Strict Environmental Standards Research Articles

Стратегия ситуационного поведения предприятий ТЭК в современных условиях

In the era of digital transformation and stricter environmental standards, companies in the fuel and energy industry face the need to adapt their management approaches. The research focuses on how fuel and energy companies structure their behavior in response to modern challenges, including economic volatility and global changes in the energy sector. Management flexibility and responsiveness are becoming key success factors in a dynamic environment. At the same time, the decision-making process in the industry is significantly influenced not only by market trends and innovative technologies, but also by social and environmental factors, along with regulatory constraints. Modern enterprises of the fuel and energy complex need flexible management tools that take into account the dynamics of the market environment. The study of the best practices of the largest energy companies allowed us to formulate the key principles of adaptive management. The proposed management system is based on a comprehensive assessment of risk factors and the construction of variable forecasts of the situation. Special attention in the developed concept is paid to the implementation of modern digital solutions. The use of artificial intelligence technologies, big data analytics and IoT systems creates the foundation for building a competitive and sustainable business. Based on the conducted research, the authors have developed a set of practical recommendations that allow fuel and energy companies to quickly adapt their strategies to changing market conditions. Modern companies strive for greater social responsibility through improved management systems and increased transparency of business processes. Environmental transformation is becoming a key focus: companies are actively implementing energy-saving solutions, environmentally friendly technologies and working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This research will be useful to a wide range of energy sector specialists and scientists studying sustainable development issues. The practical value of the work lies in the possibility of applying the results obtained to form effective business strategies. This is especially relevant in the context of global transformations, when companies need to maintain competitiveness and ensure the sustainability of their development.

Externalities of urban mobility and challenges for sustainable development in Grand Lomé, Togo

Urban mobility in Grand Lomé is affected by several negative externalities, including road congestion, insecurity and environmental pollution. Traffic jams cause considerable economic losses, estimated at more than 13,000 CFA francs per month for some public officials, and represent a financial drain of several million CFA francs per day on the Togolese economy. These challenges are accentuated by rapid urbanization and a dizzying increase in the number of vehicles, especially motorcycle taxis. These factors not only cause economic losses, but also to the deterioration of the quality of life of the inhabitants. On average, motorists lose up to 49.5 min per day in traffic jams, with fuel and time costs estimated at hundreds of thousands of CFA francs per year for each user of the main boulevards. Through an in-depth analysis of the impacts of these negative externalities on mobility and sustainable development, this study reveals that traffic congestion, combined with the lack of road infrastructure, generates considerable economic and environmental costs. These traffic jams also worsen air pollution, making the transport sector responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. These proposed solutions include: 1) The modernization of road infrastructure, culminating in the construction of new lanes entirely dedicated to public and non-motorized transport. 2) The regulation of motorcycle taxis, inspired by regional examples, to improve safety and efficiency. 3) The introduction of rapid transit systems, such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), to make travel more fluid. 4) The implementation of strict environmental standards and regular technical controls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These proposals aim to reduce social and economic costs, while promoting sustainable mobility and a better quality of life for residents.

Proposals for Next-Generation Eco-Friendly Non-Flammable Refrigerants for a −100 °C Semiconductor Etching Chiller Based on 4E (Energy, Exergy, Environmental, and Exergoeconomic) Analysis

Recent advancements in cryogenic etching, characterized by high aspect ratios and etching rates, address the growing demand for enhanced performance and reduced power consumption in electronics. To precisely maintain the temperature under high loads, the cascade mixed-refrigerant cycle (CMRC) is predominantly used. However, most refrigerants currently used in semiconductor cryogenic etching have high global warming potential (GWP). This study introduces a −100 °C chiller using a mixed refrigerant (MR) with a GWP of 150 or less, aiming to comply with stricter environmental standards and contribute to environmental preservation. The optimal configuration for the CMRC was determined based on a previously established methodology for selecting the best MR configuration. Comprehensive analyses—energy, exergy, environmental, and exergoeconomic—were conducted on the data obtained using Matlab simulations to evaluate the feasibility of replacing conventional refrigerants. The results reveal that using eco-friendly MRs increases the coefficient of performance by 52%, enabling a reduction in compressor size due to significantly decreased discharge volumes. The exergy analysis indicated a 16.41% improvement in efficiency and a substantial decrease in exergy destruction. The environmental analysis demonstrated that eco-friendly MRs could reduce carbon emissions by 60%. Economically, the evaporator and condenser accounted for over 70% of the total exergy costs in all cases, with a 52.44% reduction in exergy costs when using eco-friendly MRs. This study highlights the potential for eco-friendly refrigerants to be integrated into semiconductor cryogenic etching processes, responding effectively to environmental regulations in the cryogenic sector.

Digitalization and Automation and AI: A Theoretical Framework of rethinking the Pollution Haven Hypothesis

This theoretical paper investigates the impact of digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) on environmental regulations, specifically through the lens of the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH). It explores how these advancements influence pollution intensity and environmental compliance costs, challenging the traditional understanding of the PHH. Methodology. The study employs a Cobb-Douglas production function to model the relationship between technological innovations and environmental regulations. By integrating digitalization, automation, and AI into the model, the paper examines how these factors affect the economic incentives for firms to relocate to regions with lenient environmental standards. Findings. The analysis reveals that advancements in digitalization and automation reduce pollution intensity and lower the costs of complying with strict environmental standards. As a result, the economic incentive to relocate to pollution havens diminishes. In an open economy, the combination of stringent environmental policies and technological innovations leads to reduced pollution levels and a shift toward cleaner production processes. Practical Implication. The findings suggest that integrating technological innovations into environmental policy can make adherence to stricter regulations more economically viable, thereby weakening the appeal of pollution havens. This has significant implications for global sustainability efforts, as it highlights the potential for technology to support more effective and equitable environmental regulations. Originality. This study introduces a novel perspective by directly linking technological innovations to shifts in capital allocation and the efficacy of environmental policies. It offers a fresh understanding of the PHH in the context of modern advancements, providing new understanding into the relationship between innovation and environmental regulation.

Effect of energy consumption, foreign direct investment, and economic growth on greenhouse gas emissions in OPEC member states: evidence from panel data analysis

Our paper explores the impact of energy consumption, foreign direct investment, and economic expansion on greenhouse gas emissions in OPEC member states. A panel data of 12 out of 13 OPEC nations over the period 1983 to 2022 obtained from the World Development Indicators is used. The autoregressive distributed lag simulation was adopted to determine the correlation among the series. Our estimations unveil that economic growth in the member states contributes 7.47 per cent to greenhouse gas emissions for every 1 percent increase, trade flow tends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.37 per cent for every 1 percent rise. Though the impact of foreign direct investment on greenhouse gas emissions in the OPEC member states is negative, it is statistically insignificant. The positive association between energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions emphasizes the need for OPEC countries to move to cleaner energy sources in order to reduce environmental damage. A proactive approach to investing in clean technology is critical for governments and companies in OPEC countries. This includes supporting research and development of renewable energy sources, encouraging the adoption of environmentally-safe practices in industry and fostering innovation to promote sustainable development. Strict environmental standards for industries that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions should be adopted and enforced. This includes: Setting caps on emissions, advocating for cleaner production processes, and imposing penalties for non-compliance with environmental regulations. Sustainable practices should be encouraged through tax incentives, subsidies, and other financial mechanisms designed to incentivized companies to adopt environmentally friendly processes. The implications of these findings for policymakers and future studies are discussed.

Environmental effects of waste electrical and electronic equipment valorization in burkina faso

The valorization of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has become a challenge for countries around the world, especially for developing countries like Burkina Faso. The main objective of this article is to analyze the environmental effects of WEEE valorization in Burkina Faso. To do this, the regime-switching model, developed by Lee (1978), based on the Heckman correction model, was used. The data used was collected from 414 actors in the WEEE sector in the three major cities of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Koudougou, and Bobo Dioulasso. The analysis of the results shows that the methods of WEEE valorization in Burkina Faso pollute the air, soil and water. This pollution results in damages amounting to 242,752,192.6 CFA francs per year, which the sector's actors should include in their investment costs in the form of internalization costs. These costs amount to an average of 560,628.62 CFA francs per year and per actor. The WEEE sector could be improved with the implementation of certain economic policies. These policies include raising awareness among the population on WEEE management, training of stakeholders in the sector on the effective valorization of WEEE and the implementation of strict environmental standards to reduce environmental pollution due to poor WEEE valorization in Burkina Faso.

Balancing the trade-off between data center development and its environmental impacts: A comparative analysis of Data Center Policymaking in Singapore, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, USA, and the UK

Data centers' deployment rate has raised concerns about high natural resource consumption. The scholarship has examined the scale of negative environmental impacts but focused to a lesser degree on policy responses enacted to improve data center sustainability. We analyze these policy responses in terms of (i) the degree of policy change undertaken, (ii) the duration of policy changes, and (iii) the effects on data center deployment rates. This work investigates six data center hubs - Singapore, Netherlands(Amsterdam), Ireland, Germany(Frankfurt), USA(Virginia), and the UK(London) – identifying three policy responses: moratorium, adjustment, and continuation. All six locations changed their data center deployment strategies. In three cases, data center policy adjustments were preceded by significant short-term disruptions of digital infrastructure growth (e.g., halts to new permits), demonstrating the challenges in managing high-growth sectors under environmental and infrastructural constraints. Among the three cases, only two have introduced long-term measures, i.e., adjustments through stricter environmental standards, showing that moratoriums better work as a temporary measure to stabilize natural resource consumption while buying time for long-term adjustments. Conversely, in the two cases opting for a continuation of data center deployment (e.g., redirecting new permits to less resource-constrained areas), the strategy lowered implementation costs but has been subject to a lingering opposition process. Beyond response specificities, the six cases also present general policymaking patterns. First, stricter energy accuracy standards may facilitate planning sustainable data center growth. Second, policy responses may yield better results when paired with multi-regional infrastructural strategies matching IT infrastructure needs with available energy capacity.

Dynamics in the Bioeconomy: Markets for Amino Acids and Insect Biomass

SummaryWhile the bioeconomy permeates all sectors, respective markets are subject to different dynamics. Markets for bio‐based amino acids and insect biomass illustrate this. The global and EU markets for bio‐based amino acids are well‐established and growing. However, the increase in production in the EU of some ‘new’ amino acids is much smaller than the decrease in production of well‐established lysine and threonine that has resulted from the relocation of the production of these amino acids from the EU to Asia (an effect of higher production costs and stricter environmental standards in the EU). The result is that overall production of amino acids has decreased significantly.The market for insect biomass is just emerging in the EU. Production is low, but companies are starting to upscale. The animal feed market is a major target market for free amino acids and insect biomass. Free amino acids are classified as feed additives and placing them on the feed market is costly. Insect meal is a feed material and placing it on the market is quite straightforward, although its use in feed for poultry and pigs was approved only in September 2021. Free amino acids are common ingredients of animal feed, but their use is prohibited in organic farming. The use of insect meal in organic farming is not prohibited, but a corresponding certification is not yet developed in the EU.

Promoting green investment for renewable energy sources in China: Case study from autoregressive distributed Lagged in error correction approach

Green finance development is critical for balancing economic growth and environmental conservation. Global economies implement rigorous environmental rules to limit climate change, stimulating the shift to renewable energy by promoting green investment due to more excellent perception and mounting demands from concerned parties—using 27,042 observations from China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges for A-share listed businesses. On data from 1990 to 2019, this research uses a cross-section augmented autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework. The findings show that enforcing strict environmental standards is one of the most effective strategies for Chinese companies to reduce carbon emissions using green financing. Furthermore, renewable energy has a negative correlation with carbon emissions. Our research reveals that renewable energy regulations increase energy businesses' total factor productivity and that the impact of policy implementation lasts for some time. Our results hold up to a variety of green finance promotion approaches. According to further research, the boosting effect of renewable energy policy implementation may be eclipsed by its impact on the allocation of resources efficiency and technical innovation. Furthermore, the influence of renewable energy legislation on total factor productivity varies due to changes in company type, external environment, and geographical position. Renewable energy initiatives, for example, tend to reduce total factor productivity in state-owned businesses, large-scale businesses, and businesses with a high ownership concentration.

Practical applications of Network Data Envelopment Analysis

Subject. The article considers a methodology for assessing the comparative effectiveness of the activity of homogeneous economic agents, i.e. Data Envelopment Analysis. Objectives. The focus is on systematization and classification of modern practical applications of network Data Envelopment Analysis, identification of types of additional information that can be extracted from solving problems of network DEA for the strategic management of companies/organizations. Methods. The study rests on systematic literature review. Results. At present, multi-stage DEA models are most actively used to model and evaluate the performance of banks, supply chains consisting of a “supplier-manufacturer-distributor” link, innovative and high-tech companies (or territories), and companies whose activities are regulated by strict environmental standards. Least of all, multi-stage DEA models are so far used to model consumer behavior as a sequential process consisting of many stages, which is explained by the underdevelopment of approaches to measuring consumer behavior factors. Conclusions. The main difference between the types of multi-stage network models is the absence or presence of common inputs for several stages, which are divided in a certain proportion between the stages (subsystems). This factor significantly affects the type of optimization model and approaches to its solution. The presence of common inputs gives rise to the need to solve an additional optimization problem for the distribution of resources between subsystems.

Revisiting the environmental Kuznetz curve and pollution haven hypothesis in N-11 economies: Fresh evidence from panel quantile regression

Human activities in recent decades have severely affected environmental quality, and CO2 emissions have irreparable consequences on human health and the survival of the earth. Moreover, achieving sustainable development goals requires the expansion of environmental literature to accelerate the performing of critical actions. With this in mind, this study evaluates the impact of foreign direct investment, economic complexity, and the utilization of renewable energy on CO2 emission in N-11 countries from 1995 to 2019 by Panel Quantile Regression. As a novelty, the interaction between economic complexity and foreign direct investment is considered to get a better comprehension. Given the results, Environmental Kuznetz Curve is validated in N-11 countries through economic complexity. Notably, the impact of economic complexity is more substantial and robust in the incipient stages of industrialization.Furthermore, foreign direct investment is a destructive factor for environmental quality, and Pollution Haven Hypothesis is not rejected. Interestingly, the interaction of economic complexity and foreign direct investment mitigates the trend of CO2 emissions. Eventually, the utilization of renewable energy reduces CO2 emissions. Thereby, applying more strict environmental regulations and standards, developing green energy infrastructure and technologies, improving institutional quality, and supporting knowledge-based and technology-intensive exports are the main policy recommendations of this study.

Evolution of the arctic strategy of the Federal Republic of Germany

The article traces the development of the Arctic strategy of the Federal Republic of Germany in order to identify the evolution of its priorities and main factors. In the understanding of the Arctic strategy, two opposite approaches were formed among German official circles: pragmatic, aimed at maximum extracting economic benefits with rather modest claims for international legal regulation of the Arctic regime and ecocentric which proceeds from the environmental protection priority of the Arctic region and insists on more active international positioning of Germany to solve these problems. Each approach was represented by certain political forces, groups of interests and even ministries. During the 2010s, the pragmatic approach was gradually being replaced by the ecocentric. On the other hand, Germany was more and more skeptical about the possibility of preventing a geopolitical race in the Arctic and therefore systematically expanded its military presence in the region. German Arctic policy is based on current international law and institutions, as well as focuses on the aspiration to bring more strict environmental and technical standards to them, and wide financial support of Arctic research and the assertion of its freedom; synchronization with the Arctic policy of the EU; consideration for the interests of the indigenous population; technological export; active prevention of global warming and expansion of marine protected areas in the Arctic.

Development of methodological approaches of value-based management at oil and gas extraction enterprises

Introduction. The oil and gas sector is of strategic importance for guaranteeing the energy security and sustainable development of the country. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of management of oil and gas extraction enterprises is a critical factor for ensuring their sustainability and further development. Considering the various challenges faced by oil and gas extraction enterprises, such as changes in the global energy market, strict environmental standards, and requirements for sustainable development in the conditions of European integration, effective management becomes critically important. The approach of value-based management takes into account not only the performance indicators of oil and gas extraction enterprises, but also the values that determine the role of the oil and gas extraction industry in society. This means that not only economic factors, but also social, ecological, and ethical aspects are institutionalized and formalized in management decisions. Implementation of this approach can help reduce the negative impact on the environment, ensure the social responsibility of enterprises, promote the development of innovative technology, and increase the satisfaction of consumer needs. The purpose of the article is to analyze the existing methodological approaches of management practice in the context of the development of value-based management tools at oil and gas extraction enterprises. Methodology. The research is based on the integrative, sectoral, and interdisciplinary approaches to analyzing the available tools of value-based management and identification of the features, advantages, and limitations of the active practice of value-based management, taking into account both domestic realities and foreign experience. The results. Functional approaches to value-based management of oil and gas extraction enterprises, which are based on the world experience and current industry trends, have been considered. Problematic aspects and limitations in the application of methodological approaches in value-based management have been analyzed. Attention is focused on the need to form a specially adapted toolkit of value-based management for oil and gas extraction enterprises; recommendations for its implementation in management practice have been formulated. The obtained scientific results will contribute to further development of theoretical knowledge in the field of value-based management at oil and gas extraction enterprises.

The Impact of Environmental Protection Requirements on the Development of Green Animal Husbandry: An Evolutionary Game between Local Governments and Breeding Companies

The enhancement of green animal husbandry has a significant effect on carbon emissions, carbon neutrality, and ecological development. Promoting the production transformation of polluting enterprises has caught the attention of local governments, and breeding companies are faced with either maintaining current practices or green development. This study investigated the evolution of decision-making processes between local governments and breeding companies from the perspective of evolutionary game theory, offering an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) for both parties, based on replicator dynamics. Within the model, the static rewards and punishments were framed by conventional environmental protection requirements, and the dynamic rewards and punishments were based on stricter environmental standards. Numerical simulation and sensitivity analyses were then performed. We found that when environmental protection policy was not considered, no ESS emerged in the replicator dynamic system. When tightening of environmental protection policy was considered, the system spirally converged to a stable equilibrium point. Hence, more demanding environmental protection requirements facilitated the development of green animal husbandry. Reasonable reward and punishment mechanisms can achieve the goal of the green development of enterprises under the premise of reducing regulatory costs. This study provides guidance for optimizing government decision-making and promoting the green development of animal husbandry.

Implementation of Strict Liability by Companies in Cases of Environmental Damage in Indonesia: An Overview of State Administrative Law in Indonesia

Strict liability in the context of companies in environmental damage refers to the legal principle which states that companies can be held fully responsible for environmental damage resulting from their operational activities, without having to prove the fault or negligence of the company. This means that the company can be held responsible for environmental damage caused, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This study used normative legal research, while the approaches used are combining statutory, a conceptual and a case approach. The development of strict liability in positive law in Indonesia has experienced development and refinement over time, indicated by the application made in several cases concerning environmental violations by several irresponsible parties. Basically, the implementation of strict liability really helps the aggrieved parties, especially the common people, in enforcing environmental laws in Indonesia. The principle of strict liability in environmental damage has a number of important implications. First, companies are required to take careful precautions in their operations to prevent environmental damage. They must follow strict environmental standards and implement suitable technologies to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Second, companies must pay compensation for environmental damage resulting from their operations, even if they are not to blame for the damage. The principle of strict liability eliminates the need to prove the company's fault or negligence, therefore that the company must be financially responsible for the environmental losses incurred.

It All Hinges on China: Environmental Governance in the Twenty-First Century

It All Hinges on China: Environmental Governance in the Twenty-First Century

Optimization of Silver Nanoparticle Separation Method from Drilling Waste Matrices

Significant amounts of produced water, spent drilling fluid, and drill cuttings, which differ in composition and characteristics in each drilling operation, are generated in the oil and gas industry. Moreover, the oil and gas industry faces many technological development challenges to guarantee a safe and clean environment and to meet strict environmental standards in the field of processing and disposal of drilling waste. Due to increasing application of nanomaterials in the oil and gas industry, drilling wastes may also contain nanometer-scale materials. It is therefore necessary to characterize drilling waste in terms of nanomaterial content and to optimize effective methods for their determination, including a key separation step. The purpose of this study is to select the appropriate method of separation and pre-concentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from drilling wastewater samples and to determine their size distribution along with the state of aggregation using single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS). Two AgNP separation methods were compared: centrifugation and cloud point extraction. The first known use of spICP-MS for drilling waste matrices following mentioned separation methods is presented.

Bulk and Stainless Ferroalloys Markets: Fundamentals, Trends and Forecasts

The last two decades have seen structural changes to ferroalloy supply chains in response to the development of China’s steel industry, which now represents more than 50% of global crude steel and stainless steel output. The scale and sustained nature of Chinese demand have reshaped ferroalloy and raw material supply chains, albeit to varying degrees. In this paper, the ferroalloys industry is subdivided into bulk alloys (manganese and silicon), stainless alloys (chromium and nickel) and noble alloys (molybdenum, niobium and vanadium), reflecting the data availability from Roskill Information Services’ (Roskill) internal database. Manganese, silicon and chromium alloy prices are generally underpinned by the marginal cost of production, although trends in recent years have seen demand move prices up before an ensuing oversupply and the growing availability of cheaper substitutes pushed prices down in some markets. Noble alloys are used in more niche steel applications. Their prices are generally more susceptible to supply and demand dynamics (as is the price of nickel), rather than being fundamentally driven by costs. In these markets, short term supply-demand imbalances and market sentiment can have a considerable impact on material availability and price dynamics. Over the 2020s, Roskill forecasts that China will reach a peak in crude steel output. Over the same period, the steel industry in the country will continue its restructuring process with stricter environmental standards and industry consolidation, while gaining in efficiency and balancing its comparative and competitive advantages. This will have considerable and variable impacts on steel makers, ferroalloy producers and raw material suppliers domestically and abroad. This paper looks at historical market trends for steel alloys and outlines the key narratives that are expected to define the next decade.

D&R OBLIGATIONS OF OIL PRODUCING COMPANIES: ECONOMIC AND LEGAL MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

One of the most “dirty” sectors of the economy is traditionally considered mining and processing industries, while they are less equipped with advanced technologies for cleaning production and consumption waste. The implementation of obligations by oil producing companies to restore the environment is one of the most important areas of state policy. At the same time, the state uses all possible economic and legal instruments to influence subsoil users: from forcing them to set strict environmental standards and levy fines for non-compliance, to encouraging companies themselves to develop along the “green” path, offering various benefits and preferences in return. An overview of the main directions of implementation of D&R obligations of the largest oil and gas companies, as well as the relationship of these obligations with the interests of the state has been proposed in the article.

Combined cycle plants with complete capturing of carbon dioxide for clean power projects

The energy security of Russia is at threat due to recent trends of dependency of national power industry on imported technologies, equipment, spare parts, and materials. The next challenge is a tendency of more strict environmental standards and restrictions for power generation equipment. The paper considers one option to meet these challenges — using technologies based on compressorless combined cycle plant with complete capturing of CO2 in liquid state (developed by JIHT in cooperation with NPO Almaz). This technology offers efficient production of heat and power from hydrocarbon fuel with a minimal environmental impact. This plant can be incorporated into a power-engineering complex with chemical products outcome. According to the developed scheme, the hydrocarbon fuel is burnt in a mixture of oxygen, provided by an air-separation setup (or another source), steam, and carbon dioxide. The components are compressed in the liquid phase. The heat from exhaust gas is recuperated in a developed heat recovery system. The steam condensation takes place, and the heat of condensation is utilized for district water heating in water utility grids and for capturing of CO2 in liquid phase. Through varying of proportions between H2O and CO2 inputs, the proportions in generation of electric power and heat can be varied in a wide range. Our estimates demonstrate that this new plant has a thermal efficiency higher than for the best CCGT plants and close to the efficiency for the best worldwide analogs.