Environmental Regulations Research Articles

Short-Term Prediction Method for Gas Concentration in Poultry Houses Under Different Feeding Patterns

Ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are the main gases that affect indoor air quality and the health of the chicken flock. Currently, the environmental control strategy for poultry houses mainly relies on real-time temperature, resulting in lag and singleness. Indoor air quality can be improved by predicting the change in CO2 concentration and proposing an optimal control strategy. Combining the advantages of seasonal-trend decomposition using loess (STL), Granger causality (GC), long short-term memory (LSTM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), an ensemble method called the STL-GC-LSTM-XGBoost model is proposed. This model can set fast response prediction results at a lower cost and has strong generalization ability. The comparative analysis shows that the proposed STL-GC-LSTM-XGBoost model achieved high prediction accuracy, performance, and confidence in predicting CO2 levels under different environmental regulation modes and data volumes. However, its prediction accuracy for NH3 was slightly lower than that of the STL-GC-LSTM model. This may be due to the limited variability and regularity of the NH3 dataset, which likely increased model complexity and decreased predictive ability with the introduction of XGBoost. Nevertheless, in general, the proposed integrated model still provides a feasible approach for gas concentration prediction and health-related risk control in poultry houses.

Impact of environmental information disclosure on environmental regulation intensity: evidence from 113 cities in China

Presently, the driving factors for environmental regulatory intensity, especially environmental information disclosure, remain unclear. Exploring the causal relationship between the two has an important guiding value for governments to achieve sustainable development. This research empirically examines the impact of environmental information disclosure on environmental regulatory intensity, and the possible action mechanisms and boundary conditions based on panel data of 113 Chinese cities from 2010 to 2020 using fixed-effects model, quantile regression model, moderating effect model, and spatial econometric models. The conclusions suggest that, first, a 1% increase in environmental information disclosure promotes a positive increase in environmental regulatory intensity of about 0.171%. Second, The regression coefficients of environmental information disclosure in the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quartiles are 0.489, 0.401, 0.443, 0.365 and 0.281 respectively, showing a decreasing trend. Third, transportation infrastructure and the resident’s education level exhibit positive interactions, with interaction term regression coefficients of 0.006 and 0.070, respectively; foreign direct investment exhibits a negative interaction, with coefficient of -0.029. Fourth, both environmental regulation intensity and environmental information disclosure show positive spatial correlations, with a 1% increase in environmental regulation intensity and environmental information disclosure in neighboring cities causing an increase in environmental regulation intensity of about 0.734% and 0.026% in this city. This research demonstrates the positive effects of adopting environmental information disclosure on the realization of sustainable development and provides empirical evidence for government policy formulation.

Is environmental information disclosure driving green energy development? Contextual evidence from Chinese city level data in the lens of sustainability

As an important supplement to mandatory environmental regulation, third-party participation in environmental regulation has become an important driving force for the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. Environmental information disclosure (EID) has become a widely used form of third-party participation ecological regulation, and the study of its impact on green energy development (GED) is receiving more and more academic attention. However, the research on this issue is still insufficient in academia. Based on resource-based theory and information processing theory, with IPE project of pollution information survey in China as an exogenous impact, this paper analyzes the causal impact of EID for GED using panel data of 285 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2020. The findings revealed that EID is a strong driver of GED in the long run, further amplified by the smart city pilot program. Besides, industrial structure transformation (IST), substantive green technological innovation (SGTI), non-substantive green technological innovation (NOSGTI), and green finance development (GFD) are important mediating mechanisms through which EID facilitates the GED. Concerning resource endowments of different regions and cities, the heterogeneity test asserted that the promotion effect of EID for GED is best in resource-based cities and old industrial parks. These results emphasize the importance of public participation in urban sustainable development and provide new ideas for promoting green growth.

Review of the Chilean Shipping Industry: Challenges to Achieving Emissions Reductions by 2030, 2050, and Beyond by Applying Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels are a measure discussed in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy in order to reduce emissions from shipping. This is deemed necessary to achieve emissions reduction in the shipping industry, but the way in which this needs to be applied to such a resilient industry overall is a current challenge. The increasing impact of ships’ emissions on the environment and current preventative regulations that have been introduced by the IMO present a paradigm in the consideration of alternative fuel measures that could possibly be applied to this industry. Existing and new ships are different assets that need to converge to reduce emissions partially or completely by 2030. Determining the technology readiness level (TRL) for producing these alternative fuels, and their availability to be applied to these assets, involves a mix of evaluation and analysis as covered in this work. The TRL of producing alternative fuels is at the commercial level, which means that the shipping industry could apply it by itself following economical evaluation, but these alternative fuels’ services and capabilities have not yet been evaluated in comparison to traditional fuels. A supply chain for alternative fuel production needs to be built to serve the shipping industry. This supply chain would need the support of governments because the inclusion of alternative fuels in the supply chain would impact the national energy matrix. This work presents a revised path for the Chilean shipping industry to follow, focusing on the consideration not only of the emission reduction measures themselves but also of the analysis of the impact of those measures on the supply chains, as well as the stringent necessary regulations issued by the IMO and the government. The methodology used in this review considers the revision of the actual advances towards emission reductions, the development of alternative fuels, and the possibilities of applying them, considering the current state of development of the Chilean shipping industry. This review shows that room for the development of the Chilean shipping industry exists if it wants to move towards using alternative fuels with support from the government.

Domesticating sustainability transitions: Spatial and temporal variation of industrial eco-efficiency in China

This study analyses regional industrial sustainability transitions from global and local perspectives. We measure industrial eco-efficiency (IEE) of 280 cities in China from 2010 to 2020 and analyze potential influencing factors using geographical and temporal weighted regression model. We find that foreign investment and international trade are positively associated with IEE with diminishing effects, and then local household consumption enhances IEE on the basis of local environmental governance. The effects of international environmental regulations and technology spillover on IEE are positive, as they align with China's drive for innovation. We further categorize cities into five distinct types based on the influences of both global and local factors—dominated by local environmental regulations, driven by international standards, propelled by foreign investment, shaped by local market dynamics, and affected by multiple factors. We conclude that regional industrial sustainability transitions in China are influenced by forces operating at various scales and exhibit distinct spatiotemporal variation. The drivers of these transitions have shifted from a global scale to a local scale, and both regional conditions and the stage of industrialization significantly affect the intensity of actions undertaken by different scale factors. Finally, we propose policy recommendations, considering regional heterogeneity and the stages of industrialization.

Evaluating the macroeconomic impact of environmental policies in New Zealand: A New Keynesian DSGE model to sustainability

This study enhances the environmental New Keynesian framework by integrating spatial spillover effects through a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model. The simulation results reveal that while environmental regulations can lead to welfare losses, a carbon tax levy mitigates these losses more effectively than alternative approaches in New Zealand. What is surprising is the pro-cyclical nature of environmental policies. For spillovers, shocks to capital and labor tax rates substantially curtail emissions in adjacent regions. Further simulation substantiates that higher price dispersion necessitates a reduced growth rate of emissions. These conclusions compel New Zealand to explore diverse policy options for effectively decarbonizing the economy.

Green Technology Innovation and Carbon Emission Performance of the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration: Mechanism and Spatio-Temporal Evolution

Amid the increasingly severe global climate change situation, green technology innovation has become an important means to promote carbon reduction and achieve the transition to a low-carbon economy. This study aims to systematically analyze the relationship between green technology innovation and carbon emission performance in the urban agglomeration of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, exploring the degree of coupling and coordination between different cities. Utilizing data from 2011 to 2021, we employ methods such as the Coupling Coordination Degree Model and fixed effects model to achieve our objectives. Our findings reveal that both green technology innovation and carbon emission performance in this region are on an upward trend; however, the growth rate of green technology innovation showed a slowdown in 2021. Notably, there are disparities in the coupling coordination degree among cities, with economically developed areas exhibiting a faster growth rate. Moreover, green technology innovation significantly enhances carbon emission performance, and heterogeneity tests indicate that this impact is even more pronounced in cities with weaker environmental regulations. Despite regional differences, the overall trend remains positive.

Modeling and Regulation of Dynamic Temperature for Layer Houses Under Combined Positive- and Negative-Pressure Ventilation.

The environmental control of layer houses with multi-tiered cage systems is influenced by factors such as the structure of the henhouses and the heat dissipation of the flock, leading to low precision and large fluctuations in temperature control. Based on a new combined positive- and negative-pressure ventilation (CPNPV) mode, a dynamic temperature model is constructed. Additionally, a temperature control method for a layer house is designed using a variable universe fuzzy PID control algorithm (VFPID). First, based on the principles of energy and mass balance, and by decoupling the relationship between positive- and negative-pressure ventilation volumes, a dynamic temperature model for layer houses under CPNPV was established. Then, the PID parameters and the proportional relationship between positive- and negative-pressure ventilation were optimized through fuzzy rules, and a proportional exponential function was introduced to adjust the scaling of the universe, enabling fine-tuned control. Finally, a temperature control model for the layer house was built using Simulink. The results show that the coefficients of determination (R2) of the constructed dynamic temperature models are between 0.79 and 0.88, respectively, indicating high accuracy. The designed VFPID method outperformed traditional on-off control and improved control precision by 20-23.53% and 10.34-22.22% compared with PID control and fuzzy PID(FPID) control methods, respectively. This study provides new insights for the development of environmental control equipment and precise environmental regulation of layer houses.

Net‐Zero Transition Pathways in Belt and Road Economies: Insights From Threshold Effects and Heterogeneous Analysis

ABSTRACTGiven the pressing need for economies to mitigate climate change and champion carbon neutrality, this study investigates the threshold effects of financial development and foreign direct investment (FDI) on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) bloc, taking into account the moderating role of the regulatory environment. Drawing on the environmental Kuznets curve and the pollution haven hypothesis, the study utilizes the dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) modeling, proposed by Arellano and Bover, to analyze panel data from 37 SSA countries spanning 1990–2022. The findings reveal that financial development in the banking, financial, and private sectors, along with FDI outflows, is associated with a reduction in CO₂ emissions. Conversely, FDI inflows are linked to increased CO₂ emissions. A curvilinear relationship is observed, where initial increases in financial development and FDI correlate with higher emissions, which decline beyond a certain threshold. Stronger regulations enhance the positive impact of financial development on reducing CO₂ emissions. Finally, the findings show a significant heterogeneous effect across the SSA regional blocs. These findings underscore the critical need for implementing stringent environmental regulations and promoting sustainable financial practices to mitigate negative environmental impact. This research provides both theoretical and practical insights into fostering a carbon neutrality agenda and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 13.

The impact of pilot policies for low carbon city construction on the development of urban circular economy multiple time-point difference-in-differences model

IntroductionAs a means of environmental regulation, the low-carbon city pilot policy aims to address climate change and alleviate environmental resource pressures in economic development. The development of low-carbon cities often requires changes to the existing industrial and energy structures, which will have a significant impact on the regional economy.MethodsThe study is based on panel data from 273 prefecture level cities in China from 2012 to 2022, and uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Entropy Comprehensive Evaluation Method to construct an evaluation index system for urban circular benefits. Finally, the multiple time point differences model and mediation effect model were used to evaluate the impact and influencing factors of policies on urban economy.ResultsThe results indicate that at the 1% level, the explanatory variable coefficient significantly improves the level of urban circular economy development after adding control variables. The construction of low-carbon pilot cities has improved the performance of circular economy development by about 6.42%. The mediating effect of industrial structure rationalization is significantly positive at the 1% significance level, indicating that the construction of low-carbon pilot cities has greatly promoted the coordinated development of industrial relations within China’s low-carbon development regions.DiscussionIt can be seen that the low-carbon city pilot policy has a significant promoting effect on China’s economic development and the development of urban circular economy. Therefore, it is recommended to further expand the pilot scope of low-carbon cities and fully leverage their promoting role.

Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance and Environmental Regulation on Eco‐Efficiency of Farmland Utilization in China

ABSTRACTThe farmland pollution has threatened the lifeblood of people's livelihoods through the soil‐to‐crop system, and the resulting food safety risks are becoming more and more pronounced. Digital inclusive finance (DIF) can provide convenient financial services for the eco‐transformation of farmland utilization. This study analyzed the spatial evolution pattern of eco‐efficiency of farmland utilization (EEFU) and DIF, empirically tested the impact of DIF on EEFU, and discussed the impact of DIF on EEFU with changes in the level of environmental regulatory intensity based on panel data from 2011 to 2022 in China. The results found that the development of EEFU and DIF is increasing, and the polarization phenomenon is constantly easing, but the absolute differences between different provinces in China have an expanding trend. DIF can improve the EEFU, and this promotion effect is more pronounced in eastern and central China, non‐grain‐producing areas, and areas with low levels of financial development. DIF will not be able to improve EEFU until environmental regulation has reached a certain level. China should fully leverage the positive role of DIF and environmental regulations in promoting the EEFU, provide more differentiated financial products, financial tools, and financial models for the eco‐transformation of farmland utilization, and explore a path for eco‐transformation of farmland utilization that complements environmental regulations and development of market‐inclusive finance.

Can Trade Policy Uncertainty Drive Green Innovation? Empirical Evidence From the US–China Trade War

ABSTRACTChina's rapid economic growth in recent years has coincided with heightened environmental regulations and an upsurge in greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating a greater emphasis on green innovation to mitigate environmental risks. Concurrently, the US–China trade war has elevated trade policy uncertainty (TPU). This study uses the TPU surge from the trade war as a quasi‐natural experiment, employing text analysis of annual reports to assess firms' TPU perceptions. Using a difference‐in‐differences method, we find that increased TPU significantly hinders green innovation. Firms' responses vary with environmental advantages, regulation levels, and government subsidies. Mechanisms include reduced environmental investment, decreased executive attention to environmental issues, and corporate social responsibility. These findings underscore the importance of a stable trading environment for promoting green innovation.

Green innovation through trade: The impact of European Union emissions trading scheme on Chinese exporters

This paper investigates the international diffusion of green innovation through trade, focusing on the impact of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) on Chinese exporters. Using a difference-in-differences approach with firm-level data from 2000 to 2013, we find that the EU ETS significantly increased green patent applications among China-to-EU exporters. The likelihood of green patent applications increased by 0.2%, effectively doubling the pre-policy rate. Our mechanism analyses indicate that the increase is driven by the learning-by-exporting effect, rather than market size effects or the anticipation of regulatory and market condition changes. These results highlight the role of international trade in disseminating green technology and demonstrate how environmental regulations can foster innovation across global markets.

Stress and Built Environments: Assessing Architectural and Urban Impacts

Considering the intricate relationship between the built environment and users’ mental well-being, the present study aims to evaluate how architectural and urban spaces significantly influence stress levels of residents. In this regard, the neighbourhood of Aydogdu in the city of Konya, where traditional and modern lifestyles are in conflict and certain urban problems are beginning to emerge, was chosen as a case study. Data were collected by using the questionnaire on environmental factors causing stress in the neighborhood and Dass’ Standard Questionnaire for measuring stress. Data analysis was performed through using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the results showed that there is a significant relationship between environmental factors and the occurrence of stress in the neighborhood. Accordingly, the factor of environmental qualities has the greatest impact, and the climatic factors have the least relationship with the stress of citizens. The results of regression analysis showed that environmental qualities, visual elements, and regulation of environmental conditions predicted 67% of citizens’ stress. The analysis of variance also indicated that young people aged 18 to 46 years are more influenced by the factors in which environmental stressors are found.

Biological two-stage treatment technology for mitigating mining-related heavy metal pollution in Georgian rivers

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate heavy metal contamination (copper, arsenic, manganese) in Georgian rivers affected by mining and develop a two-stage water purification technology using Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and trehalose lipid (TRL). This technology offers a sustainable and efficient solution to mitigate environmental and health hazards from mining-related pollution, improving river ecosystems and public health.Data DescriptionThis study examines the current state of the Kvirila, Lukhuni, Kazretula, and Mashavera rivers in terms of heavy metal pollution. Data were collected from field application of a two-stage purification process. Initial assessments showed heavy metal concentrations exceeding local regulatory limits (საქართველოს საკანონმდებლო მაცნე. გარემოსდაცვითი ტექნიკური რეგლამენტების დამტკიცების თაობაზე. Environmental Technical Regulations Approval. www.matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/2196792?publication=0&scroll=0. Accessed 22 Aug 2024.). The purification process involved a 72-h incubation in a primary tank, followed by membrane filtration and the addition of biomass with trehalose lipid (TRL) in a secondary tank. Post-treatment data revealed significant reductions in manganese and copper concentrations, bringing them below permissible thresholds. These data highlight the effectiveness of the two-stage purification technology in removing heavy metal contaminants from water sources impacted by industrial pollution. The findings demonstrate the potential of this technology to improve sustainable water management practices and provide scalable solutions for communities facing similar water quality challenges.

A new look at the finance–environment nexus: How yield spread affects environmental quality in the United States

AbstractEnhancing environmental quality is currently a key focus for policymakers. Furthermore, researchers are also prioritizing the investigation of novel variables that can influence environmental quality. The yield spread is commonly used as a leading indicator for business cycles in the macro‐finance literature, providing information about future expectations regarding business cycles. The yield spread also presents information about the borrowing costs of firms. None of the existing studies in the environmental economics literature has tested the impact of the yield spread on environmental quality, implying the level of the yield spread has not been considered a variable that can influence environmental quality. This study aims to fill this gap by providing evidence on the effect of yield spread (between 2‐ and 10‐year government bonds) on environmental quality in the United States from June 1976 to September 2023. The results indicate that an increase in the yield spread leads to a rise in environmental destruction. These results suggest two considerable consequences. First, optimistic expectations today lead to the overuse of resources and environmental destruction. Second, firms' higher borrowing costs may be forcing them to use less environmentally friendly production methods to offset more expensive financing costs and increase their profits. This study asserts that companies should enhance their environmental sensitivity, and policymakers should adopt a more proactive stance, based on the results of this study and other research that demonstrates the detrimental impacts of environmental regulation violations and poor environmental performances on companies' stock prices and financial performances.

Climate risk perception and corporate ESG performance: evidence from China

PurposeThis study examines the impact of climate risk perception on corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance from a microfirm perspective.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2021, we constructed corporate climate risk perception indicators based on the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in the annual reports of the companies, and analyzed it using ordinary least squares regression.FindingsThe results show that climate risk perception improves corporate ESG performance by encouraging green innovation. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the greater the magnitude of climate risk shocks to the firms, the stronger the risk coping ability and the weaker the environmental regulation, the more pronounced the improvement of climate risk perception on corporate ESG performance. Furthermore, economic consequence analysis shows that the enhancement effect of climate risk perception on corporate ESG performance contributes to increasing corporate value.Originality/valueThis study emphasizes the significance of corporate climate risk perception in enhancing ESG performance. It provides a theoretical basis for enterprises to respond to climate risk and sustainable development.

Optimizing environmental regulation policies for digital transformation in energy enterprises in China: An evolutionary game theory approach

In response to the global consensus on achieving carbon reduction, China has introduced a series of policies aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of energy enterprises. However, these policies have revealed shortcomings such as deficiency in regulation methods and insufficient integration of regulation with technologies. This study applies evolutionary game theory (EGT) to evaluate the impacts of different environmental regulatory policies on the digital transformation and verifies the effectiveness of the theory in policy optimization. Utilizing modified real-world data, the study quantitatively examines the effects of alterations in various parameter combinations on players' strategic choices. The results indicate that: (1) increasing the regulatory intensity above 0.8, the carbon tax rate and penalties can promote the digital transformation, stimulating the low-carbon development in energy sector; (2) an interesting finding is that tax incentives such as carbon tax refund ratio can exacerbate enterprises’ reliance on government compensation, thereby slowing down their transition process; (3) this study highlights the optimal service provision intensity for technological service providers (TSP) is 0.9, which can expedite system evolution towards the ideal state and foster the construction of a favorable digital regulatory environment. The study provides valuable references for optimizing regulatory policies and promoting digital transformation to realize the decarbonization goal.

Energy factors affecting environmental pollution for sustainable development goals: The case of India

This study investigates the nexus between electricity consumption, fossil fuel dependency, renewable energy adoption, population growth, trade activities, economic growth, and environmental pollution in India. The primary objective is to understand how these factors interrelate and influence each other, focusing on their implications for sustainable development. The study used data from the World Bank from 2000 to 2023; the methodology adopted includes vector autoregression modeling, Granger causality tests, cointegration analysis, impulse response functions, and variance decomposition. These econometric techniques were selected due to their ability to capture dynamic relationships, determine causality, and identify long-term equilibrium among the variables. The findings reveal that economic growth significantly increases electricity consumption and fossil fuel usage, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions. On the other hand, renewable energy adoption reduces environmental pollution. The study also highlights the complex interplay between population growth, urbanization, and trade activities in shaping India's energy demand and environmental outcomes. The implications of these findings are critical for India's sustainable development. The results suggest that while economic growth is essential, it must be balanced with sustainable energy practices to mitigate environmental pollution. The findings emphasize the need for policy interventions that promote renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and enforce environmental regulations. Recommendations include accelerating renewable energy adoption, implementing stringent energy efficiency standards, and developing integrated policies that simultaneously address the economic, energy, and environmental dimensions. These actions will help India achieve a sustainable balance between economic growth and environmental protection, ensuring a healthier future for its population.

Research on the mechanism and path of the coupling of digital technology and environmental regulation to promote urban green efficiency

Digital technology, renowned for its embeddedness and integration, revolutionizes governance ideas, institutions, and models. Based on the panel data of 285 cities in China from 2007 to 2021, a panel vector autoregressive model (PVaR) is built to reveal the interaction mechanism between digital technology and environmental regulation. The fixed-effects panel model explored the green impact of the coupling of digital technology and environmental regulation, considering the mediating role of industrial upgrading, factor allocation, and public participation. The results show that digital technology and environmental regulation promote each other. The coupling of digital technology and environmental regulation enhances urban green efficiency, especially in economically advanced and eastern regions. Industrial upgrading, factor allocation, and public participation mediate this effect. Therefore, government departments should build ecological civilization by improving environmental management decision-making, promoting the deep integration of digital technology and environmental regulation, and exploring a new path of urban green development.