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Considered high-energy intensive, Pakistan's industrial sector has seen an upwelling in its energy use, reaching 19.74 million tons of oil equivalents in 2021, which is about 37% of Pakistan's total energy consumption. This has made the industry a major contributor to CO 2 emissions and related contaminants. This research has tried to analyze the possibilities for factor substitution between energy and non-energy factors in the industrial sector by applying a trans-log production function. For the multicollinearity problem, ridge regression was used. The results show that (i) all the inputs are increasing return to scale; (ii) the measured substitution elasticity between gas-coal and oil-gas is about 0.901 and 0.953, while capital-oil, capital-gas, capital-coal, and labor-oil stands at 1.231, 1.088, 1.045, and 1.404. This is a strong sign that allocating more capital and labor to Pakistan's industrial sector instead of energy will be dynamic for sustainable development. (iii) oil-electricity consumption and electricity add to only a little share of energy by 0.378 because oil import has declined (about 15%) as a whole and imported electricity increased (5.53%), which gives the potential for primary interest, and (iv) technological progress is estimated between −0.051 and + 0.03 between energy inputs. The input of coal vs gas is a faster substitute with their relative difference in technological progress, while coal vs electricity also presents evidence of convergence. Our findings recommend robust policies, technological advancements, and industrial engagement for fostering energy efficiency towards a sustainable production system and contributing to an environmentally aware and efficient economy. • Energy substitution and technical progress in industrial sector is analyzed. • Energy and non-energy are estimated using a trans-log production function. • All the inputs are increasing return to scale. • Substitution elasticity between gas, oil, coal and capital stands at growing trend. • Coal vs gas is a faster substitute with relative difference in technical progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considered high-energy intensive, Pakistan's industrial sector has seen an upwelling in its energy use, reaching 19.74 million tons of oil equivalents in 2021, which is about 37% of Pakistan's total energy consumption. This has made the industry a major contributor to CO 2 emissions and related contaminants. This research has tried to analyze the possibilities for factor substitution between energy and non-energy factors in the industrial sector by applying a trans-log production function. For the multicollinearity problem, ridge regression was used. The results show that (i) all the inputs are increasing return to scale; (ii) the measured substitution elasticity between gas-coal and oil-gas is about 0.901 and 0.953, while capital-oil, capital-gas, capital-coal, and labor-oil stands at 1.231, 1.088, 1.045, and 1.404. This is a strong sign that allocating more capital and labor to Pakistan's industrial sector instead of energy will be dynamic for sustainable development. (iii) oil-electricity consumption and electricity add to only a little share of energy by 0.378 because oil import has declined (about 15%) as a whole and imported electricity increased (5.53%), which gives the potential for primary interest, and (iv) technological progress is estimated between −0.051 and + 0.03 between energy inputs. The input of coal vs gas is a faster substitute with their relative difference in technological progress, while coal vs electricity also presents evidence of convergence. Our findings recommend robust policies, technological advancements, and industrial engagement for fostering energy efficiency towards a sustainable production system and contributing to an environmentally aware and efficient economy. • Energy substitution and technical progress in industrial sector is analyzed. • Energy and non-energy are estimated using a trans-log production function. • All the inputs are increasing return to scale. • Substitution elasticity between gas, oil, coal and capital stands at growing trend. • Coal vs gas is a faster substitute with relative difference in technical progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation infrastructure (INN) compatible with industrial carbon emissions (ICE) reduction is crucial for peaking carbon emissions in the industrial sector. However, INN in China requires urgent strengthening. We elucidate the inverted U-shaped correlation between INN and ICE based on an expanded endogenous growth model, then empirically verify the nonlinear correlation between the two and its effect mechanism using data from 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2022. The findings present that the correlation between INN and ICE exhibits an inverted U-shaped characteristic. The inverted U-shaped effect of INN on ICE mainly comes from major science and technology infrastructure, as well as science and education infrastructure. Virtual agglomeration, technology progress, energy structure optimization and industrial structure adjustment are vital mechanisms by which INN reduces ICE. However, the ambiguity surrounding data rights and the prevalence of digital platform monopolies impede the potential of virtual agglomeration to diminish ICE. Furthermore, there is also an inverted U-shaped correlation between INN and ICE in geographically adjacent areas. [Display omitted] • An expanded endogenous growth model is constructed. • The index system of innovation infrastructure (INN) is established. • The effect mechanism of INN on industrial carbon emissions (ICE) is investigated. • INN has a significant spatial spillover effect on ICE in geographically adjacent areas. • Promoting INN construction to fully leverage the role of reducing ICE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing sustainable energy technologies (SET) is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality and effectively addressing climate change. Unlike most studies that focus on individual sustainable energy policies, this research constructs a recursive computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with comprehensive sustainable energy modules to analyze the macroeconomic effects of multiple policies related to SET advancement. Covering 8 regions, 13 energy sectors, and 37 intermediate input sectors, the study evaluates the economic and ecological impacts of various SET advancement scenarios from a global economic perspective, aiming for consistent carbon reduction. The findings reveal that : (1) SET implementation reduces electricity costs for residents, optimizes industrial structure, decreases fossil fuel usage, enhances energy use structure, and lowers carbon taxes; (2) the collective impact of renewable energies surpasses that of individual sources, with newer renewables like wind and solar power outperforming traditional ones such as hydropower and nuclear power; and (3) advancements in alternative energy technology have had diverse effects on the global energy environment and economic development. Based on these conclusions, we recommend that: (1) prioritizing the development of solar and wind power in the short term; (2) optimizing SET advancement mechanisms to support progress, including enhancing the market-based price formation for sustainable energy generation and promoting technological innovation and cost reduction; (3) encouraging a synergistic transformation of renewable energy with coal, gas power, and other sources to maximize policy synergies. • A recursive CGE model is constructed, featuring detailed renewable energy modules. • Renewable energy technologies significantly reduce carbon emissions. • The impacts of various renewable energy sources show heterogeneity. • Sole reliance on renewable energy cannot achieve carbon neutrality. • Rural residents stand to benefit greatly from advances in renewable energy technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the use of fossil fuels has had a harsh impact on the climate, and the frequency and intensity of various extreme weather events have increased, which has triggered an increased the use of renewable energy sources and reflection on technological advances. Many countries are trying to promote renewable energy to reduce their impact on climate change, but the impact of national energy policies in the climate risk framework remains poorly understood. Based on the panel data of 84 developed/developing countries around the world from 2006 to 2019, this paper studies and analyzes the impact of renewable energy use on climate risk. The study found that the increase in the proportion of renewable energy use can reduce the climate risk, and this result is still robust after undergoing robustness tests such as changing variables, samples, and research methods. The findings offer an important solution for European countries, where climate risks are most acute. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the higher the level of economic development, population density and the lower the level of incorruptibility, the weaker the inhibitory effect of renewable energy use on climate risk. The mechanism analysis also shows that the increase in the proportion of renewable energy use can reduce climate risk by reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), nitrogen monoxide (NO), PM2.5 emissions, and the proportion of fossil fuel use, but it does not reduce climate risk by increasing biodiversity. In particular, we find that technological progress has not played a role in the use of renewable energy to reduce climate risk, breaking the stereotype. The policy recommendation of this paper is that under the increasing pressure of climate change, the transition to clean energy is an indispensable option, and the need to accelerate the energy transition becomes more urgent. There is a greater need to further protect biodiversity and enhance technological progress. • The increase in the proportion of renewable energy use can reduce the climate risk. • The mechanism is to reduce CO 2 , CH 4 , NO, PM2.5 emissions and fossil fuels use. • The use of renewable energy cannot reduce climate risks by increasing biodiversity. • The impact of renewable energy use on climate risk is heterogeneous. • Technological progress has not played a role in the use of renewable energy to reduce climate risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the intricate relationship between digitalization development and sustainable development, this study commences its analysis by employing the entropy method to establish an integrated indicator of digitalization development among advanced nations. Subsequently, we utilize a panel dataset spanning a decade from 2010 to 2020, encompassing 36 developed countries, to estimate Green Total Factor Productivity (GTFP) growth. We establish a fixed effects model, a mediation effect model and a threshold regression model to explore the relationship between the two variables. The empirical findings of this research reveal a significant positive association between the progress and enhancement of digitalization and the advancement of sustainable development (GTFP). Furthermore, this research elucidates the underlying mechanism by which digitalization development indirectly fosters the advancement of green productivity. This facilitation occurs through the promotion of technological innovation, the enhancement of human capital, and tupgrades in the industrial framework. Notably, our study finds the non-linear relation between digitalization development and GTFP growth, suggesting that the magnitude of impact on environmental performance is contingent on the scale of technological innovation, the growth of human capital, and the level of financial development. • The GTFP and digitalization among OECD countries are investigated; • Digitalization has direct effect on GTFP in OECD countries; • Digitalization has indirect effects on GTFP in OECD countries; • There is nonlinear relationship between GTFP and digitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We estimate the energy rebound effect caused by technological progress in Shanghai. • We use the state space model with time-varying parameter based on the IPAT identity. • Shanghai has a high partial rebound effect on average at the overall-economy level. • Mitigating the energy rebound effect can significantly reduce carbon emissions. • Energy efficiency improvement should not be the only way to conserve energy. Abstract The energy rebound effect is regarded as an obstacle of achieving the expected target of energy-saving policies, especially under a rapid urbanization background in developing counties, such as China. This has become a substantial drag of sustainable development in some cities. Shanghai is the economic center of China, and it is also a typical energy import-dependent mega-city. Investigating the evolution of Shanghai's energy-saving performance and the energy rebound effect is significant for the implementation of energy-saving policies in other similar cities of China and other developing countries. Using the state space model with time-varying parameters and based on the IPAT identity and the Solow residual approach, this paper is the first study to present a specific estimation on Shanghai's energy rebound effect caused by technological progress. The results show that, during the period of 1991–2016, the average energy rebound effect of overall economy and secondary industry in Shanghai was 93.96% and 73.10%, respectively, indicating a high partial rebound effect. Most of expected energy saving caused by improved energy efficiency is offset by extra energy consumption caused by technological progress. Regarding tertiary industry, the average rebound effect was 146.61%, indicating a backfire effect. However, the average energy rebound amount of tertiary industry is less than that of secondary industry. In particular, there is an increasingly negative impact of the rebound effect of tertiary industry on energy conservation in recent years, with the sector's rapid expansion and corresponding increase in energy demand. Furthermore, we estimate the carbon rebound amount (i.e., carbon emissions caused by the energy rebound effect) and find that, on average, the energy rebound effect caused 13.1% and 0.41% increases in carbon emissions in Shanghai and China, respectively. Therefore, mitigating the energy rebound effect can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Due to the substantial impact of the rebound effect, technological progress and energy efficiency improvement should not be the only way to achieve energy-saving target, especially in energy import-dependent mega-cities like Shanghai. Some supporting policies should be implemented to ensure that the expected outcome of energy-saving effort can be realized as far as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Suitability of YieldCo for solar PV project is confirmed. • Option value and investment timing are explored for solar PV projects with YiledCo. • Investors should set a low dividend ratio to cope with potential technical progress. • Investors should set a low dividend ratio to cope with potential descending FIT. Many corporations invest in solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to mitigate climate change. However, lack of capital poses a great challenge to the development of the solar PV industry. YieldCos that are a financial tool to securitize assests for renewable energy corporations were introduced to alleviate the financial pressure, but their achievements are unable to meet the expected performance level. Therefore, a question araises: Can YieldCos promote the development of solar PV industry? To solve this issue, this paper utilized a real option method to investigate whether YieldCos can facilitate the deployment of solar PV projects and their impact on decision-making processes. Based on the solution obtained from the real option model, we explore the impacts of decisive factors on the defer option value, investment threshold and expected execution time. The joint impacts of the dividend ratio and other factors are also investigated. We conclude that YieldCos are suitable for solar PV projects, while a high dividend ratio will make investors postpone their investments. In addition, by using the technological level to represent the drift term of investment, we further discuss how decision-makers should react to the potential technological innovation. Moreover, we also discuss the impacts of potential declines in feed-in tariffs on investors' behaviour. We conclude that YieldCos can promote the development of solar PV in China as it can urge investors to invest at an early stage. Related policy recommendations are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Urban-rural energy-carbon performance (ECP) gap was explored. • An income-based meta-frontier decomposition model was developed. • Complex network of ECP gap was analyzed. • ECP in the urban areas were generally greater than that in the rural areas. • Efficiency loss and innovation effects were drivers widening the ECP gap. While extensive studies focused on income inequality between the urban and rural, the corresponding energy-carbon performance (ECP) gap which describes differences in energy consumption and CO 2 emission simultaneously, is ignored to a large extent for an emerging economy in particular. This could hinder formulating policy towards energy saving and emission reduction in the residential sector as well as public welfare improvement. To fill the gap above, the study explored the source and spatial pattern of urban–rural ECP gap in 30 China's provinces over 2005–2019, by developing income-based meta-frontier decomposition analysis and social network analysis. We found that ECP in the urban areas were generally greater than that in the rural areas, partly supporting energy consumption ladder theory in China. Urban-rural ECP gaps in most provinces were becoming increasingly obvious. The efficiency loss effect and the innovation effect were important causes of widening the urban–rural ECP gap while the technological progress of energy-carbon use in various regions was unbalanced. Further, the original hierarchical ECP gap spatial correlation structure has been improved while provinces exhibited significant heterogeneity. We suggest that policymakers can focus on narrowing the urban–rural ECP gap by vigorously developing the digital economy, promoting urban–rural integration and energy efficiency with advanced technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving energy efficiency sustainability is a target of the Chinese government. However, the effectiveness of energy conservation policy is affected by the energy rebound effect under which energy efficiency improvement reduces the effective price of energy services, thereby completely or partially offsetting the energy saved by efficiency improvement. Based on the output distance function, this paper develops an improved estimation model of the energy rebound effect, which is logically consistent with the quantities of energy savings and energy rebounds induced by technological progress. Results show that the aggregate energy rebound effect of 36 industrial sectors in China over 1998–2011 is 88.42%, which implies that most of the expected energy savings are mitigated. Investment-driven economic growth is not conducive to energy-saving and results in a strong energy rebound effect in the following year. The equipment and high-end manufacturing sectors have low levels of rebound effect, indicating that increasing the proportion of such firms in the total manufacturing sector can improve the performance of energy conservation. The high level and heterogeneity in rebound effects strongly suggest that varies strategies are necessary for energy conservation among China’s industrial sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen allows coupling renewable electricity to hard-to-decarbonize sectors, such as long-distance transport and carbon-intensive industries, in order to achieve net zero emissions. Evaluating the cost and value of power-to-gas is a major challenge, owing to the spatial distribution and temporal variability of renewable electricity, CO 2 and energy demand. Here, we propose a method, based on geographic information system (GIS) and techno-economic modeling, to: (i) compare the levelized cost and levelized value of power-to-gas across locations; (ii) identify potential hotspots for their future implementation in Switzerland; and (iii) set cost improvement targets as well as smart deployment strategies. Our method accounts for the spatial and temporal (both hourly and seasonal) availability of renewable electricity and CO 2 sources, as well as the presence of gas infrastructure, heating networks, oxygen and gas demand centers. We find that only green hydrogen plants connected directly to run-of-river hydropower plants are currently profitable in Switzerland (with NPV per CAPEX ranging between 2.3-5.6). However, considering technological progress by 2050, a few green hydrogen plants deployed in the demand centers and powered by rooftop PV electricity will also become economically attractive. Moreover, a few synthetic methane plants connected to run-of-river hydropower plants currently show slight profitability (NPV per CAPEX reaching values up to 1.3) and in 2050 (NPV per CAPEX up to 3.1), whereas those connected to rooftop PV will remain uneconomical even in 2050. Based on our findings, we devise a long-term roadmap for policy makers and project developers to plan future green hydrogen projects. The proposed methodology, which is applied to Switzerland, can be extended to other countries. • Levelized cost and value of green hydrogen and methane plants are compared across locations. • Geographical hotspots and smart deployment roadmap are proposed. • All green hydrogen plants connected to the run-of-river hydro plants are profitable. • Solar powered green hydrogen plants may become economically attractive by 2050. • 70% of methane plants connected to run-of-river hydro plants could become profitable by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Establishes an integrated dynamic emission assessment model by coupling end-use energy model and system dynamics model. • Explores the dynamic interaction mechanism between macrolevel and microlevel factors as well as technical options. • Commercial buildings will probably hit the emission peak at 1.28Gt CO 2 in 2037 under the BAU scenario. • Lighting and cooling will contribute over 70% to the carbon emission growth. • Technological progress, clean energy, and electrification rate play significant roles in boosting emission peak and peaking time. Carbon-mitigation in the commercial building sector is critical to carbon peaking and carbon neutral commitment. However, there has been little scientific focus on long-term evolutionary trajectories and peak path in this sector. This study innovatively develops an integrated dynamic emission assessment model (IDEAM) by combining the system dynamics model with the bottom-up end-use energy model. Moreover, the IDEAM is combined with the scenario analysis approach to model the dynamic evolution of Chinese commercial building carbon emissions toward 2060. The results show that commercial building carbon emissions will peak at 1.28 Gigatons (Gt) of CO 2 in 2037 under the baseline scenario and will advance toward 2029 with an emissions peak of 0.98 Gt CO 2 under the low-carbon scenario. Cooling and lighting are the two end-uses that contribute most to the growth of carbon emissions at over 70%. These two end-uses indicate different carbon-abatement potentials across climate zones. Sensitivity analysis reveals that promoting technological progress, increasing the share of clean energy, and improving low-carbon awareness are major ways to facilitate the early realization of carbon peaks and carbon neutrality. This study provides a deeper understanding of possible emission pathways and could assist policy-makers in devising scientific carbon mitigation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key aspect of greener network deployment is how to achieve sustainable growth of a telecommunications network, both in terms of operational and embodied energy. Hence, in this paper we investigate how the overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of a fast growing telecommunications network can be minimized. Due to the complexities in modeling the embodied energy of networks, this aspect of energy consumption has received limited attention by network operators. Here, we present the first model to evaluate the interdependencies of the four main contributing factors in managing the sustainable growth of a telecommunications network: (i) the network’s operational energy consumption; (ii) the embodied energy of network equipment; (iii) network traffic growth; and (iv) the expected energy efficiency improvements in both the operational and embodied phases. Using Monte Carlo techniques with real network data, our results demonstrate that under the current trends in overall energy efficiency improvements the network embodied energy will account for over 40% of the total network energy in 2025 compared to 20% in 2015. Further, we find that the optimum equipment replacement cycle, which will result in the lowest total network life cycle energy, is directly dependent on the technological progress in energy efficiency improvements of both operational and embodied phases. Our model and analysis highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to better understand the interactions between network growth, technological progress, equipment replacement lifetime, energy consumption, and the resulting carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CO 2 emissions in East Africa are growing exponentially at 6.5% per year. • The process of energy clean-up is slow with little emission reduction. • Economic and population growth are the most significant emission drivers. • Emission patterns and drivers vary significantly from country to country. • Locally tailored emission reductions are needed. East Africa is typical of the less developed economies that have emerged since the 21st century, whose brilliant economic miracle has also triggered the rapid growth of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. However, previous carbon accounting studies have never focused on the region. Based on multi-source data, this paper rebuilt the 45-sectors carbon emission inventories of eight East African countries from 2000 to 2017, and used index decomposition analysis to quantify the drivers of growth. Here we found that overall the CO 2 emissions show a 'two-stage exponential growth' pattern, with significant heterogeneity between countries. In terms of the energy mix, technical progress in hydro and geothermal energy was almost offset by a growing appetite for oil and coal, making it the weak and valuable factor driving emissions reduction (−1.4Mt). But it was far from enough to overcome the pressure of economic and population growth, which brought about a 13Mt and 11Mt emission growth respectively from 2000 to 2017. Increasing energy intensity due to industrialization and transport development also contributed to an increment of 6.4Mt. Low-carbon policies should be tailored to local conditions and targeted at the improvement of energy efficiency and use of renewable energy so as to achieve a win-win situation between sustainable economic growth and emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper estimates supply cost curves for conventional oil and gas in Europe. Oil and gas volumes are distributed across five categories that are based on production costs. The resulting supply figures are intended to be long term representations of how quantities vary with production costs. Both economic and physical measures are used since each provides practical information with respect to the concerns some energy commentators have expressed about oil and gas scarcity in the near future. Supply cost curves incorporating the effect of annual technological advancement (i.e. productivity gains) on production costs to the year 2030 are also estimated. On the quantity side, the curves include volumes from geological provinces not previously assessed. Results indicate that conventional oil and gas in Europe is abundant and can likely be produced at costs below current and projected market oil and gas prices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article introduces total-factor energy productivity change index (TFEPI) based on the concept of total-factor energy efficiency and the Luenberger productivity index to evaluate the energy productivity change of regions in China with a total-factor framework. Moreover, the TFEPI can be decomposed into change in energy efficiency and shift in the energy use technology. According to the computation results, China’s energy productivity was decreasing by 1.4% per year during 2000–2004. The average total-factor energy efficiency improves about 0.6% per year, while total-factor energy technical change declines progressively 2% annually. The factors affecting TFEPI are also examined: (1) The east area has a higher TFEPI than the central and west area; (2) increasing the development status and electricity share of energy consumption will improve the region’s TFEPI performance, while increasing the proportion of GDP generated by the secondary industry deteriorates TFEPI of a region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The progress of oil shale in-situ conversion technology is reviewed extensively. • Pores/fractures formed in oil shale pyrolysis constitute a channel for fluid flow. • Oil shale in-situ steam injection technology is proposed. • The principles of effective pyrolysis energy of oil shale are proposed. Oil shale is an important strategic resource with tremendous reserve. In-situ retorting is the only technology available to achieve large-scale industrial exploitation. This paper systematically introduces the intensive researches conducted by Zhao's team on oil shale retorting, as well as the progress of oil shale in-situ conversion technology in the world. The oil shale deposit in sedimentary strata with hidden layering, and the kerogen in oil shale is dispersed in flat strips that ranges from a few to tens of microns in size. A large amount of micro-scale pores and fractures are formed along the bedding in oil shale during the in-situ pyrolysis process, which creates connected channels and enhances the effectiveness of thermal fluid injection and the yield of pyrolysis products. Back to 2005, Zhao's team invented the oil shale in-situ retorting technology by injecting superheated steam, and related technical advantages are analyzed in detail. The principles of effective pyrolysis energy of oil shale are proposed so as to evaluate development stage of the reserve, meantime, the advantages of steam as a heat carrier fluid are specified by comparing the effective injection energy of steam and other gases. Furthermore, the scientific, technical, industrial advances of latest developments, including electric heating, fluid injection heating, combustion, and radiant heating in oil shale in-situ conversion technology are reviewed in detail. By comparing with the advantages and disadvantages of various technical solutions, the directions in which several key problems should be solved were pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Net primary productivity is introduced to build carbon footprint pressure index. • Discussing driving factors of carbon footprint pressure in 60 sample countries. • Technological progress restricts the increase of global carbon footprint pressure. • Optimizing the IPAT decoupling approach. • Carbon footprint pressure in non-OECD countries is rising rapidly. Carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation plays an important role in global carbon emission reduction. Based on vegetation carbon sequestration, this paper establishes a carbon footprint pressure index to evaluate the carbon footprint pressure in 60 sample countries, and discusses the driving factors that influence carbon footprint pressure in various countries through IPAT equation and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index decomposition approach. The results indicate that the global carbon footprint pressure shows an upward trend from 2000 to 2015, mainly owing to population growth and rapid socioeconomic development; technological progress has a certain inhibitory effect on the rise of carbon footprint pressure. Furthermore, the overall carbon footprint pressure in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries shows a downward trend, while the carbon footprint pressure in non-OECD countries is rising, even exceeding the economic growth rate, which is probably related to the transfer of a large number of implied carbon emissions from OECD countries to non-OECD countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper introduces an index to measure the progress towards meeting the industry-related targets of the 2030 Agenda. • The SDG-9 index benchmarks industrial performance while preserving the environment and promoting inclusiveness. • The final ranking compares performance of 128 economies over the period 2000–2016. • Economic growth should be accompanied by technological changes and efficient use of natural resources. This article introduces the SDG-9 index as a measure of country progress towards achieving industry-related targets of Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG-9). The SDG-9 index represents a comprehensive but straightforward approach to assess the extent to which countries have industrialized while promoting social inclusiveness and minimizing natural resource use and environmental impacts. The selection of indicators is based on the global indicator framework for the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The resulting SDG-9 index benchmarks inclusive and sustainable industrial development in 128 economies over the period 2000–2016. In general, industrialized economies outperform other countries, with the top five leading the 2016 ranking being Ireland, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Japan. The calculated scores of the SDG-9 index can show in which dimensions countries represent the leaders or lag behind other economies. Thus, the SDG-9 index forms a valuable tool for policy makers and analysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming arbitrage model has been proposed. • Given hourly electricity prices, the optimal battery configuration is obtained. • Li-Ion arbitrage will be profitable after 2024, thanks to technological progress. • Public Research Funds should encourage research aimed at reducing battery costs. Recent technological advances in power electronics and electrical storage have increased interest in the arbitrage business based on Battery Energy Storage Systems. With this objective, the present work develops a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming model for obtaining optimal electricity sale\purchase strategies with batteries. For each configuration (battery size /inverter size), the model provides an optimal trading strategy. Using this strategy for different configurations and with the current market prices, some financial indicators are calculated in order to select the optimal configuration. Finally, our analysis considers the significant technological progress that has occurred in recent years, the effects on profitability of a reduction in the battery cost, and of an improvement both in the round-trip efficiency and in the battery's lifetime (in terms of the number of cycles). The results indicate that, with current technology, the optimal inverter size for a 10 MWh battery is 3 MW, although, if technological progress continues at the current rate, the arbitrage of electricity by using batteries is expected to be viable from 2024 onwards. Additionally, the effects that different technological improvements (cost, useful life and losses) will have on profitability are calculated , ; for example, it is observed that an improvement of 1.6% of the round-trip efficiency and an increase of 1000 life cycles will provide an average increase of 16,000 € and 75,000 €, respectively, in terms of Net Present Value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A review of the latest advances in biological CO 2 capture is presented. • Most patents focus on the development of photobioreactors and novel enzymes. • The high innovative character presented by both groups is highlighted. • Most patent production is concentrated in companies of North-America and China. • Photobioreactors appear as a promising alternative to obtain valuable sub-products. One of the most useful mechanism for reducing and, if it were possible, reverting the global warming effects, consists on the development and use of new technologies for CO 2 capture, storage, and utilization. Their implementation is a technological objective, but it can be subject to considerable political and social obstacles which should not prevent a progress on its investigation. Many reviews on this topic are published in the literature; however, the evolution of the related patent activity has been much less studied. This paper aims to analyse the state of the art during recent decade of biological systems for CO 2 sequestration, according to the Cooperative Patent Classification criteria. An indicator of the innovative character of new patents, the "Innovation index-i", is proposed based on the number of citations and the year of publication. Patents were sorted into two main groups, depending on whether they were based on the design of photobioreactors working with algae or whether they focused on the development of enzymes and bacteria for the optimization of the CO 2 capture reactions. The results show a pronounced increment in innovative contributions through 2013, led by the USA and countries in Asia (China, Japan and Korea). In terms of companies involved in patent production, Alstom Technology Ltd. and CO 2 Solutions Inc. are the most noted companies, with 9% and 8% of the publications, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]