Environmental Technological Innovation Research Articles

Diverse Leadership Models for Promoting Sustainable Development in Hong Kong: Experiences and Insights

This article examines the diverse leadership models employed by the Hong Kong government in promoting sustainable development, including administrative, collaborative, transformational, distributed, servant, and transactional leadership. The implementation of these models reflects the government's comprehensive strategies in environmental policies, technological innovation, and sustainability projects. The article also draws insights from Singapore, Denmark, and Finland, integrating their distinctive leadership approaches to provide new ideas for Hong Kong in achieving sustainable development. The conclusion suggests that adopting a hybrid leadership style can more effectively help Hong Kong achieve its sustainability goals.

Environmental Blindspots: Identification and Mitigation using Technologies, Education, and Policies

Objectives:“Environmental Blindspots” are newly defined as a type of social problem within the realm of various environmental pollution and climate issues, wherein they are pushed down in priority due to factors such as corporate profit, consumer preferences, and government regulations, consequently remaining unresolved. This ultimately leads citizens to experience a sense of guilt. Despite the significant influence they wield on the welfare of current and future generations, various environmental social issues characterized by environmental blindspots (such as micro-hazardous substances like microplastics and environmental hormones) fail to become major considerations in societal decision-making. Consequently, they are not actively discussed within the social community. This absence of social consensus on these issues reflects the current situation. As a result, citizens repeatedly make choices that do not prioritize environmental values due to a perception of powerlessness stemming from the absence of environmentally friendly options, the belief that the issue is too immense to tackle individually, and lack of knowledge about specific actions to take for environmental problem-solving, among other factors. In this process, they experience involuntary and deliberate emotions of guilt. Since environmental blindspots are issues collectively experienced by the societal community comprising citizens, businesses, and government, solutions must also be derived collectively through collective thinking. This review has endeavored to incorporate such efforts.Methods:In this review, to develop a more effective interdisciplinary research methodology for addressing the previously mentioned environmental social issues, ten interdisciplinary researchers from the Environmental Engineering and Social Sciences fields at the center for convergence research (SEBIS) collaborated, leveraging their respective expertise to document literature survey results. Firstly, they reported on the environmental behavior, toxicity, distribution, and regulatory status of micro-hazardous substances, namely (micro)plastics and volatile organic compounds, which are the research subjects of the Environmental Blindspot Research Center. Secondly, they compiled relevant treatment technologies. Subsequently, they described the socio-structural causes of environmental blindspots and various solutions to environmental social issues through social science methodologies.Results and Discussion:To address the environmental blindspots, a key environmental social issue, it is necessary to advance various environmental technologies alongside responsible production by businesses and the enhancement of citizen environmental awareness. It is crucial for the government to institutionalize policies in the public domain to achieve this. Understanding the structural roles of citizens, businesses, and government is essential. It requires ethical consumer awareness and active participation, public campaigns and education, as well as effective government environmental policies to incentivize environmental friendly technological innovations by companies.Conclusion:In this review, the issue of environmental blindspots as an environmental social issue is being addressed comprehensively for the first time. Through this, we aim to establish an effective communication and cooperation system among social entities to explore solutions to environmental blindspots, and to propagate this ability to address social issues to future academic generations.

Unleashing the Potential of Energy Transformation in the Face of Strict Environmental Regulations, Technological Innovation, and Carbon Emissions

Unleashing the Potential of Energy Transformation in the Face of Strict Environmental Regulations, Technological Innovation, and Carbon Emissions

Evaluating Competitiveness of Container Shipping Operators in the Sustainability and Digitalization Era

This study aims to comprehensively analyze the operational status and international competitiveness of global container shipping enterprises in the era of sustainability and digitalization within the field of international container transportation. Utilizing the entropy method, this study quantitatively evaluates the direct operational strength of 14 leading container shipping enterprises while considering multiple factors including environmental protection, service quality, company scale, customer satisfaction, research and development level, and brand influence. The contributions of this study to the existing knowledge are primarily manifested in several aspects: firstly, by constructing a comprehensive evaluation framework, it offers a new perspective for assessing the international competitiveness of container shipping enterprises, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Secondly, this study emphasizes the crucial roles of environmental protection and customer service in the competitiveness of shipping enterprises, providing new strategic directions for the industry’s sustainable development and digital transformation. Lastly, through detailed analysis of the operational performance of different companies, this study provides specific improvement suggestions for shipping enterprises, aiding them in achieving more precise management and more efficient development. The research findings demonstrate that companies exhibit varied performance in different aspects, showcasing their respective strengths and challenges. Particularly, this study identifies leading enterprises that have made significant progress in environmental technology innovation and customer service, while also highlighting deficiencies in some companies regarding scale expansion and brand building. These findings not only offer valuable insights for the development of the shipping industry but also serve as a window for policymakers, investors, and consumers to gain a deeper understanding of the shipping market. Through the thorough analysis conducted in this study, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development and digital transformation of the global container shipping industry.

A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Assessment and Innovation in Jet Grouting Technologies

A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Assessment and Innovation in Jet Grouting Technologies

Environmental taxes, technological innovation and firm performance: Evidence from China's manufacturing firms

Based on panel data from 2011 to 2019 for heavily polluting listed firms in the manufacturing industry, this paper examines the impact of environmental taxes on technological innovation and firm performance using the propensity score matching (PSM) and differences-in-differences (DID) methods. The empirical results show the following: (i) Firm performance and innovation quantity are positively affected by environmental taxes. The average effects of environmental taxes on firm performance and innovation quantity are 1.28 and 0.219, respectively. However, environmental taxes have no significant impact on innovation quality. (ii) A mechanism analysis reveals that innovation quantity plays a significant partial mediating role in the positive effect of environmental taxes on firm performance. (iii) Heterogeneity analysis shows that different environmental tax rates lead to a variation in innovation quantity and firm performance across regions. The positive effect of environmental taxes on innovation quantity is only confirmed in high-tax and low-tax areas. Meanwhile, high environmental taxes are related to better firm performance. Based on the research, policy recommendations are put forward to optimise environmental taxes, such as improving the environmental tax system and coordinating environmental tax and innovation policies.

Do environmental regulations and technological innovation enhance environmental well‐being in sub‐Saharan Africa?

AbstractWe investigate the regulation–technology–environment nexus in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), one of the world's most rapidly growing regions. Using a comprehensive panel dataset consisting of 32 countries from 2000 to 2022, we find that stronger environmental regulations and technological innovation enhance environmental well‐being. Moreover, we identify that stronger environmental regulations positively affect pro‐environment innovation. Finally, we present clear evidence for a dynamic and nonlinear regulation–technology–environment relationship, ruling out one‐size‐fits‐all policy approaches to environmental well‐being. Our results remain robust to different estimators, measurements, and sample selections.

Research on the Implementation Plan of Urban and Rural Sanitation Integration in County Towns in China

This paper deeply discusses the implementation plan of the integration of urban and rural sanitation in county towns in China. First of all, the main problems facing urban and rural sanitation in the county are analyzed, including inadequate sanitation facilities, scattered management and low efficiency of resource utilization. Then, it puts forward the necessity and importance of urban and rural sanitation integration, pointing out that it helps to improve the county's environmental health level, promote resource conservation and recycling, and promote the coordinated development of urban and rural areas. In the implementation of the program, this paper puts forward a series of concrete measures. It includes strengthening the construction of sanitation infrastructure, improving the system of garbage collection, transfer and treatment; Promoting the reform of the environmental sanitation management system to realize the unification and coordination of urban and rural sanitation management; Strengthen environmental sanitation technology innovation and personnel training, improve the quality and efficiency of environmental sanitation services; At the same time, pay attention to the combination of policy guidance and market mechanism to attract social capital to participate in the cause of environmental sanitation. Through this study, the aim is to provide a scientific implementation plan and reference for the integration of urban and rural environmental sanitation in the county, and promote the healthy development of environmental health undertakings in the county.

Modeling Challenges in Low-Carbon Manufacturing Adoption Using the ISM-MICMAC Approach: A Case of Green Tech Projects of the Chinese Automotive Industry

In addressing the issue of climate change, the Chinese government has established a definitive objective to attain its peak carbon emissions by 2030 and strive for carbon neutrality by 2060. This effort aims to progressively achieve a state of net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In the given scenario, this research examines challenges in promoting low-carbon manufacturing (LCM) within the Chinese automotive sector, specifically in the context of Green Tech projects. In view of greater emphasis on environmental sustainability and technological innovation, this study aims to uncover challenges restraining the adoption of LCM in one of the world’s largest automotive markets, China. A three-step methodology was adopted by incorporating a literature review, the Delphi method, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), and MICMAC analysis. In the first stage, relevant articles were selected scientifically to identify the main challenges in previous studies by following the relevant keyword criteria. Further, challenges identified from the comprehensive literature review were screened through the Delphi method, and finally, challenges were modeled and clustered through ISM and MICMAC analysis. Data collected from the experts highlight that “difficulties in the transition towards energy efficient technologies”, “insufficient operational efficiency”, and “information imbalances and asymmetry” were the most critical challenges that hinder LCM initiatives in the automotive industry. This research serves as a valuable resource for academia, industry professionals, and policymakers in the quest to adopt LCM in the dynamic context of the Chinese automotive sector.

How Environmental Policy Stringency, Foreign Direct Investment, and Eco-Innovation Supplement the Energy Transition: New Evidence from NICs

Several researchers have studied the environmental policy stringency and ecological innovation regarding CO2 emissions and renewable energy consumption; however, the impact of environmental policy stringency, technological innovation, FDI, and ecological innovation on energy transition has not been studied in the case of NICs. For this purpose, panel quantile regression models are applied in the context of NICs from 2000 to 2021. Our empirical results show that the effect of foreign direct investment is positive and statistically significant on energy transition. On the other hand the variables environmental policy stringency, eco-innovation, and ICT-trade have an inverse effect on energy transition. Therefore, the findings of the study also provide policy implications that indicate NICs need to optimize their trade structure and re-innovate the latest innovation spillovers, and strict environmental policies should be introduced to facilitate energy transition in NICs.

Environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility: A review of case studies from the oil and gas sector

This review presents a comprehensive review of case studies focusing on environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas industry plays a pivotal role in global energy production, yet its operations often pose significant environmental and social challenges. In response, companies in this sector are increasingly embracing environmental stewardship and CSR principles to mitigate negative impacts and foster sustainable practices. The review examines a diverse range of case studies from various regions and contexts, highlighting both successful initiatives and notable challenges faced by oil and gas companies in integrating environmental stewardship and CSR into their operations. Key themes explored include environmental conservation efforts, community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation. Several case studies demonstrate innovative approaches adopted by oil and gas companies to minimize environmental degradation, such as implementing advanced technologies for emission reduction, investing in renewable energy projects, and restoring ecosystems affected by exploration and extraction activities. Moreover, successful CSR programs are showcased, emphasizing community development initiatives, education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvement projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for local populations impacted by oil and gas operations. However, challenges persist, including balancing economic interests with environmental and social responsibilities, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and addressing stakeholder concerns effectively. Despite these challenges, the case studies underscore the importance of proactive engagement, transparent communication, and continuous improvement in fostering environmental stewardship and CSR within the oil and gas sector. The review offers insights into best practices, lessons learned, and future directions for promoting sustainability and responsible business practices in the oil and gas industry, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on corporate environmental responsibility and societal impact mitigation.

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE CULTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF GREEN AND DIGITAL ECONOMY

The purpose of this paper is to explore the strategies for creating a sustainable corporate culture in the context of the green and digital economy. In today's business landscape, characterised by a growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and technological innovation, organisations are faced with the challenge of aligning their corporate cultures with these emerging paradigms. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of case studies with quantitative examination of organisational practices, to investigate effective strategies for fostering a sustainable corporate culture amidst the challenges and opportunities presented by the green and digital economy. Methodology. The research methodology includes a comprehensive review of the literature on corporate culture, sustainability and digitalisation, supplemented by analysis of data collected from case studies of organisations operating in different industries. Qualitative data from interviews with key stakeholders and observations of organisational practices are complemented by quantitative analysis of survey responses and performance metrics. Results. The findings highlight several key strategies for creating a sustainable corporate culture in the context of the green and digital economy. These include: leadership commitment to sustainability and innovation; integration of green practices into organisational policies and procedures; employee engagement and empowerment through training and development programmes; use of digital technologies to improve communication, collaboration and productivity; and continuous monitoring and evaluation of environmental performance metrics. Practical implications. The implications of this study have several practical implications for organisations seeking to cultivate a sustainable culture. First, they underscore the importance of strong leadership commitment to sustainability and innovation, and the need to integrate green practices into all aspects of organisational operations. Second, the findings highlight the critical role of employee engagement and empowerment in driving sustainable behaviour and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Finally, the study highlights the potential of digital technologies to enable organisations to adapt and thrive in the evolving landscape of the green and digital economy. Value / Оriginality. This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence and practical insights into the strategies for creating a sustainable corporate culture in the context of the green and digital economy. By combining qualitative analysis of case studies with quantitative examination of organisational practices, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the key factors influencing corporate culture in the contemporary business environment. In addition, the research highlights the importance of aligning organisational values with environmental and technological advances to enhance business sustainability and resilience. Overall, the paper provides valuable contributions to both theory and practice in the areas of corporate culture, sustainability and digitalisation.

Exploring the dynamic capability of green technology innovation for achieving sustainable development: an empirical insight from China

ABSTRACT During the past several decades, the world has been putting strong emphasis on the role of environmental technology innovation which can reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainable development. This research sheds light on the impact of green technology or eco innovation on sustainable development for China. Additionally, the effects of other variables such as governance, information and communication technology, trade uncertainty and urban population are also analysed. The study employs Fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and Canonical Cointegration Regression (CCR) as the long run tests and Breitung and Candelon Spectral Granger-Causality as the time varying granger causality test. The results suggest that green innovation promotes sustainable development in the long run. The roles of governance quality and urbanization are also found to be positive while the role of ICT is found to be insignificant yet negative. The role of trade uncertainty is positive yet insignificant. Based on these results, the study calls for the private and public organizations and industries to invest in eco innovation. Different incentives from the government can also encourage private industries to invest in green innovation technologies.

Retraction Note: The mechanism and test of the impact of environmental regulation and technological innovation on high quality development

Retraction Note: The mechanism and test of the impact of environmental regulation and technological innovation on high quality development

Heterogeneous relations among environmental regulation, technological innovation, and environmental pollution

In this study, interprovincial panel data of China from 2011 to 2020 are selected and empirically examined to determine the effects of three types of environmental regulation tools: command-and-control, market-incentive, and public-participation types. Then, hierarchical regression analysis and instrumental variables are used to analyze and verify the mediating role of technological innovation. Results show no significant relationship between command-and-control regulation and environmental pollution, while market-incentive and public-participation regulations have a significantly negative inhibitory effect on environmental pollution and contribute to pollution reduction. In addition, product and process innovations play partially mediating roles between market-incentive regulation and environmental pollution and between public-participation regulation and environmental pollution, respectively, thus indicating that technological innovation is an effective way to reduce pollutant emissions. Compared with product innovation, process innovation has a better effect on pollution emission reduction but a smaller incentive effect under environmental regulation. This finding indicates that enterprise technology innovation and environmental regulation fail to achieve a suitable match for maximizing environmental benefits. Further analysis shows that the effects of the three types of environmental regulation tools on reducing pollution emissions vary in different periods and show significant changes around 2010. The effects of command-based regulation weaken, while those of the pollution abatement of market-incentive and public-participation regulations increase.

Environmental fees, local competition, and corporate green innovation activities: evidence from China

ABSTRACT The authority has moved away from using GDP as the sole measure of local government performance, placing new emphasis on environmental governance, tax administration, and technological innovation. This shift has spurred competition among local governments, prompting the need to examine the relationship between government competitive behaviour and firms’ green innovation. The study uses panel data from 2007 to 2020 and presents a comprehensive research-based explanation of how local government competition affects firms’ green innovation activities under China’s fixed and floating environmental tax and fee systems, applying the causal forest algorithm. The results show that local government competition suppresses green innovation under the floating system, but stimulates it under the fixed system. Further analysis shows that the floating system’s relatively higher national environmental governance tax and the increased competition under the floating system increase firms’ operating costs, leading to a ‘crowding out effect’ on green innovation. Conversely, under the fixed system, increased competition among local governments reduces operating costs, promotes investment in green innovation, and creates a ‘leverage effect’.

Investigating the environmental Kuznets curve modified with HDI: evidence from a panel of eco-innovative countries

AbstractConsidering the increase in polluting emissions, the importance of determining the relationship between economic development and environmental quality is a crucial issue in achieving sustainable development goals. This study explores and empirically tests the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in a panel data of 39 countries is assembled over the period 1993–2018. For this purpose, the Human Development Index is used as a measure of development, contrary to classical studies in which GDP growth was determined as an indicator of economic growth. Also using by two different measures of pollutant emissions, such as methane ($${{\text{CH}}}_{4}$$ CH 4 ) and carbon ($${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 ) emissions, examining to the validity of the EKC hypothesis. The analysis method consists of the fixed effect and robustness estimation of the panel data model, and employed the U-test approach in the study. Empirical findings in this study show that strong evidence to support an inverted U-shaped relationship between CO2 emissions and human development, although the U-test results point at mixed results for CH4 emissions. In addition, it is detected that negative relationship between environmental related technological innovation and pollutants emission such as $${{\text{CH}}}_{4}$$ CH 4 and $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 , which highlights the importance of promoting innovative technologies in struggle global warming.

Impact of CO2 emissions embodied in the agricultural sector on carbon sequestration in South Africa: The role of environmental taxes and technological innovation

This study explores the dynamic association between carbon sequestration, CO2 emissions from agricultural activities, environmental taxes, and technological innovation within the unique context of South Africa. The findings reveal a robust positive feedback loop, highlighting the cumulative effect of continuous improvements in carbon sequestration over time. The study identifies concerning trends where agricultural emissions negatively impact carbon sequestration. For every one-unit increase in agricultural emissions, the results indicate a significant 0.50% decrease in carbon sequestration. Environmental taxes emerge as a powerful policy instrument, demonstrating a remarkable 2.28% increase in the long-term carbon sequestration rate for each one-unit increase. Technological innovation contributes subtly but positively, resulting in a 0.31% increase in carbon sequestration for every one-unit advancement. In contrast, foreign direct investment leads to a marginal 0.06% reduction in carbon sequestration, highlighting the potential challenges of globalization. Upon examining interaction terms, the study recognises the crucial role of environmental taxes in reducing the negative impacts of CO2 emissions from agricultural activities on carbon sequestration. A 1% increase in environmental tax corresponds to a significant 0.40% decrease in adverse effects, underscoring the transformative potential of well-designed tax policies in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. However, technological innovation has a limited mediating role, resulting in a modest 0.03% decrease in adverse effects for a 1% increase in innovation adoption. In conclusion, the study emphasises the critical importance of targeted environmental taxation policies in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. It provides nuanced insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability.

Environmental governance, technological innovation and employment structure change: evidence from China

Environmental governance, technological innovation and employment structure change: evidence from China

Revolutionizing Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption and Environmental Technologies in OECD Countries

This study examines the relationship between economic factors and environmental sustainability in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries from 1990 to 2022, with a particular focus on the impact of renewable energy consumption and environmental technologies on CO2 emissions. The research utilizes empirical data to establish a clear negative correlation between the adoption of renewable energy sources and the level of CO2 emissions, highlighting the effectiveness of renewable energy in reducing the environmental impact of economic activities. This finding supports the theoretical perspective that transitioning to cleaner energy sources is vital for achieving environmental sustainability and aligns with the objectives of the OECD’s environmental sustainability program. Further analysis reveals a significant negative impact of environmental technologies on CO2 emissions, underscoring the importance of technological innovation in environmental conservation efforts. The study also explores the dual influence of GDP growth, urbanization, industrialization, and trade on CO2 emissions, revealing both positive and negative effects across different stages of economic development. Initially, these factors contribute to increased emissions, but as economies mature and integrate more efficient and cleaner technologies, their impact on emissions becomes negative. These findings demonstrate the complex interplay between economic development and environmental sustainability and emphasize the need for policies that encourage renewable energy adoption, support environmental technological innovations, and guide economies towards sustainable practices. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, advocating for an integrated approach to ensure long-term environmental sustainability in OECD countries.