Transition Policy Research Articles

Does ESG Performance Enhance Corporate Green Technological Innovation? Micro Evidence from Chinese-Listed Companies

This study investigates the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on the green technological innovation (GTI) of Chinese A-share-listed companies, using data from 2009 to 2022. The findings indicate that strong ESG performance significantly enhances GTI, with this effect being more pronounced in state-owned firms and non-high-tech sectors, demonstrating heterogeneity across firm types. Mechanism analysis reveals that ESG performance facilitates GTI by mitigating financing constraints and boosting R&D investments. Moreover, the study identifies a non-linear relationship, wherein the effect of ESG on GTI varies with firm size and environmental regulation intensity, as confirmed through a threshold model. This study not only deepens the theoretical framework linking corporate ESG performance with GTI but also uncovers the practical mechanisms through which ESG performance drives GTI, providing both practical insights and theoretical foundations for governments to formulate corporate green transition policies.

The impact of supporting policy for resource-exhausted cities on firm overcapacity: Evidence from China.

Overcapacity is a potential threat to the development of developing economies. Public policies are widely regarded as an important solution to resolve overcapacity. However, little is known about the impact of place-based economic transition policies on overcapacity. To fill the gap in existing knowledge, we discuss the impacts of a large-scale place-based economic transition policy, the supporting policy for resource-exhausted cities (SPREC), on firm overcapacity using the data from Chinese listed companies from 2004 to 2021. The key findings are as follows. First, we provide robust evidence that the SPREC can alleviate firm overcapacity. Second, the SPREC can mitigate overcapacity by enhancing investment efficiency, promoting technological innovation, and improving market competition. Third, the baseline effect is more prominent in state-owned enterprises, the western region, cities with higher resource dependence, and industries with overcapacity. Finally, the SPREC can promote the sustainable development of enterprises by mitigating overcapacity. Overall, we complement the literature on public policy solutions to overcapacity and deepen the understanding of the transition and sustainable development of resource-exhausted cities.

Energy Transitions in Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Policies and Strategies in Hong Kong, London, and Melbourne

This paper reports a comparative analysis of energy transition policies in Hong Kong, London, and Melbourne, highlighting their approaches to achieving carbon neutrality. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study combines desktop research and policy analysis to examine secondary data from academic literature and policy reports. A structured policy analysis was developed to compare the strategies of each city, focusing on legislative tools, regulatory mechanisms, and decarbonization goals. The findings reveal that, while all three cities aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy transition policies, they adopt different strategies shaped by their socio-economic contexts. Hong Kong emphasizes regulatory measures like the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, London uses market-based instruments such as carbon pricing, and Melbourne prioritizes community engagement and renewable energy integration. Despite progress, challenges remain, including compliance with standards, funding, and public awareness. Recommendations include developing benchmarking strategies, fostering public–private partnerships, and investing in education. This analysis provides actionable insights for future policy development, emphasizing adaptability and innovation in combating climate change and fostering sustainable urban environments.

South Africa after 30 years of democracy: Land claims and transitional justice in the spotlight

Transitional justice is a universal strategy employed worldwide to secure peace and avoid warfare when an authoritarian regime is succeeded by democratic rule. The short duration of the transitional process and the lesser priority placed on social justice have impacted rural poverty, unresolved land reforms, ideological differences, and inequalities. This literature review explores the disadvantages of transitional justice and government policies regarding land reforms. It traces the causes of conflicts surrounding land that have affected rural poverty by examining the roles played by transitional justice, land acts, and government policies over the past 30 years. The research is underpinned by the conflict theory of Karl Marx and Engels, which does not commit to socialism or capitalism while highlighting the conflict between the wealthy and the poor. The literature reveals that South Africa is experiencing conflicts rooted in socio-economic challenges, political differences, inequalities, and poverty due to unresolved land issues. Based on the findings, the paper concludes that transitional justice has adopted a neo-liberal angle that compromises the rights of Black individuals. The implication is that transformative justice is needed to represent the voices of the people, address inequalities, and enable access to land as a necessity for food security and residential purposes.

Power Rivalry and Energy Transition: A Comparative Analysis from the Perspectives of China and the United States

This paper examines the energy transition and rivalry between China and the United States. Following the commitment made in the Paris Agreement, both countries face challenges and opportunities in energy transition. The research applied a comparative analysis of motivations, strategies, and actions. China, heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, seeks energy security and economic growth through clean energy. By leveraging multiple Five-Year Plans, they achieved remarkable results in renewable energy distribution. The US, a major energy exporter, wishes to keep its dominance. However, the different political views of their parties hindered the implementation of energy transition policies. China positions itself as a global climate leader. Trade tensions arose as China's solar panels crowded out US products. China's control over critical minerals for renewable energy infrastructure poses a potential pressure on the US. To address these conflicts, the paper calls for a global recognition of climate change, actively engaging in sincere talks and collaboration between governments. By doing this, both nations can promote energy transition while effectively addressing the climate crisis.

Study of The Role and Function of Agricultural Extension Institutions on Agricultural Development

The role and function of the agricultural extension service for agricultural development which includes services, center of communication, center of institutional development and center of partnership development and the function of extension services as program planning and preparation, provision and dissemination of information, human resource development, administrative structuring and functions evaluation were less optimal. The lack of quantity and quality of agricultural (plantations), extension agents had lack of training along with agricultural (plantations) extension workers, there was a policy of transition from agricultural (plantations) extension workers to food extension workers. Agricultural (plantation) development also seen from economic growth, community welfare, and the increase in plantation production. The decline in production results in several commodities namely cloves, rubber, cocoa and coffee based on data from the statistical center since 2019 to 2022 in Bulukumba regency.

Transition of care: toward tailored transition of adolescents with osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases to adult care through an integrated, people-centered, disease-specific health services framework

BackgroundThe Egyptian Academy of Bone and Muscle Health in collaboration with the Egyptian College of Pediatric Rheumatology have identified two indicators to ensure optimum health outcomes among children: one is developmentally and nutritionally appropriate healthcare, and the second is the availability of an effective transition of care model from pediatric care to adult health services. Currently, there is no national guidelines on transition of care for children and adolescents with osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. To close this gap, this work was carried out to develop the Egyptian guidelines for transition model of care.ResultsThe final recommendation included 12 specific domains. These included the following: targeted population, transition age, transition readiness, patient-targeted care, and disease-specific knowledge, patient education, and optimum model for the transition of care, transition referral, management approach, high quality of care, documentation, and recent service approaches as well as standards and quality indicators. All the overarching principles and most voters agreed with the 12 amended recommendations.ConclusionTransitional care is the term used to describe services that seek to bridge this care gap. Based on the best available data and professional judgment, these consensus-based recommendations guide ways to achieve optimal outcomes in transitional care for adolescents with osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders. Though focussed on transition of care of bone and muscle health, this article can be the bases for transition services for children with other chronic conditions. This could be used as a blueprint for additional national or internationally healthcare transition policies.

Pediatric to Adult Care Transition in the Hospital Context (PATCH) Tool: A Novel Tool to Assess Pediatric Institutional Guidelines for Inpatient Care of Adults.

The growing number of adults with childhood onset chronic conditions (COCC) is reflected in the increase of adult-aged admissions to pediatric institutions. Despite national bodies advising pediatric institutions to have a pediatric to adult healthcare transition (HCT) policy, little guidance is available on if or how to include inpatient care. We sought to create a framework-based Pediatric to Adult Transitional Care in the Hospital Context (PATCH) tool to assess how inpatient care of adults is addressed in pediatric institutional guidelines or policies (hereafter guidelines) as a first step towards informing future PATCH guideline development. We used convenience and snowball sampling to obtain 11 pediatric institutional guidelines. Combining the GotTransition® core elements with Coller et al's inpatient transition conceptual model through iterative consensus building, we developed the PATCH tool. Interrater reliability was assessed by using mean percent agreement amongst raters. A three-phase content validity process utilizing existing guidelines refined the finalized tool. The PATCH tool included 42 items within nine domains. There was a high degree of agreeability amongst reviewers, and qualitative analysis revealed no missing items. Twenty-five (59%) of our 42 PATCH tool items were present in at least one of the reviewed guidelines, with age being present in all. We developed the PATCH tool as a guide for pediatric institutions regarding the care of adolescent and adult patients. The PATCH tool, embedded in multidisciplinary stakeholder discussion and patient- and system-specific knowledge, may help institutions incorporate HCT into processes for adolescent and adult patients with COCCs.

Dynamic effects of energy transition on environmental sustainability: Fresh findings from the BRICS+1

The study aims to fill a critical gap in understanding the multifaceted impact of various economic and environmental factors on sustainability within the BRICS+1 nations. Rapid industrialization and urbanization in these BRICS countries have led to significant environmental challenges, necessitating a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness of energy transitions, green patents, urbanization, environmental policies, and economic growth on environmental sustainability. This research specifically examines the impact of the energy transition (ET), green patents (GPT), and environmental policy on environmental sustainability represented by the Load Capacity Factor (LCF) and using the CS-ARDL, PMG-ARDL, and Dumitrescu Hurlin (DH) panel causality techniques. The panel datasets gathered from BRICS +1 nations from 1993 to 2020 indicated a significant statistically direct causal effect from energy transition to environmental sustainability. The outcome also shows that еnеrgy transition adopted by thе BRICS nations arе inadеquatе in addressing environmental sustainability objectives in the long run. Urbanization and the implementation of environmental policies have a negative effect on the LCF. Simultaneously, green patents substantially and favourably influence, ultimately revealing the lack of concern for environmental matters in global technological innovation. Empirical findings indicate that selected BRICS+1 countries should implement various policy measures to enhance environmental sustainability.

Hundred percent transition policy and learners’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Meru county, Kenya

The main aim of introduction of hundred per cent transition policy by the ministry of education Kenya was to guide efficient transition of all pupils from primary to secondary schools without repetition. However, the transition of hundred per cent transition policy seems to adversely affect the quality of secondary schools in Kenya. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the hundred per cent transition policy and learners academic achievements in public secondary schools in Meru county Kenya. The objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between school over enrolment, inadequate teaching/learning resources and learners’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Meru County. The study utilized correlational research design. The researcher utilized Krejcie and Morgan table of sample determination to determine a sample size of 291 respondents from 1200 target population. The 273 secondary school teachers and 18 principals were selected using simple random technique and purposive sampling technique respectively. The study population was 1200 individuals. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 291 respondents. The reliability coefficient of 0.72 was obtained from questionnaires. Data was analysed using statistical package of social sciences version 26. The researcher adopted linear regression statistics at 5 per cent significant level. The findings of the study were that hundred per cent transition policy is significantly related to learners’ academic achievement in public secondary schools. The researcher concluded that there was significant relationship among over enrolment, inadequate teaching/ learning resources and learners’ academic achievement in Meru County. Therefore the researcher recommended that the government should establish more day secondary schools to minimize cases of over enrolment in secondary schools. The researcher further recommended that teachers and school administrators should involve parents in improvisation of teaching/learning resources to minimize congestion on use of few and limited learning resources in schools.

Quantitative Evaluation of China’s Energy Transition Policy Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, Based on the MLP-PMC Model

Quantitative Evaluation of China’s Energy Transition Policy Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, Based on the MLP-PMC Model

Who is vulnerable in regional energy transitions? An intersectional energy justice analysis of the Rotterdam-the Hague region

A just energy transition requires not only the achievement of low-carbon goals but also the creation of fairer energy systems where special attention is given to identifying vulnerable groups and addressing the inequalities they experience. Governing energy transitions at the regional level may help formulate and implement tailored policies addressing vulnerabilities at the local level. However, there is limited understanding of the vulnerabilities that citizen groups experience in energy regions. We formulated three objectives to address this gap: I) identifying energy vulnerabilities in a regional transition context; II) understanding what citizen groups experience them and why; and III) identifying barriers that prevent policies from engaging with these groups. We applied a case-study research design to the Rotterdam-The Hague energy region in the Netherlands. Data collection involved semi-structured expert and stakeholder interviews and a review of newspaper articles and policy reports. We processed data with a thematic analysis drawing from energy justice literature and intersectionality theory. Three main energy vulnerabilities were identified: unaffordability of energy consumption, the lack of opportunity to own self-generation technology, and little to no inclusion in decision-making processes. The findings reveal five groups prone to vulnerability and the conditions that put them in a vulnerable situation, such as living in an energy-inefficient house. We conclude that regional energy transition policies should consider intersections of society while offering more support to municipalities to enable them to engage citizen groups at higher risk of energy vulnerability.

“Green means good:” challenging the absence of international justice in just transition plans

ABSTRACT Advocates for a green energy transition in advanced economies argue that decarbonization of the economy will maintain or improve quality of life for most people. However, the upstream systems necessary to supply raw resources for a transition of this scale are deeply entangled with human rights infractions and catastrophic environmental harms. To ensure that a transition is truly ‘just’, the need for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions must be reconciled with the impacts that the extraction of raw materials will have. In this paper, we analyze just energy transition policies from core and semi-periphery countries. We demonstrate how these policies focus on minimizing impacts to local labour and domestic companies, failing to address how materials necessary for a transition will be acquired ethically. We note the concerning lack of international justice in energy transition planning. We conclude with recommendations to align global colonial extraction systems with the values of just transitions. We advance the belief that an ethical energy transition is achievable but must move beyond global green capitalism and the colonial systems that uphold it.

Disentangling Legal Stability from Legitimate Expectations: Towards Greater Deference to Regulatory Changes in Renewable Energy Transition Policies in Investment Arbitration

Abstract The obligation of stability generally requires host States to maintain a relatively stable regulatory framework to mitigate political risks facing foreign investments. It has played a significant role in international investment tribunals’ review of host States’ renewable energy transition policies. This paper critically reviews tribunals’ interpretation of the obligation with a particular focus on the Spanish cases involving renewable energy incentive schemes. It canvasses the two ‘dimensions’ adopted by investment tribunals in the interpretation of stability, namely the protection of legitimate expectations and States’ right to regulate for public purposes. Examining the contents of the two dimensions separately, this paper argues that legal stability should be disentangled from the notion of legitimate expectations and be assessed through the reasonableness of regulatory changes per se. It further argues that an intrusive interpretation of legal stability lacks legal and institutional bases; instead, more deferential standards should be adopted in the review of renewable energy transition policies.

Changes in the Global Structure of Energy Consumption and the Energy Transition Process

The global energy transition represents a pivotal aspect of the pursuit of sustainable development and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of this study was to examine the dynamic relationships between global primary energy consumption and the consumption of individual energy sources (nuclear, oil, coal, natural gas, renewables) from 2011 to 2023. To examine both long-run and short-run relationships between variables, advanced econometric methods were employed, including the Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Furthermore, an Index of Sustainable Energy Transformation (ISTE) was devised to quantify the advancement of the transition to low-carbon energy sources. The analysis confirms the existence of long-term equilibrium relationships between global primary energy consumption and the consumption of individual energy sources. The analysis revealed that renewable energy consumption exerts a considerable influence on primary energy consumption, both in the short and long term. The ISTE index demonstrated a notable increase over the period of 2011 to 2023, indicative of advancement in the global energy transition. The results confirm the existence of a stable long-term equilibrium between global primary energy consumption and the consumption of individual energy sources. The observed increase in the ISTE index indicates progress towards low-carbon energy sources, which has important implications for energy policy and sustainable development. The results can support policymakers in monitoring the progress of the energy transition and shaping policies to accelerate the development of renewable energy sources.

Energy transition policy and rural revitalization of Chinese ethnic regions

This study addresses socio-economic disparities and environmental challenges in China's ethnic regions by examining the impact of energy transition policies on rural revitalization, with a particular focus on the mediating effects of population quality, economic growth, and industrial upgrading. Using data from 46 Chinese ethnic regions spanning 2003–2022, the analysis reveals that industrial upgrading significantly enhances the effectiveness of these policies, while educational attainment, as a measure of population quality, further amplifies their benefits. Although economic growth also contributes positively to rural revitalization, its mediating role is less pronounced. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive strategy that integrates energy transition with socio-economic development to promote sustainable rural progress. The study underscores the critical role of incorporating energy transition into broader development policies, particularly through industrial and educational improvements, to achieve sustainable development in China's ethnic regions, and offers valuable policy recommendations.

A Cybernetic Delay Analysis of the Energy–Economy–Emission Nexus in India via a Bistage Operational Amplifier Network

In analyzing the decoupling of emissions from economic growth, current literature foregoes the nonlinear complexities of macroeconomic systems, leading to ineffective energy transition policies, specifically for developing countries. This study focuses on the Indian energy–economy–emission nexus to establish a control system that internalizes inflation, trade openness, and fossil fuel imports with economic growth and macro-emissions to visualize the complex pathways of decoupling. Through long-term cointegration and vector error correction modeling, it was found that GDP and energy affect capital, inflation and energy imports, which are locked in a long-run negative feedback loop that ultimately increases emissions. Capital growth enables decoupling at 0.7% CO2 emissions reduction for every 1% capital growth, while 1% inflation growth inhibits decoupling by increasing CO2 emissions by 0.8%. A cybernetic fractional circuit of R-C elements and operational amplifiers was utilized to examine the delay of pulses from GDP to the loop elements, which revealed that capital is periodic with GDP pulses. However, inflation, being aperiodic with the clock pulses of GDP, causes the pulse-width of capital to decrease and fossil fuel imports to increase. Through the circuital model, it was possible to determine the exact policy intervention schedule in business cycle growth and recession phases that could build clean energy capital and limit inflation-induced recoupling.

Lived values and modal choices in Sweden: an approximation to potential losses from the low-carbon transition in the transport sector

To meet the goals set in the Paris Agreement, the transport sector requires transformative changes, not only in terms of prevailing technologies but also with regards to reducing the need for fossil-based transport and increasing the share of public and active transport modes. Policies to enable this transformation are likely to have differentiated impacts on quality of life across society and have the potential to reproduce or deepen existing inequalities. When identifying potential losers from the low-carbon transition, it is important to consider a diverse set of loss categories, including social support networks and attachments a person has to particular people, material things, places and traditions. A key assumption here is that individuals’ perceptions of loss derive from their lived values, i.e., what they consider important in their life. Through a mixed-method approach consisting of a literature review and a survey, this study explores modal choices for realizing activities central to quality of life in Sweden, with a particular focus on societal groups at disadvantage in the transport transition. This article provides new insights on potential losses associated with the low-carbon transition in the transport sector and their distribution across society and reflects on the implications for transitional assistance policy.

Uncovering Displacement between Nuclear and Renewable Electricity Generation for G7 Countries by Novel Wavelet-Based Methods

ABSTRACT Under the pressure of climate-related issues, importance of clean electricity generation (EG) has been developing in ensuring sustainable environment. Accordingly, countries have been trying to increase clean EG. Although increasing clean EG is important, it is also critical that clean EG alternatives should not cause displacement. Otherwise, there may not be certain progress in stimulating clean EG. So, this study aims to investigate displacement between nuclear and renewable EG types. In this context, the study considers four clean EG sources (i.e. nuclear, hydro, solar, and wind), analyzes G7 countries, uses high-frequency daily data between 1 January 2019 to 30 December 2023, applies novel Wavelet Local Multiple Correlation (WLMC) method as the main model, and performs Wavelet Transform Coherence (WTC) for the robustness check. The study defines that (i) hydro and wind EG have a displacement (supporting) effect on nuclear EG at short (long) term; (ii) solar EG has a supporting (displacement) effect on nuclear EG at short (long) term; (iii) the most critical EG source is nuclear for France and United States and hydro for Great Britain and Japan; (iv) the WTC method reveals the robustness. The study determines that renewable EG has a displacement (supporting) effect on nuclear EG in short (long) term. Therefore, there are certain conflict between nuclear and renewable EG in the short term, whereas they support each other in the long term. Thus, there is a need for comprehensive and balanced energy transition policy so that choices should not cause a displacement among alternatives.

Comparative Approaches to Energy Transition: Policy Guideline for Enhancing Thailand’s Path to a Low-Carbon Economy

Thailand’s transition to a low-carbon economy faces significant challenges, including a dependency on fossil fuels, fluctuating energy costs, and limited policy clarity. This study conducts a comparative analysis of energy transition policies in Germany, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore to derive actionable lessons that can be adapted to Thailand’s socio-economic and energy contexts. Using the Integrated National Energy Planning (INEP) framework and Network Governance Theory, the research identifies key strategies, such as setting clear and achievable renewable energy targets, establishing robust legal frameworks, fostering multi-stakeholder engagement, and encouraging decentralized governance. The findings highlight the importance of long-term vision, inclusive governance, and targeted investments in renewable technologies to accelerate energy transitions. This paper presents policy guidelines to enhance Thailand’s energy security and contribute to its climate goals by promoting public awareness and strengthening institutional capacities. By adapting these strategies, Thailand can align with global energy trends, reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, and advance toward a resilient and sustainable energy system, aligned with global energy trends while addressing its unique socio-economic context.