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Promoting green hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal discourse in the contemporary energy landscape, driven by pressing environmental concerns and the quest for sustainable energy solutions. This paper delves into the multifaceted domain of C -Suite issues about green hydrogen, encompassing both technological advancements and policy considerations. The question of whether green hydrogen is poised to become the focal point of the upcoming energy race is explored through an extensive analysis of its potential as a clean and versatile energy carrier. The transition from conventional fossil fuels to green hydrogen is considered a fundamental shift in energy paradigms, with far-reaching implications for global energy markets. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art green hydrogen technologies, including fuel cells, photocatalysts, photo electrocatalysts, and hydrogen panels. In tandem with technological advancements, the role of policy and strategy in fostering the development of green hydrogen energy assumes paramount significance. The paper elucidates the critical interplay between government policies, market dynamics, and corporate strategies in shaping the green hydrogen landscape. It delves into policy mechanisms such as subsidies, carbon pricing, and renewable energy mandates, shedding light on their potential to incentivize the production and adoption of green hydrogen. This paper offers a nuanced exploration of C -Suite issues surrounding green hydrogen, painting a comprehensive picture of the technological and policy considerations that underpin its emergence as a transformative energy source. As the global community grapples with the imperatives of climate change mitigation and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, understanding these issues becomes imperative for executives, policymakers, and stakeholders alike. [Display omitted] • The latest advancements in photo electrocatalysts and fuel cell technologies are reviewed. • The storage and transportation within the realm of green hydrogen energy were discussed. • Policy and strategy for fostering the development of green energy are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we analyse FinTech (financial technology) tools and their role in achieving sustainable development. FinTech strives to improve and streamline the provision of financial services. As a modern technology, it can significantly contribute to the sustainable development and it has a capacity to foster a more inclusive and more equitable society. FinTech promotes sustainable development by ensuring green finance, reducing costs and informational inequities, promoting efficiency, appreciating the value of nature's assets, and promoting realistic sustainable lifestyles. Bibliometric analysis shows growing importance and extensive use of the financial technology in achieving SDGs, especially in SDG 13 Climate Action. Green FinTech is focused on emerging trends that are associated with protecting the environment and impacts of climate change. Green finance is supporting environmentally friendly investments and advancing low-carbon technologies, projects and businesses. In accelerating the sustainable development several FinTech tools have been recognized: robo-advisors for environmentally friendly expenditures, payment tokens to be used for peer-to-peer power associations, and blockchain technologies for environmentally conscious supply chains and financial inventiveness. FinTech advances financial inclusion, sustainable finance, and sustainable investment while harnessing innovations in technology and financial services. Governments, legislators, financial institutions, and tech firms must work together to establish a supportive climate that takes advantage of the FinTech while assuring that it is used responsibly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressure on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has increased since the focus on climate change mitigation has grown. As the human development index is directly related to per capita energy consumption, sustainable energy production with reduced carbon footprint is the essential pathway for cleaner environment. Over numerous existing biological processes, hydrogen production via photo fermentation and photolysis of water is considered a more sustainable and economical method of hydrogen production. While both biological modes suffer from certain limitations, such as low yields and low production rates, practical implementation is still a long way off due to these limitations. The unique properties of nanomaterials (NMs) can help increase the efficiency of the biomass to biohydrogen process in significant ways. Applications of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in photocatalytic and photo fermentative hydrogen production is discussed in this paper. This review reports a wide range of applications of nanomaterials including the details of photo fermentative microorganisms and their mechanism of action. The maximum photo fermentative bio-H 2 production was reported in the presence of SiC–Fe 3 O 4 (3.02 mol H 2 /mol acetate), Ni (41 mol H 2 /mol sugar), graphite-C 3 N 4 (64.2 mol H 2 /mol sugar) whereas photocatalytic bio-H 2 yield was highest when Pd–Ni/CdS (54 mmol/g.h), Ni-MO/g-C 3 N 4 (1785 mmol/g.h) and CuO/TiO 2 (20.3 mmol/g.h) nanoparticles were employed. To design photocatalytic systems for practical and scalable use, the future research should be focused on deeper theoretical knowledge of mechanisms of light harvesting, ± charge separation and transport, surface biochemical reactions, semiconductor–liquid interactions, and reactor dynamics. [Display omitted] • Recent developments for improving water photolysis and photo-fermentation are reviewed. • Applications of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in hydrogen production are discussed. • The working principle and mechanism of hydrogen production are discussed. • The influence of key operating factors are presented. • Scope for future research was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015 Paris Agreement, which was a global effort to address climate change and meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), established the Technology Mechanism Initiative as the key to facilitating technology transfer; however, the target SDGs of this initiative have not been identified. This study reviewed technical assistance (TA) project documents of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), an organization under the Technology Mechanism Initiative, to analyze the general status of climate technology implementation, identify the targeted SDGs using sectoral classification, and examine the current national SDG statuses of TA-participating countries. While sectoral classifications have specific relationships with certain goals, SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action) were primarily referenced as they focused on energy and cross-sector applications. The evaluations also revealed that countries should prioritize poverty- and food-related SDGs. Therefore, expanding TA contributions to SDGs by better grouping sectoral classifications based on regional and local needs was essential because SDGs were linked to both sector-specific and climate technologies. Thus, a climate technology package based on sectoral classifications was proposed to bridge the gap between SDG attainment and the climate change objectives proposed by the Paris Agreement. • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted by technology assistance projects were identified. • Energy and cross-sector SDGs were the most commonly mentioned, but not food and poverty SDGs. • A climate technology package is proposed based on sectoral classifications and regional needs. • Technologies should be grouped according to their priority to accelerate sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity demand is a crucial factor in energy system planning. Understanding future electricity demand is vital for developing effective energy and climate policies, as well as establishing a resilient and sustainable energy system. In light of these considerations, the escalating challenges posed by climate change are anticipated to have a substantial impact on electricity demand. This study, therefore, provides a comprehensive analysis delving into the dynamic nature of Temperature Response Functions (TRFs) of electricity demand across Europe. By examining various factors influencing electricity demand in residential buildings, such as thermal insulation, heating electrification, space cooling, and passive cooling, we aim to understand their collective impact on shaping future Temperature Response Functions. To project electricity demand, our study incorporates these factors into our scenario assumptions. Through a comprehensive investigation of these scenarios, our findings reveal distinctive regional influences of these factors. In regions where heating demand prevails, an initial increase in electricity demand is anticipated due to increased electrification rates. However, improved building thermal insulation is expected to substantially reduce winter electricity demand in the long run. Conversely, in regions with pronounced cooling demand, a notable escalation in electricity demand is foreseen due to increased space cooling penetration rate. Nevertheless, the application of effective passive cooling measurements is expected to mitigate and markedly diminish this increase. By highlighting the differential influences of these factors on electricity demand across Europe, our findings can offer valuable insights and guidelines first for energy system modelers for considering the change in Temperature Response Functions and second for policymakers to develop effective climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. • Examination of the dynamic characteristics of Temperature Response Functions (TRFs). • Space and passive cooling, electric heating, insulation effects on electricity demand. • Projection of TRFs and electricity demand for 36 European countries until 2100. • Thermal insulation and passive cooling are essential for reducing electricity demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare organisations have a significant carbon footprint due to their substantial energy consumption and waste generation. The existing literature has mostly focused on examining the isolated impact of specific green organisational practices on individual dimensions of environmental performance. Hence, policy makers and practitioners still lack a holistic view of how combinations of green organisational practices can mitigate the impact on climate change of healthcare organisations. Drawing on the practice-based view (PBV) of strategy, the study first examines the extent to which the adoption of imitable, individual green organisational practices impacts on the whole climate change mitigation performance of publicly owned hospitals. Second, it explores possible combinations of green organisational practices that can lead to high levels of climate change mitigation performance. Focusing on the illustrative case of publicly owned acute care hospitals in the English National Health Service and employing a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis and a fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), the analysis shows that the adoption of the practice of green energy procurement can, in isolation, positively lead to high climate change mitigation outcomes. Moreover, high performance levels can be achieved through multiple configurations of green organisational practices. Therefore, the findings suggest that the effectiveness of green organisational practices on climate change mitigation performance of hospitals depends on how practices are combined, rather than on their single effects, and indicate the presence of a complementary as well as a substitution effect between practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of green energy technologies to supply berthed ships in ports with the necessary power instead of using their diesel generators is considered an initiative towards sustainability and climate change mitigation. Therefore, the current paper investigates the implementation of solar panels, offshore wind turbines, and hydrogen fuel cell systems as green technologies to supply the berthed ships with power in three Egyptian ports. The power requirements are determined by analyzing the annual ship traffic data and estimating the energy demand for each ship type. As a relevant result, the annual energy demand for ships berthed in Alexandria, Damietta, and Safaga ports is about 44.2 × 103 MWh, 22 × 103 MWh, and 5.6 × 103 MWh, respectively. The analysis results reveal a potential annual carbon dioxide reduction of 31.7 k-tons, 15.7 k-tons, and 4.2 k-tons in Alexandria, Damietta, and Safaga ports, respectively. From an economic perspective, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of solar panels is estimated to be 80.7–90.1 $/MWh, while hydrogen fuel cells have a cost of 166.8–172 $/MWh. On the other hand, LCOE in the case of wind turbines is estimated to be 140.8 $/MWh for Alexandria ports, 178.3 $/MWh for Damietta port, and 103.9 $/MWh for Safaga port. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotechnology, the fifth technological wave preceding the sixth wave of Sustainability, is crucial for achieving the 2023 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in biodiverse Brazil. This review uses composite indicators to compare Brazil with the USA across static and temporal evolutions. Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 and 5 were assessed using patents from 2000 to 2019. Patents from 2000 to 2019 reveal a TRL gap at 4–5 in Brazil, skewed towards academic articles (TRL3), indicating lag behind the USA at TRL5. Brazil's patent growth rate surpasses the USA's by eightfold. Specialization between Brazilian academia and the nation converges. The revealed technological advantage and the distance between academies and between countries are nearing unification. Brazil focuses on SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) but must intensify efforts on SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG14 (Life below Water), and SDG15 (Life on Land). The USA concentrates its technologies in SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being). USA's modern biotech navigates the fifth wave, while Brazil's traditional biotech must modernize, focusing on SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG17 (Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development), requiring government policies for mid-range TRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to unveil the heterogeneous impacts of import product diversification and institutional factors for achieving energy efficiency in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. In doing so, the study employs robust econometric techniques such as Fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) co-integration, pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), pool mean group regressions, fixed effects, and random effects for panel data from 1990 to 2015 for selected OECD countries. The detailed empirical outcomes suggest that import product diversification is conducive to reducing the energy and carbon intensity (improvement in energy efficiency) in OECD countries. The empirical conclusions provide various guidelines to achieve cleaner and greener growth and align with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and SDG 13: Climate action) of OECD countries. The paper elaborates fruitful policy suggestions regarding the diversification of imports and energy use-carbon emission-nexus for the OECD member nations. Based on the findings, policymakers and environmental scientists should strengthen the trade-energy and import portfolio policies to attain energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and global biodiversity loss call for clean energy production systems with minimised ecological impacts. Offshore wind energy production will become one of the main uses of global marine spaces within next decades. Offshore wind turbine foundations can function as artificial reefs but it is unknown if these capabilities apply to different foundation types. We collected field data on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), a species under pressure in the southern North Sea, around three foundation types to assess these capabilities. Catch rates showed that monopile foundations with rock protection on the seabed were able to attract significantly more fish than monopile foundations with sandbag protection and jacket foundations. Fish densities varied on small scales meaning that reef effects were spatially restricted. This implies that offshore wind energy production can be used as tool to combine climate change mitigation with local biodiversity conservation but that a consideration of the wind farm design is required. • Offshore wind farms have been shown to attract fish. • Atlantic cod is an endangered species in the southern North Sea. • Catch rates of Atlantic cod highest around monopiles with rock protection. • Monopiles with sandbag protection and jacket foundations attracted significantly less cod. • Wind farm design can be adapted to meet conservation needs and produce green energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing concern over climate change mitigation has heightened the search for low-carbon, affordable, and non-intermittent energy alternatives. In this perspective, hydropower, thermal, solar, photovoltaic, and nuclear energy sources fit all these qualities as they are well-known as cleaner and ecosystem-friendly energy sources. However, despite the attractiveness of the clean energy transition, the extant literature has less documentation on the pertinent role of nuclear energy in the "climate change mitigation (SDG-13)" agenda, hence making it difficult to predict nuclear energy-CO 2 emissions (CO 2 e) nexus. Hence, the present study, using IPAT and the "environmental Kuznets curve (EKC)" framework, explores the consequences of nuclear energy generation, population dynamics, and economic progress on CO 2 e in the "United States of America (USA)" by applying a "dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DARDL)" model from 1973 to 2021. The study provides evidence the existence of the EKC phenomena, suggesting that economic expansion hurts the environment up to a specific threshold level of per capita income, which is identified as US$ 29,581.16. Further empirical findings also show the detrimental effect of population-induced-emission. Remarkably, a 1% rise in nuclear energy generation dwindles CO 2 e by around 0.819%. The outcomes of this research demonstrate that economic growth level, population, and CO 2 emission are entangled. However, there is a need for a collective role from both stakeholders and policymakers in achieving "SDG-13" as well as "clean and affordable energy (SDG-7)" with a paradigm shift of the USA energy portfolio away from fossil fuels to renewables. • The nexus between nuclear energy-population-CO 2 emissions is investigated for USA. • We applied dynamic ARDL simulations model. • Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis prevails in USA. • Nuclear energy generation dampens the effect of CO 2 emission. • The population induced-emission in both the short- and long-run is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extreme event experience links with greater willingness to pay for climate policy. • Wildfires and hurricanes have the strongest correlation with WTP. • WTP increases by $71-$106 for those who have experienced extreme events. • Extreme event experience could lead to $12 billion support/year for climate policy. We explore how extreme event experience relates to climate policy support in the U.S. We add three important yet uncommon elements to this field: we verify self-reports of extreme event experience with actual weather data; we use a willingness-to-pay measure to assess behavioral intention; and we analyze which types of extreme events have stronger impacts on WTP. People who self-report extreme weather events are willing to pay approximately $112/year more for climate mitigation policy than those who do not; people for whom those self-reports match recorded data are willing to pay $106 or $71 more (controlling for climate beliefs and political ideology and depending on how unverified reporters are treated). Wildfires have the strongest influence on WTP. Though our results show that political ideology correlates more strongly with policy support than does extreme event experience, extreme event experience exhibits a robust correlation with policy support, and could result in a minimum of billions of dollars of support annually for clean-energy policy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Provide an in-depth analysis of the recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives in HPTSU technologies. • Discusses various methods of hydrogen production and highlights the developments in transportation and storage solutions. • Explores the potential applications of hydrogen across different sectors, and identifies the key research areas for further improvement and large-scale deployment of hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen has been recognized as a promising alternative energy carrier due to its high energy density, low emissions, and potential to decarbonize various sectors. This review paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives in hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and utilization (HPTSU) technologies. The paper discusses various methods of hydrogen production, highlights the developments in transportation and storage solutions, explores the potential applications of hydrogen across different sectors, and identifies the key research areas for further improvement and large-scale deployment of hydrogen technologies. This review provides a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders seeking to understand the latest technical advancements in HPTSU technologies, and their potential to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Increasing demand for Ni in the clean energy transition has identified Ni as a critical metal. • Ni provides high storage capacity, which reduces the size of lithium ion-batteries. • High-grade Ni laterites and sulfide deposits are depleting due to intensive production and overconsumption. • Exploitation of low-grade Ni sources such as serpentine soil will contribute to maintain a sustainable supply in future. • Phytomining is a potential route for economic exploitation of Ni from low-grade sources. In 2022, nickel (Ni) was nominated as a critical metal due to its wide applications in the metal industry, especially in clean energy applications to achieve climate mitigation targets. Meantime, rapid industrialization and escalating demand for electronic battery manufacturing have increased global Ni consumption, and therefore available primary Ni resources will not be sufficient to cater to the demand. As a result, currently, the Ni supply chain is diversifying focusing on low-grade Ni resources which were previously considered as economically invaluable. This paper presents comprehensive study on different applications of Ni, existing high-grade Ni resources, mode of occurrence, and the production and future demand of Ni, and discusses the state of art on the different leaching and extraction methods to recover Ni from low-grade sources, such as mine tailings, galvanic sludge, electronic batteries, and serpentine soil. In addition, this paper highlights the current status of the Ni phytomining approaches in serpentine soil and its future perspectives. It is evident that a development of Ni phytomining industry as a carbon–neutral mining technique is essential to overcome Ni supply risk for the commercial production of Ni using low-grade resources. Finally, this study will evaluate the production of high-quality Ni from low-grade secondary sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Building-level hybrid RE systems support net-zero development goals and climate change mitigation. • Energy planning is multi-dimensional, and is affected by uncertainties. • A life cycle thinking based fuzzy decision support model is presented for identifying optimal hybrid building energy mix. • A combinatorial multi-objective optimisation was adopted considering the most viable RE technologies in the local market. • Solar PV and geothermal heating are the optimal residential energy choices for BC, under the selected case study scenario. The increasing concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of conventional centralised energy generation and fossil fuel usage have prompted an interest in renewable-based decentralised energy systems. Implementing such systems at building level can facilitate the development of net-zero energy buildings. Energy system planning is a multi-faceted problem that involves technical, economic, environmental, and social dimensions, and affects multiple stakeholders at different levels. A multi-objective optimisation approach is needed to identify the optimal energy choices at building level, while paying attention to stakeholder priorities and other constraints. The objective of this study is to develop a model to identify the optimal mix of renewable energy (RE) while also accounting for uncertainties, which can be integrated at building level with life cycle thinking. A framework was proposed for planning an optimised hybrid RE system at building level to support the net-zero development goals. The optimisation model was developed considering the objectives of minimising energy system cost, maximising operational cost savings, minimising the life cycle environmental impacts, and maximising the RE fraction. A combinatorial optimisation approach was adopted to reflect the practical engineering aspects of energy planning problems based on technologies available in the market. The developed framework was demonstrated through a case study conducted for an average multi-unit residential buildings (MURB) located in British Columbia, Canada. The results indicated that under the defined stakeholder priorities and constraints, ground source heat pumps and solar photovoltaics (PV) are the optimal energy choices for MURB, and the optimal energy system combination supplied 44% of the building's energy demand through RE. The findings will inform and guide community developers and other stakeholders with an interest in residential buildings, on the most suitable clean energy options for their building project during the pre-project planning stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this critical decade for climate action, rapid and far-reaching transitions depend on the choices and actions that are taken now and in the near-term. Integrated approaches that advance the sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems have crucial roles in enabling shifts in direction and better protecting the life-support systems of the planet. In its second decade, the Conferences on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems encompassed the 5th South East European, 3rd Latin American, and 17th Conferences, continuing to provide scientific advances to support progress. The thematic review in the synthesis of this editorial contains eight themes that interconnect the 28 original research articles in this special issue with the most recent contributions. The first theme of renewable energy systems and optimised flexibility contains new advances in energy modelling for carbon neutrality, flexible cooling, green hydrogen for sector coupling, and a colocation index for wind and wave energy. Urban energy systems and energy communities involve an emphasis on replacing gas boilers and utilising waste heat, solar-assisted district heating networks, local energy communities, and addressing energy and transport poverty. New advances within the energy-water nexus focus on the energy and water footprints of data center operation and efficient energy production from wastewater treatment. Boosting solar energy utilisation is supported by advances in the spatial dimension of solar photovoltaic planning and photothermal conversion performance. Innovative energy storage and circular resource use are other themes, involving adiabatic compressed air energy storage, road thermal collectors for sustainable heating, sensible heat storage for carbon–neutral greenhouses, valorising waste residues, and plasma gasification. For energy management and system efficiency, load management, deep reinforcement learning, control strategies and optimisation, and combustion processes are among the advances. A focus on advancing technology development and deployment completes the special issue based on new heat exchanger designs with inspiration from nature, high-temperature heat pumps in the industry, and advances in hydrogen technologies and deployment. The future depends on succeeding for the climate collectively and championing system integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability paradigm has gained global attention, and the same has been expected from the economies having increasing levels of environmental footprints over the past couple of decades. This research aims to investigate the nexus between clean energy technologies and climate change mitigation among the top ecologically pollutant (TEP) economies during 1996–2020. The research incorporated other drivers of climate change, including energy efficiency, industrialization, and sustainable policies through environmental regulations. The methodological context covers the necessary preliminary tests and the Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR). The preliminary results indicate that TEP economies are interdependent with the heterogenous slope coefficients, stationarity data trends, and cointegrated relationships. The findings from the MMQR unveiled that clean energy technologies tend to mitigate climate change from 0.10th to 0.70th quantiles. Relatedly, energy efficiency reduces the environmental burden across all the quantiles except for the 0.10th one. Conversely, industrialization and economic growth cause an upward shift in climate change among TEP economies across all the quantiles, suggesting a need to shift production-based economies to more service-intensive ones. However, the study found no significant evidence for the nexus between sustainable environmental policies and climate change. The robustness checks also validate the MMQR estimations; however, their parameters' magnitude substantially varied. These outcomes encourage policymakers to implement holistic strategies supporting energy innovation, technologies, and efficiency improvements while controlling the adverse effects of industrialization and traditional growth models. [Display omitted] • Mitigating climate change needs a universal call. • A novel approach, MMQR, has been applied. • Both clean energy technologies and energy efficiency reduce ecological footprints. • Industrialization and economic growth disturb the sustainability paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering relevant environmental, economic, and social factors, the discussion on the use of second-generation biofuels has gained prominence in recent years, especially supported by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris COP21 climate change agreement. One of the policies implemented by different countries has been the mandatory blend of biodiesel in commercial petrodiesel. Thus, this work proposes the use of NIR spectroscopy to monitor the quality of biodiesel/diesel blends. The analytical strategies involve the authentication of second-generation biodiesel feedstock using Data-Driven Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (DD-SIMCA) and the quantification of biodiesel content regardless of the biodiesel feedstock using the Successive Projections Algorithm for interval selection in Partial Least Squares (iSPA-PLS). To avoid dilution of the samples with organic solvents, two spectral regions (881–1651 and 1911–2203 nm) were investigated. As a result, the spectral range of 1911–2203 nm achieved the best results for both the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Accordingly, the authentication efficiencies for DD-SIMCA were 97.6% and 99.2% for jatropha and beef tallow biodiesel/diesel blends using multiplicative scattering correction (MSC) and Savitzky-Golay smoothing (with a second-order polynomial and a 15-point window) coupled with the first derivative (SGD) as pre-processing algorithms, respectively. Furthermore, a relative error of prediction of only 2.85% was obtained for the biodiesel content quantification using SGD/iSPA-PLS. Hence, the proposed analytical methodology provides valuable support to governments and regulatory bodies in overseeing the quality of this product, ensuring that consumers are safeguarded against economic repercussions resulting from improper or fraudulent blending. Moreover, it aligns with the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry and contributes to the SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action). [Display omitted] • Authentication of second-generation biodiesel in biodiesel/diesel blends; • Efficiencies of 97.6% and 99.2% for the authentication of jatropha and tallow blends; • Quantification of the biodiesel content in BX blends regardless of the feedstock; • Relative error of prediction of only 2.85% for the biodiesel content quantification. • NIR region of 1911–2203 nm gave the best authentication and quantification results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) partners agreed with a landmark decision on environmental concerns at the COP26 in Glasgow, outlining future attempts and measures to ensure a secure environment. In this regard, several prior studies have looked at environmental issues using carbon dioxide emissions, or ecological footprint. However, considering these variables may cause the supply side of environmental quality to be overlooked. To make up for this shortcoming, this study examines the effect of energy mix (fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables), economic growth, and eco-innovation on the load capacity factor, which emphasizes both the demand and supply side of the ecosystem since it takes biocapacity and ecological footprint into account. Hence, this study differs from previous research in that it takes a broader view of environmental sustainability. In this milieu, the current research employs a recently developed dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DARDL) simulation model for the United States of America (USA), harnessing data from 1990 to 2018. The findings unveil that nuclear and renewable energy consumption and eco-innovation all positively impress the load capacity factor, meaning that these variables help the USA maintain its environmental sustainability. On the other side, fossil fuel usage and economic expansion curbs environmental sustainability. Furthermore, since the short-run income elasticity is larger than the long-run elasticity, the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis is legitimate for the USA. These findings also validated by the frequency domain causality test. Based on the findings, specific policy proposals are given to assist the USA in improving its environmental quality and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (clean energy) and 13 (climate change mitigation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, electric fuels (E-fuel), which are the chemicals produced from the conversion of renewable-based hydrogen (H 2), are actively being developed as a sustainable energy carrier. Renewable methane is particularly a promising alternative to fossil-based natural gas, which can be produced from CO 2 or syngas methanation. In this work, techno-economic assessment (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) for renewable methane production are performed through syngas methanation, where CO 2 is collected using direct air capture (DAC) and syngas is produced by solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) with renewable-based electricity. This research considers the different technical, economic, and environmental performances of the systems for renewable methane production. A favorable reduction in a maximum of 23.3% of CH 4 production cost is observed by the scale-up effects of SOE system from 1 MW to 10 MW. TEA draws the conclusion that economic infeasibility is proved at the current level, but additional research and improvement of SOE system and a plunge in renewable electricity prices can lead to the economic equivalent of conventional natural gas. Furthermore, given that certain energy resources with low energy intensity (0.0394 kg CO 2 -eq MJ−1) are integrated with SOE system for methane production, the LCA results that renewable methane production at a large scale has a potential to access negative CO 2 emissions and accelerate climate change mitigation. Consequently, it is concluded that syngas methanation with renewable-based energy systems and DAC can make a considerable opportunity for climate change mitigation under the assumption that SOE system and renewable energy are significantly improved. [Display omitted] • Feasibility of renewable methane production from syngas methanation is investigated • Solid oxide electrolysis for syngas production with renewable energy is covered • Direct air capture as CO 2 capture technology is considered for renewable methane • Possibility of negative CO 2 emission is confirmed by utilizing direct air capture • Mitigating climate change is proved by renewable methane with direct air capture [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity as a clean cooking fuel is economically and environmentally efficient compared to other cooking fuels, and induction stoves are among the most efficient that could contribute to the sustainable energy transition. Nepal is rich in water resources, having resources four times higher than the global average. With increasing hydroelectricity generation, promoting induction stoves for cooking is a viable way to reduce the use of traditional fuels and Liquified Petroleum Gas imported from other countries. This study aims to identify the underlying product-specific factors influencing households' preference for electric cooking using induction stoves and assess the impact of awareness about the benefits of induction stoves on choice probability. We used a randomized conjoint experiment along with a randomized controlled trial collecting primary data of 9500 choice responses from 950 households in the Nuwakot district of central Nepal to achieve the objective. Among the six product-specific factors considered in the conjoint analysis, monthly expenses and supply of electricity were found to be significant determinants for choosing electric induction cooking, while cooking time, sickness rate, and environmental conditions also had a certain degree of influence, whereas the effect of installation cost was found to be statistically insignificant. The lower bound of households' willingness to pay for electric induction cooking was found to be as high as 4% of their monthly income. The information treatment increases the uptake rate of the induction package by 5% and willingness to pay by 9.58%. This indicates the role of awareness and behavior change in driving a sustainable energy transition, highlighting the need for policymakers to promote cleaner cooking technologies through the effective dissemination of information The results of this study will enable policymakers to make informed decisions to promote the use of induction stoves as the primary cooking fuel, thereby contributing to efforts toward climate change mitigation. • Promoting clean cooking fuel transition is essential for addressing global sustainability challenges. • However, prospects of the adoption of clean cooking fuels are uncertain. • We identify determinants of household preferences for clean cooking fuel transition. • Nepal government is prioritizing the provision of free induction stoves to households. • Instead, reducing monthly expenses and regular supply of electricity should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy transition is at the core of sustainable development as it helps to combat global warming and climate change. Similarly, carbon markets also support the climate change mitigation. Therefore, by realizing the potential role of clean energy and carbon markets in ensuring environmental sustainability, this study analyzes the spillovers and connectedness between the environment (global carbon) and renewable energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal, biofuel, and fuel cell). The empirical analysis is conducted by applying the novel "TVP-VAR" connectedness framework of Balcilar et al. (2021) on the daily data over the period from August 1, 2014, to February 4, 2022. The findings show that solar and biofuel appear as the highest net shock transmitter among alternative renewable sources while global carbon is shown as the net receiver of shocks. The largest transmission of shocks to global carbon is observed from wind followed by solar. Although these findings support the connectedness between renewable energy and the environment, however this connectedness is influenced by economic crises such as the oil crisis and pandemic crisis. During COVID-19, the fuel cell was the highest transmitter of shocks. The results are important for policy formulation, investment, and portfolio management as they provide insights into the interconnectedness and help in boosting climate actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phasing out coal-fired power plants is one of the most urgent steps needed to achieve the 1.5- or 2-degree target in the Paris Agreement. Many developed and developing countries have announced their plans to phase out coal from their electricity sectors. Managing the social and economic impacts of this energy transition is key to achieving political and social acceptability and pursuing environmental and social development hand in hand. As one of the leading countries committed to decarbonization in Latin America, Chile has launched a plan to phase out coal by 2050. To analyze the impacts of phasing out coal in Chile on jobs and value added, we combined an Input-Output analysis with ad-hoc labor surveys. We analyzed four contrasting electricity production scenarios that the Chilean government used to frame the policy debate: the current Long-Term Energy Plan (a baseline), and three scenarios that phase out coal-based generation by 2030 or 2050. Our findings show that coal phase-out will contribute to net job creation on the national level, adding 23–26 thousand jobs by 2030. In addition, value-added in the power generation sector will also grow by 1.7 billion dollars above today's levels as a result of the coal phase-out. These overall positive numbers mask a gross job destruction of 4.4 thousand jobs in coal power plants, concentrated in a few communities. In the most affected community, 7.1% of the population works in a coal power plant. Negative impacts in coal-reliant communities require special attention to ensure a just transition towards a clean power generation system. The results of this study highlight the need for strategic policy development that supports a smooth transition to a low-carbon economy, taking into account the associated national and local impacts. Our study also contributes to the literature about the evaluation framework of coal phase-out projects around the world, improving the understanding of their associated impacts beyond the case study country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shadings at crop level under different agrivoltaic system configurations are modelled. • Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) distribution at the crop level is modelled. • The agrivoltaic configurations showed a variation of light homogeneity from 86 % to 95 %. • Yearly cumulative PAR reduction varies from 11 % to 21 %. • The two-axis agrivoltaic system showed the highest light homogeneity and lowest yearly PAR reduction at one location. Agrivoltaic systems are becoming increasingly popular as a crucial technology for attaining multiple sustainable development goals, such as affordable and clean energy, zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, and climate action. However, a comprehensive understanding of the shading effects on crops is essential for choosing an optimal agrivoltaic system, as an incorrect choice can result in significant crop yield reductions. In this study, fixed vertical, one-axis tracking, and two-axis tracking photovoltaic arrays were developed for agrivoltaic applications to analyse the shading conditions on the ground used for crop production. The models demonstrated remarkable accuracy in comparison to commercial software such as PVsyst® and SketchUp®. These models will help to reduce crop yield uncertainty under agrivoltaic systems by providing accurate photosynthetically active radiation distribution at the crop level. The photosynthetically active radiation distribution was further analysed using a light homogeneity index, and the results showed that homogeneity and photosynthetically active radiation reduction varied significantly depending on the agrivoltaic system design, ranging from 86% to 95%, and 11% to 22%, respectively. Studying the effect of shading with distribution analysis is crucial for identifying the most suitable agrivoltaic system layout for specific crops and geographical locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing fossil fuels use while promoting the adoption of clean and renewable energy sources is crucial for mitigating climate change and attaining the sustainable development goals. This study investigates the driving forces of the share of non-hydroelectricity sources in total electricity generation. Using panel data of forty-six developed and developing countries over 1980–2011 and employing panel cointegration estimation techniques, we examine the key factors that influence the share of non-hydro renewable energy sources in the short and long run. The results of the study show that the driving factors have different impacts on the size and share of non-hydro renewable energy; and these impacts are mostly in the long run. Oil price increase and financial development has a significant positive effect on the amount and share of non-hydro renewable electricity generation. The impact of trade openness is ambiguous. Economic development enhances the size of non-hydro renewables but undermines its share in total electricity. Foreign direct investments, ratification of the Kyoto protocol, gross fixed capital formation and resource rent have no significant impact on non-hydro renewable electricity generation. Based on the results, appropriate policy recommendations are proffered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic production is growing globally thanks to climate change mitigation efforts. However, this growth is seldom planned which can lead to conflicts with other land uses, mostly agriculture and biodiversity conservation. There is, therefore, urgent need for adequate planning to minimise potential conflicts. We demonstrate how to identify priority areas for photovoltaic development to meet projected targets for 2050, as well as critical areas for the maintenance of different types of agriculture and biodiversity conservation, using Catalonia (NE Spain) as a case study. We tested three planning scenarios simulating alternative photovoltaic development models: setting targets at the whole regional scale or splitting those targets across counties distributing them equitably by county energy demand or area available for photovoltaic development. Photovoltaic targets could only be achieved when setting targets at the whole of Catalonia scale, although leading to heterogeneous distribution of development efforts and associated impacts on agriculture and biodiversity across counties. Setting targets for each county based on energy demand was far from achieving the regional photovoltaic development target, driven by the limited land available in some highly urbanised counties, where energy demand concentrates. On the other hand, setting targets based on area available within each led to the most equitable distribution of potential impacts of photovoltaic development, while also approaching the regional photovoltaic development target. Adequate planning of photovoltaic development will be key to ensure that photovoltaic development does not flourish at the expenses of other land uses, like maintenance of agricultural production or biodiversity. • Solar energy is rapidly growing without adequate planning. • Unplanned growth can impact other sectors, mostly agriculture and biodiversity. • There are trade-offs associate with different development models. • Concentrating development is efficient but leads to higher impacts. • Distributing development more equitably across the territory helps reduce impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Climate impacts of e-fuels can vary, depending on the source of electricity, CO 2 and H 2 , and their production technologies. • Today, e-fuels have smaller climate impacts than fossil fuels only if produced with a clean electricity source. • By 2050, stricter climate policies can decarbonize average European electric grid and cut climate impacts of e-fuels by 84%. • Climate change impacts of future e-fuels can be up to 58% lower than those of fossil fuels. • A clean electricity for H 2 production and the use of non-fossil CO 2 are key determinants of the climate benefits of e-fuels. 'E-fuels' or 'synthetic fuels' are hydrocarbon fuels synthesized from hydrogen (H 2) and carbon dioxide (CO 2), where H 2 can be produced via electrolysis of water or steam reforming of natural gas, and CO 2 is captured from the combustion of a fossil or biogenic source or directly from the atmosphere. E-fuels are drop-in substitutes for fossil fuels, but their climate change mitigation benefits are largely unclear. This study evaluates the climate change impacts of e-fuels for aviation by combining different sources of CO 2 and H 2 up to 2050 under two contrasting policy scenarios. The analysis includes different climate metrics and the effects of near-term climate forcers, which are particularly relevant for the aviation sector. Results are produced for European average conditions and for Poland and Norway, two countries with high and low emission intensity from their electricity production mix. E-fuels can either have higher or lower climate change impacts than fossil fuels, depending on multiple factors such as, in order of importance, the electricity mix, the origin of CO 2 , the technology for H 2 production, and the electrolyzer efficiency. The climate benefits are generally higher for e-fuels produced from CO 2 of biogenic origin, while e-fuels produced from CO 2 from direct air capture or fossil fuel combustion require countries with clean electricity to outperform fossil fuels. Synthetic fuels produced from H 2 derived from natural gas have higher impacts than fossil fuels even when coupled with carbon capture and storage, if CO 2 is sourced from fossil fuels or the atmosphere. Climate change impacts of e-fuels improve in the future, and they can all achieve considerable climate change mitigation in 2050 relative to fossil jet fuel, provided that strict climate policy measures are implemented to decarbonize the electricity sector. Under reduced policy efforts, future climate impacts in 2050 of e-fuels from atmospheric or fossil CO 2 are still higher than those of fossil jet fuels with an average European electricity mix. This study shows the conditions to maximize the climate change mitigation benefits of e-fuels, which essentially depend on progressive decarbonization of the electricity sector and on reduced use of CO 2 sourced from fossil fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An assessment of the different production methods of green ammonia was analyzed. • The various barriers facing widespread of green ammonia were discussed. • The contribution of green ammonia in achieving SDGs was elaborated. Fossil fuels are no longer accepted as the sole energy source with their environmental impacts and fluctuating price. Green hydrogen is considered a potential candidate for fossil fuel soon—however, hydrogen is facing the challenges of storage and transportation. Green ammonia, with its ease of transport and storage, is another promising alternative. Decarbonizing ammonia production is an environmental press toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This work summarizes the up-to-date progress in the green ammonia production methods. An assessment of the different production methods was conducted to highlight the merits and constraints of each approach. Moreover, the promising applications of green ammonia in the energy sectors were discussed. The various barriers, i.e., technical, economic, environmental, and regulations and policies, facing the widespread of green ammonia were also discussed. Finally, the contribution of green ammonia in achieving the different sustainable development goals was elaborated, focusing on the contribution of green ammonia in achieving climate change (SDG 13), clean energy (SDG 7), and other sustainability-related goals. Low efficiencies, high cost, and negative environmental impacts are the common challenges of the various production methods. The progress in green ammonia is essential for achieving SDG2, "Zero hunger". SDG3 "healthy life and well-being" and SDG13 "Climate action", will be achieved by eliminating 3.85 kg CO 2 -eq/kg NH 3 emitted from conventional ammonia-based processes. Ease storing of green ammonia in liquid form (at 9 bar or cooling to −33°); makes it the best green energy source, i.e., achieving SDG7 "green and affordable energy". By 2050, green ammonia is expected to represent 99 % of marine fuel, thus contributing to SDG9 "Industry and Infrastructure". Moreover, green ammonia production will save 35.2 GJ of natural gas, thus achieving SDG12 "Responsible consumption/production". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Design criteria for active solar technologies integration in the historic built environment to favor energy transition, cleaner energy production, and climate mitigation. • Comparison of international guidelines' recommendations, design and assessment criteria. • Common glossary for the integration of active solar technologies in cultural heritage. • Definition of clear and updated design criteria valid for traditional and innovative active solar systems. • Support to solar innovation for the development of ad hoc products that considered correct design criteria. The paper focuses on architectural integration of active solar technologies (photovoltaic and solar thermal systems) in the historic built environment. Interpreted and used as a building material in the envelope, they are able to positively support energy transition and to contribute to climate change mitigation without compromising the original typological-functional characteristics. Their integration is fostered by innovative architectural design, aesthetical appeal, flexibility, multi-functionality, cost reduction, and technological development. Moreover, they can enhance economic value, functionality, and human comfort of buildings. Despite these advantages, there is a social diffidence on their acceptability due to policy, design, technical, economic and information barriers. To overcome these issues, the paper aims at identifying shared design criteria for their integration in the historic built environment, through a detailed assessment of 44 international guidelines. The study develops a taxonomy of international recommendations on energy efficiency, microgeneration, and solar integration, missing in literature so far, by analysing and comparing recurring criteria and recommendations. Also, a glossary of the most important terms according to the aesthetic, technical, and energy integration levels is created. Thus, the research defines an innovative framework of reliable design criteria, and a shared vocabulary to promote active solar technologies integration in the historic built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the key issues of environmental and social governance (ESG) issues and identifies the main ESG themes for companies in the power industry: sustainable development of green and clean energy, energy conservation and emission reduction, physical and mental safety of professionals, global climate change mitigation, supply chain management, community relationships, responsible governance. In-depth research and comparison are carried out on the related issues of sustainable development. Through validation, it is shown that these issues can have further solutions on ESG issues. Compared to other industries, the number of companies working on AI clean energy has increased by about 25%. In the artificial intelligence management of exhaust emissions, it will be reduced by about 20% than before. After using artificial intelligence, the health index of employees increased by about 4% year-on-year. Enterprise management efficiency has also increased by about 6%. This also shows that in the age of artificial intelligence, everything will be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We construct a multi-model comparison framework by employing typical IAMs. • We examine how China will contribute to the global 1.5 °C climate target. • China could contribute nearly one-fifth of the global negative emissions by 2100. • The proportion of BECCS could dramatically increase to 29% under the 1.5 °C case. • Energy demand control may rely more on coordination between CCS and clean energy. Enhancing the warm-limiting targets to from below 2 °C to 1.5 °C is of great significance for climate change mitigation, during which the carbon capture and storage (CCS) of China is playing an important role. By framing a multi-model analysis to compare IAMs, this study aims to explore how China can contribute to the global 1.5 °C target, consistent with achieving its carbon neutrality goal. Our multi-model assessment shows that the enhanced targets will advance the reach time of China's carbon peak and neutrality. Under a relatively smooth emission path curve with CCS, China's carbon emissions will decrease sharply by the end of this century. It is estimated that China's negative carbon emissions will contribute nearly one-fifth of the global negative emissions in 2100, with its CCS-captured emissions accounting for 14%. In the energy system, fossil- and biomass-CCS will develop rapidly, with the proportion of biomass with CCS dramatically increasing to 29% and 17% under the 1.5 °C and 2 °C scenarios, respectively. There will be a relatively large gap between the capital and final use costs of CCS, which may weaken the technical advantage when competing with renewables during the life cycle. While the overall control of the energy consumption in the later period will rely more on the proportional adjustment and the coordination between biomass with CCS and clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International political negotiations and national policy for climate change mitigation are increasingly focussed on the mobilisation and scale up of investments in clean energy infrastructure. This paper aims to develop the understanding of how institutional investors in the private sector perceive barriers to scaling up investment into clean energy infrastructure and what policy solutions to those barriers they advocate. This paper adds to existing scientific knowledge through a clear focus on private sector perceptions. Through the analysis of previous public statements from organisations and coalitions in the finance sector a number of investment barriers were identified. These initial barriers fed into a Delphi process. The outputs of the Delphi process were categorized into five sets of barriers and a number of policy solutions associated with investing into clean energy solutions. We conclude that there is a need for better engagement with the institutional investment community to ensure further effort on policy development that underpins investments at scale is effective and efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Optimization-based indirect estimation of willingness to pay for technology adoption. • WTP estimation using market data and implicit life-cycle cost-benefit analysis. • Estimating WTP's empirical probability distribution using Monte Carlo methods. • Providing deeper understanding of market barriers and policy implication for adoption. Adopting energy-efficient and clean technologies is key to climate change mitigation and meeting long-term sustainability goals because they significantly reduce energy consumption and related carbon emissions. Understanding existing barriers and drivers for the adoption of these energy-efficient and clean technologies will be crucial to meeting ambitious national energy and emissions targets, and the customers' willingness to pay (WTP) is a key factor in understanding the potential for scaling-up adoption. However, in practice, commonly-used WTP estimation methods such as survey or purchase experiments are not always practical or feasible due to budget, time, labor or data constraints. This study proposes a new constrained optimization-based indirect estimation of WTP for energy technology adoption using customers' implicit life-cycle cost-benefit analysis and market data. The empirical probability distribution of WTP is estimated using the Monte Carlo methods. This new indirect estimation method provides a deeper understanding of the barriers and customers' willingness to adopt high efficiency and clean energy technologies, and informs the development of supporting policies and programs needed to accelerate market adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Energy upgrade is promoted by interprovincial coordinating of economy and resource. • Energy upgrade is determined by change of farmers' preference for low-quality energy. • Energy upgrade can be promoted together in agriculture and rural life. Rural energy upgrade in developing countries is an essential part of the world climate mitigation work. To systematically promote rural energy upgrade, we took the case of China and used a spatiotemporal model to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of energy ladders in agriculture and rural life of developing countries. The proportion of clean energy consumption in agriculture showed an interprovincial competition effect, whereas the proportion of oil consumption in rural life showed a demonstration effect. Severe reliance on coal hinders energy upgrade. Urbanisation has improved the clean level of energy use in agriculture but does not significantly affect the in rural life. Technological progress has increased the proportion of clean energy consumption but has little impact on the proportion of oil and gas consumption. The abundance of coal resources has prompted the massive use of coal and coal-fired power. Energy-use habit promotes the use of all types of energy. Except for that of gas, the consumption of different types of energy in agriculture and rural life mutually promotes. In summary, the development of energy technologies should be established based on the regional resource endowment and economic development level. Also, subsidy principles for clean energy projects should be established based on the development level of the agriculture and residents' income. Rural energy upgrade is coordinated with urbanisation and the modernisation of the agriculture and rural life styles while paying attention to the mutual promotion between the agriculture and rural life. During the change of the energy-use habit under policy guidance, attention must be paid to interprovincial cooperation. Finally, a reasonable market mechanism should be established to promote energy upgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 3 billion people still rely on traditional sources of fuel. Biomass-based fuels were responsible for more than 4 million deaths in 2012. Household energy consumption is steadily increasing across cities due to the urbanization of rural areas, more economic and travel activities. In this review, Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and other bibliometric tools were applied to determine the conceptual structure and typological thematic areas of household emissions in urban areas. The current state of knowledge and opportunities towards creating carbon-neutral cities indicated that while most of the research was focussed on cities and regions of developed countries and China, the mitigation activities grouped under three broad heads - reducing emissions, consumption and impact of household emissions. Strong heterogeneity between the urban and rural areas, fuel options and human choices gave rise to fuel-stacking in developing countries. Integrated modelling and inclusion of environmental and human behavioural components into economic models were recognised as emerging fields oriented towards a systems approach. Accessibility and availability of clean energy and clean energy appliances were identified as the biggest challenges. To create carbon-neutral urban areas, integrated modelling should include categorization of carbon policy according to local conditions, analysis of feedback loops, embedded emissions, the global and regional impact of household consumption patterns, and uncertainty associated with mitigation measures. [Display omitted] • Carbon neutral cities should have access equality despite income inequality. • Multiple Correspondence Analysis indicated mitigation research focused on emissions, consumption and impacts. • Integrated modelling and general equilibrium models were the two emerging themes. • Risk, uncertainty, embedded emissions and feedback loops should be integrated into emission models. • Availability and accessibility to cleaner fuels is the biggest challenge for creating carbon-neutral cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate aid refers to official development assistance relevant for mitigation and adaptation, and it is an important guarantee for action against climate change. Meanwhile, evidences suggesting that a large portion of climate aid flows to energy areas and the resulting energy restructuring is highly associated with carbon emissions in recipient countries. Focusing on the complicated relations among climate aid, energy structure and carbon emissions in recipient countries, we aim to investigate the influencing mechanism of climate aid. According to the theoretical analysis, we suppose that climate aid has both direct and indirect carbon reduction effects on recipient countries. And on the empirical analysis, based on the national panel data of 52 recipient countries from 1980 to 2016, the mediation model is used to empirically-test the above dual carbon reduction mechanism. In the direct path, climate aid can directly reduce carbon emissions by monitoring their implementation effect and increasing carbon reduction resources in recipient countries. As for the indirect effect, climate aid with low-carbon technology attribute can promote the gradual substitution of clean energy for traditional fossil energy to optimize energy structure, and ultimately reduce the carbon emissions in recipient countries. This study provides useful enlightenments for fulfilling the climate aid commitments, better utilizing climate aid, building low-carbon energy systems, and exploring broader environmental benefits. • We study the influence mechanism of climate aid on carbon emissions. • Climate aid has both direct and indirect carbon reduction effects. • The implementation of climate aid projects ensures the direct reduction effect. • Climate aid indirectly reduces emissions through reducing fossil energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a low-cost, low-carbon, and clean renewable energy, hydropower is crucial to carbon emissions reduction and climate change mitigation. Compared with non-steady and highly volatile renewable energy, flexible hydropower can help secure the reliable operation of the grid. However, development cost increase, resettlement and environmental issues have recently hindered China's hydropower development. This paper first reviews the history and current status of hydropower development in China, integrates the economy-energy-environment system, the water-energy-food nexus, and socio-hydrology theory to analyze the complex influence mechanism of hydropower development, and identifies driving factors of hydropower development through a cost-benefit analysis. Then, the quantitative system dynamics (SD) model of hydropower development is constructed based on the interdisciplinary qualitative analysis. Combining incentive policies and technological progress, four scenarios are set. The multi-scenario prediction results and sensitivity analysis results of the SD model indicate that incentive policies can enhance the attractiveness of hydropower investment and significantly promote long-term stable hydropower development, while technological progress can improve the efficiency and carbon emissions reduction benefits of hydropower. Based on the comparative analysis of these results, specific policy recommendations for promoting sustainable development of green hydropower in China are proposed in terms of four aspects: the hydropower development concept, cooperation mechanism, policy mechanism, and technological progress. Image 1 • The influence mechanism of hydropower development is analyzed systematically. • Analytical frame integrates water, energy, economy, energy, environment, society. • System dynamics model is constructed based on an interdisciplinary analysis. • Multi-scenario results indicate different impacts of policy and technology. • Policy recommendations for sustainable hydropower development are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine whether Willingness To Pay (WTP) for green energy is related to hope and several attitudes towards climate change, namely, denial, worry and level of understanding. Using cross-sectional data comprising answers from 905 respondents from the Netherlands, we find that people who are more generally hopeful are willing to pay more for green energy, but only if this hope is not based on denial of the severity of the issue. In addition, we find that WTP is associated with understanding and worry, and that these attitudes are even more closely related to WTP if they are accompanied by hope. Hope based on denial however strengthens the negative relation of a lack of worry and understanding with WTP. These findings highlight the importance of fostering realistic hopes regarding climate change to encourage sustainable behaviour, and could help to frame sustainability policies and measures in a way that maximizes people's willingness to support and contribute to investments in climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a clean, reliable and affordable hybrid energy conversion technology that is based on sunlight and wind, with a hydro based energy storage system. The proposed system comprises Photovoltaic arrays, wind turbine (WT) and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES). The study was focused on satisfying energy demand of a typical coastline community, Patani (Lat. 5.23° N and Long. 6.17° E) – a Local Government Area (LGA). Genetic algorithm was adopted to optimise the PHES of the proposed hybrid plant to minimise the difference between energy demand and energy generated. Economic models were developed to ascertain the economic feasibility of the hybrid plant. High fidelity software (HOMER®, MATLAB® and MS Excel® spreadsheet) were utilised for the analysis and optimisation. The peak rated power of PV and WT required to satisfy the energy demand of the LGA are 217 kW p and 226050 kW, respectively. The minimum storage capacity of the PHES was estimated at about 3,930,615 kWh, with the upper reservoir volume of 43170.06 m3. The value of 0.27 $/kWh was obtained for the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE); while the loss of load probability of the proposed energy system was estimated at 0.1086. The proposed energy system supports the Sustainable Development Goal 7 – affordable and clean energy, with climate change mitigation potential. • Optimal PV-Wind-Pumped hydro energy system. • Stochastic (heuristic) optimisation procedure. • Mini-grid hybrid energy system for a coastal community. • Affordable and clean energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]