geographic Information Systems in the Construction of Smart Cities

With the continuous deepening of globalization and informatization, the construction of smart cities is gradually becoming a core strategy in the process of urban modernization. In this strategy, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial technical support role. This article adopts a case study method, taking the construction of a smart city in Nanjing as the specific research object, and deeply explores the practical application of GIS in key fields such as urban planning, environmental protection, and traffic management. Through comprehensive analysis of these examples, this article systematically summarizes the significant achievements of GIS technology in improving urban management efficiency, optimizing decision support systems, enhancing public service levels, and promoting sustainable urban development. The research results indicate that GIS technology provides solid data support and decision-making support for the core areas of cities through precise integration and analysis of geographic information. GIS technology not only optimizes the layout of urban infrastructure, but also significantly enhances the city's response to emergency events through real-time monitoring and dynamic simulation, while promoting efficient allocation and utilization of urban resources. The research conclusion points out that, GIS technology is the cornerstone of smart city construction, greatly enhancing the scientific and forward-looking nature of urban management. The effective application of GIS has opened up new avenues for intelligent and refined urban management, significantly improving the quality of life of residents and providing solid technical support for the sustainable development of cities.

The Evolutionary Path and Emerging Trends of Circulating Fluidized Bed Technology: An Integrated Analysis through Bibliometric Assessment and Data Visualization

Confronted with the significant challenges of global climate change and environmental deterioration, the pursuit of carbon emission peaks and the realization of carbon neutrality have become a collective goal for countries worldwide. As an exemplary combustion technology noted for its efficiency and environmental friendliness, the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) is instrumental in curbing the release of carbon dioxide alongside other deleterious gases. The technology is pivotal in promoting the clean and efficient use of coal, simultaneously expediting the global shift towards a sustainable, green, and low-carbon future. This study employs a bibliometric analysis, a social network analysis, and information visualization techniques to delve into the evolution of CFB technology, leveraging the Web of Science database (SCI-EXPANDED and CPCI-S) and the Derwent Innovations Index (DII). Through a meticulous examination of academic papers and patent literature related to CFB technology, this research unveils the developmental trajectory and trends of CFB technology, providing a scientific foundation and reference for strategic technology planning and focused research in key areas. The findings indicate that, while there is a downward trend in the global publication of academic papers on CFB technology, the number of patent applications continues to grow steadily. CFB technology has achieved significant advancements in enhancing combustion efficiency, environmental protection, energy utilization, and waste management, and is progressing towards a direction of diversification and greater efficiency. Moving forward, the development of CFB technology should concentrate on pivotal areas such as material science, fluid dynamics simulation, environmental impact assessment, system integration, and intelligentization, to foster ongoing innovation and a broad application of the technology.

Applications of Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponent in detecting Lagrangian Coherent Structures for coastal ocean processes: a review

Addressing the threats of climate change, pollution, and overfishing to marine ecosystems necessitates a deeper understanding of coastal and oceanic fluid dynamics. Within this context, Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS) emerge as essential tools for elucidating the complexities of marine fluid dynamics. Methods used to detect LCS include geometric, probabilistic, cluster-based and braid-based approaches. Advancements have been made to employ Finite-time Lyapunov Exponents (FTLE) to detect LCS due to its high efficacy, reliability and simplicity. It has been proven that the FTLE approach has provided invaluable insights into complex oceanic phenomena like shear, confluence, eddy formations, and oceanic fronts, which also enhanced the understanding of tidal-/wind-driven processes. Additionally, FTLE-based LCS were crucial in identifying barriers to contaminant dispersion and assessing pollutant distribution, aiding environmental protection and marine pollution management. FTLE-based LCS has also contributed significantly to understanding ecological interactions and biodiversity in response to environmental issues. This review identifies pressing challenges and future directions of FTLE-based LCS. Among these are the influences of external factors such as river discharges, ice formations, and human activities on ocean currents, which complicate the analysis of ocean fluid dynamics. While 2D FTLE methods have proven effective, their limitations in capturing the full scope of oceanic phenomena, especially in 3D environments, are evident. The advent of 3D LCS analysis has marked progress, yet computational demands and data quality requirements pose significant hurdles. Moreover, LCS extracted from FTLE fields involves establishing an empirical threshold that introduces considerable variability due to human judgement. Future efforts should focus on enhancing computational techniques for 3D analyses, integrating FTLE and LCS into broader environmental models, and leveraging machine learning to standardize LCS detection.

Challenges and way forward in the handling and disposal of battery waste: Towards sustainable practices

The management and disposal of battery waste, particularly lead-acid batteries, present numerous challenges that must be addressed to ensure environmental protection, public health, and sustainable resource management. This thesis examines the multifaceted nature of these challenges and explores potential solutions for sustainable battery management. Drawing on insights from prior research, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and literature reviews, the study synthesizes existing knowledge to inform strategies for mitigating the environmental, safety, and economic impacts associated with battery waste. The current scenario on battery waste management highlights significant challenges, including environmental pollution, health risks, safety hazards, recycling challenges, regulatory compliance issues, technological limitations, infrastructure constraints, and the need for public awareness and education. Countermeasures to address these challenges encompass regulatory interventions, technological innovations, infrastructure development, capacity building, and public engagement initiatives. By integrating findings from diverse sources, this thesis aims to contribute to the existing knowledge base on battery waste management and propel strategies for sustainable resource management.

Sustainable Organic Waste Management and Future Directions for Environmental Protection and Techno-Economic Perspectives

Sustainable Organic Waste Management and Future Directions for Environmental Protection and Techno-Economic Perspectives

Enhancement of the market attractiveness and success of startups on the circular economy and sustainability principles

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to develop the methodology and the framework for assessing the level of environmental friendliness of startups in the agricultural sector and their compliance with the circular economy and sustainable development principles using T. L. Saaty’s analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to enhance their market attractiveness and success. Methodology / approach. The author’s methodology was created based on the AHP approach which is a comprehensive decision-making framework used to divide complex problems into a clear hierarchical structure. This approach enables the evaluation and comparison of multiple criteria facilitating informed decision-making. Calculations have been made in the RStudio. Results. The authors’ methodology and the framework for assessing the startups’ environmental friendliness and compliance with the circular economy and sustainability principles were created. The unique program was developed and executed in the RStudio using R programming language. The created methodology is based on the hierarchical criteria system consisting of three main criteria – “Compliance with the EU environmental standards and sustainability principles promotion”, “Compliance of the startups’ business model to the circular economy and sustainability principles”, and “Resource usage rationality” with the corresponding sub-criteria. It was determined that the first criterion has the highest impact on the startup eco-friendliness with a weight of 49.2 %, the second one has a weight of 28.7 %, and the third one – 22.1 %. The system of requirements for the AHP experts was also developed. Originality / scientific novelty. It was substantiated that the application of the original authors’ methodology and program enhance the startups’ market attractiveness and success by strengthening their brand image. The proposed solution facilitates the implementation of the circular economy and sustainability principles for innovative businesses, leading to improvements in environmental protection and waste management. Practical value / implications. The methodology has been tested on the example of the authors’ bioenergy startup for producing eco-friendly biofuels using agricultural and food industry wastes and minimising the usage of toxic substances. Based on the experts’ opinion and using the authors’ unique program it was calculated that the startup complies with the circular economy and sustainability principles and has an eco-friendly brand image with a 78.6 % probability.

Assessment of groundwater quality and the effects of chromium residues in the vicinity of shutdown tanneries

Tanneries, among India’s earliest industries, historically used chromium (Cr) in leather and vegetable tanning, leading to unsuitable effluent discharge on land and in nearby water bodies. This research investigates chromium dispersion and accumulation in environmental and biological samples from the vicinity of closed tanneries in the Sembattu region, Tiruchirappalli district, South India. The study reveals chromium in sediment and biological samples but not in water samples. Sediment from S3 showed higher Cr concentration (132.65 ± 7.48 µg/g), with paddy straw 1 (18.72 ± 1.17 µg/g) and neem tree bark 3 (15.03 ± 1.04 µg/g) exhibiting higher plant concentrations. Among animals, cow dung 1 (143.93 ± 1.32 µg/g) and cow dung 5 (37.74 ± 1.28 µg/g) recorded higher concentrations. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values suggest “Uncontaminated-to-moderately contaminated” levels. The investigation reports permissible chromium concentrations in the Sembattu tannery area, yet groundwater salt levels exceed drinking water standards. The study highlights tanneries’ historical impact, stressing the need for increased awareness, strategic water management, and prudent land use planning. Future priorities include continuous monitoring, targeted remediation, community engagement, innovative research, and robust policy enforcement for sustainable environmental protection and resource management.

Compulsory environmental pollution liability insurance and corporate risk taking: a difference-in-difference approach

PurposeMany developing countries have encountered frequent pollution accidents during their rapid development, while the previously weak environmental insurance systems could seriously undermine the progress of sustainable development. Some developing countries like China has initiated and strengthened environmental pollution liability insurance, so how effective this system would be in resolving enterprises environmental risks need to be further revealed.Design/methodology/approachThis research identifies the possible consequence that compulsory environmental pollution liability insurance pilot (CEPLIP) policy would bring to the risk-taking capacity of heavy-polluting corporations of China by the Differences-in-Differences (DID) approach.FindingsThe result supports the implementation of CEPLIP policy in increasing corporate risk-taking capacity. Furthermore, the CEPLIP policy can promote the corporate’s risk-taking capacity by reducing financial distress constraints and enhancing trade credit, supporting its dual role of “fallback effect” as well as “external supervision effect” of environmental insurance. As a result of heterogeneity test, the policy is more pronounced in enterprise samples with mature life cycle stage or lower industrial concentration degree. Similarly, it is more significant in enterprise samples owned better environmental management capabilities or greater strategic deviance.Originality/valueThis paper verifies the effectiveness of the CEPLIP policy by strengthening its supervision mechanism and restraining opportunistic behavior tendency and provides implications for alleviating increasing environmental risk pressure and building more sustainable environmental protection management systems.