Green and Low-Carbon Economy

Does the Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme Improve Carbon Total Factor Productivity? Evidence from Chinese Cities

Wantong Yang — 2023-05-15

Improving carbon total factor productivity (CTFP) is required for China’s sustainable development, and the carbon emission trading scheme (ETS) is crucial to achieving this goal. In this paper, we calculate the city CTFP using meta Malmquist-Luenberger (MML) index from 2008 to 2019 and decompose it into efficiency change (EC), best practice gap change (BPC) and technology gap change (TGC). Then we construct a staggered Difference-in-Difference (DID) strategy to investigate the impact of regional ETS pilot policy on city-level CTFP using city panel data from 2008 to 2019. The main results show that the ETS pilot policy can increase CTFP by 3.3% in ETS cities compared to non-ETS cities. Mechanism tests suggest that the growth in CTFP mainly results from an increase in efficiency change and best practice gap ratio. Moreover, we use the CTFP calculated from the Solow residual instead of the CTFP obtained from the meta Malmquist–Luenberger index. We also perform other robustness tests to exclude the interference of potential threats to the results.

Received: 26 March 2023 | Revised: 27 April 2023 | Accepted: 10 May 2023

Conflicts of Interest

Ning Zhang is the editor-in-chief for Green and Low-Carbon Economy, and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The Impact of Green Legacy on Climate Change in Ethiopia

Edward Lambert — 2023-09-22

A green legacy initiative plays a crucial role in promoting a healthy environment in Ethiopia by restoring ecosystems, mitigating climate change, and fostering environmental awareness and stewardship. Through its tree planting efforts, the initiative aims to create a sustainable and resilient environment that benefits both nature and the people of Ethiopia. The research gap lies in the need for comprehensive studies that assess the impact of the green legacy initiative on promoting a healthy environment in Ethiopia. This includes evaluating its impact on biodiversity conservation, soil conservation, and the social and health outcomes of local communities. The mixed–method research was employed by researchers. The regression result was evidenced that tree planting, growing trees for carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, soil conservation, community engagement, and climate education have positive statistically significant effect on healthy environment in Ethiopia. Based on the research findings, the researchers were forwarded the recommendations for policymakers and government of Ethiopia to take into consideration the six parameters of green legacy in implementing green legacy incentives in Ethiopia. Addressing these parameters of green legacy will provide a more holistic understanding of the initiative’s effectiveness and contribute to evidence-based decision-making for sustainable environmental management in Ethiopia.

Received: 18 July 2023 | Revised: 11 September 2023 | Accepted: 13 September 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

The Climate Policy of the Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union: Synchronizing with the Global Climate Change Agenda

Sergey Zhiltsov — 2023-07-28

The paper deals with the climate agenda in the Eurasian Economic Union. Particularly, it analyzes the current stage of implementation of green finance principles in the member states of the EAEU. In the article, the authors identify the key problems for the social and economic development of the member states in the context of the global environmental transformation and examine most relevant policy documents to address climate challenges. At present, all EAEU member states are committed to the Paris Agreement. They are developing framework for sustainable finance system at the national levels and made efforts to introduce green finance principles within the organization. However, for the most part, little progress has been made. The authors stress that different timelines and trajectories will hinder the EAEU to achieve carbon neutrality, so, in the first place, the issue of the contingency of national climate policies within the Union should be addressed.

Received: 8 March 2023 | Revised: 25 June 2023 | Accepted: 20 July 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Advancing the Circular Business Models in Developing Countries: Lessons from China

Tran Thi Thanh Tu — 2022-11-25

In light of natural resource degradation becoming a dreadful problem for developing countries, adopting the circular business model within firms emerges as an effective means toward alleviation or eradication. Despite ongoing attempts, however, the majority of developing countries’ use of the circular business model remains modest. In this perspective, it is essential to reference the experiences of other emerging nations with highly developed circular business models. China, which has led the globe in promoting the circular economy, serves as a perfect model for developing nations to refer to and effectively use lessons acquired in constructing a circular business model. The purpose of this research is to provide clarity in communicating the concept of circular business models for practitioners and offer synthesis lessons for developing countries to implement circular business models successfully. This analysis conducts a literature review on China’s implementation strategies and obstacles to circular business models. Based on a review of the study, we contribute to the theoretical development of an effective circular business model and provide long-term circular business model transition experiences for developing nations.

Received: 12 September 2022 | Revised: 2 November 2022 | Accepted: 18 November 2022

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing not applicable – no new data generated.

Green Economy Versus Dark Health: Risk Tolerance Boosts Adaptation to Soot-Contaminated Environment

Catherine N. Ekwe — 2023-03-21

There are growing mental health concerns over soot contamination of Niger-delta communities as a result of oil exploration activities. Our study sought to understand soot risk tolerance (SRT) as a pathway through which the association between exposure to soot (ES) and perceived soot risk concerns (SRCs) could be explained among residents of oil-producing communities in the coastal region of Nigeria. Data were obtained through a survey research design with the aid of The Authors suggest that Self-report measures is allowed as it is of ES, SRC, and SRT. PROCESS macro moderation results revealed that the positive association between ES and SRC (B = 1.22, t = 2.07, p = 0.027) was weakened by SRT (negative moderated) (B = −2.38, t = −4.16, p = 0.000) such that the association was weak for residents with high SRT scores and strong for residents with low SRT sores. The key finding implies that risk tolerance is crucial to survival in oil-producing communities with physical soot pollution. We recommend that risk tolerance should be included in measures designed to boost individual’s capacity to adapt and function in a soot-contaminated environment.

Received: 9 February 2023 | Revised: 13 March 2023 | Accepted: 18 March 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Evaluation of Wind Energy Potential in Omu Aran, Nigeria Using Weibull and Rayleigh Models

Clement A. Komolafe — 2023-03-15

The depletion of resources and emission of hazardous gases have been identified with conventional sources of energy. The negative influence of conventional sources of energy on the environment necessitates the call for the use of renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as wind. Wind power is one of the available renewable energy sources in Nigeria with huge potential that can be tapped in order to contribute to its energy mix. Wind energy utilization in Nigeria is poor because the available data in all six geopolitical political regions for system design have not been fully analysed and implemented. Wind energy projects are liable to failure if proper analysis is not done. Therefore, before any location could be considered suitable or unsuitable for wind power generation, the power density must be determined using the standard approach. This study, therefore evaluated the wind energy potential of Omu Aran, Nigeria using Weibull and Rayleigh models. Five years data collected from the metrological station of the Landmark University on Lat. 8.14 ^oN; Long. 5.10 ^oE were processed and analysed in Matlab computer software using a code developed for two statistical modelling methods (Weibull and Rayleigh). The actual mean yearly wind speed of 3.964 m/s for Kwara falls in the low wind speed. Although, the power density for hours of the day, months, and seasonal variation ranged from 24 to 141 W/m². More than 50% of the power density for daily hours was less than 100 W/m² which indicated that Omu Aran, Nigeria belongs to class 1. The coefficient of efficiency (COE) for Weibull probability distribution ranged from 39.95 to 94.9 while the coefficient of determination (COD) R² ranged from 0.66 to 0.98. This range of performance values for the Weibull model, when compared to the Rayleigh model, were within the acceptable limits for prediction accuracy, hence the Weibull probability distribution function can be used for the preliminary design of wind power plants for Kwara State, Nigeria. Therefore, it would help the relevant stakeholders in wind power project investment to make the appropriate decision.

Received: 20 January 2023 | Revised: 9 March 2023 | Accepted: 13 March 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Blue Farming Potentials: Sustainable Ocean Farming Strategies in the Light of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Michael Bennett — 2023-10-08

Modern aquaculture technologies can contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies while simultaneously contributing toward food security. Various aquaculture strategies have been reviewed elsewhere but omit a few key strategies worthy of inclusion. This paper reviews various regenerative aquaculture strategies that stimulate habitat creation, biodiversity and capture fisheriesstimulation, and increasing resilience to climate change effects. The climate change adaptation strategies discussed include integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and aquaponics, recirculation systems for the control of environmental conditions in a changing climate, habitat restoration through coral aquaculture, the capacity for selective breeding as adaptation mechanism to expected environmental changes, and continuous environmental monitoring programs. Blue farming strategies for climate change mitigation are largely focused on greenhouse gas reduction, carbon capture, and carbon sequestration. The Western hemisphere has recently been enthused by the development of seaweed aquaculture, and the implications of seaweed aquaculture and seaweed products are discussed, as well as the potential of seaweed to contribute to blue carbon stocks. The potential of microalgal bloom stimulation and open ocean fertilization are explored as methods of intensifying natural biogeochemical cycles involved in carbon sequestration. Best aquaculture practices and certifications are also discussed as a potential mechanism to align current farms with climate change and blue carbon objectives. The review concludes that regenerative aquaculture strategies have the potential to change public perception of aquaculture as holding largely negative consequences for the environment and encourage the development of other applications of aquaculture as novel methods of sustainable blue ocean farming.

Received: 18 April 2023 | Revised: 1 September 2023 | Accepted: 13 September 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.