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Assets have an important role in sustainability discussions. The substitutability aspects of assets deal with weak and strong sustainability criteria. Weak sustainability enables substitutability between natural and man-made assets while strong sustainability requires the maintenance of natural resources and individual assets. In this respect, this study conducts a comparative empirical analysis of 126 developed and developing countries over the period 1995 to 2018 to investigate the significance of diverse assets such as natural capital, produced capital, human capital, and financial capital on environmental sustainability. Ecological footprint and biological capacity are used as detailed environmental sustainability indicators. The results based on the Fixed Effects Model and Generalized Method of Moments suggest that natural capital has a great potential for the environment and produced capital is environmentally unsustainable while human and financial capital have heterogeneous effects on the environment in developed and developing countries. The study also employs adjusted net saving (as an environmental sustainability indicator) and income group analysis for robustness checks. The findings of the study suggest that the protection of renewable natural capital, including its ability to regenerate is a core aspect of sustainability and the diversification of assets can reduce pressure on natural capital. Cooperative climate policies can enhance the benefits of investing in a diverse portfolio of assets and can help in achieving environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest for global prosperity, macro-environmental economists are emphasizing the shift towards sustainable wealth, a framework that harmonizes environmental sustainability with economic well-being. Our research contributes significantly to this field by examining the influence of human and natural capital on sustainable wealth in seven emerging economies (E−7) from 1998 to 2022. We utilized advanced methodologies including second-generation unit-root and cointegration techniques and a novel Cross-Sectional Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (CS-ARDL) approach to empirically analyze the results. Our study involved nine different models, each incorporating various combinations of natural and human capital. The results indicate that renewable natural capital and both male and female human capital positively affect sustainable wealth, whereas non-renewable natural capital has a detrimental impact. More importantly, our finding shows that over-reliance on non-renewable resources not only diminishes sustainable wealth but also attenuates the influence of other variables, such as human capital, on its creation. Conversely, dependence on renewable resources enhances sustainable wealth and strengthens its impact. Drawing on these insights, we strongly recommend that policymakers prioritize investments in both renewable natural capital and human capital. Such strategic investments are crucial for catalysing long-term sustainable economic growth and prosperity. By fostering environments that enhance the contributions of renewable resources and human potential, nations can secure a more sustainable and prosperous future, effectively navigating the challenges of modern economic landscapes. • Study investigates the roles of human and natural capital in sustainable wealth creation within E7 economies. • Analyzes various combinations of renewable and non-renewable resources for a comprehensive perspective. • Renewable natural capital and both male and female human capital positively impact sustainable wealth. • Over-reliance on non-renewable natural capital weakens long-term wealth and economic prosperity. • Encourages policymakers to invest in renewable natural and human capital to enhance sustainable wealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural capital is a central consideration for developing informed policies for economic growth and sustainable development; however, the proportion of human capital, natural capital, and produced capital in inclusive wealth has been rapidly evolving. These forms of capital may have varying impact on sustainable development compared with aggregate inclusive wealth. This study uses panel data from 53 developing countries covering 2011 to 2022 to analyze how human, natural, and produced capital impact sustainable development, including associated innovation. We apply multiple econometric algorithms for empirical analysis, including Bayesian linear regression, Bayesian truncated regression, and a frequentist approach. The results reveal that human capital, innovation, green energy, political stability, and the absence of violence positively impact countries' sustainable development. In contrast, natural and produced capital negatively impact sustainable development. The findings indicate that additional investment in human capital and innovation, green energy adoption, natural resource conservation, and modernizing produced capital will advance sustainable development in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resources are the backbone of any economy and the bedrock of ecological health. However, the relentless exploitation of these resources has given rise to ecological degradation. This threatens ecosystem stability, presenting the urgent need to balance natural resource utilization with ecological integrity. Environmental regulations and green human capital are pivotal in striking this balance and progressing towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, this study explores how natural resources impact ecological quality in Ghana from 1990 to 2019 within the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework, considering the role of environmental regulations and green human capital. The study employs the novel dynamic ARDL simulation method, presenting insights that diverge from patterns noted in previous studies. The study's findings reveal that natural resources intensify ecological quality in the short term but degrade ecological quality over the long term. Environmental regulation reduces ecological harm, while green human capital negatively impacts ecological quality. Environmental regulation and green human capital undesirably and beneficially impact how natural resources relate to ecological quality, with the undesirable effects occurring in the short term and the beneficial effects emerging over the long term. Further, a U-shaped relationship is observed between economic growth and ecological pollution in the short term, which transforms into an inverted U-shaped relationship in the long term, thus validating the EKC hypothesis in Ghana. The study concludes by recommending the implementation and enforcement of environmental regulations as a pathway toward achieving ecological quality and SDGs, particularly SDG 13, SDG 12, and SDG 7. • The influence of natural resources on ecological quality is examined. • The role of green human capital and environmental regulations. • Natural resources alleviate ecological degradation in the short term but not in the long term. • Environmental regulation favorably impacts ecological quality in the short and long term. • Green human capital and environmental regulations mitigate the adverse impact of natural resources in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on analyzing the impact of the Green Ambidexterity Innovation (GAI) on the Sustainable Performance (SP) of Spanish wineries, as well as the antecedent role of the Green Human Capital (GHC) and Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) on the said variables. To achieve the research objective pursued, the study proposes a conceptual model based on previous studies, which is tested using structural equations (PLS-SEM). The research results reveal the existence of a positive and significant relationship between the development of GAI and SP of Spanish wineries, as well as the partial mediation of GAI in the GHC-SP and GSCM-SP linkages. The originality of the study derives from its pioneering nature, as the research enters unexplored terrain by investigating the role of GHC and GSCM as antecedent variables of GAI and SP, there being no previous research, to the authors' knowledge, that has ventured in this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European Union member states are dedicated to bring standards and create climate change mitigation strategies at the center stage of public policy, prioritizing energy sector's transition from non-renewable to renewable sources by the means of innovation. Though there are a plethora of studies on determinants of environmental degradation, the nexus between fiscal decentralization and ecological intensity has been lacking of empirical evidence. To bridge this shortcoming, this study aspires to investigate the direct impact of fiscal decentralization, economic abundance, human capital, energy use and green innovation on environmental degradation and how green innovation moderates the impact of fiscal decentralization on environmental degradation. Using the theoretical setting of environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) phenomenon, this study analyzes the determinants of environmental degradation measured by ecological intensity and carbon intensity respectively across the nine European Union member states over the time span from 1995 to 2018. This study built upon a panel Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) with fixed effects and the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with Driscoll-Kraay (DK) standard errors to validate the appropriateness of the EKC hypothesis in the observed sample authenticating the inverted U-shaped pattern between economic abundance and environmental degradation. Insofar as the direct impacts are considered, human capital and green innovation are efficient in abating environmental degradation of the countries under examination whereas energy use and fiscal decentralization aid in to environmental degradation. Regarding the indirect impacts, green innovation negatively moderates the association between fiscal decentralization and both indicators of environmental degradation namely, ecological intensity and carbon intensity. In the light of these findings, it is imperative for European Union member states to authorize the local governments to reduce pollution through innovation in climate change mitigation technologies to reinforce the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it takes time to achieve a sustainable environment, this goal can be possible with the Sustainable Development Goals. The transition from gray energy sources to green in the 21st century is among the important policy goals of global economies. Since this process is long, countries focus on energy efficiency as part of their carbon reduction policies. In this context, this study investigates the impact of clean energy technologies on environmental quality in Turkiye. Using the load capacity curve (LCC) hypothesis, human capital, income, and natural resources are theoretically added to the balance model. The novel Augmented ARDL with Fourier terms approach is used in the empirical analysis. As a result of the analysis, the LCC hypothesis is valid, and income will support environmental quality after a certain level. While human capital increases environmental quality, natural resources bring environmental pollution. Finally, it is determined that clean energy technologies have not yet reached the level that enables carbon reduction. The finding that clean energy technologies are insufficient for Turkiye, as a result of empirical analysis, shows the uniqueness of this study. With our new findings, policymakers can take action for a sustainable environment. Since Turkiye has to ensure energy security due to its regional characteristics, it should increase investments in clean energy technologies. Based on empirical findings, clean energy technologies will gain momentum as policymakers support human capital. • Environmental implications of clean energy technologies are examined. • A Novel Augmented ARDL model with Fourier terms is applied. • Clean energy technologies have a significant effect on the load capacity factor. • The novel Load capacity curve hypothesis is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of environmental quality for the movement of human capital and economic development is growing. This study utilizes the difference-in-difference (DID) approach to analyze the effects of the implementation of new ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) on economic development and investigate its underlying mechanism. The research indicates that the NAAQS promotes urban economic growth, and this impact tends to progressively intensify over time. According to the analysis of the mechanism, the NAAQS had a significant impact on the city's human capital, which in turn contributed to economic growth. The analysis of heterogeneity indicates that the NAAQS promotes economic growth primarily in the eastern region, in large and medium-sized cities, and in cities where the government pays more attention to environmental protection. This study offers a new explanation for how environmental information disclosure (EID) promotes economic growth and provides policy enlightenment for local governments on how to increase talent inflow. [Display omitted] • New ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) are taken as a quasi-natural experiment. • The generalized multiperiod DID method is used in this paper. • NAAQS can promote economic growth. • Human capital structure plays an intermediary role between NAAQS and economic growth. • The policy effects are affected by the heterogeneity across cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental regulations have emerged as a critical policy tool for promoting environmental sustainability worldwide. However, there is a dearth of literature that investigates the impact of environmental regulations on load capacity factor in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies. This study aims to address this gap by examining the role of renewable energy consumption, human capital, and environmental regulations in improving load capacity factor. In doing so, the paper covers 14 APEC economies; applies second generations panel data models (i.e., CUP-FM (continuously updated fully modified) as the base model and CUP-BC (continuously-updated and bias-corrected) for the robustness); and runs data between 1992 and 2018. The empirical findings present that: i) renewable energy consumption and human capital contribute to improving load capacity factor; ii) environmental regulations are not at a level to increase load capacity factor; iii) economic growth and trade openness significantly reduce load capacity factor. Considering empirical outcomes, this study suggests that APEC should tighten environmental regulations to achieve sustainable environment. In addition, this study offers important sustainable environmental policies for APEC within the framework of empirical findings. • CUP-FM and CUP-BC methods are applied over the spanning from 1992 to 2018. • Examines relationship between renewable energy, environmental regulations, and human capital with load capacity factor. • Renewable energy and human capital significantly increase the level of environmental quality. • Environmental regulations are insufficient for APEC countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of the globe depends upon sustainable development, where there is the least possible negative impact of development on the environment. Technology plays a critical role in development, but it also produces harmful environmental impacts in the form of CO2 emissions, waste production, etc. There is an urgent need to ensure sustainable development per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Human capital and advanced technologies can help achieve the SDGs' targets. This research aims to determine the impact of green human capital and environmental regulation on green innovation and green industry upgrading for sustainable development. The results show that green human capital positively impacts green innovation, green industry upgrading, and sustainable development. Environmental regulations positively impact green industry upgrading, but their impact on green innovation and sustainable development was not found. Green innovation and green industry upgrading both have positive impacts on sustainable development. The study concludes that green human capital should be the first focus for policymakers and organizations for sustainable development, green innovation, and green industry upgradation. And at the same time, policymakers and organizations need to know why environmental regulation is insignificant in these countries. The findings benefit policymakers, sustainable development research organizations, and governments, especially for attaining SGD 7, SGD 9, and SGD 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization is an inclusive procedure that promotes worldwide cooperation and competition among countries by reducing cross-border constraints. To this end, this study investigates the role of globalization (economic, financial, and trade globalization), human capital, and technology with carbon footprint in the context of emerging seven (E−7) countries over the period 1970–2020. The empirical outcomes based on the cross-sectional autoregressive distributive lag (CS-ARDL) model reveal the direct effect of economic and trade globalization on environmental deterioration. Though analysis results reveal that financial globalization positively connects with carbon footprint, its coefficient is considerably low. Contrarily, human capital, technological advancement, and renewable energy improve environmental performance. The study's conclusion validates that human capital preserves atmospheric quality. Similarly, renewable energy and urbanization impart their share to alleviating environmental degradation. The outcomes of this research offer necessary policy suggestions to accomplish sustainable environmental objectives. [Display omitted] • The role of globalization, human capital, and technology with carbon footprint. • Emerging seven (E−7) countries over the period 1970–2020. • Cross-sectional autoregressive distributive lag (CS-ARDL) is applied. • The direct effect of economic and trade globalization on environmental deterioration. • Human capital and innovation preserve the atmospheric quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of farmers' energy-saving behaviors can help policy-makers to formulate effective energy policies to reduce energy consumption in rural areas. This study explores the impacts of livelihood capital on farmers' energy-saving behaviors in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China. A total of 471 questionnaires were obtained from randomly sampled households. The results show that there are differences between the implementation of different types of energy-saving behaviors. Farmers' livelihood capital plays a significant role in implementing energy-saving behaviors. Specifically, natural capital and human capital have a significantly negative effect on the implementation of energy-saving behaviors. Physical capital and social capital are conducive to implement energy-saving behaviors. The effect of financial capital varies with different energy-saving behaviors. The findings of this study can contribute to the existing body of knowledge about determinants of farmers' energy-saving behaviors by confirming the role of livelihood capital. The empirical results provide a reference for stakeholders involved in strengthening rural residents' energy-saving behaviors in developing countries like China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies show the important influence of economic complexity index (ECI) on environmental quality, but do not consider the mediating effect of other key factors on the relationship between the two, thus ignoring the structural break and nonlinear characteristics of the relationship between ECI and environmental quality. To fill this research gap, this study constructs a decomposition framework and multiple panel threshold regression models based on an extended STIRPAT model using panel data from 36 OECD countries to explore the nonlinear relationship between ECI and ecological footprint (an indicator of environmental quality) in terms of three key mediators: energy consumption structure, industrial structure, and human capital. The results show that a 1% increase in economic complexity is associated with a 0.075% increase in ecological footprint per capita, and an increase in economic complexity is detrimental to environmental improvement. When energy consumption structure is used as the threshold variable, the correlation coefficient between ECI and ecological footprint per capita gradually shifts from positive to negative with an inverted U-shaped curve as the share of renewable energy consumption increases. In particular, when the share of renewable energy consumption is higher than 44.56%, ECI shows a negative correlation with ecological footprint, i.e., ECI promotes the improvement of environmental quality. When the industrial structure is used as the threshold variable, the coefficient change from the below-threshold stage to the above-threshold stage indicates that the reduction of per capita ecological footprint shrinks from 0.161% to 0.102% for each 1% increase in ECI. The increase in the human capital index suppresses the positive effect of ECI on the ecological footprint per capita, i.e., the technology effect mitigates the environmental pressure caused by ECI, and only a country with a human capital index above 2.60 is in the interval where the technology effect comes into play. Finally, targeted policy recommendations from the perspective of the energy structure, industrial structure, and labor force are proposed to mitigate the effects of economic complexity on environmental quality. [Display omitted] • Exploring the structural break and nonlinear characteristics of the relationship between ECI and environmental quality. • a 1% increase in economic complexity is associated with a 0.075% increase in ecological footprint per capita. • Energy consumption structure is the threshold variable, an inverted U-shaped curve between ECI and ecological footprint per capita. • The increase in the human capital index suppresses the positive effect of ECI on the ecological footprint per capita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's world, environmental concerns are at the forefront of countries' considerations, along with economic priorities. In this context, countries face the challenge of developing and directing their investments in clean energy technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly affordable and clean energy. Does the development and diffusion of clean energy technologies contribute to improving environmental quality? This study addresses this question by examining the effects of clean energy technologies on sustainable environmental quality as expressed by the load capacity factor (LCF). In this context, the study explores the United States (US), as the largest economy and one of the leading countries investing in clean energy, considering the role of human capital, urbanization, and economic growth. To this end, this paper applies the novel augmented autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to annual data from 1974 to 2018. The long-term empirical results show that (i) Clean energy technologies have no effect on the LCF; (iii) human capital supports environmental quality; (iv) urbanization has an adverse effect on environmental quality; (v) increasing economic growth worsens environmental quality. Overall, the empirical results suggest that while clean energy technologies should support sustainable environmental quality, this is unfortunately not the case in the US. Therefore, the US policymakers need to take improvement actions to ensure that clean energy technologies contribute to sustainable environmental quality and that the community reaps the environmental benefits of human capital. [Display omitted] • Applies the Augmented ARDL approach with smooth structural shifts. • Tests the impact of clean energy technologies on environmental quality. • Clean energy technologies do not affect the environmental quality. • Income and urbanization reduce the load capacity factor. • Human capital improves environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability has been a global consensus for the governments worldwide to address serious environmental issues. However, there is a lack of data envelopment analysis (DEA) studies evaluating the performance of government in promoting various sustainability sub-systems. To do this evaluation work, our study proposes new parallel-series network DEA models with alternative network structures of incorporating intermediate products. Particularly, this study develops a new methodological framework to evaluate various inefficiency sources. The framework contains an extended method of network meta/group frontier approach and a new concept of efficiency Foster-Greer-Thorbecke indicator. Empirically, this study considers the case of Chinese government-sustainability system from 2010 to 2017. Such work cannot be found in the existing studies. The main findings are summarized as follows. First, China has succeeded in realizing an overall improved efficiency during the examined periods. The importance of various divisions changes over time. Second, the occurrence of method heterogeneity and significant linkage inefficiency implies that the modelers should incorporate intermediate products in a well-suited way. Finally, inland provinces show higher technology gap inefficiency as for economy division. To improve the performance, inland provinces should promote their human capital and adopt advanced technology. This paper proposes new parallel-series network DEA models with alternative network structures of incorporating intermediate products. Particularly, this study proposes a unified framework to analyze the relationship between network structures and inefficiency sources through the use of meta/group-frontier approach. To identify the main technology diffusion that maybe further cause the inefficiency value, this study applies the FGT indicators to the productivity and efficiency field for the first time. The FGT indicators can be used to explore the structure of technology inequality and identify barriers to technology diffusion. [Display omitted] • We propose a new approach for modelling the parallel-series network structure. • This study applies new frontier framework to identify sources of inefficiency. • There has been growing trends in Chinese government-sustainability system. • Managerial inefficiency had a negative annual growth rate of −6.01%. • Inland provinces showed higher technology gap inefficiency for economy division. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When considering that health, education and sudden disaster are transformed into endogenous factors at a specific period, what is the law of endogenous economic growth? This paper studies this law from three aspects which are production, household and government, takes health and education as endogenous factors into production and consumption, and runs sudden disasters through the whole paper. This study divides human capital into healthy human capital and educational human capital in order to explore the relationship between them, then, this paper obtains the health risk effect and capital contribution constraint effect. After constructing the Hamilton function and maximizing the utility function, the economic growth rate is obtained. The empirical analysis is carried out according to the 2020 China Statistical Yearbook, and the positive growth and negative reduction effects are obtained. After analyzing the types of government expenditure, the government financial distribution regulation is obtained. • Health, education and sudden disaster are transformed into endogenous factors. • This paper obtains associated accompanying effects. • This paper obtains the government financial distribution regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-innovation is an important driving force of high-quality economic development, which can promote economic growth while also ensuring ecological benefits. However, the characteristics of public goods, as well as the dual positive externalities of eco-innovation, lead to its internal reliance on government. Using China's low-carbon city pilot policy as an example, this paper empirically examines the impact of the pilot environmental policy on urban eco-innovation. The results demonstrate that the pilot policies promote urban eco-innovation and a progressive pilot policy promotion model presents an 'experience accumulation effect' in which the effect of the second batch of pilot policies is significantly better than that of the first batch. Dynamic analysis indicates that the eco-innovation effect of the first batch of pilot policies exerts a policy lag. Specifically, the impact of pilot policies on the number of urban green invention patent application lags by approximately 2 years, whereas the impact on the number of patent applications regarding green utility models exhibit a longer lag time. Mediating mechanism analysis reveals that the pilot policy can promote eco-innovation by promoting the agglomeration of innovation factors, including investment and human capital. This paper confirms the eco-innovation effects of a pilot environmental policy model with Chinese characteristics, with significant theoretical implications. The conclusion also offers practical advice to other countries on how to implement progressive environmental governance reforms. • The eco-innovation effect of pilot environmental policy with Chinese characteristics is investigated. • The effect of experience accumulation exists in different period policies. • There is a time lag in the effect of pilot environmental policy. • Factors agglomeration plays a mediating role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) are important for promoting urban green innovation (GI) and achieving green and sustainable development. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of pilot national EIP policies on regional GI in China. Based on Porter's hypothesis and agglomeration economy as the theoretical basis, this study uses a time-varying difference-in-difference (DID) model and panel data of 264 prefecture-level cities in China from 2003 to 2018 to investigate the impact of the establishment of national EIPs on the GI of the cities where they are located. The results indicated that the establishment of national EIPs had a significant positive impact on the GI of local cities, which was mainly realized through the mechanisms of technological innovation, industrial structure upgrading, and human capital agglomeration. In addition, the results of heterogeneity tests demonstrated that the eastern region and cities with high administrative levels gained the greatest policy benefits from the pilot establishment of EIPs. These findings provide a foundation for further optimizing and promoting the construction of EIPs. • Eco-industrial parks in 264 cities across China between 2003 and 2018 were examined. • Eco-industrial parks promote urban green innovation and sustainable development. • Technological innovation, industrial structure, and human capital were analyzed. • Regional and administrative level differences were observed. • Policy recommendations to promote urban green development were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing agricultural carbon emissions (ACE) plays a valuable role in China's overall carbon-emission-reduction plan. Using provincial data from 2001 to 2018, this work explores the dynamics of ACE and agricultural eco-efficiency (AEE) in China and the driving factors of AEE growth by DEA–Malmquist–Luenberger and panel data analyses. A previously unexplored aspect is investigated on the different mechanism of AEE growth among three types of agricultural areas. The findings suggest that the trend of ACE shifted from increasing to continuously decreasing after 2015 at the national level, mainly based on the contribution of major grain-producing areas. The results also imply that the AEE growth mechanism changed after 2010, mainly owing to technological progress. The improvement of agricultural infrastructure and human capital positively contributed to AEE growth, whereas public investment in agricultural R&D and agricultural industrial structure undermined it. Hence, green-oriented policies targeted at regional heterogeneity and agricultural public investments are needed for ACE reduction and AEE growth at the same time. [Display omitted] • China's agricultural carbon emissions started to decrease after 2015. • Regions with carbon-emission reduction have lower eco-efficiency growth rates. • Eco-efficiency growth mechanism has changed since 2010, mainly due to tech-progress. • Improved agri-infrastructure and human capital had positive impact on eco-efficiency. • Public investment in agricultural R&D undermined eco-efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular economy has become one of the main strategies to face environmental issues. To enable circular economy, organisations have started acting on their capability to improve their sustainability management. Nevertheless, the contribution of green human resource management to the transition towards a more circular economy has not yet been investigated. Our research aims at assessing the effects of green human resource management to circular economy, to environmental and economic performance and to the environmental reputation of an organisation. We empirically test the distinct role that different green human resource management practices (i.e., green recruiting, green training and involvement, and green performance management and rewarding) have on organisation performance. We also investigate the moderation role of the level of diffusion of the circular economy in the context where organisations operate. The results, from a sample of 819 EMAS-registered organisations, demonstrate that green human resource management positively influence all the organisation performance, even though with some difference between each single practice. Moreover, green human resource management contribute to the transition towards a circular economy without being influenced by external factors such as market demand, competitors' commitment or technological support to circularity. Our research, in addition to shed some light on the relationship between human capital and circular economy, studies for the first time green human resource management with environmental management systems. Finally, the results of our research provide several avenues for further research both for academics and practitioners. • The paper studies the relationship between GHRM and EMSs. • We investigated the effect of GHRM on circular economy implementation. • We administered a survey to 819 EMAS-registered organisations. • The results show that GHRM positively influence all the organisation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental regulation provides new constraints and opportunities for economic growth. Based on OLG (Overlapping Generation) model, this paper re-characterizes the relationship between the intensity of environmental regulations and economic growth rate from two perspectives: technical level and healthy human capital. By using the panel data of 31 provinces and cities in China from 2004 to 2017, empirical tests were conducted through the mediation effect method and the contrast groups of OLS (Ordinary Least Squares) regression experiment to support the theoretical part. The results show that: (1) The non-linear relationship between environmental regulations and economic growth rate shows an "inverted U-shaped" curve, where the economic growth rate displays a correlation with the intensity of environmental regulations from positive to negative; (2) The internal action path of environmental regulations on economic growth shows the differentiated characteristics according to different industrial types. Specifically, under the established intensity of environmental regulation, the effect of regulatory policies on labor-intensive enterprises is more based on the technological level, while it is more inclined to the path of healthy human capital for capital-intensive enterprises. This paper enriches the theoretical system of economic growth under environmental regulations, which has important reference significance for promoting green development and ecological civilization construction. • Verify the relationship between intensity of environmental regulations and economic growth. • Analyze the role of technology level and healthy human capital to economic growth. • Explain the contributions of different factors to the production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]