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The expected benefits of circular economy policies are not fully reflected in current Life Cycle Assessment systems, leading to a lack of incentives for term-limited governments. Additionally, it lacks standardized practical procedures and struggles to account for the temporal changes in parameters caused by impetus like policy adjustment and technological advancements. To improve the recycling modeling and incorporate the expected effects of policies, the Spiral Infinite-Life-Cycle Assessment model is developed. Specifically, an infinite-life-cycle system is defined, i.e., the unidirectional and irreversible journey of given recyclable materials from being mined to dissipating in the environment, linking all unit processes affected by policies into a whole. On this basis, this paper constructs a polar coordinate-based framework that enables intuitive comparisons among different life cycles in one circular economy system. Then, to standardize the procedure, a framework-compliant algorithm is developed based on the consistent form derived from three prominent recycling modeling approaches. The algorithm allows intergenerational allocation of environmental impacts and their accounting over a given time period. Case studies like aluminum ingot and lithium carbonate demonstrate the model's advantages in applicability, proactivity, and standardization. This paper provides a systematic procedure for comprehensive circular economy assessments and contributes to the establishment of a transparent life cycle assessment system. Besides, it can also benefit the scientific debate on endogenous incentives of sustainability policies. [Display omitted] • A polar coordinate-based spiral life cycle assessment framework is developed. • An algorithm is derived based on three typical recycling allocation approaches. • An assessment system motivating circular economy policies is initially constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the industrial chain ripple effect of ESG in upstream and downstream companies from the perspective of the entire industrial chain, utilizing data from Chinese A-share listed companies. The study reveals that the ESG performance of upstream and downstream companies significantly enhances the ESG performance of midstream focal companies within the industrial chain. The ripple effects of industrial chain ESG are more pronounced when the focal firm demonstrates financial stability, maintains geographic proximity to the upstream and downstream chains, possesses a larger firm size, or operates under private ownership. Further, the paper finds that corporate ESG initiatives exert industrial chain ripple effects through two channels: optimizing the matching of supply and demand between upstream and downstream companies and focal firms; and stabilizing the supply-demand relationship through interactions between focal firms and upstream and downstream entities. This study aims to elucidate the phenomenon of focal firms adopting ESG practices, and how it is affected by upstream and downstream entities within the industrial chain. It offers a novel perspective for fortifying the resilience of industrial chains against market uncertainties and disruption risks, thereby advancing the sustainable development of these chains. • Upstream and downstream firms' ESG significantly promotes midstream focus firms' ESG improvement in the industry chain. • Financially stable, adjacent to upstream and downstream firms, large-scale and privately owned firms are more affected. • Optimizing the matching of supply and demand and stabilizing the supply-demand relationship are two underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food value chain is responsible for significant environmental and resource pressures. 14% of the total food produced in the EU is lost or wasted along the supply chain (FAO, 2019) and 19% is disposed of when reaching the consumption stage (UNEP, 2024). Therefore, to tackle the problem of food loss and waste (FLW), it is crucial to make the agri-food system sustainable. Adopting a life cycle approach to measure and assess the impacts created by FLW prevention actions is key to achieving this transition. This paper provides a detailed mapping study of EU projects that previously dealt with the issue of FLW prevention and compiles the LCIA methods that were used to conduct their environmental assessments. Two essential requirements are set to evaluate the suitability of the identified LCIA methods to detect the most beneficial FLW prevention and reduction (FLWPR) action in terms of environmental sustainability. Results show that the Environmental Footprint v3.0 method (EF v3.0) is the LCIA method that better meets these requirements. To shed light on its suitability, this paper uses the EF v3.0 method to make a comparative LCA of two specific hypothetical FLWPR actions concerning the fresh tomato value chain. Moreover, this study highlights the strengths of this LCIA method and explores pathways to overcome possible shortcomings. The outputs of this study represent an academic breakthrough in the field of FLWPR by addressing the requirements for guiding the selection of a method that enhances comparability between FLWPR actions and provides science-based tools that can help decision-makers follow a path to a more sustainable agri-food system. [Display omitted] • Tackling food loss and waste problem is crucial for a sustainable agri-food system. • Life cycle approach is key to assessing the impacts of food loss and waste prevention. • At midpoint, weighting and single score help to compare environmental performance. • Having a whole picture of environmental performance enables hotspots identification. • Environmental Footprint 3.0 allows to compare food waste prevention actions impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking China's provincial panel data from 2010 to 2020 as an example, this paper verifies that climate change, especially extreme climate change, can destabilize China's financial stability and explores the transmission path of climate risks with meteorological disaster losses as the channel variable. Our empirical results demonstrate that: (a) only after the extreme climate change breaks through a certain threshold, thus causing a significant impact on the financial system; (b) we cannot ignore the improvement of disaster prevention and reduction ability brought by the improvement of social and economic development level; (c) the impact of extreme climate change will spread to the financial system through the economic losses caused by meteorological disasters; (d) there is obvious regional heterogeneity in the spread of meteorological disaster losses to the financial system. Our results are robust to a wider battery of checks and have important policy implications. • This paper empirically tests the impact of climate change on financial stability. • Extreme climate change will damage China's financial stability. • The economic losses caused by climate disasters will spread to the finance. • The transmission of such losses has obvious regional heterogeneity. • This paper provides policy implication for coping with climate risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mapping of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure over large areas is a very useful tool for the analysis of epidemiological data and risk assessment. Its production requires a costly measurement process. To optimize the effort and ensure the representativeness of the exposure map, criteria for the selection of the sites to be measured must be established. This paper presents a methodology for conducting EMF exposure maps suitable for risk assessment evaluation in large areas. The proposal combines radio wave propagation criteria and GIS methods to optimize the sampling effort. The design criteria are based on the determination of a rectangular grid of 250 m side and the identification of the emitters within the area under study. Both urban and rural sites are analysed in the proposal and line of sight conditions (LOS) are considered to reduce the number of points required and thus optimize the measurement effort. Depending on the extent and regularity of the surface, the density of measurement points has been estimated to be between 8 and 10 points per square kilometre in the urban area. The proposed methodology has been applied to a case study of a 2.8 km2 urban area within a 35.11 km2 municipality, obtaining an average point density of 9.64 points/km2 in the urban area. The differences in exposure depending on the application of the criteria have been analysed by means of the statistical values of the sets and the subtraction of the maps generated using kriging techniques. According to our results, if LOS measurements are not properly incorporated, the mean value of the EMF is underestimated in the area under study. • The paper presents a methodology for the assessment of electromagnetic field exposure in large areas. • The proposed methodology has been applied to a case study of a 2.8 km2 urban area within a 35.11 km2 municipality. • Rural and urban areas have been studied and line-of-sight criteria for emitters have been presented to reduce point density. • The density of measurement points has been estimated to be between 8 and 10 points per square kilometre in the urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid and prosperous development of China's express delivery industry, the environmental issue of packaging waste has become increasingly pressing. Express packaging is diversified and complicated, with obstacles of excessive packaging and low recycling rate, which pose challenges to the low-carbon development of the express industry. At present, the amount and flow of express packaging waste are indistinct, and a systematic assessment of environmental emissions is lacking. In this study, the amount of express packaging waste generated is assessed, the measurement model is constructed through field research, and the overall material metabolism pattern is analyzed using material flow analysis (MFA). Further, life cycle assessment (LCA) is adopted to assess the environmental impact of treating 1 ton of express packaging waste and its potential for pollution and carbon reduction. The findings reveal that China generated 16.11 million tons of express packaging waste in 2023, predominantly paper and plastic. The comprehensive utilization rates of paper and plastic express packaging waste are 50.1% and 13.2%, respectively. Most plastic packaging is mixed in municipal waste to be landfilled or incinerated. Treatment of 1 ton of express packaging waste generates 796 kg CO 2 eq. of greenhouse gas emissions. The reuse, recycling, and incineration result in avoided environmental burdens. By 2030, source reduction, increasing the proportion of incineration and recycling, and promoting recycled packaging could diminish most environmental impacts by 10% to 40% and synergistically reduce CO 2 and pollutants such as PM 2.5 and heavy metals. This study systematically explores the environmental problems of express packaging waste in China. It can provide data support and policy recommendations for the long-term green development of the express industry. [Display omitted] • The composition and amount of express packaging waste in China in 2023 are assessed. • MFA shows comprehensive utilization rates of paper and plastic are 50.1% and 13.2%. • Combined scenario in 2030 will reduce most environmental impacts by 10% to 40%. • CO 2 and pollutants such as PM 2.5 and heavy metals could synergistically reduce. • To strengthen the information statistics and reduce excessive packaging is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production has dual functions as a carbon emitter and sink, and fully exploiting the carbon sink function of agriculture is highly valuable for ensuring carbon neutrality. The layout of net carbon in agriculture shows an imbalance, i.e., underscaling in areas with a net carbon advantage or overscaling in areas with a net carbon disadvantage, which restricts the fulfillment of agricultural carbon sinks. Clarifying the global pattern of net carbon imbalances in agriculture and their drivers is highly important for improving the overall net carbon. In this regard, this paper focuses on the global net carbon in agriculture in 155 countries and regions, and a spatial mismatch index of net carbon in agriculture (MNCA) is constructed based on the relative difference between net carbon and cultivated land. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and the standard deviation ellipse are used to reflect its spatiotemporal evolution pattern. In addition, through geographically weighted regression, we explored the effects of agricultural structure, agricultural economic development, the scale of labor and cultivated land and organized the mismatches into carbon and area effects. The results show that (1) global agricultural production represents net carbon emissions, while developing countries represent net carbon sinks, and there is a mismatch of net agricultural carbon in most regions; (2) the MNCA is characterized by low-low clustering in North America, Asia and Europe, with its center of gravity falling in western Africa and migrating northeastward; and (3) the main factors influencing the MNCA are the agricultural structure and economic level. Underscaling in areas with a net carbon advantage is a major problem. To increase the global agricultural carbon sink capacity, we suggest that North America, South Asia and other regions strictly implement agricultural emission reduction policies and that Central America, South America and Africa tentatively upgrade agricultural technology and their economies to alleviate farmland pressure through transnational cooperation. In this paper, the global net carbon imbalance in agriculture is identified and the overall implementation path of increasing carbon sinks is explored to provide a reference for achieving carbon neutrality. This study reports a global mismatch in net carbon in agriculture and identifies the wasted carbon sink advantage of developing countries as the root problem. • It is a new indicator to measure the efficiency of net carbon allocation in the agricultural production process. • Agricultural production in developing countries shows a net carbon sink advantage. • Under-scaling of net carbon advantage is major problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging has indeed emerged as a significant challenge for China. Using data from four waves of the China Family Panel Studies, this paper explores the impact of population aging on household carbon emissions and its underlying mechanisms. Results show that population aging significantly decreases per capita household carbon emissions, and this conclusion is robust with respect to sample selection, measurement of primary independent variable, and data selection. Population aging influences household carbon emissions through negative consumption effects and positive composition effects, with the former playing a dominant role. Notably, population aging increases per capita household carbon emissions in items such as medicine, heating, and healthcare, while decreasing emissions in most other items. Furthermore, empirical evidence suggests impact heterogeneity across hukou, income level, and the health status of household head. The insights presented in this paper are crucial for advancing our understanding of sustainable development. • Population aging decreases per capita household carbon emissions. • It is achieved through negative consumption effects and positive composition effects. • The consumption effects play a dominant role. • Evidence indicates impact heterogeneity across, hukou, income level, and the health status of household head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting social information disclosure can develop sustainable banking. This paper aims to evaluate the social sustainability of banks by constructing a new interval-based composite indicator using the Thomson Reuters database. In this paper, to measure the social sustainability of European banks, we propose an approach to construct interval-based composite indicators that usefully extends the construction of the composite indicator and allows us to measure the uncertainty generated by the choices made in the construction of the composite indicator. The methodological approach is based on Monte Carlo simulation and allows us to improve the information provided by the composite indicators. Thus, we measure the value of the social indicator and its subcomponents and the uncertainty of the value due to the different possible weightings. The results show that the best international ESG practices in European banks are found in French and British banks, especially in Italian ones. Finally, we analyze innovative perspectives and propose policy recommendations to support sustainable banking ecosystems in light of the increasing attention to ESG indicator disclosure and its correspondence to reality. • The best practices are found in French and U.K. banks. • Skandinavian banks face non-excellent results. • The work is a first attempt to elaborate on a specific social disclosure index. • Results are a valuable baseline to understand the actions to take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is aggravating the occurrence of pests and diseases, however, pesticide residue caused by the abuse of chemical pesticides is emerging as a worldwide issue with a great threat to the ecological environment, human health, and food security. Biopesticide application, a component of climate-smart agricultural practices, is viewed as a vital alternative for agricultural sustainable development. Due to the additional cost attached to externalities and information insufficiency, the adoption rates of biopesticide are still quite low in most developing countries. By using panel data of 3143 rural households from 2020 to 2021 in Jiangsu Province, this paper builds a theoretical framework of whether and how specialized agricultural service (SAS) for specialized pest control affects farmers' biopesticide application, and then employs an Endogenous Switching Probit model to verify this effect and its channels empirically. The empirical results show that the SAS purchase can increase significantly the probability of smallholders' biopesticide adoption by 30.8%. Without consideration of the self-selection bias, this probability would drop to 16.2%. The potential channels of the SAS influencing farmers' biopesticide application are technology popularization (training) and machinery substitution resulting from SAS. Moreover, our findings also indicate that the effects of SAS on biopesticide adoption are heterogeneous, and vary with farmers' education level, cooperative members, and land size. This paper provides the first empirical evidence for the effect of SAS on biopesticide promotion, which is expected to contribute to agricultural sustainable development and food safety in most developing countries. [Display omitted] • Climate-smart agricultural practices play a vital role in global adaptation to climate change. • We examine the effects of specialized agricultural services on biopesticide application in China. • Theoretical framework and endogenous switching probit model are employed to identify these effects. • Specialized agricultural service affects biopesticide adoption mainly through two channels. • These effects are heterogeneous and vary with farmers' different characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution and labor mobility are two important social phenomena associated with China's pursuit of high-quality development. First, this paper matches China's urban characteristics data with China Migrants Dynamic Survey in 2017. Then, the conditional logit model is used to empirically investigate the effects and heterogeneity of air pollution on employment location choice. Finally, combined with the concept of risk perception in psychology, this paper explores the underlying mechanisms. The main results are as follows: (1) Air pollution has a significant negative effect on employment location choice of labor force. Specifically, a 1 μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 concentration in a city can result in a significant decrease of 0.917 percentage points in the probability that the labor force will choose to work in that city. (2) There are heterogeneous characteristics of the negative impact of air pollution on employment location choice. Those with higher education level, outdoor work, relatively higher individual income, and 1–2 minor children are more sensitive to air pollution when choosing employment sites. (3) The mechanism analysis shows that perceived air pollution is an important channel influencing labor's employment location choice, and the stronger the stimulus of air pollution, the greater the negative impact of perceived air pollution on labor force. • This paper matches China's urban characteristics data with China Migrants Dynamic Survey. • The effects and heterogeneity of air pollution on employment location choice is explored. • Combined with the concept of risk perception in psychology, this paper explores the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15-min city (FMC) which is expected to provide citizens with convenient, comfortable and healthy living environments has been piloted in many cities worldwide. However, the question of how to mitigate and adapt to urban heat– a critical weather-related problem has environmental, social and economic consequences within an FMC– is rarely discussed. Such a research gap has significantly limited the satisfaction of inclusive, resilient and safe requirements, especially in (sub)tropical cities. To overcome this gap, this study aims to systematically elucidate a heat-resilient FMC that can enhance urban resilience to extreme heat. In particular, this paper clarifies opportunities, measurement, and mechanism of a heat-resilient FMC. Afterwards, this paper proposes the recommendation on high-resolution heat assessment, heat-prone area identification, heat mitigation measures, and heat adaptation measures for improving FMC heat resilience. Overall, this paper is important to broaden FMC theories and practices tailoring to increasingly severe urban heat challenges and to provide imperative implications for urban planners, designers and managers to implement heat preparation, mitigation and adaptation under a promising sustainable initiative. • This paper defines a heat-resilient FMC in response to extreme heat in cities. • This paper overviews the opportunities to implement a heat-resilient FMC. • This paper summarizes the heat-related assessment indices and indicators. • This paper overviews the relationship between FMC functions and urban morphology. • Suggestions are proposed in aspects of mitigation, adaptation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has set itself demanding objectives to achieve complete decarbonisation by 2050. The building sector plays an important role for this purpose, hence monitoring its progress towards decarbonisation is essential to identify measures that work and to readjust policies when necessary. However, collecting information to monitor the building sector is a complex task due to the scarcity and low quality of available data. The European digital building logbook (DBL) has great potential in this regard because it allows the collection of data at the building scale, which could be combined at a national level. Thus, this paper proposes a new functionality for the DBL -as an enabler for the collection of data for the assessment of the progress of the main EU policy objectives related to the building sector decarbonisation-, and it evaluates the potential of the DBL for it. To do so, the main policy objectives were associated to a set of progress indicators –mandatory and optional- and matched to DBL indicators. Mandatory indicators are for all Member States and they have been included in the 2023 amended version of the proposal for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive recast. Optional indicators are considered country-specific in this paper and are sourced from various literature references. Here we have studied the optional progress indicators for the case of Spain. Results show that the DBL has great potential to contribute to the collection of more than half of the mandatory indicators and a very high share of the optional ones for Spain. • Monitoring the decarbonisation progress of national building sectors is crucial. • Mandatory and optional indicators are needed to monitor buildings decarbonisation. • The DBL has great potential for monitoring national building stocks decarbonisation. • The DBL will provide the majority of the decarbonisation progress indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planning and realisation of road infrastructure projects is often societally controversial because of the impacts and the difficult trade-offs between alternative project designs. Neither in current literature nor in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice do we find any clear method to engage the public in integral trade-off choices. This paper aims to uncover public preferences about integrated road infrastructure projects, not by focusing directly on the – often contested – alternative project designs but by focusing on the size of the impacts. This paper examines the preferences for combinations of impacts and the corresponding orders of magnitude. We do so by employing Conjoint Analysis (CA), a well-established method in consumer studies which, to date, has rarely been used in infrastructure planning. CA systematically estimates public preferences for (1) the relative importance of selected impacts and (2) the corresponding Willingness-to-Pay and Willingness-to-Accept. We used the total range in sizes of impacts of three existing EIAs for infrastructure projects and asked 600 citizens to trade off the impacts involved. First, we find that public and policy preferences do not necessarily align. The CA results show that loss of 'forest and green structures' and 'agricultural land' are considered to be the most important impacts. Conversely, in each of the projects, travel time gain is regarded as the least important impact. Second, the order of magnitude of the impacts seems crucially important: the greater the magnitude of the impact, the higher its relative importance. Third, when comparing our results with the alternatives in the original EIAs, it appears that the project alternative with the highest weighted public preference required an optimised project design. We find that our systematic approach to uncover public preferences at this stage in the EIA-process can contribute to further design optimisation of the project. This stage is often overlooked in the process while it is the last EIA stage before the final approval decision is made, but the first time that the forecasted size of the impacts of the different alternative designs of a project are available and presented. Such an approach may enhance the development of alternatives that are more widely accepted by the communities and that thus potentially alleviate or even prevent social contestation. • Improving public participation in the final stages of the EIA process. • Enable project managers to optimise design alternatives based on public preferences. • Conjoint Analysis uncovers public preferences for combinations of impacts. • The greater the magnitude of an EIA impact, the higher its relative importance. • Size of impact matters in optimizing alternative road development designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using panel data of 11 provinces in the western region of China, the paper empirically analyzes the influence of public environmental participation on the effectiveness of pollution governance. Based on documents from provincial governments in Western China, the paper uses Nvivo software to extract keywords about local governments' attention to the environment and examines its mediating effect between public environmental participation and pollution governance. Furthermore, a classifiable analysis of government environmental attention is carried out, and the effect of local governments' attention to the environment on pollution governance is studied. The results show that public environmental participation promotes pollution governance by increasing the governments' attention to the environment. Additionally, local governments' environmental attention also has a promotive effect on pollution governance, and the increase in environmental decision-makers' attention to environmental pollution and energy consumption is conducive to the improvement of environmental quality, but the effect of environmental protection and collaborative attention on environmental quality improvement still needs to be explored further. • Local governments' attention to the environment is estimated. • Public environmental participation promotes pollution governance. • Local Governments' Environmental Attention plays mediating role. • Local Governments' Environmental Attention has a promotive effect on environmental quality. • The effect of collaborative attention on environmental quality improvement still needs to be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the evolution of the international division of labor, trade openness is increasingly affecting species diversity in a profound way, driving an accelerated loss of species diversity. However, current research rarely discusses the mechanism of action between the two. To fill this gap, this paper based on the input and output model quantified the trade-off between economic efficiency and species diversity in global supply chain by centering on a dynamic evolution of embodied species loss driven by trade openness. The results show that effect coefficients of trade openness on embodied species loss is positive which means trade openness exacerbates the level of species loss; Regression results distinguishing the stages of species loss show that increasing the level of trade openness can exacerbate species loss in samples with higher levels of loss. Heterogeneity analysis finds that increased trade openness in developing economies can exacerbate the rate of species loss. Mechanistic tests find that trade openness affects species loss mainly by enhancing the level of technological progress and mitigating the size of the labor force; Machine learning models reveal a nonlinear trend of trade openness on species loss. This paper proposes relevant policy implications: countries should correctly balance the relationship between trade openness and species loss, focus on optimizing the structure of import and export trade, and reduce species loss while improving the trade openness system. • Trade openness exacerbates the level of embodied species loss • The effect of trade openness on embodied species loss has a non-linear effect. • We examine this relationship in the Belt and Road countries • The underlying mechanisms and transmission pathways are identified • An "technological progress effect" and a "labor scale effect" are highlighted [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource constraints and environmental pollution are common problems that have long plagued sustainable development, and enhancing the efficiency of green development is the key to cracking the problems. Previous studies have not jointly examined the green economic production efficiency and environmental pollution control efficiency of industrial and service sectors, to fill this research gap, this paper use the constructed meta-frontier, dynamic network Super-SBM (slacks-based measure) model to evaluate the environmental efficiency in China's 30 provinces and 107 cities. The results reveal that, (1) the green production efficiency of industrial and service sectors showed a fluctuating downward trend, and the pollution control efficiency improved first and then decreased. The overall environmental efficiency of both sectors is low, indicating a strong potential for improvement of the green development in China. (2) The overall environmental efficiency of industrial and service sectors has obvious regional heterogeneity, and which decreases as the weight of treatment stage increases. Additionly, the overall environmental efficiency of industry is greater than that of service industry. (3) The input inefficiency of the production stage and output inefficiency of the treatment stage are the main sources of inefficiency for the industry and service industry. [Display omitted] • This paper construct a meta-frontier, dynamic network Super-SBM model. • We analyze historical efficiency of GEP and EPC in industrial and service sectors. • Two sectors's efficiency has not been significantly improved from 1991 to 2020. • There is sectoral, regional and stage heterogeneity in efficiency. • "High input of production" and "low output of control" hinder effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of skyscrapers on urban resilience in China using a panel dataset of 295 cities from 2002 to 2018. Urban resilience is evaluated across economic, social, ecological, and infrastructure dimensions, focusing on the impact of skyscrapers' quantity and height. The study finds that skyscrapers have a positive effect on urban resilience. Specifically, one standard deviation increase in the skyscraper index (1.010) corresponds to a 0.229 increase in urban resilience, approximately 23% of its own standard deviation. The qualitative result remains robust across different model specifications and instrumental variable estimation methods. Mechanism tests reveal that skyscrapers drive economic and societal shifts, such as increased urban density and diverse populations, which enhance urban resilience. Conversely, they present challenges to ecological resilience. The paper also finds that the skyscraper effect is complex, characterized by the nonlinear, heterogeneous, and persistent effects of skyscrapers. This study highlights the importance of balancing economic growth with social and ecological sustainability in urban development. The findings also suggest that future research should continue to explore the complex relationships between urban spatial patterns, economic resilience, and ecological sustainability to support the development of sustainable and resilient cities. • First empirical study on skyscrapers and urban resilience. • Robust findings reveal complex, multi-dimensional impacts. • Dual effects: Enhances urban density but challenges ecology. • Provides policy insights for balanced urban development. • Suggests further research on urban form and resilience dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability in geotechnical engineering has been examined in academic research, particularly from an environmental viewpoint. However, the social perspective has not received the same attention. This paper proposes a new tool (Geotech Social Impacts), which advances in this area and addresses some of the limitations of the few existing studies focused on social pillar. The rationale and design for this tool (which combines social life cycle assessment and a questionnaire to evaluate ten social indicators) is presented followed by its application in a soil stabilization case comparing traditional and a more sustainable binders for pavement base. The alkali-activated waste-binder showed a higher positive social score (5.9) than Portland cement (3.8). Workers and Society are categories of key importance, and Average wage and Contribution of the service/product to economic progress are the key indicators creating positive impacts for both binders. On the other hand, Employment of Women is responsible for the major negative impacts. A detailed appraisal of existing studies and tools focused on the social pillar (including the new one proposed here) based on a number of criteria was also carried out. Geotech Social Impacts advances the existing literature by entailing: (i) a hierarchical structure for assessment, (ii) an appraisal of social impacts through contextualized and sector-specific response, and (iii) an infographic presentation of data, enabling aggregated and disaggregated results to be easily visualized at once. This study provides a practical application of the proposed tool, which advances in the assessment of social impacts in geotechnical engineering. Its visual presentation creates a dashboard informing and supporting the decision-making process for projects in this field. • New tool for social sustainability assessment in geotechnical engineering. • Tool features: hierarchical structure, professionals' perception, and infographics. • Traditional and more sustainable binders for pavement base are assessed. • Similar impacts across categories but higher positive impact for sustainable binder. • Analysis of the proposed new tool and existing ones based on a number of criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the evolution of EA as a concept and as a tool through the thoughts, perspectives and reflections of those who have lived-through 50 years of EA practice. It presents findings from research informed by interviews through storytelling with 12 longstanding practitioners and scholars who have engaged with EA over five decades. The narratives collected and the emerging discourses provide useful insight into the "story" of the evolution of EA thus far, reflecting on the internal and external motivations driving EA's evolution, and looking to where EA might go next, and how it might continue to evolve. The findings call for a return to more holistic conversations about the environment, and for greater advocacy at the heart of decision-making and institutional structures to enhance the influence of EA. • The evolution of EA has been characterised by incremental process adjustments to ensure responsiveness to system changes. • Internal and external forces and motivations shaped the evolution of EA; • Longstanding practitioners call for greater advocacy at the heart of decision-making and, care in everyday EA practice; • The findings signal that EA may have reached its maturity • Storytelling can be useful in providing a basis for reflecting on system changes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural ecosystems worldwide are on life support. A key challenge is the translation of global sustainability goals to local contexts, particularly those related to sustainable land use, climate and biodiversity at the landscape scale. Living labs, place-based, focal areas as pilots of change, have the potential to be instrumental in driving the development of local solutions. When used to their full potential, they can both enable the advancement of agro-ecological theory and aid the transition to sustainable agricultural land use. In this viewpoint paper we present two conceptual advancements culminating in their high potential: (1) a methodological approach with replicated modes of transition and reference sites, while proposed agricultural modes are co-created through stakeholder encounters, (2) a framework that enables long-term monitoring of the relation between ecosystem functioning (expressed as leakiness) and biodiversity (expressed as ecological interaction networks), taking into account the full scale of ecological interactions within the agro-ecosystem. We illustrate how these conceptual advances can be implemented in a living lab in the Netherlands. Here, we discuss how these advances can generate impact and accelerate the transition to planetary-scale sustainability in agricultural ecosystems. • Agricultural living labs have the potential to advance agro-agricultural theory. • We propose the use of a novel framework of change to combine pivotal indicators. • The framework provides insight in the relation between biodiversity and leakiness. • We illustrate the use of this framework with the newly established Polderlab. • Living labs may accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the key influencing factors (KIFs) of Urban Low-Carbon Innovation (ULCI) from urban characteristics is essential for devising customized promotion strategies. However, existing studies are hampered by methodological limitations that lead to an inability to effectively discern KIFs among urban characteristics or unravel complex, non-linear relationships, and interaction effects. To address these gaps, this paper adopts a synthetic approach based on interpretable Machine Learning (ML). Firstly, the influencing factors are identified through the Delphi method and a systematic literature review. Subsequently, three single AI models (KNN, SVR, and CART) and three ensemble models (RF, XGBoost, and LBGM) are employed to fit the data. Finally, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm is integrated to identify the KIFs and disentangle their impact effects. The findings indicate that (1) 41 influencing factors are identified, from which 10 KIFs, such as Expenditure on Research, Carbon Emissions, Local General Budgetary Revenue, and Education Expenditure, are determined, (2) the developed interpretable ML model tailored for ULCI's KIFs analysis demonstrates high precision and effectively capturing non-linear relationships (R2 = 0.841, RMSE = 0.591, MAE = 0.463), and (3) the global impact, interactive effects, and individual sample impact of the KIFs are explained, and two categories of KIFs dominated by positive and negative influences are revealed respectively. Results of the KIFs identification can provide policy-makers with insight for designing ULCI enhancement paths and consequently promote emission mitigation in China. • 41 influencing factors of ULCI is identified from urban characteristics. • An interpretable ML model is developed to quantitatively explore KIFs. • 10 KIFs are determined and the comprehensive impact, interactive effects, and individual sample impact of the them are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of escalating environmental impacts caused by human activities, the development of a circular economy is widely regarded as a crucial sustainable solution. Identifying pivotal enablers driving the transition gains increasing significance. Scarce research has focused on how to improve public engagement in the circular economy and acceptance of circular products, especially for developing countries. Based on an interview of 2912 Chinese college students conducted in 2021, and the instrumental variable method, this paper innovatively documents positive associations of circular practices among peers. Specifically, it is found that: (1) individuals exhibit positive responses when their fellow classmates actively adopt used textbooks; (2) the impact is more pronounced among students majoring in energy and environmental fields, and for cohorts with higher participation in voluntary activities advocating sustainable lifestyles; and (3) the spillover effect is also manifested in engagement in second-hand book recycling. Given the potential of peers' beneficial influence as a promising instrument for driving circular economy practices, it is recommended that public policies consider its catalytic role. • The circular practices of peers have spillover effects on individuals. • Those whose majors are related to energy and environment are strongly influenced. • The effect is greater among groups with high participation in low-carbon campaigns. • The effect is also reflected in engagement in used book recycling. • These spillover effects can act as catalysts in advancing the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While it is widely known that the greening landscape spatial quality plays a vital role in promoting the level of highway landscape design, there is still no consensus on how to measure it quantitatively on a large scale. Recent advancements in computer vision tasks under deep learning, along with esmerging datasets such as street view pictures, have shown the potential to overcome previous limitations, leading to a paradigm shift in research. This paper proposes a novel digital measurement technique that automatically identifies elements and greening landscape spatial features from a partial panoramic and spherical view field, considering the driver and passengers' environmental perspectives. To achieve this, we have developed a spatial quality parameter index system consisting of three dimensions and nine indicators, with two regions dedicated to plains and mountainous regions. We have also created a visualization atlas that illustrates the landscape of highway greening in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. We applied this method to the Beijing section of the Beijing-Tibet highway to guide targeted improvement strategies from different perspectives. Our findings provide strategies for enhancing scientific performance and tools for quantitative analysis in digitizing, engineering, and refining highway landscape design. • Propose a high-precision training model Panoptic-DeepLab. • Propose a digital measurement indicator system of highway greening landscape spatial quality. • Gives an atlas representation method of highway greening landscape spatial quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many companies obtain financing by improving their ESG scores. This inevitably affects the financial performance of enterprises. We provide a view that companies should balance non-financial and financial performance rather than only increasing ESG scores. High ESG score companies that are not profitable will not perform well in the market. By applying the coupling coordination model (CCM) and China's listed firm data from 2010 to 2022, we assess the coupling coordination between ESG and financial performance among listed companies in China. We found that the overall level of corporate coupling coordination in China is not high, locating at the transitional stage. East, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Chengdu-Chongqing City Group, and foreign firms have a higher level of coupling coordination. Northeast, Yellow River Basin, and private enterprises perform poorly. Coupling coordination is higher for firms that are larger, more capital intensive, and more socially responsible. From the decomposition results, improving corporate coupling coordination needs to focus on enhancing the E (environmental) score and S (social) score in the non-financial performance, as well as the growth capacity and profitability in the financial performance. The innovation of this paper is that it assesses the firm's coupling coordination from the perspective of balancing ESG and financial performance. It provides a warning to firms that focus too much on ESG scores. Enterprises should avoid excessive focus on ESG that leads to poor financial performance. • We analyzed the coupling between financial and non-financial (ESG) performance of more than 1000 listed firms in China. • Chinese listed companies' coupling coordination improves, but overall level is low from 2010 to 2022. • The East, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and foreign enterprises performed better in terms of coupling coordination. • Improving coupling coordination requires boosting environmental score, social score, growth capacity, and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is building a society of common prosperity by enlarging its middle-income and affluent groups. Following current unsustainable consumption patterns, rising affluence may lead to additional carbon leakage through imports of goods and services for consumption in China. In this paper, we quantify outsourced carbon emissions that accompany the expansion of China's affluent group and identify its socio-economic driving factors. The result shows that China outsourced 151Mt of carbon emissions to fulfill household consumption in 2012, where the affluent group, 22% of the population, was responsible for almost half. In 2017, affluent group expansion induced an additional 44Mt of emissions, which is 1.3 times that of the entire household, as the shrinking low-income group partly offset. Affluent group's consumption scale, the predominant factor, contributed 120% to the increment. However, outsourcing from China had only <1/10 the marginal carbon intensity compared to high-intensity countries, helping them grow economies at a lower emission. • Dynamic change in income distribution and its global carbon implication are analyzed. • 67% of China's household outsourced CO 2 are attributed to the affluent group. • Domestic and international consumption drove the most outsourced carbon increment. • China's outsourcing had 1/4 the marginal carbon intensity of high-intensity nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine the relationships among outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), the adoption of green technologies, and the generation of municipal waste among European Union countries from 2000 to 2022. This relationship is situated within the context of transitioning to green economies and theoretically aligns with the pollution haven and halo hypotheses, which suggest that engaging in FDI has environmental impacts. By employing FGLS (Feasible Generalized Least Squares) and PCSE (Panel Corrected Standard Errors) estimation techniques to ensure robust estimators, our findings indicate that OFDI contributes to a reduced generation of municipal waste, thereby filtering out companies that generate externalities and facilitating the transition to cleaner economies within the framework of green economies. This process can be further facilitated by the adoption of green technologies; however, the operationalization of the variable used in our estimation may not accurately reflect this relationship. To strengthen the progress made during this transition process, governments should promote policies that encourage the adoption of more sustainable processes and technologies, thereby reducing waste generation. This entails supporting the most efficient companies and encouraging the transformation of firms that still rely on polluting production processes. • Municipal Waste generation is studied among European Union Countries. • F O Hypothesis is presented based on OFDI impacts on waste generation. • OFDI has significant and consistent negative results for municipal waste generation. • OFDI filters waste-generating capital while retaining less waste intensive capital. • Incurring OFDI contributes to the transition toward green societies in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valued components (VCs) are at the core of impact assessment (IA), cumulative effects management (CEM), and other environmental planning and management processes. However, the research that exists on VC selection identifies major conceptual and methodological flaws in the conventional approaches used in most project-based IAs, including poor understanding, inadequate guidance, insufficient engagement with local stakeholders and Indigenous communities, and failure to incorporate local and Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and values in decision-making. To address these flaws, this paper proposes a new community-based method for selecting VCs, which was developed in the Indigenous-led CEM program of the Metlakatla First Nation (located on the northwest coast of Canada). The new VC selection method is grounded in Indigenous values and informed by Indigenous and local knowledge as well as scientific research. It uses a six-step approach to identify VCs and prioritize them, based on clear decision-making criteria, deliberative community dialogue, and explicit consideration of implementation constraints. The Metlakatla First Nation used this method to identify high-priority VCs for their CEM program, but the method could also be adapted for use in project-based IA and other planning and management processes to improve VC selection. A comparison of the results of the application of the new method in the Metlakatla CEM Program with the results of a recent conventional proponent-led IA of a large industrial project in Metlakatla territory shows that the new method addresses many of the deficiencies in the conventional model and generates a substantially different set of high-priority VCs that better reflect Indigenous values and knowledge. • A new community-based method for choosing valued components in impact assessment. • Key features are clear criteria, deliberative dialogue, and implementation planning. • Applied in Metlakatla First Nation's Indigenous-led cumulative effects program. • Metlakatla CEM Program is a proactive system for monitoring and managing key values. • Valued components chosen with the new method reflect Indigenous views and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to diverse methodologies and data sources, China's agricultural greenhouse gas (AGHG) emissions estimates demonstrate significant variability. A quantitative review was conducted on the prevalence and application of various accounting methods to clarify and reduce discrepancies in AGHG emissions estimation techniques and data application. Using a systematic PRISMA framework, 4257 global studies were analyzed, yielding 681 AGHG emission records from 57 papers and four databases explicitly focusing on China. The analysis reveals similarities between Chinese and global research trends, concentrating on environmental science, soil science, and ecology. Furthermore, the spatial scale and methodologies for China's AGHG emissions estimation are relatively centralized, with 53.21% of the research targeting site-specific scales and 74.12% employing inventory methods and statistical analysis. Regarding the variability in China's AGHG emission estimates between 1996 and 2020, estimates ranged from 100 to 800 Mt. C-eq, with the highest estimate being approximately 25 times the minimum within the same period. Notably, compared to the average AGHG emissions calculated for 1996–2020 (284.7 to 548.7 Mt. C-eq), estimates from the FAO and Our World in Data were higher by an average of 114.7% and 81.9%, respectively. These findings underscore the need to enhance remote sensing and survey data application and standardize AGHG emissions estimation methodologies and boundaries to ensure comparability across various accounting methods and datasets. This study conducts a quantitative analysis to identify and bridge the gaps in AGHG emission evaluation techniques, laying the groundwork for establishing a more comprehensive and resilient framework for AGHG emissions assessments. • An analysis of 4257 studies is conducted to assess uncertainties and discrepancies in AGHG emissions in China. • 53.21% of AGHG research targets site-specific scales; 74.12% uses inventory methods and statistical analysis. • The gap between different estimates of China's annual AGHG emissions is as high as 25 times. • Emissions estimates by the FAO and OWD exceed those from 57 scholarly articles by 114.7% and 81.9%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous scholars have warned that many cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) are threatened by severe flood risk, which is often underestimated. Considering this, we provide a scenario-based Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) approach to analyse the roles of adaptation strategies on the environment in response to climate change and flooding risk. Three strategies are proposed including a non-Nature-based Solutions strategy (non-NbS), and two Nature-based Solutions strategies (NbS 1.0 and NbS 2.0). The non-NbS strategy refers to the way of promoting urban development yet no additional environmental concerns. The NbS 1.0 strategy focuses on ensuring arable lands for food security, and the NbS 2.0 strategy acquires further regulations on ecology protection. The analysis consists of two steps. First, this paper simulates the land use scenarios in 2030 and 2050, respectively, following non-NbS and NbS (1.0 & 2.0) strategies. This process is developed based on a patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model, which allows users to explore various future land use scenarios on account of different spatial development strategies, environmental conditions, and socio-economic trends. Second, the study overlays the land use scenarios with potential sea flooding scopes to reveal how different landscapes (e.g., forests and wetlands) are affected by carbon emissions in RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5. Further research is suggested to incorporate the 2020 GDP data to refine the findings of this study and consider the impacts of dykes on flood-prone area mapping. The analysis finds that the NbS (1.0 & 2.0) strategies play an active role in decreasing the future flood risk of built-up areas in the GBA regionally, especially under the high-emission RCP 8.5 projection. However, their impacts vary between cities. (1) The NbS 2.0 strategy is effective in reducing the risk of built-up areas in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao, while the effectiveness of the NbS 1.0 strategy is not apparent. (2) The NbS 1.0 and 2.0 strategies are both effective in Dongguan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing, and Zhongshan in reducing the flood risk of built-up areas. In addition, the NbS 2.0 strategy is more productive than the NbS 1.0 strategy either in 2030 or 2050. (3) The NbS 1.0 and 2.0 strategies generate subtle different effects in Foshan in 2030 and 2050. The NbS 2.0 strategy is more productive in 2050, while less productive in 2030. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the distributed flood risk following the non-NbS or NbS strategies in the context of climate change, which is useful to policymakers and urban planners. • SEA advances the consideration of climate adaptation in land use management and urban planning. • The PLUS model simulates 2030 and 2050 scenarios for the Greater Bay Area, focusing on growth and environmental sustainability. • This study reveals the distributed flood risk on different land use scenarios in RCP 2.6 and 8.5. • The study assesses how various adaptation strategies impact flood risk under climate change at regional and municipal scales. • Nature-based solutions do not work the same way in reducing the flood risk between cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the transition from linear to circular economy is being carried out by many different actors, there is still not a well-established methodology for its assessment. In this paper, a review of available approaches for evaluating circular economy (technical and biological cycles) has been conducted. In total, 2.113 information sources have been revised and 105 of them were included in the review. They have been categorised per level (macro, meso , micro and nano), cycle (technical, biological or both) and methodology used, together with the sector according to NACE codes. Using this information, a positioning framework for classifying the different appraisal options has been developed and depicted in a 3D cube where each category is represented in one of the axes (level, cycle, and methodology). Moreover, a decision support tool has been created to help triple helix stakeholders selecting the most suitable approach according to the information they are looking for, i.e. the initial question they pose regarding how to assess circular economy. Since the main gap concerning available approaches has been identified for the biological cycle at micro and nano levels, a critical analysis of existing choices has been conducted. Finally, open areas for future work towards promoting circular bioeconomy assessment are identified. [Display omitted] • Circular economy assessment (both technical and biological cycle) has been reviewed. • 105 approaches categorised and positioned in a 3D cube (x-Level, y-Cycle, z-Method). • Decision support tool (online, free) created to help triple helix stakeholders. • Critical analysis done for main gap (biological cycle at micro and nano levels). • Open areas for further research on circular bioeconomy assessment identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restrictions on travel and quarantine on arrival are typical strategies imposed by public health authorities during pandemics. While much research has analyzed the consequences of policies about global public health emergencies including COVID-19, to date there has been little discussion of the social consequences of these policies. We undertook an exploratory study using qualitative research to understand the social impacts experienced by travelers as a result of the restriction policies implemented in China following its implementation of a zero-COVID policy. Using online sources and 40 interviews with quarantine hotel staff, government officials, and arrivees to China, we found that the people with a strong justification for travelling during the pandemic were significantly affected by the restrictions, resulting in them experiencing a wide range of negative social impacts, including on their: psychosocial health and wellbeing; family cohesion; social networks; the experience of unexpected and unpleasant circumstances; and a sense of persecution. These outcomes were partly a consequence of the characteristics of Chinese society and the returnees themselves, and were influenced by the government's COVID management strategies. With medical experts having dominated the battle against the virus, ordinary people's feelings and concerns were ignored. We argue that these also need to be understood and considered in the planning of public health strategies. To improve outcomes in future situations, much can be learned from the field of Social Impact Assessment (SIA), especially in terms of understanding how people are affected, and to achieve acceptance and a social licence for pandemic management strategies, the importance of meaningful community engagement, ongoing monitoring, adaptive management, and an effective grievance redress mechanism. Our paper enriches the understanding of SIA when applied in the policy arena, and it demonstrates the value of a SIA perspective for improving social outcomes in public health emergencies. It also adds to understanding the consequences of pandemics and restriction policies on people. • The concerns of arrivees have been ignored in management of the COVID pandemic. • Restriction policies have significantly affected people other than just travelers. • Although various elites dominate the battle against virus, people's feelings matter. • National policies should consider the unintended consequences of actions. • A Social Impact Assessment perspective helps analyze the social impacts of policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability and stability of global forest carbon sinks confront challenges arising from deforestation, forest fires, and land use changes. The trajectory of forest carbon sink development, whether convergent or divergent, not only influences the global carbon balance but also holds direct implications for climate policies. Fostering international collaboration in the collective establishment of carbon sinks is essential to alleviate climate change. A critical imperative lies in comprehending the distribution and dynamics of global forest carbon sinks. This paper, within this context, examines the convergence trends of forest carbon sinks among 147 countries. Utilizing a data-driven algorithm, the presence of club convergence is test, followed by an analysis of the influence of economic and social factors on club convergence. While uniform convergence in forest carbon stock across the entire sample is not evident, club convergence is indeed identified among the 147 countries. This study, informed by club convergence outcomes, provides insights into the global development pattern of forest carbon sinks. Additionally, factors such as GDP, land use, temperature fluctuations, and energy consumption are pinpointed as catalysts for the formation of convergence clubs. These findings offer valuable insights into regional variations in forest carbon absorption capacity, contributing to the formulation of more effective climate policies. Achieving environmental, economic, and socially sustainable development demands a nuanced equilibrium between economic growth and forest preservation. • The development pattern of forest carbon sink holds implications for policies. • The Log t- test is employed to assess the absence of uniform convergence. • The club convergence did exist among the 147 countries. • Land should be made better utilization for sustainable forest development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission and EU Member States have recently promoted legislation (under the REPower EU Plan) to accelerate renewable energy projects by allowing the elimination or reduction of environmental assessment and public participation in the approval procedure. To avoid adverse effects on the environment, these regulations propose the exclusion of certain areas (identified through available information on protected and/or environmentally sensitive areas) from the procedure. This paper aims to evaluate whether such measures are effective to avoid damage to biodiversity from the implementation of photovoltaic energy. To this end, we studied the distribution and abundance of a threatened bird species, the Black-bellied Sandgrouse, at two geographic scales: i) regional: Andalusia (southern Spain); ii) local: Campo de Tabernas (an excellent example of the semi-arid ecosystems of southeastern Spain) and evaluated the quality of the information that Administrations have on the species by comparing it with own censuses. We also assessed the effectiveness of the environmental impact procedure for photovoltaic plants planned in Campo de Tabernas. Data from the regional Administration reveal that Andalusian protected areas cover a minimal part (17.7%) of the species' range. Moreover, neither the regional nor the national Administration have reliable and updated information on the distribution of the species in Campo de Tabernas (only 17% of the current distribution area is known). The wrong choices made by developers about where to locate the photovoltaic plants together with wrong decisions of the regional Administration (with land-use planning competences, including the planning of power plant locations) have led to the loss of 630 ha of the species' range in Campo de Tabernas. Public participation of experts prevents, through allegations to the projects, an important part of the impact on the species. Policy implications: the information that the Administrations have on this species does not allow them to make proper decisions on where to apply renewable acceleration. Obtaining complete and updated information on the distribution of endangered species to elaborate detailed wildlife sensitivity areas is essential and urgent before implementing measures to accelerate renewables. • The new EU renewable acceleration directives are analysed here for the first time. • A threatened species becomes locally extinct due to solar power plants' poor planning. • Involving experts in EIA procedure greatly reduces the impact on a threatened species. • The design of renewable go-to areas demands specific research on threatened species. • Current EU legislation to accelerate renewables will negatively affect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing concerns about the environmental impact of agri-food waste (AFW) have strengthened the need to assess the environmental performance of AFW reduction. Yet comprehensive literature reviews in this area remain scant. This paper presents a review of the research using a bibliographic analysis. Based on a sample of 171 research articles, we proposed a conceptual framework for evaluating the environmental impact of AFW reduction. The contribution of this review is threefold. First, a bibliographic analysis and semi-structured interviews are utilized to systematically review relevant literature and to propose a conceptual framework, which draws on existing research to determine ways of assessing the environmental impacts of AFW reduction. Second, our identification of four overarching research themes with respect to studies on the environmental impacts of AFW reduction offers fresh insights into AFW studies. Third, our conceptual model is refined following the semi-structured interviews we conduct, which serves to reveal the practical implications of our findings and research opportunities for the future. • 171 articles are included in this literature review. • Bibliometric analysis is adopted to identify four research themes. • Preliminary conceptual framework is constructed based on the literature review. • 30 semi-structured interviews are conducted to refine the conceptual framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving climate justice is an important goal and basic principle of global climate governance. This paper evaluates the progress of achieving global climate justice by quantitatively depicting the evolution characteristics, group differences and driving factors of global embodied carbon emissions. The results indicate that the phenomenon of embodied carbon inequality is more obvious. Furthermore, a data-driven clustering algorithm is adopted to divide the world's major economies into four convergence clubs based on the embodied carbon emissions levels. We find that the embodied carbon emissions gap between different clubs has widened since 2008, which may be related to the re-industrialization of developed countries. The results of SDA analysis indicate that the embodied carbon emissions of developed countries, such as the United States, are more driven by per capita end-use. On the contrary, unclean consumption and investment structure is the main driving force for the increase of embodied carbon emissions in developing countries such as China. Therefore, efforts should be made in developing countries on the clean adjustment of consumption and investment structure to promote the convergence of embodied carbon emissions with developed countries. • Phenomenon of global embodied carbon inequality is more obvious. • Driving factors of global embodied carbon inequality is examined. • Embodied carbon emissions gap between different clubs has widened since 2008. • Clean adjustment of consumption and investment structure should be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact assessment considers the future consequences of current or proposed actions, but multiple impact assessment types and silos of expertise make integration difficult. When faced with the development of policy and planning for the complex bio-physical and social-economic systems found in river catchments, integrated impact assessment (IIA) becomes imperative. IIA has well-recognised potential when considering multiple, intersecting impact domains in one impact assessment verses siloed technical workstreams, often not linked until the decision-making stage, and with little transparency around how integration transpires. A "collective" and systemic view of all impacts is essential for understanding the causal relationships between system components and their full consequences including cumulative impacts. In land and water management, the development and integrated assessment of scenarios of change requires integration of disciplinary expertise, and local and indigenous knowledge systems. The challenge here is to turn practice towards less technocratic, more collaborative, and better integrated approaches. This paper therefore advances a participatory approach to IIA that uses participation and co-production of knowledge throughout. Here IIA is facilitated by broad leadership and iterative communication of concepts, ideas, methods, and accessible data between all participants through purposeful management of the process. • IIA has well-recognised potential when considering multiple, intersecting impact domains. • A "collective" and systemic view of all impacts is essential for effective IIA. • IIA demands integration of disciplinary expertise, and local and indigenous knowledge. • IIA is facilitated by iterative communication of concepts, ideas, methods, and data. • The challenge for IIA is to embrace less technocratic, more collaborative approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the intricate relationship between agricultural productivity and the pursuit of a just energy transition in China. As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and a nation grappling with environmental degradation and socio-economic disparities, China faces the imperative to transition toward a more sustainable and equitable energy system. This paper investigates the role of agriculture in this transition, recognizing its pivotal position as a significant emitter of greenhouse gases while also being vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. By examining the potential synergies and conflicts between agricultural productivity enhancement and the goals of reducing emissions and promoting social justice, this study aims to shed light on strategies that can effectively align agricultural development with the objectives of a just energy transition. The result indicates substantial internal disparities and strong agglomeration effects (referring to areas with similar agricultural total factor productivity) within China's agricultural total factor productivity distribution. Over the past 17 years (2005–2021), the average agricultural productivity has shown a commendable upward trend, marking a 2.8% growth rate. This increase signifies ongoing efforts and advancements in the agricultural sector, leading to improved productivity levels. Our results also show a significant positive spatial correlation in agricultural total factor productivity, suggesting a tendency for spatial agglomeration. The years 2005 and 2021 stand out as periods marked by significant adverse effects resulting from the interplay of diverse factors on agricultural productivity. By integrating findings from various sectors, this study provides insights into the complex interplay between agriculture and energy transition, emphasizing the need for integrated, holistic approaches that prioritize sustainability, fairness, and resilience in China's pursuit of a just energy future. • This study explores the relationship between agricultural productivity and energy transition. • Our aim is to align agricultural development with the objectives of energy transition. • The analysis connects productivity and equity. • We emphasize sustainability and resilience in China's pursuit of a just energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of sustainable corporate energy-saving behaviors (CESB) is key initiatives to ease the pressure on energy resources and reduce the impacts of climate change. This paper constructed a quantitative research model of how perceived organizational green climate (POGC) and CESB promote each other using eastern and central China as an example, analyzing 859 valid questionnaires. Using a combination of analytical techniques such as multiple linear regression, partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) and multi-group comparisons, the following findings were found. (1) Companies are more likely to implement day-to-day energy efficiency management practices than deeper social energy-saving behaviors (SEBs). (2) POGC effectively promotes the implementation of CESB and its sub-types, with member environmental perceptions having a mediating effect in some of pathways. (3) Behavioral implementation has a feedback effect on POGC and members' environmental cognition (MEC), in which leaders play a moderating role. (4) There is heterogeneity in the degree of industry pollution in their mutual reinforcement relationships. Finally, relevant recommendations are proposed to promote corporate energy-saving. [Display omitted] • Distinguish between corporate investing, managing & social energy-saving behavior • Introducing stimulus-organism-response theory to organizational behavior • An integrated model to explore the relation between green climate and energy saving • Multi-group comparison revealed the heterogeneity in industry pollution levels. • Promoting the implementation of sustainable corporate energy-saving behavior [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resource extraction projects (NREPs) might impact the social, economic and health conditions of marginalised and/or vulnerable population groups, such as adolescents. While different types and forms of impact assessments (IAs) have the aspiration to place particular emphasis on potential project-related effects in vulnerable and/or marginalised groups, it remains unclear whether and to what extent health and well-being of adolescents have been considered in IA of NREPs. We conducted a scoping review of different sources, including peer-reviewed literature, IA reports, and existing focused IA guidelines to examine whether and how adolescent health and well-being have been addressed in IA of NREPs. We focussed on the peer-reviewed literature, IA reports and IA guidelines. Out of 5055 records identified in the peer-reviewed literature, 32 articles were included in the final analysis. Additionally, 25 IA reports from sub-Saharan African countries and six international IA guidelines were considered. We found that environmental determinants of health were the main feature addressed in peer-reviewed publications. Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, were frequently reported health outcomes in NREP areas that affect adolescents. However, the complex interplay between environmental exposures, social status and risk behaviour of adolescents were rarely investigated. Only a few IA reports identified adolescents as a specific vulnerable and/or marginalised group. There was a paucity of specific tools and methodologies in IA guidelines that are tailored to adolescents. The development and use of specific guidance that provides a framework for IA practitioners to identify and mitigate health risks in NREP areas is an essential first step towards implementation and better inclusion of adolescents in current IA practice. This should be complemented by a broad research agenda aiming to expand the current narrow understanding of how NREPs affect the health and well-being of community subgroups, including adolescents. • More than 5.000 peer-reviewed papers, impact assessment (IA) reports and IA existing focused IA guidelines were identified in our systematic literature search. • Environmental determinants of health were the main feature addressed in peer-reviewed publications. • Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, were frequently reported health outcomes in NREP areas that affect adolescents. • Only a few IA reports identified adolescents as a specific vulnerable and/or marginalised group. • There was a paucity of specific tools and methodologies in IA guidelines that are tailored to adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial development and energy consumption are expected to exert a significant effect on CO 2 emission changes. However, there remains a research gap in optimizing pathways to carbon peaking under financial and energy drivers. This paper constructs a novel model covering finance and energy consumption using the generalized Divisia Index (GDI) method. The GDI allows to quantify the drivers behind the CO 2 emission change in China during 2005–2020. Furthermore, it combines a Monte Carlo simulation with scenario analysis to forecast the path of CO 2 emissions during 2021–2030. The results demonstrate that energy structure and carbon factor remain the principal drivers for CO 2 emission growth in China. Thus, it is still pivotal to optimize energy saving and carbon reduction policies. Financial energy saving has enormous potential for reducing CO 2 emissions over time, even though the immediate influence on CO 2 emission is not significant. China has a substantial probability of reaching the peaking target in 2026 under the technology breakthrough scenario, whereas in the other two scenarios the target cannot be achieved. • The main factor in mitigating CO 2 emissions is the carbon intensity of financial development. • Energy consumption and carbon factor are essential factors to the increase in CO 2 emissions. • Energy intensity of financial development presents a strong potential for emission reductions. • Peaking targets will be achieved by 2030 only under the technology breakthrough scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving urban green economic efficiency is a necessary response to environmental constraints and the transformation of economic development mode, and how to improve green economic efficiency through smart city pilot has become an important consideration. In this study, we construct the Date Envelopment Analysis-Slack Based Model to measure the green economic efficiency, and further evaluate the impacts of smart city on green economic efficiency using the propensity score matching-Differences-in-Differences (PSM-DID) model. The mainly results are as follows. The urban green economic efficiency can be improved by smart city pilot, and be improved by smart city through technology effect, structure effect and energy effect. Smart city with the dual attributes, information technology and environmental regulation, acts as a role of accelerator that both promote economic efficiency and environment, and thus accelerates the improvement of green economic efficiency. Smart city plays a significant role in cities with high level of talent aggregation and financial development, low level of population density, network infrastructure and urban expansion. The results of this paper provide the policy implications for the construction of smart city and sustainable development. • Smart city pilot can improve the urban green economic efficiency. • Smart city plays the role through the effects of technology, structure and energy. • Smart city is an accelerator both promotes economic efficiency and environment. • The effect of smart city varies across urban structure and characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core of dual circulation in the Loess Plateau and the greening Yellow River is sustainable development. Gully agricultural sustainable production is extremely important to ensuring a more sustainable Loess Plateau. Here, we investigate the overall characteristics of gully agricultural production sustainable transformation (GAPT) in the Loess Plateau from a macro perspective. We also analyze the evolution, stage characteristics, and trends in gully agricultural production space using theoretical analysis and empirical research from the multi-dimensional perspective of spatio-temporal-development. The findings reveal that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the gully agricultural production structure in the Loess Plateau exhibited a trend of hierarchical upgrading. In general, gully agricultural production in the Loess Plateau has entered a relatively stable new normal stage of structural adaptation adjustment. (2) Throughout the past two decades, gully agricultural production development in the Loess Plateau has gradually improved, progressing from a low to a high level. Additionally, overall regional disparity has diminished over time. (3) The overall fluctuation of GAPT in the Loess Plateau has increased, with more pronounced changes observed in agricultural functions and ecological security maintenance. At different stages, various factors had demonstrated varying effects on the GAPT, leading to significantly diverse outcomes in production sustainable transformation in response to changes in factor levels. Overall, understanding sustainable gully agricultural production is immensely important for exploring human-earth interactions and forging a sustainable path within this intricate balance. Our research outcomes offer valuable insights for fostering gully rural transformation, optimizing crop planting modes, enhancing the gully living environment, and ultimately propelling the Loess Plateau towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. • This paper proposed a multi-dimension analysis framework for gully agricultural production sustainable transformation (GAPT). • We quantified GAPT 's trends and characteristics of Loess Plateau, China. • Policy suggestions were given for strategy for more sustainable Loess Plateau. • This research has significance for the gully rural revitalization and green sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy making is a highly interactive process with environmental systems. Evaluation of policy's potential environmental impacts has been regarded as an efficient precautionary measure to avoid unexpected losses and environmental risks. One of the greatest challenges is how to streamline the policy-making process through an integrated evaluation approach. This paper formulated a process-based framework for environmental impact assessment of policy making (PB-EIA), by integrating policy problem identification, environmental impact assessment, and policy cost-effectiveness evaluation. Using China's wastewater resource utilization (WWRU) policy as a case study, the institutional, technological, and economic constraints or limitations related to wastewater resource utilization were identified, and the potential environmental impacts of policy implementation on energy consumption and carbon emissions were evaluated. The expected ecological and environmental benefits of the WWRU policy were supposed to be significant, and the cost of recycled water was relatively low compared with other unconventional water resources in China. Furthermore, significant variations in the environmental impacts and policy effectiveness were found across different sectors and regions. According to the evaluation results, some recommendations for supporting policy improvements and follow-up policy implementations were proposed. The specific technical procedures and application of PB-EIA were also discussed. This study demonstrates that the process-based framework can effectively incorporate environmental considerations into policy-making processes and promote sustainable development. • A process-based framework for environmental impact assessment of policy making (PB-EIA) was formulated. • The PB-EIA integrated policy problem identification, environmental impact assessment, and cost-effectiveness evaluation. • The PB-EIA framework was adopted in China's wastewater resource utilization (WWRU) policy evaluation. • The PB-EIA can help to integrate environmental considerations into policy making processes for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasingly critical ecological environment in the major grain-producing regions (MGPRs) of China has attracted widespread attention, but there is limited research at the city level. This study presented a land ecological security (LES) evaluation index system based on the pressure, state, response (PSR) model. It used the panel entropy weight method, kernel density function method, Moran index model, and spatial econometric model to measure LES of 158 cities in MGPRs from 2005 to 2020, and analyzed the spatial and temporal evolutionary trends, spatial divergence characteristics, and influencing factors of LES. The results are as follows. (1) From 2005 to 2020, the overall trend of urban LES level was rising, but it experienced an N-shape fluctuation trajectory of "rise-fall-rise". The state index and response index were on an upward trend, while the pressure index had a certain degree of decline. (2) LES was characterized by the spatial distribution of "high in the north and low in the south" and "high in the east and low in the west", while spatial heterogeneity became increasingly significant, with greater spatial differences within the northern cities and within the central cities. (3) There was a significant spatial spillover effect of LES, but the effect decreased with the expansion of spatial divergence. The spatial association patterns mainly exhibited "high-high" (HH) and "low-low" (LL) agglomerations. (4) The response layer was the main obstacle subsystem, while green space per capita, environmental governance investment, precipitation per capita, arable land per capita, and agricultural development were the main obstacle factors. (5) Economic development, fiscal decentralization, industrial advancement, and innovation input were the positive factors of LES, whereas financial development and industrial development were the negative factors of LES. The findings provide effective policy reference for the sustainable utilization of urban land resources. • Constructed an evaluation index system for land ecological security at the city level. • The land ecological security was generally on the rise, but with increasing spatial differences. • There was a significant spatial spillover effect of land ecological security. • The paper conducted obstacle factor identification and influencing factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) is a vital component of urban sustainability and resilience. However, imbalanced ULGUE can undermine these goals. Collaborative innovation has emerged as a promising approach to address this pressing challenge, yet its impact on the inter-city ULGUE gap remains largely underexplored. This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing a theoretical framework of collaborative innovation affecting the ULGUE gap. To validate this framework, we devised a comprehensive evaluation index of the ULGUE gap based on the core-periphery theory and employed a system generalized method of moments model (Sys-GMM) and a threshold model to analyze a sample of 19 urban agglomerations in China. Our study uncovers several vital insights. Collaborative innovation significantly diminishes the ULGUE gap within urban agglomerations, exhibiting a double-threshold effect in this relationship. The threshold values are 1.5821 and 2.0246, respectively, allowing us to categorize urban agglomerations into three stages based on their collaborative innovation levels. Besides, government intervention can mitigate the effects of collaborative innovation on the inter-city ULGUE gap, potentially delaying the trend of the narrowing ULGUE gap. These findings imply that the phased characteristics of collaborative innovation should be considered when designing policies for urban development and sustainability. • An innovative approach to narrow the ULGUE gap is proposed. • The ULGUE gap among China's 19 urban agglomerations decreased year by year. • GMM and threshold effect models are employed to construct a practice framework. • Collaborative innovation impacts the ULGUE gap in a non-linear way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential part of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the proposal of mitigation measures, whose effectiveness has a decisive influence on the magnitude of the residual impacts of the proposals. However, the effectiveness of mitigation is not always well known, and sometimes it is even used in a manipulative way. This paper presents a sample of effectiveness values for some mitigation measures commonly proposed in EIA reports, based on information from the academic and grey literature. The aim is to show that the effectiveness of mitigation measures can be highly variable, and may even lead to undesirable effects, and to highlight how this can influence the assessment of residual impacts. As examples, climate change mitigation may have undesired effects; revegetation effectiveness is overrated at least in some regions; wildlife protection measures may be over-optimistic; and sometimes there are complaints after the implementation of mitigation measures for odour, noise or vibration because beneficiaries expected greater effectiveness. Overestimating mitigation effectiveness leads to ignoring the mitigation hierarchy and underestimating residual impacts, which may distort decision-making. The effectiveness of mitigation is often site-dependent and species-dependent, so a lot of information is needed. Feedback from environmental follow-up is necessary, and EIA authorities should make an effort to collect and disseminate this information. Academics, practitioners and environmental authorities need to work hand in hand in this regard. • Overestimation of effectiveness lead to underestimation of residual impacts. • Effectiveness of some mitigation measures is sometimes over-optimistic. • Population complaints related to the effectiveness of mitigation are frequent. • Mitigation effectiveness is often site-dependent and species-dependent. • Feedback from environmental follow-up is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers environment management in a new context. In the e-waste recycling industry, most e-waste is irresponsibly recycled and disposed of by informal enterprises, causing serious secondary pollution. Cooperation between emerging online recyclers and offline formal disposing enterprises can help reduce secondary pollution and improve the efficiency of resource reuse to achieve co-benefits, but they operate at a cost disadvantage compared with informal enterprises, which results in a weak motivation for cooperation. Reasonable government regulations are critical to the cooperation between these two types of enterprises. Existing research lacks attention to this. We develop evolutionary game models under a market mechanism and under government regulation to study the influence of multiple factors, including the impact of the prospective loss on the strategies evolution of the game players. We also analyze the effect of government regulation when the market mechanism fails. The results show that: (1) there is a threshold for the ratio of cooperation costs to the excess benefits obtained from cooperation (i.e., between 0.31 and 0.35). When the ratio is greater than the threshold value, the market mechanism fails, and the enterprises' behavior evolves towards non-cooperation. (2) Compared with earnings, enterprises are more sensitive to the prospective loss. Therefore, the government should provide subsidies that help reduce the cost for enterprises to cooperate, and penalize enterprises failing to cooperate. (3) There is a threshold effect in government subsidies and penalties (thresholds between 0.25 and 0.3 and 0.3–0.4, respectively). Only when exceeding the threshold, can they be effective. However, excessive subsidies and penalties also have limitations, and moderate subsidies and penalties can effectively promote the cooperation between the two types of enterprises. Our findings clarify the conditions under which the government can promote online and offline cooperation on e-waste recycling. These insights can also offer a reference for other countries and industries facing similar challenges. • We build evolutionary game models for the promotion mechanism of online and offline E-waste recycling cooperation. • We analyze the influence of factors on the behavioral evolution of the E-waste recycling enterprises. • We explore the regulatory strategies of government when the market mechanism fails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the population and industries continue to gather in cities, such cities face acute shocks caused by various natural disasters and high pressure caused by human interference. The means of accurately assessing and improving the level of urban resilience (UR) to cope with disturbances and shocks, enhance regional resilience, and improve sustainable urban development has become a hot topic. In this study, we constructed an UR assessment framework using "social-economic-institutional-ecological-engineering" to explore the dynamic evolution of spatial and temporal patterns in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China, to reveal the main factors influencing the evolution of this spatial pattern and the strength and interaction mechanisms among such influencing factors and to dynamically simulate the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics in the next 16 years. The results show that from 2000 to 2019, the difference in UR level in the GBA is obvious. Hong Kong and Macao are obviously ahead of other cities, and the comprehensive resilience level of Guangzhou and Shenzhen cities in the mainland is developing rapidly. The difference in per capita consumption capacity, industrial structure optimization, foreign trade vitality, infrastructure support and other factors are the main causes of the spatial differentiation of UR in the GBA. In the future, the UR level of the GBA urban agglomeration will show an overall upwards trend. The three development poles of Guangzhou-Foshan, Shenzhen-Hong Kong, and Zhuhai-Macao have obvious advantages in spatial distribution. The results of the study can enrich regional UR research, and also provide theoretical references to facilitate the high-quality development of the area. [Display omitted] • We constructed a "social-economic-institutional-ecological-engineering" urban resilience assessment framework. • The paper developed an evaluation system for the urban resilience to reveal its spatial and temporal evolution patterns. • The main factors influencing the evolution of the spatial patterns of urban resilience is investigated. • Our results provide a basis for the development of comprehensive management framework for urban resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an enormous and ever-growing body of environmental impact assessment (EIA) research, much of which is grounded in practice or seeks to advance it. In this paper we show how the impact of EIA research on policy and practice might be conceptualised and how to set about evidencing it. A framework is developed through literature review to account for impact in four areas pertaining to instrumental impact, conceptual impact, capacity building and knowledge brokerage and co-production. Methods for implementing the framework include citations within policy documents along with content analysis to determine influence and interviews or surveys with policy makers and practitioners; all subsequently presented as narratives. We provide examples and further discussion of each, drawn from recent analysis of the EIA research of one of the authors. Whilst proving impact of EIA research on policy and practice is challenging, we found the framework to be a useful way for structuring and guiding such an investigation. This approach to understanding the uptake and influence of EIA research on impact assessment practitioners and other stakeholders (i.e., government regulators/policy-makers, consultants, proponents or NGOs) could be applied by many professionals in the field to showcase positive impact on policy and practice locally, nationally and internationally. It may also usefully serve academic EIA researchers applying for new positions or for promotion within universities. • The impact of EIA research on policy and practice is investigated. • Interviews and content analysis are important methods for determining impact. • Citations of research in policy show direct impact. • Direct impact also arises from policy development, capacity building and co-produced research. • Indirect influence arises from conceptual impact and knowledge brokerage activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]