Low-carbon Development Path Research Articles

World energy: Myths of the past and lessons of the future

The analysis of recent trends in the world energy development and of long-term energy development projections helps dispel 10 myths that have been viewed as copybook maxims, yet now are a barrier to forming an adequate vision of the future and effective development strategies. Many of these myths are rooted in the inability to see how the ‘small on small scale’ becomes ‘big on big scale’ , and vice versa. Projection horizon to 2050 allows to see these metamorphoses, formulate the ‘lessons of the future’ for Russia’s economic development, and to show why Russia needs to change its economic model and switch to low-carbon development path.

Assessment of low carbon transport for sustainable development in Bhutan: a general equilibrium approach

Bhutan is dedicated to make its economy carbon neutral and to follow the exemplary path of low carbon development in the coming days. In the process of doing so, Bhutan identified that its transport sector is one of the most important sectors to address. Low carbon technology in transport sector is crucial for Bhutan to combat climate change related impacts. In this paper we have identified four different low carbon interventions possible for Bhutan and analysed their impacts on national economy, social welfare, income status and environment as a whole. The study demonstrates that low carbon transport intervention especially electric cars have highest positive macroeconomic impacts in Bhutan but at the cost of increasing urban rural income disparity. This further draws the attention of policy makers to take preventive measures in the case of introducing the policy for electric cars. In this study we also showed that modal shift (private to public transport) also has positive impacts on economy and environment in Bhutan.

Assessment of low carbon transport for sustainable development in Bhutan: a general equilibrium approach

Bhutan is dedicated to make its economy carbon neutral and to follow the exemplary path of low carbon development in the coming days. In the process of doing so, Bhutan identified that its transport sector is one of the most important sectors to address. Low carbon technology in transport sector is crucial for Bhutan to combat climate change related impacts. In this paper we have identified four different low carbon interventions possible for Bhutan and analysed their impacts on national economy, social welfare, income status and environment as a whole. The study demonstrates that low carbon transport intervention especially electric cars have highest positive macroeconomic impacts in Bhutan but at the cost of increasing urban rural income disparity. This further draws the attention of policy makers to take preventive measures in the case of introducing the policy for electric cars. In this study we also showed that modal shift (private to public transport) also has positive impacts on economy and environment in Bhutan.

Renewable technologies in Karnataka, India: jobs potential and co-benefits

The tangible benefits of renewable energy technologies are a crucial parameter when determining the political feasibility of adopting a low-carbon development path, particularly for emerging economies. We present that these potential benefits consist of ‘green jobs’ and of a wider set of socio-economic and environmental ‘co-benefits’ that are generated simultaneously from renewable technologies in India. Based on case studies from the Indian state of Karnataka, we obtain estimates for jobs and describe co-benefits enabled by wind, off-grid solar and biomass technologies. Furthermore, we use these estimates to project the potential for future benefits that could be generated by further enhancing the use of renewable technologies towards sustainable energy policy and security. We show that enhancing green economy offers benefits that include the creation of jobs, but also delivers a much wider set of socio-economic and environmental welfare gains for emerging economies such as India. Our paper also provides valuable evidence-based analyses for policy-makers when assessing the benefits of low-carbon sustainable development.

How can China allocate CO2 reduction targets at the provincial level considering both equity and efficiency? Evidence from its Copenhagen Accord pledge

It is crucial for China to allocate national carbon abatement targets fairly and efficiently. Essentially, the issue of national target allocation is carbon emission quotas allocation among provinces in China. In the case of China’s pledge at Copenhagen Accord, this study employs a modified Fixed Cost Allocation Model (FCAM) to determine permitted emissions of each province in China based on provincial carbon allocation results following Equity principle. Equity principles for carbon emission quotas allocation in our study contain Historical egalitarian, Population egalitarian and Pays ability egalitarian. Provincial allocation results vary in terms of three equity principles, and the allocation results following Pays ability egalitarian is more consistent with Chinese regional development conditions. Thus, in the modified FCAM, the allocation results based on Pays ability egalitarian are selected as constraint condition. The results specify the provinces with higher input-output efficiency obtain more quotas, and carbon emission quotas shift from Central and Western China with less input-output efficiency to Eastern China with higher input-output efficiency. Accordingly, this study proposes the establishment of overall carbon emissions database and provincial carbon market, as well as different low-carbon development path for each province. Our study not only contributes to advancing the existing literature on methodology of regional carbon quota allocation, but also is of special interest to policy makers.

Socio-economic and environmental analysis of wind power projects as viable renewable energy resources in Kenya

The demand for power in Kenya is on the increase with the ongoing growth of the country’s economy. There is a need for the country to balance energy efficiency, sustainability and low-carbon technologies. This entails drafting and implementing policies and strategies towards a low-carbon development path, ranging from fuels, technologies and infrastructure. This work examines the drivers of renewable energy resources in Kenya, focusing on Ngong Wind Farm. Results show that most low-carbon innovations in Kenya are driven by government tariffs and policies. Funding, and political and community goodwill remarkably influence the success of wind power projects in Kenya. The case study is a novel experiment that offers sustainable alternatives in the energy sector. There is need for more investment in the renewable sector, especially in the set up of power plants and power storage. To address the shortcomings in the renewable energy sector, there is a need for further research and development, and collaborations to foster innovations in the wind power sector in country. A combination of knowledge and resources, and leveraging local and national policies are potential ways in which institutional platforms can foster wind technology advancement and dissemination.

Descriptive analysis of building indigenous low-carbon innovation capability in Nigeria

The issue of a low-carbon energy system is contentious especially in developing countries as the world is transiting from a fossil fuel based economy to a low-carbon economy. A new development path of low-carbon energy is being sought so as to prevent the devastating effects of the high-carbon energy system which presently dominates the world. Many developing countries including Nigeria are being faced with the challenges of achieving economic development through a low-carbon energy system because the present energy system is predominantly high-carbon energy dependent, using, for example, fossil fuels. To follow the low-carbon development path, building indigenous innovation capability in emerging and developing countries becomes paramount, instead of relying on a mere technology transfer from developed countries which, most of the time, is in the form of hardware. As a result of the double externality problem and market failures associated with new technological innovation, this study suggests a government policy driven model to achieve the development of sustainable low-carbon energy innovation in Nigeria. The study used descriptive analysis to capture information on the influence of government policy from university academia and members of the public, obtained through a questionnaire.

A study on rural low-carbon tourism development in Jiangxi

Jiangxi features rich tourism resources in rural areas and favorable eco-environment, and it’s worth in-depth exploration how to develop rural tourism while protecting the beautiful rural environment in Jiangxi. Therefore, the new perspective of developing rural low-carbon tourism in Jiangxi was proposed in the paper to revisit rural tourism. Starting with the ecological concerns for rural tourism in Jiangxi, the paper probes into the necessity of rural low-carbon tourism development in the province and the path of rural low-carbon tourism development in the province on the basis of analyzing the principles to follow in developing the tourism, in anticipation of serving as reference for the theories and practices of sustainable development of rural low-carbon tourism in Jiangxi Province.

Low Carbon Urban Transitioning in Shenzhen: A Multi-Level Environmental Governance Perspective

As the world’s second largest economy, China ranks among the world’s top nations when it comes to carbon emission. Accordingly, its attitude towards climate change is closely followed by all parties concerned. There have been few studies on the role of environmental governance in the transformation process to low-carbon, especially Chinese ones. This study analyzes the impact of government environmental regulation on the low-carbon city transformation process by adopting Shenzhen as the research object. One of the world’s youngest super cities, Shenzhen also happens to be the city with the lowest carbon emission intensity in China. The multi-level governance framework is a useful mechanism with which to gauge divisions of responsibility and resources. This paper uses multilevel environmental governance to explain the policy for dealing with the climate in the city of Shenzhen. Striving to explore green low-carbon development path for the whole country, Shenzhen provides practical experience for countries to cope with global climate change.

Retraction Notice: Study on Low-carbon Urban Development Path and Strategy Based on Principal Components Analysis

Retraction Notice: Study on Low-carbon Urban Development Path and Strategy Based on Principal Components Analysis

Road to Paris: The Changed and Unchanged in International Responsibility System

Since the conclusion of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992, a number of adjustments have been made in the patterns of international economy, trade, emissions, etc. Developing countries have increased rapidly in their share in global economy, trade as well as emissions, which led to some Parties to the Convention, mainly developed country Parties, faltering on their recognition of the responsibility system of the global response to climate change, and requiring developing countries to undertake responsibility for emission reduction and even financial assistance, intending to transfer obligations and costs in coping with climate change to developing countries. In fact, although the share of developing countries has increased in global economy, trade and emissions, the basic pattern that developed countries account for the absolute majority in cumulative CO2 emissions and control the international financial, trading, technology, and standard systems has not changed. The international responsibility system to deal with climate change has not changed fundamentally, either. Developed countries should continue to lead the global climate initiative, and provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries; developing countries should also take the path of low-carbon development while actively making full use of support from the international community in poverty alleviation and development process. At the Paris Climate Change Conference, Parties should participate in the negotiations with a constructive attitude, actively make planning and implement emission reduction actions, as well as build a fair and efficient financial mechanism, to promote climate-friendly technologies worldwide, establish an open and cooperative international trading system, and jointly facilitate the international cooperation on tackling climate change as a new momentum for global economic growth, so as to protect global climate security.

Supporting and evaluation systems of low carbon transport: Study on theory and practice

Climate change is an extremely serious international problem, which is concerned by all the communities in the world. As a major sector of energy consumption and the main source of carbon emissions, it is necessary for the Chinese transportation sector to take on a low carbon development path in order to alleviate the energy consumption and environment pollution and take a positive role in these fields. Under such environment, the supporting and evaluation systems of low carbon transport from four aspects, namely, the efficiency, industry, innovation, guide and society, of low carbon are established in this study. An empirical example from Changsha City, Hunan Province in China is provided as numerical example.

An assessment of CO<SUB align="right">2 emissions: is China's tertiary industry environmentally friendly?

An input-output subsystem is used to discuss the CO2 emissions of China's tertiary industry by subdividing consumption activities of the tertiary sectors into five components. The results show that total CO2 emissions induced by the tertiary industry accounted for 17.4% of China's total CO2 emissions in 2007; of which direct emissions accounted for 3%, and pull effects of tertiary sectors on other sectors accounted for 20.2%. The pull effects of tertiary sectors on non-tertiary sectors must also be considered in order to establish a low-carbon development path for China's tertiary industry. Though China's tertiary sectors are relatively 'low-carbon' compared with non-tertiary sectors, to reduce the impact of tertiary sectoral behaviours on non-tertiary sectors, and design a reasonable sectoral structure for China's tertiary industry, are the key challenges for designing a real 'low-carbon' development path for China.

Fostering Local Entrepreneurship through Regional Environmental Pilot Schemes: The Low-Carbon Development Path of China

This study demonstrates the distinctive strategy of low-carbon development path adopted by China. The authors argue that the Chinese central government has initiated competitive regional environmental pilot schemes that combine the national target with local policy measures to foster local entrepreneurship for policy innovations and experimentations in low-carbon transition, without fundamentally changing the existing Chinese performance evaluation and promotion system of local officials. Field investigations, documentary analyses and interviews regarding the low-carbon province and city (LCPC) pilot scheme launched in 2010 were conducted. Based on these studies, the authors found that innovative policy goals and instruments are practised by LCPC pilots in seven aspects, which manifest convergence towards the national low-carbon target and variations according to different local conditions. The authors contend that the strategy that involves competitive regional pilot schemes has broader usage in Chinese governance.

低碳经济背景下西南沿边民族地区城镇化模式反思

低碳经济是以低能耗、低排放、低污染为基础的经济模式，民族地区城镇化是实现民族地区经济发展的必由之路。在低碳经济成为未来主要发展方式的大背景下，西南沿边民族地区已有的城镇化模式所带来的负面影响越来越严重，低碳城镇化发展道路已经成为西南沿边民族地区的必然选择，面对边界“屏蔽效应”、缺乏产业支撑、建设资金匮乏等城镇发展困境，建议西南沿边民族地区政府引导增强低碳意识、引进低碳技术、发展低碳产业、拓宽融资渠道、加强国际合作。 The low-carbon economy is a kind of economic development model which is based on low energy consumption, low emissions and low pollution, and the urbanization is the only route which must be passed to realize the economic development in ethnic minority regions. For the low-carbon economy development model will become the main development method in the future, the negative effect brought by the existing urbanization pattern of southwest border ethnic areas becomes more and more serious, as a result, the low-carbon development path of urbanization has become the inevitable choice of the southwest border ethnic areas. In the face of some developing predicaments, such as the “shielding effect”, the lack of industry support and construction funds, we should guide the governments of the southwest border ethnic areas to increase the awareness of low carbon development, bring in the low carbon technology, develop the low carbon industry, broaden the financing channels, and strengthen the international cooperation.

Study on Low-carbon Urban Development Path and Strategy Based on Principal Components Analysis

Scholars at home and abroad always focus on the low-carbon urban development. This paper described the basic theory of low-carbon city, analyzed the main factors effect the urban carbon emissions based on principal components analysis method, and established evaluation model to adapt to the development of low-carbon city. Finally, reasonable proposals have been proposed to provide scientific and theoretical basis for government decision making.

The economic case for low carbon waste management in rapidly growing cities in the developing world: The case of Palembang, Indonesia

The provision of appropriate waste management is not only an indicator of development but also of broader sustainability. This is particularly relevant to expanding cities in developing countries faced with rising waste generation and associated environmental health problems. Despite these urgent issues, city authorities often lack the evidence required to make well-informed decisions. This study evaluates the carbon and economic performance of low-carbon measures in the waste sector at a city level, within the context of a developing country. Palembang in Indonesia is used as a case of a medium-sized city in a newly industrialized country, with relevance to other similar cities in the developing world. Evidence suggests that the waste sector can achieve substantial carbon emission reductions, and become a carbon sink, in a cost effective way. Hence there is an economic case for a low carbon development path for Palembang, and possibly for other cities in developing and developed countries facing similar challenges.

Optimization Decision of Supplier Selection in Green Procurement under the Mode of Low Carbon Economy

AbstractUnder the background of economic globalization, selecting a path of low-carbon economic development and developing green supply chains are the inevitable choice of realizing the sustainable development for the enterprises. In this paper, we investigate the optimization decision problem of supplier selection in green procurement under the mode of low carbon economy. Concretely, we construct a new evaluation system for green supplier selection by considering commercial criterion and environmental criterion, and then present a decision method with 2-tuple linguistic assessments for green supplier selection. In this proposed decision method, all original decision data are transformed into linguistic 2-tuples, and then a ranking method based on 2-tuple weighted averaging (TWA) operator and 2-tuple ordered weighted averaging (TOWA) operator is presented to rank all alternative suppliers. Moreover, we provide an application decision making example of green supplier selection and compare our method with t...

The effects of environmental regulation and technical progress on CO2 Kuznets curve: An evidence from China

Based on environmental Kuznets curve theory, a panel data model which takes environmental regulation and technical progress as its moderating factors was developed to analyse the institutional and technical factors that affect the path of low-carbon economic development. The results indicated that there was a CO2 emission Kuznets curve seen in China. Environmental regulation had a significant moderating effect on the curve, and the inflection of CO2 emissions could come substantially earlier under stricter environmental regulation. Meanwhile, the impact of technical progress on the low-carbon economic development path had a longer hysteresis effect but restrained CO2 emission during its increasing stage and accelerated its downward trend during the decreasing stage which was conducive to emission reduction. Strict environmental regulation could force the high-carbon emitting industries to transfer from the eastern regions to the central or the western regions of China, which would make the CO2 Kuznets curve higher in its increasing stage and lower in its decreasing stage than that under looser regulation. Furthermore, energy efficiency, energy structure, and industrial structure exerted a significant direct impact on CO2 emissions; we should consider the above factors as essential in the quest for low-carbon economic development.

The analysis of CO2 emission reduction using an ExSS model of Guangdong province in China

This paper studied the CO2 emission scenarios of Guangdong province in 2020 and divided the CO2 emission increment and reductions into various departments and driving factors. Based on the Extended Snapshot model, two CO2 emission scenarios, Business as Usual (BaU) and Counter Measure (CM) scenario were constructed. CM scenario was completed by using reduction technical measures to achieve the reduction emission goal. The results showed that the amount of CO2 emission is less 189 million tonne in 2020 CM scenario than BaU scenario. By decomposing the emission reduction measures in CM scenario, it showed that the main means to reduce CO2 emissions were the industrial structure adjustment, the advanced energy efficiency and the power sector structure adjustment, and the emission reduction contribution rates were 36.85%, 34.55% and 21.74%, respectively. The analysis results could be recommended to the government to make the low-carbon development policy and path.