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• The long waves of Kondratiev and Schumpeter have been absent from the current debate on declining business dynamism. • Based on extensive microeconomic data from 1986 to 2018, the study examines how the ICT revolution has influenced business dynamism. • There are two structural breaks in industrial dynamics in Portugal: an upswing in 1993 and a downturn in 2003. • Counterfactual estimates show that entry and survival become more stringent in the mature stage of a technological revolution, thereby reducing entrepreneurship's long-term disruptive potential. Following Schumpeter, several scholars have shown that development follows long-term waves. These waves are prompted by radical innovations, which, until their full potential is exhausted, spread through incremental innovations and continuous learning and imitation processes. However, the discontinuity of technological progress often goes unnoticed in current debates on productivity slowdown, declining business dynamism and increasing market concentration. Our study, based on extensive microeconomic data from 1986 to 2018, examines how the ICT revolution has influenced business dynamism in Portugal. The Bai–Perron estimates show two structural breaks in industrial dynamics: an upswing in 1993 and a downturn in 2003. Our research also shows that during the late 20th century creative destruction was mainly driven by the expanding ICT sector. After 2003, however, firm dynamics became less turbulent, with less entry and job reallocation. Moreover, despite the increasing performance of a typical high-growth young firm, the incidence of startups has declined in the new century. Our results, therefore, suggest that reduced entry and increased exit risk have likely undermined the long-term disruptive potential of transformative entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workforce education and development are key cornerstones in advancing and maturing the Cell & Gene Therapy sector. A skilled worker shortage can significantly impact and delay progress as well as the quality of output for any developer, thereby negatively impacting a patient's access to life-saving treatments. Several roundtable discussions were held at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) 2023 Annual Meeting to dive deeper into the current state of workforce development and solutions to address this bottleneck. One roundtable discussion was co-hosted by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) and ISCT, which focused on the gap analysis provided for the United States Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) sector, highlighting the lack of skilled workers in manufacturing and quality control. In this manuscript, the roundtable participants continue this conversation, review the roles and staffing requirements in both academic and industry as well as small and large company settings. The adoption of increased manufacturing automation is one promising solution to propel the sector forward. However, automation alone won't replace on-site staff, but will lower the bar to entry for a larger pool of people and require different training. This paper also addresses the workforce development and training paradigm shift as advanced manufacturing techniques are implemented, which will differ considerably based on the type of manufacturing efforts, thus emphasizing the need for a well-thought-out strategy to up-skill and re-skill the technical workforce to adapt to these advancements. Organizations such as ISCT and ARM have a role to play in propelling the field forward, providing awareness and education to stakeholders at all levels, as well as acting as a convener and participating as a key stakeholder in discussions and partnerships between academia and industry towards solutions for training the best personnel for CGT manufacturing. This scope includes novel digital tools and technologies to simplify training to increase access to new talent pools interested in careers in a rapidly advancing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • It elucidates the advantages and disadvantages of three main clearing methods. • Integrating clearing with others enables single-cell analysis of intact tissues. • Tissue clearing provides perspective in therapeutics. The techniques of tissue clearing have been proposed and applied in anatomical and biomedical research since the 19th century. As we all know, the original study of the nervous system relied on serial ultrathin sections and stereoscopic techniques. The 3D visualization of the nervous system was established by software splicing and reconstruction. With the development of science and technology, microscope equipment had constantly been upgraded. Despite the great progress that has been made in this field, the workload is too complex, and it needs high technical requirements. Abundant mistakes due to manual sections were inescapable and structural integrity remained questionable. According to the classification of tissue transparency methods, we introduced the latest application of transparency methods in central and peripheral nerve research from optical imaging, molecular markers and data analysis. This review summarizes the application of transparent technology in neural pathways. We hope to provide some inspiration for the continuous optimization of tissue clearing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacture of artificial heart valves is very challenging owing to their stringent functional requirements. The latest advances in 3D printing technologies hold great promise to revolutionise the manufacture of artificial heart valves. Recent 3D printing innovations go far beyond the fabrication of anatomical moulds, and unlock unprecedented opportunities to manufacture exquisite architectures, hierarchical bioprinting of cells, complex multi-material assembly, and the creation of biomimetic structures. This provides new avenues to enhance the functionality of artificial heart valves with respect to hydrodynamics, durability, biocompatibility, and the ability to be implanted via a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure. 3D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture of heart valves through the ability to create bespoke, complex constructs. In light of recent technological advances, we review the progress made towards 3D printing of heart valves, focusing on studies that have utilised these technologies beyond manufacturing patient-specific moulds. We first overview the key requirements of a heart valve to assess functionality. We then present the 3D printing technologies used to engineer heart valves. By referencing International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Standard 5840 (Cardiovascular implants – Cardiac valve prostheses), we provide insight into the achieved functionality of these valves. Overall, 3D printing promises to have a significant positive impact on the creation of artificial heart valves and potentially unlock full complex functionality. 3D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture of heart valves through the ability to create bespoke, complex constructs. In light of recent technological advances, we review the progress made towards 3D printing of heart valves, focusing on studies that have utilised these technologies beyond manufacturing patient-specific moulds. We first overview the key requirements of a heart valve to assess functionality. We then present the 3D printing technologies used to engineer heart valves. By referencing International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standard 5840 (cardiac valve prostheses), we provide insight into the achieved functionality of these valves. Overall, 3D printing promises to have a significant positive impact on the creation of artificial heart valves and potentially unlock full complex functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly increasing aging prevalence, complexity, and heterogeneity pose the scientific and medical communities in front of challenges. These are delivered by gaps between basic and translational research, as well as between clinical practice guidelines to improve survival and absence of evidence on personalized strategies to improve functions, wellbeing and quality of life. The triumphs of aging science sheding more and more light on mechanisms of aging as well as those of medical and technological progress to prolong life expectancy are clear. Currently, and in the next two to three decades, all efforts must be put in a closer interdisciplinary dialogue between biogerontologists and geriatricians to enable real-life measures of aging phenotypes to be used to uncover the physiological – and therefore translational - relevance of newly discovered aging clocks, biomarkers, and hallmarks. [Display omitted] • Aging is not a disease but predisposes to disease and frailty. • Frailty is a multifactorial, complex, dynamic and modifiable state of accelerated aging. • Biological and chronological age may substantially diverge, but clinical decision making and aging science are largely tuned on chronological age and single illness. • To crack the code of aging trajectories during life, deep phenotyping cannot go beyond biomolecular hallmarks as well as physical, psychosocial, functional, and lifestyle-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen supply system (HSS) is an important part to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of fuel cells. As one of the key equipment of hydrogen supply system, the hydrogen circulation pump (HCP) has a significant impact on improving the utilization rate of hydrogen and the output characteristics of fuel cell stacks. Considering the function and operating conditions, this paper proposes the design requirements for HCPs. The principles and characteristics of several mechanical pumps that can be used for hydrogen circulation are introduced, including root pump, claw pump, vortex pump, and centrifugal pump. And the research progress and technical innovation of these four types of HCPs are summarized. Then, the control methods and purge strategies of the hydrogen supply system with an HCP are also summarized. And the performance parameter of HCP products in the current market is compared. Finally, the possible solutions are given to address some challenges faced by the actual operation of HCPs, including hydrogen safety issues, cold start at low temperature, leakage, vibration, and noise. This paper is helpful for researchers to understand the overall research progress of HCP and provide a reference for optimizing the performance and achieving more efficient hydrogen circulation. • Proposing design requirements for hydrogen circulation pumps. • Summarizing the research progress in structural design and performance analysis. • Providing feasible solutions to the challenges faced in actual operation. • Control of hydrogen supply system with a hydrogen circulation pump is complicated. • Water and heat management in hydrogen circulation pumps needs to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically analyses the nonlinear relationship between China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) and reverse green technological progress (RGTP) using fixed effects (FE) model based on panel data for 31 Chinese provinces from 2001 to 2020. We find that the link between China's OFDI and RGTP is an inverted U-shaped curve. In addition, environmental regulation and technology gaps all reduce the height of the inverted U-shaped inflection point. Environmental regulation prolongs the "climb" stage while technology gaps compress the "climb" stage of the inverted U-curve relationship significantly. This result is verified in further robustness tests. The four transmission mechanisms of China's OFDI on RGTP play a positive role: these findings may help policymakers to design more flexible and effective OFDI policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the nexus of market power, innovation and financial fragility by means of a macroeconomic agent based model whose core is the Dixit-Greenwald-Stiglitz (DGS) theory of firm behaviour, which nests the Greenwald-Stiglitz characterization of the firm as a borrower that runs the risk of bankruptcy in the Dixit-Stiglitz monopolistic competition setting. The optimal firm's size is increasing with net worth and productivity. Net worth increases with profits while productivity increases through R&D and innovation. Simulations show that in the presence of market power firms are more innovative and financially robust and less prone to bankruptcy. These features have not surfaced so far in standard characterizations of monopolistic competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the macroeconomic impacts of different decarbonization storylines until 2050 using two Computable General Equilibrium models. The modeling shocks are harmonized across models to simulate four decarbonization scenarios through three main drivers: technical development, societal attitude, and policies. The study explores the contribution of each of these drivers to the European decarbonization. The results show that the decarbonization scenarios have moderate effects on GDP; decarbonization scenarios rather result in sectoral shifts. The impact of temperature on labor productivity minimally alters expected growth levels, since larger differences in temperature between the scenarios are only expected to occur in 2100, not yet in 2050. Electricity demand is increasing in all scenarios, particularly with stronger political guidance leading to additional tax and subsidy measures to encourage the use of electricity and discourage fossil-based fuels. When society is a driving factor, it is found that circular business models result in an increase in the service industry but might have a slightly negative impact on overall growth due to stronger spillover effects linked to the manufacturing industry. Technology appears to be the only driver to facilitate decarbonization while maintaining steady economic growth. • We address the macroeconomic effects of five climate scenarios using two CGE models. • We focus on the effects of changes in society, technology, and policy. • We incorporate climate change effects through labor productivity. • Effect of decarbonization on GDP is moderate under given technological improvement. • Decarbonization scenarios result in relatively large sectoral shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maritime industry is constantly facing new challenges and technological advancements, making the adaptation of innovative solutions like digital twins a bridge enhancing safety and efficiency between theoretical models and real-world maritime applications. Digital twin simulators for complex dynamic operation systems such as shipboard cranes, allow the operators to practice demanding operations in a risk-free immersive environment with various scenarios. This paper presents the process of developing a digital twin-based simulation tool designed for shipboard crane operations. It is based on co-simulation using the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard. This allows for the integration of the operation scenarios with different physical domain models, including such as the ship, environmental forces, hydraulic power systems, and controllers. In addition, the digital twin has opened up new opportunities for the optimization of maritime systems. It can be used to identify the optimal operating conditions, predict potential risks, and provide onboard support to the operator. A demo crane digital twin is implemented for the Palfinger crane on the Gunnerus research vessel with system validation via a series of marine operations being real-time monitored by the Remote Control Center (RCC). • Co-simulation technology based on the FMI standard integrating the operation scenarios with different physical domain models. • Real-time ship-crane operations monitored by Remote Control Center lying in the collection, transmission, and storage of sensor data for IoT solutions. • System validation using sensor data and offshore pre-operation varying the environmental parameters in demanding operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the integration of Intelligent Process Automation within the domain of business continuity auditing, with a focus on the Portuguese banking sector. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, organizations are increasingly leveraging automation to reinforce operational efficiency and realize substantial cost savings. Concurrently, auditors play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless transitions amid technological transformations to safeguard business continuity. This research endeavors to bridge the realms of business continuity and intelligent automation, culminating in a comprehensive application that streamlines the audit process. The implemented solution encompasses the automation of critical audit activities, including communication, information requests, and final report submissions, liberating auditors from the chains of repetitive tasks. The incorporation of business intelligence augments this automation framework, enabling a meticulous analysis of key performance indicators within the audit department. This ensures a continuous evaluation of the efficacy of the Annual Audit Plan. Empirical validation of this initiative was achieved through surveys conducted with audit teams from four prominent Portuguese banks. The results unequivocally affirm the potential benefits of this implementation, extending invaluable support to management in the decision-making process, while concurrently alleviating auditors of routine tasks inherent to the audit process. This study not only underscores the transformative potential of intelligent process automation in the audit domain but also offers a replicable framework for organizations seeking to fortify their business continuity efforts through technological integration. The findings hold implications for businesses navigating the dynamic intersection of technology and audit practices, providing a blueprint for harnessing automation for enhanced operational resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MXenes-based hydrogels are incredible candidates for biomedical applications. • Synthetic approaches on MXene-based hydrogels have been discussed. • Applications of MXene-based hydrogels for bio-imaging, biosensors, bone regeneration, and drug delivery are outlined. • Challenges and future directions pertaining to MXenes-based hydrogels are addressed. Biomaterials have shown noticeable technical progress due to the emergence of 2D substances. The nanomaterial known as 'MXene' is a 2D ceramic-based substance made up of transition-metallic carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides. It is derived via a porcelain 'MAX' phase by removing the 'A' component by carving. MXene was developed as a superior alternative to traditional biological materials, overcoming their limitations. Despite possessing significant characteristics such as a large area of coverage, biocompatibility, water-holding capacity, metal-based conductance, and the capacity to adjust its dimensions, the utilization of MXene is limited in the field of biomedicine owing to its instability in biological niches, inability to endure and regulate pharmaceutical release, and inadequate biological degradation. These drawbacks have prompted the exploration of MXene/Polymer nanocomposites as an alternative. Polymers may be functionalized due to the presence of specific groups on the exterior of MXenes. These nanocomposites, which are polymers customized with MXene, have exceptional characteristics such as an excellent rate of converting light into heat, the ability to target malignant cells selectively, reactivity to external forces, susceptibility to ions, enhanced bactericidal activities, and similar attributes. This review focuses on the novel instances of polymer-functionalized MXene materials used in the growing field of clinical uses. These applications encompass regulated and prolonged administration of medications, antibacterial agents, precise biosensors, broadened imaging for diagnosis, and regeneration of bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluates the effects of performance benchmarking for public utilities using the Australian experience, providing empirical support for the significance of mechanism design in implementing revenue-cap regulation. We estimate the efficiency and productivity of Australian electricity distribution providers by utilizing the meta-frontier framework with panel data covering the period from 2007 to 2021. Our findings indicate that introducing benchmarking has facilitated technological progress and reduced efficiency gaps among companies. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the average efficiency between the periods before and after the reform, potentially due to strategic behavior exhibited by network service providers. • The average efficiency levels of AustralianDNSP in period of before- and after- 2012 reform are 0.9230 and 0.9280 respectively. • The introduction of benchmarking technique in 2012 promoted the technological progress. • The strategical behaviors of network service providers has led to no statistically significant improvement in efficiency. • We divide Australian DNSPs′ inefficiency in the two sub-periods into cost gap inefficiency and management inefficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-changing global economy and sudden global public health events have posed challenges to financial resilience worldwide. As its important role in maintaining domestic economic stability, safeguarding national security, and enhancing international status, financial resilience has long been widely studied. However, few studies have empirically explored how technological progress affects financial resilience. Based on data from 30 provinces in China, this study adopts a panel two-way fixed effect model to identify the impact of technological progress on financial resilience and the underlying mechanisms. Results show that technological progress can significantly enhance financial resilience, and this impact is stronger in provinces with large population size, high employment proportion in the tertiary sector, high social consumption capacity, and provinces located in Central China. Further, technological progress have a positive impact on financial resilience through increased asset liquidity and government intervention. • Technological progress can significantly promote financial resilience. • This impact has heterogenetiy in provinces with different population, employment, consumption and geographical location. • Technological progress can enhance financial resilience through increased asset liquidity and government intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Transport infrastructure is an important source of carbon emissions, and different transport infrastructure have varying impacts on urban carbon emissions, which has been lacking in previous research. This study selects 273 cities in China from 2005 to 2020 and applied the spatial Durbin model and mediation effect model to empirically examine the direct impact effects, spatial spillover effects, scale and regional heterogeneity, and indirect pathways of highways, high-speed railways, and urban rail on urban carbon emissions. The results shows that: (1) Overall, high-speed railways have a significant reducing effect on carbon emissions, while highways and urban rail have the opposite effect. (2) Considering spatial spillover effects, highways and high-speed railways can promote carbon emissions reduction in neighboring areas, while urban rail has the opposite effect. (3) For scale heterogeneity, urban rail can reduce carbon emissions in mega-cities, while highways and high-speed railways have the opposite effect. For regional heterogeneity, all three types of transport infrastructure can reduce carbon emissions in western cities, but increase urban carbon emissions in eastern and central regions. (4) Industrial upgrading, technological progress, and population agglomeration are all pathways through which transport infrastructure indirectly affects carbon emissions, but their effects vary for different transport infrastructure. • Urban rail can reduce carbon emissions in mega-cities, while highways and high-speed railways have the opposite effect. • Transportation infrastructure has a significant spatial spillover effect on urban carbon emissions. • Transportation infrastructure has significant differences in carbon emissions across cities of different scales and regions. • The indirect impact path is industrial structure upgrading, technological progress, and population agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Membrane-based operations, especially pressure-driven membrane operations, are today well-established procedures for various applications in the wine industry thanks to their intrinsic properties and undoubted advantages over traditional methods. Emerging membrane processes, such as pervaporation, electrodialysis and osmotic distillation, forward osmosis, membrane contactors, offer new and interesting perspectives to improve quality and develop new products without compromising organoleptic properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the use of membrane operations in wine processing. A bibliometric and scientometric analysis has been done to provide the current advances dealing with the application of these operations in different steps of wine manufacture, including clarification, stabilization, concentration, acidification, deacidification and dealcoholization. The current challenges and perspectives are highlighted to guide further advancements of membrane technology in this field. The use of conventional and emerging membrane systems offers interesting opportunities to improve and optimize current practices of the wine processing industry. Considerable progress has been done concerning the development of low-fouling materials, identification of wine molecules responsible for membrane fouling and methods to mitigate such phenomenon in the clarification of wines by microfiltration membranes. Technological progress in electrodialysis makes this process a very attractive method for tartrate stabilization, acidification and deacidification of wines. Different conventional and emerging membrane processes offer valid post-fermentation strategies to remove ethanol in wines while preserving their original characteristics. The global results provide interesting perspectives for a wider implementation of membrane processes in the winemaking industry and to redesign the traditional vinification process under the process intensification strategy. • An overview of membrane technology in wine processing is presented. • Bibliometric and scientometric analysis provide current advances of membrane technology in the field. • Conventional and emerging membrane processes are analyzed. • Current challenges and perspectives are highlighted to guide further advancements. • Interesting perspectives of global results for redesigning the traditional vinification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital infrastructure serves as a crucial foundation for development in the era of the digital economy. In light of this, this paper takes digital infrastructure construction as its focal point. Utilizing Python technology and the Meta-frontier non-radial directional distance function to calculate the level of digital infrastructure construction and industrial energy efficiency. It then employs a dynamic panel data model to analyze the impact effects and mechanisms of digital infrastructure construction on industrial energy efficiency. Additionally, threshold models and modified gravity models are employed to explore the nonlinear effects and spatial impacts of digital infrastructure construction on industrial energy efficiency. The research findings reveal that the enhancement of digital infrastructure significantly improves industrial energy efficiency. Moreover, indicate a shift in the impact of digital infrastructure construction on industrial energy efficiency from inhibitory to promotional as the level of digital infrastructure construction increases. The mechanism of this effect suggests that digital infrastructure construction can promote the improvement of industrial energy efficiency through green technological innovation and the advancement of industrial structure. Further analysis shows that the spatial network characteristics of digital infrastructure construction notably elevate the level of industrial energy utilization efficiency. This study provides practical policy implications for sustainable development. • Digital infrastructure construction markedly enhances industrial energy efficiency. • There is a non-linear picture of the impact of digital infrastructure construction on industrial energy efficiency. • The effects of green technology innovation and advanced industrial structure are crucial channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a zero-carbon energy, hydrogen energy is widey recognized as playing an important role in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. Considering the resource and industrial conditions in China, the coal-to-hydrogen coupled with carbon capture and storage (CTHCCS) may be a necessary choice in the early stage of low-carbon hydrogen energy development. This study used real option models to analyze the investment benefits of the representative CTHCCS technology at the national and regional levels in the current and future development scenarios in China, and discusses the impact of uncertainties in carbon price, technological progress, and policy incentives on the CTHCCS investment. The results show that (1) The opportunity for immediate investment in the CTHCCS is not available in China unless the cost of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology decreases and the carbon price increases significantly. (2) The current CTHCCS investment critical carbon price is 353.3 RMB/t, which will decrease by 45.0%, 73.9% and 57.3% when using the initial investment subsidy, carbon emission reduction subsidy and clean fuel subsidy, respectively. (3) The CTHCCS presents a relatively high investment benefit in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi, highlighting that these areas are key pioneers for "blue hydrogen" production in China. • The real option model is used to evaluate investment decisions for CTHCCS projects. • Uncertainty of carbon price, technology progress and policy subsidy are considered. • Carbon price of 353.3 RMB/t could trigger immediate investment for CTHCCS projects. • Policy incentives lead to a 45–74 % reduction in the CTHCCS critical carbon price. • Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia could be priority areas for blue hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical industry is one of the fundamental industries of economic development. Coordinating the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions (EGCE) is crucial in realizing the carbon neutrality target. The Tapio model and decomposition models are used to assess the degree of decoupling within the Chinese chemical industry and identify pivotal factors impeding progress. The energy efficiency decomposition model explores the crux of failure to achieve strong decoupling. This framework further decomposed the energy intensity to uncover how technical efficiency, technological progress, and input substitution changes affect energy intensity and CO 2 emission. The paper found that the EGCE of the chemical industry were stable in a weak decoupling mode from 2009 to 2019. The reliance on technological progress to reduce energy intensity and emissions is insufficient (accounting for only 18.2%), far below the cumulative contribution from economic growth (accounting for 57.76%), which has become the crux of the strong decoupling failure. Technological advancements drive energy substitution for labour, resulting in 244.41 Mt of cumulative carbon emissions. The improper factor input allocation hinders the desired reduction in energy intensity and carbon emissions. A series of policy implications are proposed based on the insights derived from the decomposition analysis to foster sustainable practices in the chemical industry. [Display omitted] • This study focuses on the decoupling in chemical industry. • The decoupling between economic growth and carbon emissions (EGCE) is explored. • The reasons for the failure of strong decoupling from technical perspective are tested. • The decoupling between EGCE of chemical industry was in a weak decoupling mode. • Technological progress accelerated the substitution of energy for labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study is concerned with the analysis of the determinants of the transition to green energies in Tunisia with a focus on institutional and technological factors. In fact, it affords a deep assessment of the asymmetric effects of technological innovation, government stability, and democracy along with economic growth and non renewable energy on clean energy in Tunisia. The analysis actually covers the 1984/2020 period. Therefore, to perform such analysis the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) approach along with the spectral causality is used. Actually, the political context is of great importance in Tunisia, because this country has been going through a political transitional stage since the 2010 revolution. The main upshots bring out that a positive variation in government stability has no significant effect on clean energy, however a negative variation decreases renewable energy by 0.521% and 0.535% in both the long and short run, respectively. Similarly, a negative variation in democracy reduces green energies. Moreover, regarding technological innovation, the results suggest that a positive shock boosts green energy while a negative one lessens it in the long run. Furthermore, a positive variation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) positively affects green energy while a negative variation has a negative impact, in the long run. Finally, a positive shock on fossil fuel consumption decreases renewable energies and a negative shock positively affects them, in the long run. Moreover, the results of the causality confirm the presence of a one way causal link from renewable energy to government stability and GDP. In addition, there is bidirectional causality between democracy and renewable energy. Finally, there is a one way causal link from technological innovation and fossil fuel energy to green energy. Therefore, it is crucial that the political parties integrate environmental issues and mainly renewable energies in their political agenda. In addition, policymakers should encourage the creation of research centers devoted to renewable energies, which represent a link between scientific research and green energy industry. • Renewable energy is driven by technological innovation and income. • The democratic transition and government stability in Tunisia have not yet achieved an acceptable level to accelerate the transition to clean energy. • The robustness check is adopted by considering the effect of geopolitical risk on renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate aid is a form of official development assistance that addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation and plays a crucial role in combating climate change. However, existing empirical evidence does not suggest a clear link between climate aid and carbon lock-in. Based on country-level panel data from 77 countries spanning the period 2002–2020, this paper empirically examines the impact of climate aid on carbon lock-in and the four sub-indicators of carbon lock-in. Moreover, we investigate the mediating role of technological progress and potential impact mechanisms. We find that (1) climate aid has a significant restraining effect on carbon lock-in, and is an effective means of inhibiting the four aspects of carbon lock-in, namely, the lock-in of industry, institution, technology, and social behavior. (2) Technological progress not only directly leads to carbon lock-in eradication, but also synergizes with climate aid, suggesting that the combined influence of technological progress and climate aid can enhance the efficacy of efforts to mitigate carbon lock-in. (3) Climate aid promotes carbon lock-in mitigation by accelerating energy structure transition and industrial structure transition, which are two internal impact mechanisms in the nexus between climate aid and carbon lock-in. These findings offer concrete and practical policy implications to facilitate the development of climate aid and carbon lock-in eradication. • This paper estimates the impact of climate aid on carbon lock-in. • Climate aid significantly mitigates carbon lock-in and its four dimensions. • Technological progress can further strengthen the inhibiting effect of climate aid on carbon lock-in. • Climate aid indirectly affects carbon lock-in by promoting energy structure transition and industry structure transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this constantly evolving landscape of urbanization, the relationship between technology and automation, in regards to sustainability, holds immense significance. The intricate strands of human intelligence are seamlessly interwoven with the fabric of technological progress, giving rise to exquisite patterns of synergy and collaborative innovation. Automation is just another step in this process which started with the industrial revolution and now has paved way towards urbanization. Smart homes or home automation is a subset of Internet of Things (IoT) based automation that has added into the comfort, ease, and quality of our living standards and is now being integrated to form the concept of Smart Cities. In the past decade, various techniques and processes of smart home automation have been proposed and implemented. To extend and translate the existing methods into new one, the understanding of the former is imperative to the research procedure. This review stands as a comprehensive exploration, diving into the pivotal role of intelligent systems and expert knowledge in driving the transformation of smart homes into sustainable smart cities. By meticulously analyzing and aggregating an array of contemporary techniques used in smart homes, this paper offers profound contributions to the intersection of urban evolution and technological innovation. The review's holistic approach not only facilitates a deep understanding of smart homes' contributions but also charts a course for innovative strategies in city planning, infrastructure, and technological integration. In bridging the gap between technology and sustainable urban development, this exploration underscores the transformative power of leveraging smart home techniques to lay the foundation for harmonious and forward-thinking smart cities. The technologies cover a wide range of methodologies and intelligent systems used for communication, security and management in an urban infrastructure. The paper focuses on analysis of the technology to provide an outlook into achieving the goal of sustainable smart cities and deal with challenges like scalability and big data computation. Our comprehensive analysis yields a holistic set of technology comparisons and illuminates the promising future prospects within this domain. The information is highly insightful in creating a bigger picture for adopting state of the art technologies like Federated Learning (FL), Digital Twin and Embedded Edge computing in better planning and infrastructure management in smart cities. These findings offer reliable and potent methods to chart not only the course of research but also to enhance these technologies for the betterment of mankind's convenience and advancement. • Technical advancement needed for transformation of home automation to a next level. • Smart cities that build from the foundation of homes automations have been discussed. • Comparison with the existing papers to unlock new research directions in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI), as the core driving force of industrial and technological innovation, has brought technological advances that profoundly affect energy conservation and carbon emission reduction in China. This study constructs a dynamic spatial Durbin model to empirically analyze AI's mechanism path using Chinese inter-provincial panel data as a sample. The findings show the following: (1) Spatial and temporal variations exist in AI development levels and energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. (2) AI has a significant negative impact on energy consumption efficiency and a significant negative spatial spillover effect on carbon emission efficiency, and the effects of AI development level on energy conservation and carbon emission reduction are mainly dominated short term. (3) Green technological progress on both the input and output sides has not played a determinant role in the effects of AI on energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. (4) Given the moderating effect of the degree of factor market development, the improvement of green technological advances can play a positive role in the impact of AI on energy and carbon reduction. These findings suggest the need to provide policy support for energy conservation and carbon emission reduction by improving the spatial and regional linkage mechanism to narrow spatial and temporal differences in development levels, formulating AI policies addressing regional heterogeneity to promote the full transformation of AI's short-term effects into long-term effects as well as emphasizing the negative role of green technological advances and accelerating the transformation of green technological achievements, among other measures. [Display omitted] • A dynamic indicator system for regional AI development in China is constructed. • AI effects on energy conservation and emission reduction are explored. • A dynamic spatial Durbin model shows regional and temporal heterogeneity. • Green technological progress has negative effects that should be emphasized. • Mature market element development can realize the positive green effects of AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, mass timber structures have gained popularity in mid-rise or tall building applications worldwide. For timber buildings in seismic regions, it is critical to improve building seismic resilience. Conventional timber structures rely on connections for energy dissipation and system ductility. However, this dependence also carries the risk of damage, potentially resulting in structures that are irreparable in severe earthquakes. In this regard, as one of the low-damage seismic design technologies, self-centering (SC) techniques have been introduced to mass timber structures in 2005. The relevant research and applications have led to significant technological progress in the field. This paper provides an overview of recent research progress since 2019, encompassing experimental studies, analytical and numerical simulations, key design aspects, and practical applications of SC mass timber structures. It highlights recent technological advancements and identifies future research directions to address knowledge gaps identified in this review. • This paper reviews developments in SC mass timber structures, including experiments, simulations, design aspects, and applications. • In addition to the PT technique, experimental study on other SC technologies used in mass timber structures are also included. • Research that contributes to the design of SC mass timber structures is covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's oil prices have been supervision for a long time, which has led to oil price distortion (OPD) to some extent. To figure out whether OPD will impede the sustainability of energy, economy, and environment (measured by green economic efficiency (GEE)), this research first estimates OPD from 2003 to 2019. Then, using a non-radial direction distance function under nonconvex technology assumptions, this research calculates the provincial GEE by incorporating capital, labor, energy, and environment efficiencies into a unified framework. Furthermore, the OPD-GEE nexus and their influencing channels are analyzed using the spatial Durbin model. The results indicate that there are serious OPD and the average GEE in the transportation is relatively low. Local OPD correction can improve local GEE but OPD correction in spatially related regions will cause local GEE loss. The heterogeneity analysis implies that the GEE promotion effect resulting from local OPD correction is greater in oil-rich regions, new energy vehicle pilot regions, and regions with water transport. Furthermore, the mechanism analysis implies that OPD correction can improve local GEE through optimizing energy structure, mitigating resource mismatch, and promoting green technological progress; meanwhile, OPD correction in spatially adjacent regions can cause local GEE losses by exacerbating their resource mismatch. This study offers a new understanding of the impact of OPD on GEE and contributes to the promotion of sustainable development through market-oriented price reforms. [Display omitted] • Oil price distortions from 2003 to 2019 in China are estimated. • Green economic efficiency in the transportation is explored via a unified framework. • The effect of oil price distortion on green economic efficiency is explored. • We reveal the impact channels of oil price distortion on green economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the factors of renewable energy consumption in the fifth Technology Revolution with specific evidence from ASEAN countries. The study applies an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. The paper also uses the unrestricted fixed and random panel data methods. The manuscript identifies significant factors such as technological innovation, governmental policies, public awareness, electricity consumption, country population, foreign direct investment inflows, imports, exports, and economic growth that have influenced the renewable energy sector in these nations. This study also investigates the determinants that influence renewable energy in the context of international integration and the fifth technology revolution in ASEAN countries. The research analyzes data spanning two decades, from 2000 to 2022, through a combination of econometric modeling and machine learning techniques. Preliminary findings indicate that technological innovation, government policies, and public awareness significantly affect renewable energy consumption in these countries. The empirical results offer insights for policymakers and stakeholders in leveraging technological advancements for sustainable energy development. The findings from this study on the determinants of renewable consumption in the context of the Fifth Technology Revolution in ASEAN countries also have several important policy implications for the sustainable development goal. • This study aims to investigate the factors of renewable energy consumption in the fifth Technology Revolution. • The study uses panel data analysis, and the paper identifies significant factors that have influenced the renewable energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharia accounting has undergone significant development along with the advancement of technological innovation and dynamics in the Islamic business world. The purpose of this study is to investigate and review the literature on sharia accounting and financial innovation to identify relevant sharia accounting models to be developed that can be integrated with financial innovation. This study also provides suggestions for future sharia accounting research. The method used in this research is a systematic literature review method that involves the analysis and synthesis of relevant literature. The findings of this study indicate that the development of an sharia accounting model in the perspective of financial innovation, makes sharia accounting more competitive, by offering fast and accurate preparation and presentation of financial statements, improving the operational efficiency of Islamic business entities, especially SMEs, in terms of financial reporting, compliance with sharia principles, and meeting the organization's social obligations. This research provides a positive contribution for policy makers such as regulators and investors in making policies, making regulations and preparing infrastructure that can support the development of sharia accounting models in the future. The limitation of this research is that the design is still qualitative so that it still requires more comprehensive and practical analysis, and encourages further research involving wider variables, such as the quality of human resources, Islamic financial inclusion and literacy, and the role of the government in strengthening the development of sharia accounting based on financial innovation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ·The three-stage super efficiency SBM-DEA model and Malmquist index was used to measure carbon emission efficiency, index and decomposition terms of land use. • ·LUCE and its spatial and temporal pattern of urban agglomerations in the YREB were discussed from static and dynamic perspectives respectively. • ·Environmental variables such as level of economic development, urbanization rate, and industrial structure all have significant effects on input slack value. • ·The PTE of the MRYR was relatively low due to insufficient resources in low-carbon technology, while the low TE of the CC is due to its insufficient SE. • ·TC was the main factor promoting the improvement of LUCE in the whole basin, and the trend changes of LUCE in the three urban agglomerations was closely related to their management level, technological level, and adjustment of element structure. Exploring regional differences in land use carbon emission efficiency (LUCE) and the path of collaborative emission reduction in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) are of immense importance to achieve the sustainable regional development. Firstly, based on the estimation method of land use carbon emissions, this paper scientifically calculates the carbon emission of land use of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRD), the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration (MRYR), and the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration (CC) from 2010 to 2021 in the YREB. And the carbon emission of land use of each city in urban agglomerations was obtained, which was regarded as the unexpected output in the efficiency evaluation index system. Secondly, the three-stage SBM-DEA model was used to reveal the LUCE and its spatiotemporal characteristics in different regions from a static perspective. The empirical results of the second stage SFA showed that the level of economic development, urbanization rate, industrial structure, non-agricultural conversion rate of agricultural land, the level of scientific and technological innovation and government intervention had significant effects on LUCE. By comparing the efficiency values and their decompositions in the first and third stage of various urban agglomerations, it was found that after eliminating environmental and random factors, the average ranking of comprehensive technical efficiency (TE) of land use carbon emission changed from YRD > MRYR > CC to YRD > CC > MRYR due to the cross influence of pure technical efficiency (PTE) and scale efficiency (SE). Thirdly, Malmquist index model was used to analyze the change of total factor productivity index (TFPch) and its spatiotemporal pattern from a dynamic perspective. It was found that the TFPch, technological progress index (TC), pure technical efficiency index (PEC) and scale efficiency index (SEC) of land use carbon emission of the three major urban agglomerations all showed varying degrees of increase after adjustment. Finally, to further analyze the impact of technological progress, PTE and SE on LUCE, a regression model was constructed with LUCE of each city in urban agglomeration as the dependent variable, and TC, PEC and SEC as independent variables. It was concluded that technological progress was the main factor to promote the improvement of LUCE in the whole YREB. The trend of changes of LUCE in various urban agglomerations was closely related to its management level, technology level and factor structure adjustment. The above conclusions provide support for the coordinated emission reduction path of urban agglomerations in the YREB from the perspective of land use, which is conducive to actively and steadily promoting the realization of carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, the considerable technological progress achieved in parallel science disciplines provides a potential for a breakthrough in NMR atmospheric applications. Improvements in probe sensitivity and in the NMR devices, like innovative tubes with a better filling factor, enable to improve the signal-to-noise ratios of an order of magnitude with respect to the earlier techniques. This already allows for the development of NMR techniques in experimental setups, like laboratory simulation chambers, where the limited sampling volumes and aerosol loads have hampered full application in the past. In parallel, the development of techniques for high-performance data analysis, including metabolomics, and multivariate statistical techniques applied to complex spectral datasets greatly expand the potential of NMR-based aerosol characterization techniques for individual compound identification and source apportionment. To achieve this goal, a more systematic NMR characterization of atmospheric tracers and relevant sources is required. [Display omitted] • The technological progress in parallel science fields provides opportunities for NMR applications in aerosol research. • Improvements in probe sensitivity and in NMR devices allows NMR analysis in chamber studies at realistic concentrations. • High-performance data analysis greatly expands the NMR potential in source apportionment studies. • A more systematic NMR characterization of atmospheric tracers and relevant sources is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Renewable energy consumption is a crucial aspect of global sustainability efforts, particularly in light of climate change mitigation and the pursuit of energy security. Technological innovation can play a pivotal role in driving the advancement and adoption of renewable energy. However, geopolitical risks can exert profound influences on the landscape of renewable energy deployment, posing challenges to energy security and the transition to a sustainable energy future. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing new empirical evidence on how geopolitical risk, along with technological innovation, environmental taxes, and environmental degradation affect renewable energy consumption in G7 countries. The findings indicate that geopolitical risks exert a negative influence on renewable energy consumption in G7 countries, whereas environmental degradation, technological advancements, and environmental taxes have positive effects. The results further indicate that at different quantile levels, the impact of each variable on renewable energy consumption has heterogeneous characteristics. Panel Grager causality results revealed a one-way causal relationship between environmental taxes and renewable energy consumption, while other variables have a two-way causal relationship with renewable energy consumption. Based on the results, the study suggests design policies to address geopolitical tension, increased funding for research and development to drive technological innovation, and supportive regulatory frameworks that incentivize renewable energy investment and innovation to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7). • Explored the determinants of renewable energy consumption in G7 countries. • Advanced panel data estimation methods are employed. • Geopolitical risk negatively affects renewable energy consumption. • Technological innovation and taxes promote renewable energy consumption. • Designed a policy framework to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces three production technology shocks (Energy manufactures, Brown enterprises, and Green enterprises) by constructing different models, namely, the environment sector (baseline) model, the carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) model, and the carbon emissions rights trading mechanism. The fluctuation trend of China's macroeconomic and environmental quality before and after the establishment of carbon market is compared and analyzed. Additionally, the study examines the welfare of the implementation of carbon market policies. The carbon trading market policy can promote the synergistic efficiency of China's pollution reduction and carbon reduction using energy and green production technologies. From the perspective of social welfare, the optimal range of the initial carbon quota ratio issued by the government to enterprises is [0.7,0.8]. The findings of this study provide theoretical support and contribute toward understanding the impact mechanisms of carbon market and technological progress on synergizing the reduction of pollution and carbon emissions in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed understanding of the technological development pathways of energy technologies will reduce the risks of public energy policy and private investment actions. However, such assessments for emerging technologies, critical for achieving global decarbonization targets, face numerous shortcomings. These shortcomings include limited information at an early development stage, uncertainty in design convergence and performance improvements, and the application of aggregated methodologies in projecting their cost developments fails to explain underlying cost drivers and foresee potential radical changes. This study applies an improved methodology leveraging the merits of quantitative and qualitative methods and shows the technological progress expected for the tidal stream, wave technology, and biofuel production from seaweed in a detailed manner. Tidal stream LCOE declines from 264 €/MWh at 0.1 GW to 61 €/MWh at 50 GW cumulative capacity, with CAPEX, capacity factor, and OPEX contributing to 38 %, 33 %, and 16 % of LCOE reductions. Wave technology LCOE declines from 365 €/MWh at 0.1 GW to 54 €/MWh at 50 GW, with CAPEX, capacity factor, and OPEX contributing 28 %, 59 %, and 7 % of LCOE reductions. For grid connection costs, we assessed several integration choices for both technologies and concluded that sharing grid connection capacity among several installations would lower the transmission costs and serve as a policy incentive for the uptake of such emerging technologies. Further, the bioethanol production cost from seaweed declines from 17.1 € / l at 0.1-million l cumulative output to 4.5 € / l at 50 million l , a 73 % cost reduction in 9 doublings of cumulative output. Identifying fermenting organisms capable of converting the heterogenous monomeric sugars in seaweed is a major limiting factor, resulting in a wide variation in bioethanol yields. Lastly, we also summarized the uncertainties involved in the assessment, their causes, and their impacts on results to improve the understanding of potential development pathways of these technologies. • Tidal stream, wave and bioethanol from seaweed are emerging technologies, but shows significant development potential. • Capacity factor improvements contribute to wave technology LCOE reductions significantly. • Sharing grid infrastructure in early development stage will lower net costs for tidal stream and wave technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of the environmental efficiency in the power industry is crucial in promoting energy conservation and emission reduction to achieve sustainable development. This study constructs a multi-hierarchy meta-frontier BAM model to measure environmental efficiency considering technological and regional heterogeneity. Using this model, we measure and decompose the environmental efficiency of the power industry in 30 Chinese provinces during 2008–2020. The main results are as follows. (1) Beijing and four other provinces have the highest environmental efficiency among the high-technology group, while Jiangsu and Hainan have the highest environmental efficiency among the medium-technology and low-technology groups, respectively. There are significant differences in environmental efficiency among provinces within each technology group. (2) Regional and technical inefficiencies in the high-technology and medium-technology groups are the main factors influencing inefficiency. However, the inefficiency of the low-technology group is 0.36, while technical inefficiency is 0.34. (3) The environmental efficiency of all three technical groups has improved as a result of technological progress. Environmental efficiency improvement is the largest in the high-technology group but only by 1%. This study extends conventional approaches of environmental efficiency assessment and enhances the comprehension of the operation of the power industry in various Chinese provinces. The research outcomes provide insights for formulating more precise and effective strategies towards the sustainable evolution of China's power sector. • The efficiency is measured by the combined model from a new perspective. • The technology, the management, and the regional heterogeneity are studied. • Each efficiency of each province is ranked as follows, RE > TE > ME. • The environmental efficiency improved in all three technical groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed understanding of the technological development pathways of energy technologies will reduce the risks of public energy policy and private investment actions. However, such assessments for emerging technologies, critical for achieving global decarbonization targets, face numerous shortcomings. These shortcomings include limited information at an early development stage, uncertainty in design convergence and performance improvements, and the application of aggregated methodologies in projecting their cost developments fails to explain underlying cost drivers and foresee potential radical changes. This study applies an improved methodology leveraging the merits of quantitative and qualitative methods and shows the technological progress expected for the tidal stream, wave technology, and biofuel production from seaweed in a detailed manner. Tidal stream LCOE declines from 264 €/MWh at 0.1 GW to 61 €/MWh at 50 GW cumulative capacity, with CAPEX, capacity factor, and OPEX contributing to 38 %, 33 %, and 16 % of LCOE reductions. Wave technology LCOE declines from 365 €/MWh at 0.1 GW to 54 €/MWh at 50 GW, with CAPEX, capacity factor, and OPEX contributing 28 %, 59 %, and 7 % of LCOE reductions. For grid connection costs, we assessed several integration choices for both technologies and concluded that sharing grid connection capacity among several installations would lower the transmission costs and serve as a policy incentive for the uptake of such emerging technologies. Further, the bioethanol production cost from seaweed declines from 17.1 € / l at 0.1-million l cumulative output to 4.5 € / l at 50 million l , a 73 % cost reduction in 9 doublings of cumulative output. Identifying fermenting organisms capable of converting the heterogenous monomeric sugars in seaweed is a major limiting factor, resulting in a wide variation in bioethanol yields. Lastly, we also summarized the uncertainties involved in the assessment, their causes, and their impacts on results to improve the understanding of potential development pathways of these technologies. • Tidal stream, wave and bioethanol from seaweed are emerging technologies, but shows significant development potential. • Capacity factor improvements contribute to wave technology LCOE reductions significantly. • Sharing grid infrastructure in early development stage will lower net costs for tidal stream and wave technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital development is critical for achieving coordinated regional economic growth, energy conservation, and emissions reduction, which makes it a viable method for achieving carbon neutrality and peaks. This study investigates the impact of the digital economy on urban total factor productivity and carbon emissions, as well as its mechanism, from 2011 to 2019 by developing a digital economy evaluation index system. We find that the growth of the digital economy can increase urban total factor productivity while lowering carbon emissions and also has a significant spatial spillover effect on regional economic growth, energy conservation, and emissions reduction. The main influencing mechanism is that the digital economy accelerates marketization by encouraging industrial structure upgrades and technological progress, which results in higher total factor productivity and lower energy consumption. In terms of the spatial distribution, the digital economy promotes total factor productivity more in the central and western regions and large cities and promotes carbon emission reduction less in the eastern regions and smaller cities. The findings extend the benefits of the digital economy beyond economic and social welfare benefits and serve as a model for achieving a win–win situation in terms of both economic growth and carbon emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock and poultry bones are by-products produced during meat processing and slaughter, represent valuable sources of highly nutritious natural substances. Despite their nutritional richness, technological limitations have hindered the optimal utilization of these resources. So it is necessary to identify and explore effective processing technologies for livestock and poultry bone in order to address the growing demands of the food industry. This review focuses on various innovative technologies that can be applied to produce or process livestock and poultry bone-based foods. The selected technologies include high pressure-temperature technology, enzymatic hydrolysis technology, Nano-micro pulverization technology, thermal reaction technology, fermentation technology, instant catapult steam-explosion technology, physical field processing technology, microencapsulation technology and separation technologies. Further, the advantages and disadvantages of each technique mentioned above are discussed in detail. In addition, this review also provides insights into the major types of nutrients and bone products derived from livestock and poultry bones. By addressing the technological aspects and presenting a comprehensive overview of the available methods, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of efficient and sustainable practices within the food industry. It is necessary to consider integration of various technologies in which selected processing methods are combined for processing livestock and poultry bone foods. Research carried out by many researchers have proven that integrated processing technologies are more effective in producing desirable livestock and poultry bone-based foods. Notably, enzymatic hydrolysis technologies remain a prominent and focal point for research and applications in the processing of nutrients from livestock and poultry bones. Further exploration of the health effects of livestock and poultry bones nutrients on the human body is necessary to lay the groundwork for the development of functional foods derived from livestock and poultry bones. Physical field-assisted processing technology is gaining attention in the research of livestock and poultry bone processing technology. Future studies must address critical aspects, including environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, production efficiency, and the implementation of robust process control and monitoring mechanisms. By considering these factors, we can ensure the technological advancement of livestock and poultry bone processing as well as the development of sustainable and efficient practices in the broader context of food production. • Selected new technologies processing livestock and poultry bones have their own advantages. • Combined technologies processing livestock and poultry bones improve production efficiency. • Physical field assisted technology has broad prospects for processing livestock and poultry bones. • Functional foods are the direction for the development of livestock and poultry bone products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assess the sustainability of the electricity sector and explore the correlation between government environmental policies and the sector's sustainability. We find that at the national level, the sustainability of the electricity sector has exhibited a notable upward trend in recent years. However, this trend has not been evenly distributed across different regions of the country. Second, government environmental policies have a significant positive impact on promoting the sustainability of the electricity sector. Third, the impact of government environmental policies on the sustainability of the electricity sector is more pronounced in the western region of China. • We explore the impact of government environmental policy on the sustainability of China's electricity sector. • Government environmental policies can significantly promote the sustainability of China's electricity sector. • Technological progress is an effective channel between government environmental policies and the sustainability of the electricity sector. • The sustainability of the electricity sector is most significantly impacted by the environmental policies of the government in western China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the challenges faced by the global automotive industry as it transitions towards decarbonization. The article presents a comprehensive survey of hybrid, battery electric, and fuel cell electric vehicles, offering insights into their merits, drawbacks, and the potential implications they might have on consumers. It also highlights advancements in electrochemical storage devices, improvements needed to make them competitive with conventional fuels, and the role of government policies in driving adoption. Factors that influence the adoption of low- and ultra-low carbon technologies are also examined from a market perspective. The paper concludes by calling for further research, development, and collaboration to overcome challenges and fully realize the potential of these technologies. Ultimately, the adoption of low-carbon technologies is influenced by government regulations, consumer demand, technological progress, and economic considerations within the automotive industry. [Display omitted] • Automotive shift: Decarbonizing via hybrid, electric, fuel cell vehicles. • Policies, demand, tech drive low carbon auto adoption. • Battery concerns: materials, supply. solutions: recycling, renewables. • Collaboration, R&D vital for low-carbon tech success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy mix diversification (EMD) is recognized as a plausible strategy for emerging economies to achieve energy security targets and meet net zero carbon emissions goals by 2050. Thus, this research explores the determinants of EMD utilizing a sample panel for seven major emerging (E7) economies, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey, observed from 1995 to 2018. The Pedroni panel cointegration test investigates the long-run equilibrium, and the long- and short-run determinants are identified using a panel autoregressive distributed lag model. The findings reveal a long-run equilibrium linkage among EMD, carbon emissions, financial development, economic growth, technological progress, energy efficiency, and globalization. The long-run estimates show that energy efficiency and carbon emissions are driving forces for EMD, whereas technological progress, financial development, and globalization have insignificant effects. However, all variables - except economic growth are found to be the barriers to EMD in the short-run. The findings presented in this research are novel and add value to the energy literature by identifying the long- and short-run determinants of EMD, specifically for E7 economies. These economies are expected to take appropriate actions to stimulate the adoption of clean and green energy sources; thus, appropriate implications of the findings are discussed. • Short-run and long-run determinants of energy mix diversification are examined in this study. • Sample is a panel data for seven major emerging economies observed from 1995 to 2018. • A cointegrating relationship exists among the variables considered. • Energy efficiency and carbon emissions are drivers in the long-run. • All the variables are barriers in the short-run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green transformation is currently a major challenge for both developed and developing economies, while the role of environmental insurance (EI) in green productivity in developing economies remains unclear. Using firm-level data from Chinese A-shape listed companies, this study investigates the relationship between EI on green total factor productivity (GTFP) along the period 2010–2019. To do so, a slack-based measurement model integrated with Global Malmquist-Luenberger approach (SBM-GML) is applied in GTFP calculation, and then a time-varying difference-in-difference (DID) setup is employed for empirical analysis, as well as its combination with propensity score matching method (PSM-DID) to overcome the sample self-selection bias. We find that EI significantly promotes firm's GTFP by about 0.22 units, which is mainly driven by the improvement of technical efficiency rather than technological progress. Further analysis exploring channels suggests that EI promotes GTFP by alleviating financing constraints and stimulating green innovation. However, the heterogeneity analysis shows that both financing constraint mechanism and technological innovation mechanism are mainly observed in heavily polluting and non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs). Our findings provide a new insight for policy-makers that utilizing environmental insurance can promote green productivity, but which should be focused more on those enterprises who are difficult to absorb external financing and technological innovation resources. • The relationship between EI and GTFP in the context of China was investigated for the first time. • The promoting effect of EI on GTFP is mainly reflected in the improvement of technical efficiency. • EI promotes GTFP by alleviating financing constraints and simulating technological innovation. • Both financing constraints and technological innovation mechanisms exist in non-SOEs and heavily polluting enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cities face escalating resource and environmental challenges, advancing green economic performance (GEP) emerges as a critical pathway for sustainable urban development. While China's urban new energy transition strategy presents a promising paradigm shift in the realm of green energy, there exists a knowledge gap regarding its tangible impact on green economic grown. Drawing on city-level panel data from 2006 to 2020, this research assesses the GEP of 260 Chinese cities utilizing the non-radial distance function methodology. Subsequently, the difference-in-differences method is applied to offer quasi-experimental insights into the effects of the New Energy Demonstration City (NEDC) policy on urban GEP. Our findings indicate that the NEDC policy has both economically and statistically significant ramifications for urban GEP, leading to an enhancement effect of approximately 2.0 %. This outcome remains consistent even after rigorous robustness checks. A heterogeneity analysis reveals that the NEDC policy exerts a more pronounced influence on the GEP of central, western, and non-resource cities. Mechanism analysis suggests that the positive policy effect is primarily driven by the advancement of technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and green finance development. The NEDC policy holds the potential for a symbiotic balance between environmental and economic outcomes, setting a precedent for urban green growth. • The impacts of New Energy Demonstration City policy are evaluated. • Use the non-radial distance function method to calculate green economy performance. • The NEDC policy improves urban green economy performance by a significant 2.0 %. • Three specific impact mechanisms are proposed and quantitatively analyzed. • The policy impacts vary greatly among cities with different characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing the green use efficiency of cultivated land in the karst region of southwest China is crucial for promoting sustainable development of land resources and achieving harmony between humans and nature. Based on the epsilon-based measure model and geographically and temporally weighted regression methods, this paper investigated the spatio-temporal variation and influencing factors of cultivated land green utilization efficiency. The results indicated that: i) Cultivated land green utilization efficiency had slightly increased from 0.842 in 2000 to 0.866 in 2020. ii) The spatial pattern of cultivated land green utilization efficiency showed a significant positive correlation, with a "hotspot-not significant-coldspot" from north to south. iii) Its spatial heterogeneity had increased during the observation period, with high-efficiency areas shifting from northeast to north. iv) The proportion of agricultural economy, general public budget revenue, per unit cultivated land value had a positive impact on the cultivated land green utilization efficiency, while urbanization rate, per capita cultivated land area, land replanting index, average altitude had a negative impact. Moreover, the driving factors exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Therefore, it is necessary to promote technological progress and scientific research, implement funds and policies, leverage the leading role of high-efficiency areas, formulate differentiated development strategies, and thereby improve the green use efficiency of cultivated land. • Cultivated land green utilization efficiency had slightly increased. • The high-efficiency area distribution changed from northeast to due north. • The driving factors exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. • The differentiated policies promote the effective use of cultivated land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]