Low Emission Levels Research Articles

Dynamic impact of financial inclusion and industrialization on environmental sustainability

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the impact of financial inclusion (FI) on environmental quality and the mediating role of industrialization (IZ). In addition, these relationships among the counties with different levels of income and carbon emissions were also analyzed.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used the International Monetary Fund database for indicators of FI. The environmental indicators were obtained from the World Bank database for a panel of worldwide countries from 2004 to 2019. Separate indices of environmental sustainability (ES) and environmental degradation (ED) were created by using principal component analysis . The generalized method of moments regression was applied to examine the relationship between variables.FindingsThe study found full mediation of IZ between FI and ES, whereas partial mediation between FI and environmental degradation. The results were found robust against alternative measures of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the study also bifurcated the sample according to the level of income and carbon emission. It was found that FI plays a positive role in the betterment of environmental quality for high-income countries, while a negative role in upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income and low-income countries. Besides, FI has a negative role in the ES of the countries having higher or lower carbon emission levels.Originality/valueEmpirically this study contributes by creating two different novel measures of ES and environmental degradation, in contrast to other studies that solely relied on carbon emission. Contrary to previous studies, this study suggests that FI is not solely responsible for environmental damages, and IZ is the key channel by which FI shifts its impact on ES. Moreover, for environmental degradation, there are some other channels involved that need to be investigated further. This study has also noted that the relationship between FI and ES is context-dependent. Theoretically, this paper contributes to the literature by using ecological modernization theory in the nexus of FI, IZ and environmental quality.

Jupiter's X-Ray and UV Dark Polar Region.

We present 14 simultaneous Chandra X‐ray Observatory (CXO)‐Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of Jupiter's Northern X‐ray and ultraviolet (UV) aurorae from 2016 to 2019. Despite the variety of dynamic UV and X‐ray auroral structures, one region is conspicuous by its persistent absence of emission: the dark polar region (DPR). Previous HST observations have shown that very little UV emission is produced by the DPR. We find that the DPR also produces very few X‐ray photons. For all 14 observations, the low level of X‐ray emission from the DPR is consistent (within 2‐standard deviations) with scattered solar emission and/or photons spread by Chandra's Point Spread Function from known X‐ray‐bright regions. We therefore conclude that for these 14 observations the DPR produced no statistically significant detectable X‐ray signature.

Inland waterway transport and the 2030 agenda: Taxonomy of sustainability issues

Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) is recognized as energy efficient, with lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions and large freight capacity when compared to other modes. Therefore, IWT helps to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 Agenda (SDGs) that relate to sustainable transport. Still, transport sustainability assessments must include environmental, social and economic issues. This paper reviews recent research aiming to provide a conceptual definition of sustainable inland waterway transport that relates to the SDGs, and to identify gaps in literature for future research. To accomplish this task, a cluster analysis-based taxonomy was built through the intuitive approach, with peer-reviewed papers published between 2015 and 2020. The sample was classified into twelve clusters of IWT sustainability issues, which were related to SDGs and their targets. Results show increased scientific interest in eco-friendly practices. However, social issues remain underappreciated. We present a definition for sustainable IWT and the pathways for future research to achieve higher sustainability levels, as prescribed by the 2030 Agenda. • In sustainable IWT, freight increase meets lower building and operational costs. • Sustainable IWT is resilient to climate change and promotes social equity. • IWT relates to twelve targets in SGDs 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 in the 2030 Agenda. • Technical solutions for IWT save time, as well as financial and natural resources. • Technological tools also foster democratic decision-making in IWT.

Energy Efficiency of IoT Networks for Environmental Parameters of Bulgarian Cities

Building modern Internet of Things (IoT) systems is associated with a number of challenges. One of the most significant among them is the need for wireless technology, which will serve to build connectivity between the individual components of this technology. In the larger cities of Bulgaria, measures to ensure low levels of harmful emissions, reduce noise levels, and ensure comfort in urban environments have been taken. LoRa technology shows more advantages in transmission distance and low energy consumption compared to other technologies. That is why this technology was chosen for the design of wireless sensor networks (WSN) for six cities in Bulgaria. These networks have the potential to be used in IoT configurations. Appropriate modules and devices for building WSN for cities in Bulgaria have been selected. It has been found that the greater number of nodes in the WSN leads to an increase in the average power consumed in the network. On the other hand, depending on the location of these nodes, the energy consumed may decrease. The performance of wireless sensor networks can be optimized by applying appropriate routing protocols, which are proposed in the available literature. The methodology for energy efficiency analysis of WSN can be used in the design of wireless sensor networks to determine the parameters of the environment, with the possibility of application in IoT.

Role of TFE3 in Mitochondrial Adaptations to Skeletal Muscle Disuse

Prolonged muscle disuse is accompanied by a phenotypic shift characterized by declines in mitochondrial content and function within skeletal muscle. This loss in mitochondrial content can be partially attributed to elevations in various catabolic processes that occur with atrophy. One of these is termed mitophagy, a selective form of cellular recycling (autophagy) whereby dysfunctional mitochondria are degraded via lysosomes. TFEB and TFE3 are key transcription factors that regulate lysosomes by activating the expression of various lysosomal genes. Loss of TFE3 has been associated with depressed levels of autophagy and with mitochondrial dysfunction. It is speculated that these functional impairments are due to diminished clearance via the lysosomes, however to date this has not been examined. We hypothesized that the loss of TFE3 would amplify the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with muscle disuse, while paradoxically preserving muscle mass and mitochondrial content. Using a severe model of muscle disuse, sciatic denervation, we observed a 10% loss in hindlimb muscle mass within 7 days of denervation. In the absence of TFE3, a trend for muscle preservation was observed, as these animals lost 20% less muscle mass than WT counterparts. Reduced rates of respiration supported by complex I and II were observed irrespective of genotype, concurrent with elevated ROS emissions, suggesting an impaired oxidative capacity following 7 days of denervation. Surprisingly, TFE3 KO animals did exhibit lower levels of oxidative stress basally, but this too increased following 7 days of denervation, and taken relative to baseline the fold induction of ROS emission was 3 times greater than WT animals. Higher levels of mitophagy flux were observed in the absence of TFE3 basally, which supports the observed 35% decline in mitochondrial content as measured by COX activity, as well as the lower levels of ROS emissions. Following only 1 day of denervation, increases in mitophagy flux were observed in WT animals, while the response in KO animals was clearly attenuated. In the WT animals, denervation led to a 30% reduction in mitochondrial content, however no change was observed in the absence of TFE3. Finally, increases in a number of autophagy‐related markers such Beclin‐1 and ATG7 were observed following denervation irrespective of genotype. However, the mature form of Cathepsin B, a hydrolytic enzyme, was markedly reduced by 55% in the absence of TFE3 and did not increase to the same extent as WT following 7 days of denervation suggesting an impairment in lysosomal function. Together, our results suggest that TFE3 exerts multiple roles in skeletal muscle plasticity, as a partial mediator of muscle mass, and in the control of lysosomal function and mitophagy in response to the acute stress of muscle disuse.

Intelligent power grid monitoring and management strategy using 3D model visual computation with deep learning

The legacy grid is developing into an intelligently rooted grid system that can enhance and adapt its performance to learning experiences in its architectural components. Due to the evolution of artificial intelligence and in-depth learning techniques, decision-making and execution can become autonomous activities in intelligent power grids throughout the years. 3D visualization plays a vital role in simplifying monitoring, analysis, and reaction to events in the smart grid. The visualization of the 3D models for various energy system applications is first summarized, including the smart grid, power vehicles, and energy consumption of buildings. Accordingly, design principles are provided for wide-screen, personal computer, or mobile interfaces. Visualization technology for geographical information systems is described. 3D technology, animations, and AR&VR to visualize the energy system is discussed. In this article, a coherent 3D visualization approach for the control and monitoring of intelligent power grids (P.G.) via the deep learning (DL) method is examined in industry literature (3D-PGDL). Data visualization is gaining significance with improved measurement systems and Big Data Analytics in intelligent grids and low carbon energy systems. No data design study, accompanying technology, or visualization tools have been conducted. The analysis and practice of data viewing on energy and power systems are thoroughly addressed here. Because of the intrinsic properties of intelligent grids, all collected and processed data are heterogeneous to provide a more comprehensive, multifaceted control viewpoint for the energy sector by creating new ICT instruments and platforms. This section’s experiment resulted in a 95.3 % prediction rate and improved data management ratio of 95.7 %, a lower energy consumption ratio of 18.2%, a lower probability of 18.4 %, a lower CO2 emission level of 15.6 % and a humidity rate of 93.1 %.

Conditional effect of governance quality on the finance-environment nexus in a multivariate EKC framework: evidence from the method of moments-quantile regression with fixed-effects models.

This paper investigates the mitigating effect of governance quality on the finance-environment nexus in a multivariate EKC framework in 123 selected countries during the 1990-2017 period. We mainly employ the method of moments-quantile regression (MM-QR) with the fixed-effects model, among others. First, the MM-QR estimator reveals that financial development reduces environmental quality more significantly in countries with initially higher levels (the 75th and 90th quantiles) of CO2 emissions than in other countries (the 25th and 10th quantiles). Second, the attenuating effect of governance quality on the finance-environment nexus is more remarkable in nations with low initial levels (the 25th and 10th quantiles) of CO2 emissions. Third, we find that the marginal positive effect of financial development on CO2 emissions is smaller under a good regulatory framework than under corruption control and the rule of law, especially in the top emitters (the 75th and 90th quantiles). Fourth, unlike oil, which has a considerable negative impact on the environmental quality of the major emitters, renewable energy usage reduces CO2 emissions in countries in all quantiles, primarily in the lowest quantiles. Fifth, the findings also show that urbanization dramatically worsens environmental quality in all economies, particularly those in the lowest quantiles. Finally, we confirm that the EKC hypothesis holds in all countries across different quantiles. The study's final section discusses policy implications for sustainable development in all countries.

Gasoline powertrain solutions with ultra low tailpipe emissions

The introduction of Euro 6d legislation brought into law the regulation of particulate number and nitrous-oxide emissions under road-driving conditions. In line with these regulations, driving conditions involving highly dynamic, low ambient temperatures, and high vehicle loads are to be given particular attention. This leads to new challenges to the gasoline engine, the mixture preparation, and the exhaust-gas treatment. In the past, refinements made to the fuel-injection system have already resulted in significant progress being made in the reduction of particulate emissions. Supplemented by a latest-generation particulate filter, particulate emissions are now being continuously decreased. Gaseous emissions are reduced by combining innovative measures inside the engine itself with effective exhaust-gas treatment. The target of this investigation is the evaluation of innovative emission reduction measures in a demonstrator vehicle with a gasoline powertrain. For lower engine out emissions a fast heated air-fuel-ratio-sensor, new injection system with higher pressure, enhanced injection strategy with up to 7 injections per stroke, optimized calibration has been implemented. A gasoline particle filter, higher precious metal load of the three-way-catalyst, a second three-way-catalyst in underbody position and a burner for fast heat up of the exhaust system, leads to higher efficiency of the exhaust aftertreatment system. Among the development, particular emphasis is placed on minimizing the share of emissions during cold starts and the engine's warming-up phase. Emissions produced during the phase when engine and exhaust system are cold, are crucial to the total emissions during a trip. Innovative approaches, such as an expanded hybrid operating strategy and catalyst heating systems, are also assessed. The full integration of all emissions measures and precise adaptation in the interaction among these will open up further potential for reduction. The equipped with the measures pointed above can achieve values for particulate number and gaseous emissions amounting around 20% of the figures demanded by law. This low level of emissions achieved was confirmed and validated through challenging test cycles on a dynamometer at low temperatures and additionally in comprehensive road trails. The influence of such vehicles on air quality becomes negligible. True to its motto of “technology invented for life”, BOSCH is endeavoring to spur these developments on.

Comparison of the emissions of different biofuels with fossil fuel through the utilization of GREET Model

Biofuels are the alternate solutions in the fossil fuel family and has been mainly utilized for the reduction in the emissions that are been generated through I.C. engine combustion. This comparison study basically works on the emission characteristics of various types of biofuels with the existing fossil fuel utilized in an internal combustion engine. Through the research work it has been concluded that the biofuels or contributing to the lower emission levels as compared to fossil fuels. According to the Greet model study, methanol produced by gasification is the best recommended fuel for combustion with the lowest emission levels. This study shown that using methanol fuel produced by gasification results in the lowest GHG emission value of 11.44 gm using the GREET model.

Environmentally sustainable socio-economic welfare and agricultural employment: evidence from ECOWAS

Environmental sustainability considerations in socio-economic welfare has been argued in recent welfare literature. With an emphasis on the role of agricultural employment, this present study explores environmentally sustainable socio-economic welfare in ECOWAS, which features countries abundant in agriculture resources, although with low levels of socio-economic welfare and low carbon emissions. The study utilises a balanced panel data set of observations in respect of all fifteen ECOWAS countries over the period of 2010 to 2019. The Human Sustainable Development Index (HSDI) was used to measure environmentally sustainable socio-economic welfare. On the other hand, agricultural employment was measured using the percentage of the employed population earning their livelihoods from agricultural employment. Panel data fixed effects estimation was used to estimate the model for the study, and the findings were that agricultural employment had a significant adverse influence on environmentally sustainable socio-economic welfare as measured by HSDI, while a further comparison of the findings with that of welfare measured using HDI indicated that agricultural employment also adversely affected HDI. The study recommends that socio-economic welfare be assessed from the view point of environmental sustainability, and the governments of ECOWAS member countries provide strong governance including strong laws and policies to ensure that socio-economic welfare that is environmentally sustainable is realised as abundant agricultural resources as well as agricultural employment are well managed.

Globalization and CO2 emissions in the presence of EKC: A global panel data analysis

The relationship between globalization and environmental quality has drawn intensive attention in recent years. However, few studies have focused on global evidence considering the diverse dimensions of globalization outside of economic globalization. Moreover, evidence on the effects of globalization on environmental quality does not provide clear patterns. This study analytically explores and empirically tests the links of globalization with environmental quality. For empirical analysis, a large panel data of 180 countries is assembled over the period 1980–2016. The empirical results show that globalization helps to ameliorate environmental degradation. Panel quantile regression results also support the favorable role of globalization mainly for economies with existing low levels of carbon emissions. However, the decomposition of globalization into different domains reveals that this finding cannot be generalized for all dimensions of globalization. In particular, this study finds out robust evidence that economic globalization is harmful to environmental sustainability. However, political globalization has been shown as a tool for enhancing environmental quality. Finally, the environmental Kuznets curve is validated in all models. These findings remain consistent with different robustness checks.

Regulating the Development of Low-Carbon Economy in Construction and Housing and Municipal Facilities

The article studies problems dealing with the development of low-carbon economy in construction and housing and municipal facilities. Topicality of the subject is connected with implementation of key provisions of the Strategy of Social and Economic Development in the Russian Federation dealing with low level of green-house gas emission up to 2050 (2020). The aim of the research is to elaborate methods of low-carbon economy through stimulating power savings in construction and operation of buildings, using innovation structures and materials at the expense of trading in quotas on green-house gas emissions, introducing climatic taxation, setting-up climatic foundations and supporting power-saving projects. The author puts forward a project of low-carbon economy development on the basis of power-efficiency in operating buildings and constructions. As a criterion of such project realization we can consider ecologically corrected net discounted profit with regard to savings in fuel and power resources and cut in green-house gas emissions. A new standard was worked out to recalculate economized power through using power-efficient construction materials in operating buildings and cut in CO2emissions. Power-efficiency of houses was estimated based on territories of industrial zones in Moscow, which showed a reduction in approximately 2.6 tons of CO2 per 1,000 m 2 of housing area. The article offers economic tools to regulate climatic projects, including concessional taxation of power-efficient buildings, subsidizing interest rates in crediting in the field of power- and resource-saving.

Compressive Strength Estimation and CO2 Reduction Design of Fly Ash Composite Concrete

Fly ash is broadly utilized to produce concrete materials. This study presents a strength estimation model and a CO2 reduction design method for concrete with fly ash. First, a hydration-based strength (HBS) model is proposed for the evaluation of strength development at different ages of fly ash composite concrete with different mix proportions. Second, CO2 emissions for 1 MPa strength were evaluated. The analysis results show that, as the fly ash-to-binder ratio (FA/B) increased, the CO2 emissions for 1 MPa strength decreased. For concrete with a low water-to-binder ratio (W/B), the addition of high content of fly ash had an obvious dilution effect, which increased the reaction degree of cement and reduced CO2 emissions for 1 MPa strength. Moreover, the extension of the design age could reduce CO2 emissions for 1 MPa strength. Third, a genetic-algorithm-based optimal design model is proposed to find the individual mass of cement and fly ash of low-CO2 concrete. The analysis results show that, as the water contents increased from 160 to 170 kg/m3, to obtain the same strength, cement mass and fly ash mass increased, while the water/binder ratio and fly ash/binder ratio did not change. This means that the reduction in mixed water is one feasible way to lower CO2 emissions. In summary, the proposed strength–emission integrated analysis method is useful for designing sustainable fly ash composite concrete with the desired strength and low levels of CO2 emissions.

Comparative Study in Software and Healthcare Industries between South Korea and US Based on Economic Input–Output Analysis

In the modern era, software technology is being used not only as a core technology for manufacturing but also in various industries, such as telemedicine services, and the importance of the healthcare industry is being emphasized due to the demand for improved quality of life from the increase in the general level of earnings. However, if the industry emits a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2), it is questionable whether it is a sustainable industry. This study aimed to analyze the economic linkage effect of software and healthcare industries in South Korea and the United States by applying input–output analysis and examine whether these industries are sustainable in terms of CO2 emissions. The input–output tables and CO2 emissions from 2005 to 2015 were used for analysis from OECD. As a result of the analysis, CO2 emissions from the software and healthcare industries were less than 1% in both South Korea and the United States, suggesting that these industries are well-suited for low-carbon development in these countries. The forward and backward linkage effects of the software industry are different between South Korea and the United States. Specifically, the backward linkage effect of the software industry is large in South Korea, and the forward linkage effect is large in the United States. The forward linkage effect of the healthcare industry is different in the two countries, but the backward linkage effect is not. It means that there are differences in the industrial structure of the two countries. The software and healthcare industries need to devise strategies to drive production in other industries while maintaining current low carbon emission levels.

БИОЭКОНОМИКА КАК НОВАЯ ПАРАДИГМА РАЗВИТИЯ

The article reveals the role and importance of bioeconomics in the context of the transition from a linear economic model to a circular closed cycle based on the "cascade consumption" of renewable biological resources. It is determined that the main task of the domestic economy at the present stage should involve moving away from the raw material model, where the production, availability and use of biomass can be the key conditions. The official classification of biotechnologies in the Russian Federation is given, organizational aspects of supporting their development are disclosed, where an important milestone in the greening of the domestic economy is the approval by the government of the Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation until 2050 with a low level of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is noted that within the framework of organizational and economic regulation, a fragmentary approach dominates in revealing the essence of bioeconomics, where the development of biotechnologies is possible in the separate accounting of income from their use in each individual production sector, i.e. a "linear" concept is declared to a greater extent. In accordance with this, the tools of the system of organizational measures for the translation of the transition from linear economics to circular bioeconomics are proposed.

Did Polycentric and Compact Structure Reduce Carbon Emissions? A Spatial Panel Data Analysis of 286 Chinese Cities from 2002 to 2019

Curbing carbon emissions by restricting economic growth could decrease human well-being across the world and especially in developing countries, suggesting that we need to find alternative approaches to reducing carbon emissions. Against this background, this paper investigates the relationship between urban spatial structure and carbon emissions in the Chinese context from 2002 to 2019. Specifically, urban spatial structure of 286 Chinese cities, represented by the two dimensions of polycentricity and compactness, are calculated based on the gridded (1 km × 1 km) LandScan dataset on population, while carbon emissions of these cities are aggregated from the gridded (1 km × 1 km) Open-source Data Inventory for Anthropogenic CO2 (ODIAC) dataset on carbon emissions. The empirical results based on different regression models find that overall (1) more dispersed and less monocentric (i.e., less compact and more polycentric) cities are often associated with lower levels of carbon emissions, ceteris paribus; (2) the impact of polycentricity on carbon emissions could be moderated by the economic development levels of Chinese cities. For cities with gross domestic product of more than 173 billion yuan, a more polycentric spatial structure is usually associated with a higher level of carbon emissions; (3) a city’s urban spatial structure could have positive spatial spillovers on carbon emissions of its neighboring cities.

Effects of pilot injection strategy on in-cylinder combustion and emission characteristics of PODE/methanol blends

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE) and methanol are both promising alternative fuels with high oxygen content, and the combustion and emission characteristics of PODE/methanol blends were investigated in a common-rail engine. The premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion was realized by appropriate match of main injection and pilot injection strategies. The effects of methanol ratio (0– 20%) on fuel economy and emissions formation were studied in conventional compression ignition (CI) and PCCI modes. The combustion and emission characteristics were improved by adjusting the pilot injection timing (−40 ~ −24 °CA ATDC) and pilot injection ratio (0– 20%). The results show that the increase of methanol ratio prolongs the ignition duration, increases the premixed combustion ratio and reduces NOx emissions. PCCI combustion increases the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and improves the trade-off relationship between NOx and soot. The delay of pilot injection timing increases the BTE, decreases HC, CO and HCHO emissions, but increases NOx and soot emissions. The appropriate pilot injection ratio can significantly increase the BTE, and has little effect on the emission characteristics. Under the optimized pilot injection strategy and appropriate methanol ratio conditions, the maximum BTE of the blends can reach 46.58% and maintain low emission level.

Performance of Waste Insulating Mineral Oil-Based Biodiesel in a Direct-Injection CI Engine

Mineral oil has been used as an insulating fluid in the power industry. However, surplus waste oil poses serious environmental threats because of disposal concerns. Waste to biofuel is an excellent way to deal with waste material from various sources. In this study, the trans-esterification method was utilised to convert the waste-insulating mineral oil into a quality bio-fuel. Waste-insulating transformer oil was converted to biodiesel, and it was tested according to ASTM standards. Four different blends of waste-insulating biodiesel with diesel in 25 per cent (WIOBD25), 50 per cent (WIOBD50), 75 per cent (WIOBD75), and 100 per cent fractions (WIOBD100), were used for performance testing in a direct injection compression ignition (DICI) engine. The combustion parameters such as BSFC, EGT, and BTE were evaluated with varying crank angles and constant engine speed. The waste-insulating biodiesel performance results are then compared with diesel fuel. BSFC increased as the biofuel mixture in diesel was raised, and the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) was significantly reduced compared to diesel for all WIOBD diesel mixtures. Due to the combustion process, a high pressure and heat release rate (HRR) were noticed inside the cylinder with the waste-insulating oil-derived biodiesel samples. WIOBD biodiesel blends produced lower levels of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and smoke emissions than diesel fuel, but greater levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) were produced than diesel fuel. In addition to lower emissions combined with improved engine performance, the WIOBD25 fuel blend has been found to be experimentally optimal for practical application. As a result, the test findings indicated that WIOBD biodiesel might be used as a substitute for conventional diesel fuel.

The use of microalgal sourced biodiesel to help underground mines transition to battery electric vehicles

The use of fossil fuel sourced diesel underground has various associated health and environmental hazards, and additional energy demand and costs associated with necessary ventilation. One way to reduce these impacts is by utilizing a biodieselblend, which generates lower levels of harmful emissions from underground equipment and can be produced regionally, reducing the impact of transportation. Furthermore, this would help allow use of existing machinery during transition towards more widespread electrification underground. Therefore, the concept of an integrated supply and use chain within the mining industry is examined based on biodiesel from acidophilic photosynthetic microalgae cultivated using CO 2 in smelter off-gas. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to compare the environmental impacts of production, transportation, and end-use of fossil fuel sourced diesel to biodieselblended fuel across four underground metal ore mine sites (Canada, Poland, Zambia, and Australia). The outcomes from assessing four key environmental impact potentials (global warming, eutrophication, acidification and human toxicity) demonstrate the advantages of using biodiesel-blends. The integration of biodiesel resulted in changes of -22.5–+22.8% (global warming), -6.1–+27.3% (eutrophication), -18.9–+26.3% (acidification), and -21.0–-3.6% (human toxicity). The results showed reduction across all potentials for two mines and reduction in human toxicity potential for all sites.

The asymmetric effect of environmental policy stringency on CO2 emissions in OECD countries.

This paper uses a quantile fixed-effect panel data approach to investigate how environmental policy stringency affects CO2 emissions in a set of 32 countries from 1990 to 2015, using OECD data. This approach allows us to identify the asymmetric impact of policy stringency on emissions, considering the emission level recorded in each analysed country. More precisely, we posit that the effectiveness of environmental regulations and policies is influenced by the air pollution level. Our results show that an increase in policy stringency has a negative impact on emissions and that environmental stringency has a more powerful impact in the countries with lower levels of carbon emissions. In addition, we show that policy stringency measures only became effective after the implementation of the Kyoto agreement, whereas the policy stringency effect is stronger for EU countries at high risk of missing the 20-20-20 target in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Lastly, policy implications refer to the need to adapt policy stringency measures to emission levels to increase their effectiveness. At the same time, the setting up of emission targets determines policymakers to be more engaged in the fight against carbon emissions.