Low Carbon Research Articles

Supplier Carbon Management and Firm Idiosyncratic Risk: Empirical Evidence From China

ABSTRACTAlthough existing research emphasizes the importance of internal carbon management (CM) in influencing firm risk, the impact of external stakeholder CM on firm risk remains unclear. This study employs signaling theory to explore how supplier CM affects firm idiosyncratic risk (IR), alongside the moderating roles of the supply chain information environment and the criticality of firm–supplier relationships. The findings of this study demonstrate that supplier CM can reduce firm IR. The risk reduction effect is strong when the information environment between a firm and its suppliers is rich and when the dependency between the firm and its supplier is strong. Path analysis reveals that supplier CM primarily reduces firm IR by alleviating information asymmetry. Moreover, the risk reduction effect increases for firms with small sizes. This research extends the application of signaling theory to supply chain research and bridges the gap between the CM and firm IR literature within the context of supply chain management.

Carbon Peak Prediction and Carbon Reduction Path Simulation under the Dual Carbon Target: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province

To build a low-carbon and harmonious society that supports sustainable development, China has set forth the significant strategic goal of achieving carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, commonly referred to as the dual carbon target. The key to achieving this target lies in scientifically and accurately predicting the timeline for carbon peaking, followed by developing effective carbon reduction paths. Using Jiangsu Province as an example, this study utilizes energy and economic data from 2010 to 2020 and introduces a penalized Lasso-Kaya model to forecast carbon emissions. The applicability of deep learning models, such as LSTM, in carbon peak prediction is also validated. Based on this, three levels of carbon reduction targets were established: baseline, steady progress, and ambitious. Through parameter simulation, the study derives an optimal carbon reduction path for Jiangsu Province through 2060. Consequently, this paper proposes a quantitative assurance mechanism for carbon reduction that maximizes economic growth, providing a valuable reference for future policy intervention.

Edge Influence in a Semi‐Deciduous Tropical Forest: An Investigation of Soil Organic Carbon Fractions

ABSTRACTRecent studies have proven the sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) in responding to variations imposed by tropical forest fragmentation, which may reflect changes in both its quantity and quality. Despite this, studies evaluating soil carbon fractions as an edge effect indicator are still non‐existent. We developed this work asking: How do the oxidizable fractions of soil organic carbon (OFSOC) respond to the edge effect in fragments of semi‐deciduous seasonal forest? Is this response influenced by the size of the forest fragment? The study was conducted in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil, in three forest fragments with different sizes. Thus, three sampling sections were defined in each fragment: edge (0–10 m), transition (40–50 m), and interior. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm. The SOC was divided into three fractions (LC—labile carbon, MLC—moderately labile carbon, and LLC—low labile carbon), adopting the chemical method based on oxidation degrees. Reductions in the SOC (28.2%), LC (17.4%), and MLC content (66.7%) were observed at the edge in the small fragment. There was a reduction of SOC (21.3%) and LLC (39.0%) at the edge in the medium fragment, while MLC showed an increase at the edge (70.4%). The OFSOC were able to respond to the changes imposed by the edge effect, with emphasis on the LC and MLC fractions in smaller fragments. The forest fragment size influenced the level of changes caused by the edge effect in OFSOC, showing greater susceptibility in smaller fragments.

Modeling of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Transportation: A Comprehensive Review of Electrical Models and Parameter Dependencies

The power and transportation sectors contribute to more than 66% of global carbon emissions. Decarbonizing these sectors is critical for achieving a zero-carbon economy by mid-century and mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change. Battery packs, which enable energy storage in electric vehicles, are a key component of electrified transport systems. The production of these batteries has significantly increased in recent years to meet rising demand, and this trend is expected to continue. However, current traction batteries exhibit lower energy density compared to fossil fuels. As a result, accurate battery models that balance computational complexity and precision are essential for designing high-performance energy storage systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the most used electrical models for lithium-ion batteries in traction applications, as reported in the technical literature. By exploring the strengths and limitations of different modeling approaches, this paper aims to offer valuable insights into their practical applicability for the electrification of transportation systems. Additionally, this paper discusses the primary methods employed to derive the values of the electrical components within these models. Finally, it examines the key parameters—such as temperature, state of charge, and aging—that significantly influence the component values. Ultimately, it guides researchers and practitioners in selecting the most suitable modeling approach for their specific needs.

Buildings in Hot Climate Zones—Quantification of Energy and CO2 Reduction Potential for Different Architecture and Building Services Measures

Reducing energy and associated greenhouse gas emissions in buildings is one of the key aspects of climate change on a global level. To put the building sector on a low carbon development path, policies and adequate financing play a crucial role in each region. In the global South, policies and regulations related to the decarbonization of the building stock are increasingly being implemented. For policy and decision makers, adequate data on the status quo of the building stock, as well as the quantification of energy reduction measures, are essential to make informed decisions on the building regulatory and funding framework. The objective of this study is to provide data-driven insights into the potential for energy and CO2 reduction in buildings across various hot climate zones in the Global South. A simulation-based approach was employed to model five different building types, ranging from residential homes to office buildings, under a variety of architectural and building services scenarios. The simulations were conducted using the dynamic building energy simulation tool EnergyPlus, which assessed the impact of various energy-saving measures under both current and projected future climate conditions. This study concludes that optimizing passive design features, such as improved windows, solar shading, and reflective surfaces, in conjunction with active systems like decentralized cooling units and renewable energy integration, can result in a notable reduction in energy demand and emissions. Our findings provide a robust basis for policymakers to develop targeted energy efficiency strategies for buildings in hot climate zones, which will play a crucial role in achieving climate goals in the Global South.

Life Cycle Assessment and Process Optimization of Precipitated Nanosilica—A Case Study in China

To mitigate environmental emissions in the industrial nanosilica sector and promote its sustainable development, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method is employed to evaluate the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of industrial precipitated nanosilica. This LCA spans from the acquisition and transportation of raw materials to the production of nanosilica. By identifying the critical contributing factors, effective optimization strategies have been proposed to enhance the environmental performance of the nanosilica life cycle. The effects of electricity, alkalis, acids, and steam on the life cycle emission factors of nanosilica were examined. The results indicate that substituting traditional coal power and steam with cleaner alternatives like wind energy, hydroelectric power, and solar power (both photovoltaic and thermal), as well as biogas steam, can lead to a significant reduction in the life cycle emission factors of nanosilica, ranging from 50% to 90%. Notably, the types of acids and alkalis used only significantly reduce certain environmental factors. These findings provide valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for the industrial nanosilica sector, particularly in the areas of energy conservation, emission reduction, and the transition towards a lower-carbon economy.

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.

Production Simulation of Stimulated Reservoir Volume in Gas Hydrate Formation with Three-Dimensional Embedded Discrete Fracture Model

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea are deposited in low-permeability clayey silt sediments. As a renewable energy source with such a low carbon emission, the exploitation and recovery rate of NGH make it difficult to meet industrial requirements using existing development strategies. Research into an economically rewarding method of gas hydrate development is important for sustainable energy development. Hydraulic fracturing is an effective stimulation technique to improve the fluid conductivity. In this paper, an efficient three-dimensional embedded discrete fracture model is developed to investigate the production simulation of hydraulically fractured gas hydrate reservoirs considering the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The proposed model is applied to a hydraulically fractured production evaluation of vertical wells, horizontal wells, and complex structural wells. To verify the feasibility of the method, three test cases are established for different well types as well as different fractures. The effects of fracture position, fracture conductivity, fracture half-length, and stimulated reservoir volume size on gas production are presented. The results show that the production enhancement in multi-stage fractured horizontal wells is obvious compared to that of vertical wells, while spiral multilateral wells are less sensitive to fractures due to the distribution of wellbore branches and perforation points. Appropriate stimulated reservoir volume size can obtain high gas production and production efficiency.

Quality Characteristics and Essential Oil Properties of Thymus capitatus, Mentha piperita, and Sideritis cypria Dried under Different Conditions

The drying of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is one of the main preservation methods for these products that can prolong their shelf life, if performed properly. The current study aimed to examine the effects of different drying conditions (sun, shade, and oven drying at 42 °C) on the quality characteristics of Thymus capitatus, Mentha piperita, and Sideritis cypria; their essential oil (EO) yield; and their biological properties (antioxidant and antibacterial activities). According to the results of the current study, oven drying resulted in faster moisture loss for all investigated species and slightly darker products. For T. capitatus, sun drying resulted in higher EO carvacrol content, whereas EOs obtained from shade and oven drying (at 42 °C) presented high total phenolic content and great antimicrobial activity. For M. piperita, shade drying resulted in a higher EO yield and higher iso-menthone content, whilst the EO obtained from oven-dried mint plants presented great antibacterial activity against the investigated foodborne pathogens. S. cypria plants dried in an air-ventilated oven produced an EO rich in β-caryophyllene and α-pinene, which also presented great antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The findings of the current study indicate that traditional drying methods, such as sun and shade, can result in good-quality dried MAPs that can yield EOs with significant biological activities, along with minimum energy consumption and lower carbon dioxide production (lower environmental carbon footprint), as opposed to oven drying. However, the drying-process duration could be a limitation at the industrial scale.

Tuning the Electronic Properties of CumAgn Bimetallic Clusters for Enhanced CO2 Activation

The urgent demand for efficient CO2 reduction technologies has driven enormous studies into the enhancement of advanced catalysts. Here, we investigate the electronic properties and CO2 adsorption properties of CumAgn bimetallic clusters, particularly Cu4Ag1, Cu1Ag4, Cu3Ag2, and Cu2Ag3, using generalized gradient approximation (GGA)/density functional theory (DFT). Our results show that the atomic arrangement within these clusters drastically affects their stability, charge transfer, and catalytic performance. The Cu4Ag1 bimetallic cluster emerges as the most stable structure, revealing superior charge transfer and effective chemisorption of CO2, which promotes effective activation of the CO2 molecule. In contrast, the Cu1Ag4 bimetallic cluster, in spite of comparable adsorption energy, indicates insignificant charge transfer, resulting in less pronounced CO2 activation. The Cu3Ag2 and Cu2Ag3 bimetallic clusters also display high adsorption energies with remarkable charge transfer mechanisms, emphasizing the crucial role of metal composition in tuning catalytic characteristics. This thorough examination provides constructive insights into the design of bimetallic clusters for boosted CO2 reduction. These findings could pave the way for the development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts for industrial CO2 reduction, contributing to global efforts in carbon management and climate change mitigation.

Toward Sustainable Utilization and Production of Tartaric Acid.

Global efforts toward establishing a circular carbon economy have guided research interests towards exploring renewable technologies that can replace environmentally harmful fossil fuel-based production routes. In this context, sugar-based bio-derived substrates have been identified as renewable molecules for future implementation in chemical industries. Tartaric acid, a special C4 bio-compound with two hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in the structure, displays great potential for the food, polymer, and pharmaceutical industries due to its unique biological reactivity and performance-enhancing properties. To this point, there has yet to be a comprehensive literature review and perspective on the applications and synthesis of tartaric acid. As such, we have conducted a detailed and thorough outlook and discussion in terms of biological activity, organic synthesis, catalysis, structural characterization and synthetic routes. Lastly, we provide a critical discussion on the applications and synthesis of tartaric acid to give our insights into developing sustainable chemical technologies for the future.

Assessing the Carbon Intensity of e-fuels Production in European Countries: A Temporal Analysis

The transport sector heavily relies on the use of fossil fuels, which are causing major environmental concerns. Solutions relying on the direct or indirect use of electricity through e-fuel production are emerging to power the transport sector. To ensure environmental benefits are achieved over this transition, an accurate estimation of the impact of the use of electricity is needed. This requires a high temporal resolution to capture the high variability of electricity. This paper presents a previously unseen temporal analysis of the carbon intensity of e-fuels using grid electricity in countries that are members of the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E). It also provides an estimation of the potential load factor for producing low-carbon e-fuels according to the European Union legislative framework. This was achieved by building on top of the existing EcoDynElec tool to develop EcoDynElec_xr, a python tool enabling—with an hourly time resolution—the calculation, visualisation, and analysis of the historical time-series of electricity mixing from the ENTSO-E. The results highlight that, in 2023, very few European countries were reaching low carbon intensity for electricity that enables the use of grid electricity for the production of green electrolytic hydrogen. The methodological assumptions consider the consumption of the electricity mix instead of the production mix, and the considered time step is of paramount importance and drastically impacts the potential load factor of green hydrogen production. The developed tools are released under an open-source license to ensure transparency, result reproducibility, and reuse regarding newer data for other territories or for other purposes.

Zero carbon, some nuisance: Exploring the viewpoints of heat pump owners and their neighbors in Groningen, Netherlands

ABSTRACT The domestic use of natural gas for heating is the prevalent option in the Netherlands. However, heat pumps will be mandatory in most Dutch households by 2026. Therefore, insights are needed in how citizens perceive this technology, by taking into account various societal, technological, economic, environmental, and political aspects. Our research offers a systematic investigation of the multiple viewpoints of heat pump users and their neighbors in Groningen, northern Netherlands. Using Q-methodology, we identified three distinct but interrelated and shared viewpoints: the realistic users, the hesitant neighbors and the enthusiastic advocates. All three shared viewpoints incorporate social influence and cognitive considerations, with the positive environmental impacts of heat pumps being highlighted in unison. Cognitive considerations relate mainly to technical and economic concerns. Social influence considerations often hint at the necessity of making prior agreements with the neighbors. We argue that the findings of this study can support policymakers toward the development of an integrated heat transition strategy.

Study on the Comprehensive Assessment of High-Quality Development Performance of Low Carbon Tourism in China's Rizhao City Empowered by New Quality Productivity

With the rapid development of China's urban economy, the new quality productivity empowerment to promote the high-quality development of tourism in Rizhao City has become a new trend, and the vigorous development of tourism has gradually become a new growth point under the influence of a series of policies on low-carbon tourism in Shandong Province. In order to effectively assess the performance of new quality productivity empowerment to promote the high-quality development of low-carbon tourism in Rizhao City, this paper utilizes the basic data of Rizhao City, China, for the period of 2013-2022, and comprehensively assesses the status of the high-quality development performance of low-carbon tourism in Rizhao City by constructing the spatial ecological niche integrated assessment model, and it is found that: the performance of the high-quality development of low-carbon tourism in the city of Rizhao City, China, which is empowered by the new quality productivity, has shown a There are some differences in the assessment results of the three models, the absolute ecological niche suitability model has the largest assessment result, the relative ecological niche suitability model has the smallest assessment result, and the assessment result of the spatial ecological niche suitability model is located in between the assessment results of the other two models with the effect of equalization, and the assessment result of the spatial ecological niche suitability model shows that the high-quality development performance of the target city's low-carbon tourism The assessment result in 2013 is 0.7783, and the quality level of low-carbon tourism high-quality development performance is III, and the assessment result in 2022 rises to 0.8972, and the quality level of low-carbon tourism high-quality development performance is II, which has already reached the edge of I. In terms of the degree of influence of the evaluation indicators, the insufficient strength of new quality productivity empowerment in Rizhao City, China, affects the performance of low-carbon tourism high-quality development, and the second most influential of the other guideline level indicators on the assessment results is the weak effect category.

Impact of plastic waste fiber and treated construction demolition waste on the durability and sustainability of concrete

This study explores the mechanical and durability properties of Plastic-Fibre Reinforced Concrete, incorporating hand-shredded plastic fibers sourced from polyethylene bags and PET bottles. Evaluations, including compressive and split tensile strength tests, were conducted on M40 grade mixes containing plastic fibers and 100% treated Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), comparing them with conventional concrete. The results demonstrate a significant enhancement in strength properties with the addition of 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% plastic-fibres, alongside the complete replacement of coarse aggregate with CDW, particularly noticeable at both 7 and 28-day curing ages. Although higher fiber dosages led to a slight reduction in compressive by 7% at the optimum percentage of 0.25% of PE and 0.5% of PET, the flexural strengths and split tensile strength exhibited a proportional increase of 11.7% and 18%. Surface analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and elemental composition determination using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed minimal fiber damage post-exposure, confirming its efficiency and contribution to higher strength and reduced weight loss in optimum mix. This novel approach combines manually recycled plastic waste as fibers with treated CDW, enhancing concrete properties while promoting sustainability. Sustainability analysis indicates that utilizing 100% CDW and plastic fiber contributes to reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and economic benefits. These findings underscore the potential of integrating non-degradable plastics into concrete mixtures, combined with treated CDW, offering both environmental sustainability and enhanced performance advantages in construction materials.

The Electrooxidation of Synthetic Bipyridyl Herbicide Wastewaters with Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes: A Technical and Economic Study to Boost Their Application for Pollution Prevention in the Agricultural Sector

Boron-doped diamond electrodes (BDDEs) offer a highly efficient pathway to mineralize recalcitrant compounds due to their reduced energy requirements, fewer chemical inputs, and mechanical stability. In this work, the electrochemical degradation of paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ) was studied using an undivided cell (Condiacell®-type) at circumneutral pH, and under galvanostatic control. The roles of applied current density, volumetric flow rate, and herbicide concentration were systematically studied through a central composite design (CCD) using a closed-flow reaction setup. Under the best operating conditions (i.e., for PQ: 1.6 mA/cm2, 80 mL/min, and 70 mL/min, and 70 mg/L; and for DQ: 1.5 mA/cm2, 80 mL/min, and 73 mg/L), a spectrophotometric analysis evidenced that the herbicides were satisfactorily removed (ca. 100%) while mineralization degrees were above 90%. Furthermore, the produced effluents yielded significant increases in seed germination and root length, which suggest a reduction in toxicity. Energy consumptions of 0.13 and 0.18 kWh/g of TOC are reported with the electrochemical cells for the PQ and DQ treatments, respectively. The PQ and DQ treatments by electrooxidation are estimated to emit nearly 2.7 and 38.9 kg CO2/m3 of water treated, with a cost around USD 250/m3. Carbon emissions could be greatly decreased for PQ (0.28 kg CO2/m3) and DQ (0.40 kg CO2/m3) if electricity were generated from renewable resources. Although this study suggests that the use of BDDE can be considered as a green alternative for agrochemical removal due to lower carbon emissions, the environmental profile of the process is determined by the degree of renewability of the electrical grid of each country or region.

Grazing disturbance reduces biocrust-related cyanobacteria and N-fixer abundance but increases bacterial diversity: Implications for biocrust restoration in degraded drylands

Overgrazing is a major driver of dryland degradation, however, so far, there is limited understanding on how this process affects biocrust-related microbial community, and especially how the key groups respond to grazing disturbance. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and high throughout sequencing technologies were used to investigate the bacterial community abundance and diversity in the Horqin Sandland (China) experiencing different livestock grazing disturbances, in order to examine whether a shift in bacterial community (in particular the key biocrust components, cyanobacteria) was involved, and how this was related to biocrust development and altered soil carbon and nitrogen level. Our results revealed that a clear heterogeneous soil bacterial community was associated with grazing disturbance, which inhibited biocrust development. The decreased photosynthetic cyanobacterial abundance (81.81 % in relative abundance and 98.83 % in absolute abundance) and nitrogen-fixing genes (87.72 %), associated with the lower total carbon and nitrogen content (P<0.05), illustrated a low soil carbon and nitrogen-fixing capability and nutrient level in the grazing-disturbed soils. In particular, a switch of nitrogen-fixing dominance from cyanobacteria to proteobacteria was induced by the grazing disturbance. Compared to the grazing-disturbed soils, higher dominant cyanobacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (especially the species of Nostoc and Scytonema) and lower bacterial diversity (e.g., Shannon, Ace, and Chao index) were observed in the undisturbed biocrust soils, highlighting that the dominants rather than diversity played more important roles in biocrust development. Collectively, our results demonstrate that cyanobacteria are very sensitive (even more than others, e.g., proteobacteria and actinobacteria) to grazing disturbance, therefore, we propose that cyanobacterial inoculation is likely an effective approach to supplement soil cyanobacterial abundance, which is expected to induce biocrust development and increase carbon and nitrogen level in the disturbed drylands.

Development Strategy of Carbon Finance in China Under the Low Carbon Economy Context

Development Strategy of Carbon Finance in China Under the Low Carbon Economy Context

Greenhouse-gas abatement on Australian dairy farms: what are the options?

The Australian dairy industry contributes significantly to the rural economy, but must reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions to remain competitive in a global market that is starting to prioritise a low carbon footprint. Demand for improved environmental, social and governance performance from supply chains creates an imperative for research to deliver options for farmers to make reductions in their environmental footprint. Given the rapidly evolving nature of greenhouse-gas abatement research, this critical review provides an update on the state of the research relevant to Australian dairy systems and identifies research gaps that must be addressed if there is to be widespread on-farm adoption. Current research suggests that Australian dairy farms could theoretically abate enteric methane by 40–50%, with about another 5–10% reduction in whole-farm greenhouse-gas emissions being possible by flocculating or covering stored effluent. Fertiliser- and urine-patch management strategies could substantially reduce direct and indirect nitrous oxide emissions, but by variable amounts subject to local conditions. However, few abatement options are currently cost-effective for farmers. Significantly more research investment is required to facilitate the on-farm adoption of strategies, particularly to reduce enteric methane and improve the efficiency of nitrogen cycling. Improved understanding is required of the influences on each strategy’s abatement potential and interactions with economically important traits in grazing systems, the effect of combining abatement strategies, and systems by which strategies can be implemented cost-effectively on farms. The challenge for research is to consider how the implementation of cost-effective abatement options can be refined for grazing dairy systems to maintain the position of Australian dairy in the global market.

Innovation and future development direction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

With the increasing problem of global climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become an urgent issue for all countries to solve. The pollution of the Earth is gradually becoming severe. The extensive use of fossil fuels is a major cause of this problem. In this critical situation, energy with the least carbon emissions should be used to minimize air pollution and the harm caused by it. Hydrogen energy is currently a clean energy alternative that can achieve low carbon emissions. As a new energy vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have the advantages of being clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Compared with traditional fuel vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles only produce water and a small amount of oxygen during operation, and do not emit harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, which helps to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. So, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a viable and clean solution. In this paper, the performance evaluation, cost analysis, and future impact of hydrogen-powered vehicles are analyzed, and the future development trend of hydrogen energy battery vehicles is discussed. As a new energy vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have important strategic significance and market prospects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a useful reference for the development of China's new energy vehicle industry through the study of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.