Environmental Regulations Research Articles

The decoupling effect of CO2 emissions and economic growth in China's iron and steel industry and its influencing factors

The iron and steel (IS) industry is one of the main positions for achieving the "dual-carbon" goal, so it is significant to clarify the decoupling status (DS) of CO2 emissions and economic growth (EG) in the IS industry and the main factors affecting the DS. This paper adopted the Tapio decoupling and the catching-up decoupling to analyze the decoupling of CO2 emissions and EG in the IS industry in China during 2011–2021. Then, the ordered Logistic regression model was used to explore the key factors affecting the DS. The results showed: (1) CO2 emissions and EG both showed obvious trends of rising, falling, and then rising; (2) the Tapio DS of CO2 emissions and EG in each province continued to get better, but the catching-up DS had poorly improved; (3) R&D investment (RD), urbanization level (URB), energy consumption intensity (EI), endowment structure (ES) and environmental regulation (ER) had a significant effect on the Tapio DS, and RD and ER had a significant effect on the catching-up DS. Accordingly, the suggestions were proposed to promote the IS industry to realize the optimal decoupling of CO2 emissions and EG.

How does green finance policy affect firms' pro‐environmental mergers and acquisitions?

AbstractThe study reveals that the Green Credit Guidelines significantly encourage firms' pro‐environmental mergers and acquisitions (M&As) among polluting industries, as evidenced by difference‐in‐differences estimations with Chinese listed firms (2004–2020). Three primary mechanisms include increased commercial credit financing, improvements within firm agencies, and heightened scrutiny from external analysts. The effect is more prominent in non‐state‐owned firms, firms with a higher number of executives with financial backgrounds, and regions with lower levels of green financial development and environmental regulations. Post‐M&A, acquiring firms demonstrate a marked decrease in environmental governance expenses and carbon emissions, alongside an improvement in overall environmental performance.

The role of artificial intelligence in preventing corporate crime

This article explores the novel and transformative role AI plays in enhancing corporate compliance and monitoring to mitigate corporate crime. It delves into how AI technologies, through advanced data analysis and predictive analytics, are revolutionizing the detection and prevention of financial fraud, insider trading, and non-compliance with environmental regulations. The integration of AI into the financial sector is emphasized as pivotal for developing robust fraud prevention algorithms, which analyze vast data volumes to identify malicious activities and prevent financial losses. Moreover, the article probes into the ethical and privacy concerns surrounding the deployment of AI, highlighting the balance needed between efficient crime prevention and safeguarding individual privacy rights. Garcia-Segura's analysis also underscores the need for international cooperation and legal adaptation to uphold ethical standards in AI’s application, ensuring it promotes fairness and justice in combating corporate crime.

The Unintended Consequence of Environmental Regulations on Earnings Management: Evidence from Emissions Trading Scheme in China

This study extends the existing research on the impact of environmental regulations from an earnings management perspective. Using the difference-in-differences approach, the study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between corporate earnings management and the implementation of China’s carbon emissions trading program. In particular, the study finds a positive relationship between corporate earnings management and the implementation of China’s carbon emissions trading program. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that this positive correlation is much stronger for firms facing tighter financial constraints, higher information opacity, less intense competition, and higher pressure to reduce emissions. These findings illustrate the unintended consequences of market-based environmental regulations and provide new evidence for assessing the efficiency of much-promoted market-based environmental regulations.

Evaluating MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy’s Educational Program: Performance of First Graduates and Stakeholders’ Feedback

MMMA’s Educational Program provide students with an opportunity to develop the necessary technical skills (Hard skills) and personality traits (Soft skills) to become a well-rounded and a successful seafarer and individual. MMMA’s Educational Program includes two areas of activities and experiences that are designed to enhance the student’s learning. Specifically, this includes the approved CHED-MARINA prescribed and regulated Maritime Academic Curriculum underpinned on the STCW Convention, and MMMA’s own Leadership Training Paradigm, anchored on the Transformational Leadership through Coaching principle. This paper aims to determine whether MMMA’s educational program effectively prepares students for their maritime industry careers. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate MMMA’s educational program by obtaining key stakeholders’ and employers’ feedback based on the work performance of the first graduates, and exploring whether there is a relationship between the 3-year classroom instruction performance and the 12-month onboard training performance. By examining both classroom and onboard performance outcomes and key stakeholders’ and employers’ feedback, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the academy’s impact on its graduates’ readiness for the maritime workforce. The research utilizes a descriptive-correlational approach. Preliminary findings indicate that the majority of the first graduates have demonstrated strong academic competence and skills during the 3-year classroom instruction and the 12-month shipboard training, both in the areas of technical skills (hard skills) and personality skills (soft skills) based on the results of the document analysis. Correlation results also showed that there is a linear relationship between the manifestation of soft skills during the 3-year academic classroom instruction and the 12-month shipboard training, but there was no relationship on the technical skills. On the other hand, satisfaction ratings provided by the two groups of stakeholders, namely the faculty and the industry partners/ employers expressed some serious concerns on the manifestation of the cadets’ personality skills or soft skills particularly in discipline and leadership based on their interactions with cadets and occasional feedback from the ships. Nonetheless, some areas for improvement have been identified, such as the need for enhanced soft skills and further alignment of academic training with industry-specific demands. The study concludes that MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy’s educational programs have been effective in preparing the first batch (Batch 2018) of graduates for successful maritime careers. The insights gained from the stakeholders’ feedback will be instrumental in refining the academy’s educational program and training methods in terms of the leadership training paradigm, anchored on the principle of transformational leadership through coaching, to better meet industry needs in general, and stakeholders’ needs in particular, and enhance future graduates’ employability and performance. On the technical side, new trends and regulations in the areas of digitalization and environmental regulations needs to be incorporated in the educational program. Keywords: MMMA (MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy); Educational Program; Technical Skills; Soft Skills

Environmental protection laws and regulations in healthcare

The European Union and the German federal government have initiated aclimate protection program with guidelines and laws that, for the first time, hold the healthcare sector accountable. The legal provisions have far-reaching implications for hospitals. This article presents the specific provisions to be observed and the best practices for implementing the necessary measures. This study aims to provide aconcise overview of the legal provisions to be observed in the healthcare sector and to highlight support services for implementation. Selective internet research on legal provisions for the healthcare sector and guidance on approach. The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) with taxonomy came into force on January5, 2023. The Climate Protection Act, which was amended in April 2024, the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), which came into force in January 2024, and the Supply Chain Sustainability Obligations Act (LKSG) are the most important German legal frameworks to be observed. The EU regulations and the German government's laws pose new challenges for hospitals, but are also an opportunity to tackle the necessary measures to reduce greenhouse gas equivalents in astructured manner. Achieving climate neutrality by 2045 is in everyone's interest and can only succeed if all sectors contribute. The healthcare sector has not yet been held accountable, despite its significant contribution of approximately 5% to national greenhouse gas emissions. The legal provisions now trigger anecessary transformation but also pose challenges in day-to-day operations, requiring support services.

Spillover effects of structure-adjustment pollution reduction measures in China's iron and steel industry

The iron and steel industry (ISI) is a significant source of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter pollution in China. Existing research on regional environmental regulation or ISI emission reduction strategies tends to overlook spillover effects and the enterprise perspective. During the heating season, production limitations in ISI are potential policy measures for achieving structural emission reductions in heavily polluted cities in China's Jing-Jin-Ji and surrounding regions. We adopt a bottom-up modeling approach, incorporating effective production time to describe enterprise behavior and establishing a quantitative trade model based on trade theory. By modeling three types of production restriction policies outlined in policy documents, we evaluate the emission reduction effects of structure-adjustment measures using the example of reduced effective production time for steel-producing enterprises in the air pollution transmission channel in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area. The results indicate the following: (1) Reducing the effective production time of ISI enterprises can help decrease domestic production value and total factor productivity in pollution-intensive industries, including but not limited to ISI. It also leads to reduced emissions of various pollutants in the implementation regions. (2) Due to interprovincial trade and input-output linkages, structural reduction measures in certain regions have implications for almost all other provinces' industrial structures. Differences in initial industrial structures, factor endowments, and geographical locations contribute to varying directions and magnitudes of industrial structural changes. Pollution-intensive industries' share tends to increase higher in less developed regions. (3) Our estimated pollution reduction is smaller compared to the literature evaluating clean air policies in similar regions using top-down strategies. This discrepancy arises because we analyze a single policy tool rather than modeling industry-wide emission fluctuations from the top down. Additionally, our modeling approach allows us to examine dynamic changes in comparative advantages. The increase in production scale for certain industries in policy-affected regions partially offsets the decline in pollution emissions. These findings enhance our understanding of structure-adjustment reduction measures' role and highlight their potential advantages and limitations.

Towards sustainable development: Can green digital finance become an accelerator for reducing pollution and carbon emissions in China?

As a fusion of financial ''digitalization'' and ''greening'', green digital finance is crucial for ecological quality enhancement. Based on panel data from 285 cities in China spanning 2011 to 2021, this study aims to examine the synergistic impact of Green Digital Finance (GDFO) on Pollution and Carbon Reduction (PCR). The two-way fixed effect model, moderated effect model, and threshold model are employed to study the direct, transmission, and non-linear effects of GDFO on PCR. Results indicate that GDFO significantly enhances PCR in urban areas, and this conclusion remains valid after several robustness tests. Mechanically, encouraging green technology innovation, promoting industrial structure upgrading, and enhancing financial supervision are effective channels for strengthening the impact of GDFO on PCR. At varying levels of green digital finance and financial supervision, the marginal impact of GDFO on PCR exhibits double threshold characteristics in the form of "U-shaped" and "inverted U-shaped". Furthermore, the impact of GDFO on PCR is more pronounced in the eastern and western regions, resource cities, and cities with a high level of financial development, excellent digital infrastructure, and robust environmental regulation. This study offers theoretical support and empirical evidence for deepening the GDFO to promote PCR at the city level.

Green finance and environmental pollution: Evidence from China

Green finance has emerged as a vital tool in addressing the dual imperatives of environmental protection and economic growth. This study investigates the relationship between green finance initiatives and environmental pollution in China. Drawing on urban data spanning from 2006 to 2021, we employ a comprehensive analysis to discern the impact of green finance policies on mitigating environmental degradation. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of green finance in reducing pollution through channels such as industrial structure optimization, energy mix transformation, and the promotion of green technology. Moreover, we identify specific conditions under which green finance interventions prove most effective, including regions characterized by robust digital economy development, competitive commercial banking, and stringent government environmental regulations. By shedding light on the nuanced interplay between green finance and environmental outcomes, this research underscores the importance of targeted policy measures in fostering ecological sustainability within China's evolving economic landscape.

Market‐incentivized environmental regulation policy and company green transformation: An analytical perspective based on the cost transfer capability of companies

AbstractBased on the carbon emissions trading pilot policy in China, this paper takes Chinese A‐share listed companies from 2012 to 2020 as a sample, and analyzes the role of company's cost transfer capability (ECTC) in the mechanism of market‐incentivized environmental regulation policy (MERP) influencing company green transformation. This paper finds the following four primary results. First, ECTC significantly strengthens the green transformation driving effect of MERP in general. However, results based on the division of ECTC by percentiles show that MERP‐induced green transformation is more pronounced in the top 25% of companies, which distinguishes them from companies in the top 25%–50%, whose cost transfer capacity hampers MERP's contribution to the green transformation. Second, the level of regional economic development, emission regulation, and business reputation have heterogeneous influences on the moderating effect of ECTC. Third, the results based on the moderated mediation model show that ECTC can influence the green transition driving effect of MERP by moderating the two paths of risk‐taking ability and financing constraints of companies. Finally, there is a diffusion effect on the green transformation driven by MERP through cost transfer among companies in non‐pilot industries and non‐pilot regions.

Environmental regulation, green technology innovation and enterprise performance

This research examines the link between environmental regulation and enterprise performance, discovering that environmental regulation negatively affects enterprise performance in the short term while positively affecting it in the long term, with green technology innovation (GTI) acting as an intermediary factor. Moreover, the effects of environmental regulation on enterprise performance vary according to the firms' property rights and geographical locations. This research's findings are confirmed through robustness and endogeneity tests.

Balancing India's energy trilemma: Assessing the role of renewable energy and green technology innovation for sustainable development

The energy trilemma, which includes energy security, affordability, and sustainability, is vital for India's path towards green development. A practical assessment of the energy trilemma's level is crucial for assessing the current state of India's energy landscape and making substantial progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. Based on time series data from 1990 to 2021, this paper investigates the direct and indirect effect of renewable energy use and green technology innovation on India's energy trilemma by using the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DYNARDL) simulation model. Our findings indicate that renewable energy use impacts the energy trilemma positively in both the short and long run. However, the effect of green technology on energy trilemma is positive but insignificant, suggesting the need for further technological advancement. The mediation analysis highlights that environmental regulation and energy efficiency are crucial through which both renewable energy and green technology innovation influence energy trilemma, while R&D shows an insignificant mediation effect. Based on the above findings, the study provides implications for policymakers to focus on strengthening environmental regulation, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing the financial flow for R&D investment to incentivize the mitigating effect of green technology on renewable energy use on energy trilemma.

Export cost of air pollution: A regression discontinuity design

This study examines the impact of air pollution on exports in China using a regression discontinuity design based on the Qinling Mountains-Huai River line. The findings show that air pollution harms firm exports, with a more pronounced impact on non-state-owned enterprises, heavily polluting industries, and densely populated regions. Specifically, a 1 % increase in air pollution correlates with an average reduction of 0.661 % in exports. These inhibitory effects are mainly caused by decreasing productivity, reducing markup rates, damaging regional quality reputations, causing labour resource misallocation and strengthening environmental regulations. Although air pollution spillovers from neighbouring cities may temporarily boost local firm exports and total production, they do not fully mitigate the overall negative impact of air pollution.

How do governance indicators, trade openness, industrialization, and population growth affect environmental degradation in BRICS Nations?

Against the backdrop of the dismal performance of BRICS nations in terms of governance, this study examines the relationship between governance indicators and carbon emissions. By employing DOLS and FMOLS cointegration techniques from 1996 to 2022, we find that effective governance helps in reducing environmental pollution. Specifically, indicators namely government effectiveness, political stability, the rule of law, voice and accountability, regulatory quality, and control of corruption show a favourable impact in mitigating carbon emissions. Additionally, our findings reveal that both foreign direct investments and trade openness contribute positively in lowering carbon emissions by introducing advanced technologies and sustainable practices. Conversely, rapid industrialization and population growth exacerbate carbon emissions due to increased reliance on fossil fuels and higher energy demand. Our study underscores the need for enhanced governance, green investments, and stringent environmental regulations to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability in BRICS nations.

How does environmental regulation matter? An analysis of the current research hotspots and future direction

How does environmental regulation matter? An analysis of the current research hotspots and future direction

Pertanggungjawaban Pidana bagi Pelaku Pencemaran Lingkungan Perspektif Fikih Jinayah

This study aims to identify and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the criminal liability system in environmental law and evaluate how Islamic jurisprudence can offer alternative or additional solutions to address environmental pollution problems. This study uses an empirical legal research method with qualitative procedures. The results of the study indicate that the act is considered to violate Islamic jurisprudence and environmental regulations in Indonesia, as shown in the findings. However, law enforcement still has obstacles related to evidence collection and time constraints that must be overcome in order to effectively pursue individuals or groups responsible for environmental damage. Therefore, to ensure environmental sustainability, it is important for the government to actively participate, for law enforcement to achieve effectiveness, and for business entities and the community to be aware of their obligations and be responsible for their behavior.

Evaluating the Value of a Geology Degree: An Economic and Societal Analysis

In an era where the economic returns on investment in higher education are increasingly scrutinized, the question arises: Is a geology degree worth it? This paper tends to provide answers to this inquiry through comprehensive economic analysis to evaluate the financial viability and broader benefits of obtaining a geology degree. The analysis begins by examining the economic landscape for geologists, including their earning potential, employment opportunities, and career advancement trajectories. Data from national labor statistics, industry reports, and academic studies are synthesized to provide a nuanced understanding of the financial outcomes associated with a geology degree. Factors such as geographic location, industry specialization, and level of education are considered to capture the variability in economic outcomes among geology graduates. This paper also explores the non-monetary benefits of a geology degree, such as job satisfaction, intellectual fulfilment, and contributions to societal challenges like natural resource management, environmental conservation, and hazard mitigation. These aspects contribute to a holistic evaluation of the degree's value proposition, balancing economic returns with intrinsic rewards. Furthermore, the analysis addresses trends in the geology job market, including the impacts of technological advancements, environmental regulations, and global economic shifts on career opportunities for geologists. Insights into emerging fields within geology, such as geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, and environmental consulting, are also discussed to illuminate evolving career pathways and specialization opportunities. Through this multidimensional examination, the paper aims to provide valuable insights to prospective students contemplating a geology degree, educators shaping curricula, and policymakers concerned with higher education and workforce development. By integrating economic principles with empirical data and qualitative perspectives, this study offers a robust framework for understanding a geology degree's economic implications and broader societal contributions in contemporary contexts.

New insights into the cation exchange resin-driven carbon migration and recovery from waste activated sludge: Mass transfer environment and cation exchange force

Innovative cation exchange resin (CER)-driven anaerobic fermentation showed significant promise for enhancing carbon recovery from waste activated sludge. However comprehensive microscopic studies on the responses of cation exchange environments have been scarcely reported. This study clarified the transport mechanism of divalent cations within the “sludge→CER→cation exchange groups” pathway, along with comprehensive evaluations of carbon migration and recovery. It demonstrated that the sludge suspension solid (SS) and cation exchange groups dominantly determined the CER treatment performance, instead of CER pore structure. The –COOH exhibited the strongest electrostatic-adsorption capacity among various cation exchange groups. Such mass transfer environment modification and cation exchange groups regulation could improve ionic charge removal to 4.91 mmol e−/g VSS. By macroporous-COOH CER treatment at sludge SS of 20 g/L, the overall carbon migration reached 192.66 mg C/g VSS (44.98 %). As such, the ultimate carbon recovery elevated to 120.34 mg C/g VSS (28.10 %), against the lower performances of 13.91–32.97 mg C/g VSS without cation exchange environment regulations. The cation exchange groups showed correlations with carbon migration, biotransformation, and recovery, as indicated by grey relational analysis degrees of 0.48–0.66. Simultaneously, by adopting the optimized regulation strategy of CER-driven anaerobic fermentation, the equivalent economic income raised to 410.93 CNY/ton sludge SS.

The impact of economic growth targets on the level of green development-A perspective on officials’ promotion incentives and environmental regulations

Currently, China is at a critical stage of accelerating the green transformation of its economic development model, with considerable attention being paid to achieving this transformation while maintaining moderate economic growth. This study uses 271 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2020 to examine the impact of local government economic growth target constraints on the level of green economic development and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The results show that economic growth targets significantly inhibit the level of urban green development, with this effect being more pronounced in the economically developed eastern regions of China. Hard constraints on economic growth targets have a greater inhibitory effect on green development than soft constraints. The greater the promotion pressure on local officials, the stronger the inhibitory effect of economic growth target constraints on green development. The test of the mediation effect model reveals that economic growth targets can inhibit green development by affecting the degree of regional marketization, leading to mismatches in the capital and labor markets. Moreover, environmental regulations can mitigate the inhibitory effect of economic growth targets on green development levels. The conclusions of this study provide useful insights for local governments to optimize economic development target constraint mechanisms and accelerate high-quality green economic development.

Turning a blind eye: How local government fiscal distress affects the entry of energy-intensive enterprises

This study explores the impact of local fiscal distress on energy-intensive entrepreneurial ventures. We theoretically establish a conceptual framework between government fiscal distress and energy-intensive entrepreneurial activity through the lens of environmental regulation. Using the newly available firm registration data, we employ the Poisson regression model and find that the falling fiscal condition of county governments triggered by an exogenous tax reform significantly leads to more entry of energy-intensive enterprises. We uncover that the increased entry of energy-intensive enterprises is primarily driven by relaxing environmental regulation rather than other policy changes. Delving into firm nature, we find that these energy-intensive entrants are usually large firms and privately owned firms. Further evidence suggests that industrial agglomeration, regional marketization levels, and legal environments negatively moderate the impact of fiscal distress on the entry of energy-intensive enterprises. This paper sheds light on the potential environmental consequences of governments' fiscal distress.