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Through the case of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we examine the role of local politics in critical mineral sourcing and its implications for the lead processing and battery manufacturing industry in China. We propose a pericentric and multiscalar analysis of cobalt extraction to understand the connections and contingencies within the cobalt supply chain and DRC’s place within it. Pericentricity acknowledges geopolitics while emphasizing localized power dynamics that shape cobalt supply, as seemingly peripheral actors in the DRC influence core extractors, processors, and traders. Our analysis contributes to scholarship on African agency amid resource extractivism, highlighting Chinese dependency on foreign extractive political economies. While Chinese firms remain central in cobalt mining, processing, and battery manufacturing, the complex dependencies on local, provincial, and national systems must be understood in their intricacy and flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores tactics to promote natural resource market efficiency to enable a thorough and sustainable energy transition. The research investigates the natural resource market's critical influence on developing sustainable energy practices through a comprehensive analysis of critical publications. The paper analyzes the relationship between financial security, industrial composition, natural resources, and their efficiency using the 2004–2019 entropy weight approach and the level of coupling coordination evaluation method. The summary highlights the need for all-encompassing strategies and examines how maximizing the effectiveness of natural resource usage might advance a sustainable energy transition. The shift, essential to reducing climate change, requires a deliberate concentration on regulatory frameworks and market processes. This study provides insights into possible avenues for improving the natural resource market's efficiency to encourage a long-lasting and sustainable energy transition via a review of recent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial discusses the dynamics and prospects of the energy market and energy transition. It emphasizes the global shift towards renewable energy due to government initiatives and technological advancements. However, challenges to the transition process exist, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global energy demand and fossil fuel prices. The editorial highlights the varying dynamics of the energy market and transition process at the national and firm levels. The collection of research papers covers topics such as renewable energy subsidies in China, efficiency of hydropower electricity generation, and the impact of oil prices on consumer and producer prices. It also explores behavioral economics and the role of natural gas in achieving urban ecological civilization. The editorial acknowledges the contributions of the authors, reviewers, and journal editors in making this collection possible. [Extracted from the article]

A key force behind promoting green economic recovery is the digital economy. Examining how the digital economy supports societal development, technological advancement, and environmental improvement is worthwhile. This study examines the correlation between the growth of the digital economy, the modernization of the economic framework, and green total factor productivity (GTFP) using data from 276 Chinese cities from 2012 to 2018. To achieve this, the study utilizes Tobit regression and quantile regression models. Efficiency index approaches are used in the empirical examination for calculating green total factor productivity (GTFP). Although there are apparent regional variances, China's GDP might grow significantly due to the digital economy. The gross domestic product of the city's digital industry is larger than the higher GTFP, which accounts for its growth. On a more comprehensive and dynamic level, the electronic economy has favorably impacted China's GDP share percentage. A medium-range distribution system for the digital economy that supports GTFP is modernizing industrial infrastructure. This essay promotes green economic recovery and environmental conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of green industrial policy strategies around the world is taking place within a broader global context of a turn toward deglobalization and the pursuit of national self-sufficiency. The political economy of domestic renewable energy support and the basic principles of global trade regimes are in direct conflict, with direct implications for nations' abilities to transition to low-carbon economies. Many are calling for decoupling clean energy supply chains from China, yet such responses could slow the global clean energy transition, increasing the cost of deployment in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on China's multilevel engagement strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean, this paper seeks to investigate Argentina's subnational strategies towards the Asian giant in terms of energy transition in two areas: the production of renewable energies and the production of lithium as a storage medium. The perspectives of asymmetric interdependence and structuralism are used to explain the pattern of links between the two countries; and studies of paradiplomacy are used to understand the international actions of Argentina's provinces. The analysis focuses on energy initiatives between 2014 and 2023, using a qualitative methodology with case studies. The initial argument maintains that the development of clean energy is a complementary interest between the Argentine provinces and China, as the Asian country builds its leadership in the field of energy transition, and the provinces diversify their local production matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying energy transition (E T) and evaluating energy policies are crucial for global sustainable development. This study measures the energy transition index (E T − C C D) at the prefecture-level city level in China and evaluates the synergistic effects of the dual-pilot energy policy of New Energy Demonstration City (NEDC) and Low Carbon City Pilot (LCCP) based on the energy trilemma (E T R) of coordinated development in terms of security (E S), justice (E J) and sustainability (E S U). The results show that the overall E T − C C D is increasing, with the eastern and central regions leading, the western region growing significantly, and the northeast fluctuating upward, indicating regional disparities. Compared to single policies, the dual-pilot energy policies have a more significant promoting effect on energy transition, especially in eastern, western, non-central cities, resource-based cities, and cities with high carbon emission reduction potential. Mechanism analysis reveals that the dual-pilot energy policies significantly promote E S and E J , but have a negative impact on E S U in the short-term. Improvements in E S , E J and E S U all significantly promote energy transition, with E S serving as a complete mediator, while E J and E S U serving as partial mediators. Additionally, the findings remain stable in robustness tests and provide data support for a flexible mix of policy instruments to facilitate energy transition. • Novel framework integrating Energy Trilemma with dual-policy impacts. • Analysis reveals synergistic effects enhancing energy transitions. • Study focuses on city-level policy impacts on sustainable development. • Uses advanced methods like DID and DML to validate findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning towards a low-carbon energy system is critical to mitigate climate change risks and ensuring energy security. However, few studies have examined the coordinated transition between the supply-side and demand-side aspects of energy systems. In the present study, a quantitative evaluation system for the energy transition in China considering both the supply and demand sides is established, and the coupled coordination degree and the Tapio decoupling model are utilized to analyse the level of coordinated development between these sides. Machine learning techniques are employed to identify key drivers of coordinated transitions. Several key findings are derived: (1) Between 2005 and 2020, China's energy transition level increased significantly. However, the demand-side transition lagged behind the supply-side. (2) Significant regional differences existed; the southwestern region led in terms of progress, while the northeastern and northern regions lagged behind. The spatial distribution pattern indicated higher levels in the southern region and lower levels in the northern region. (3) The level of coordinated transition was moderate, but the coupling relationship increased. The southwest region exhibited the highest level of coordinated transformation; however, supply-side transformation lagged in the southeastern region, and demand-side transformation lagged in the northern region. (4) The coordinated transition was linked to regional development levels. This transformation was driven by environmental regulations and industrial structures. Furthermore, technological level, affluence level, urbanization level, and foreign direct investment were influencing factors. This study provides a scientific basis for thoroughly understanding China's energy transition challenges, prioritizing governance efforts, and formulating effective transition policies. • The level of cleanliness in China's energy system significantly improved from 2005 to 2020. • The energy transition in China exhibited a spatial pattern of "higher levels in the south and lower levels in the north". • The level of coordinated transition in China is generally moderate, but the coupling relationship shows an upward trend. • The coordinated transition between the supply-side and demand-side is closely related to regional development levels. • Government regulation and industrial restructuring are core measures for promoting coordinated transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green energy transition directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13, which are among the 17 development goals determined by the United Nations. However, what are the determinants of this green energy transition? Researchers' answers to this question will assist in formulating policy prescriptions that will enable concrete steps toward achieving these goals. This study investigates how the development of the banking sector, human rights, economic complexity, and economic freedom affect the green energy transition in China, which is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases globally but is also one of the leading countries in renewable energy production. The study covers the years 1995–2022. Advanced time series analysis methods were employed, and robust results were reported. According to the findings, Economic Freedom, Human Rights, and Economic Complexity have increased the transition to green energy in China. No effect of banking sector development was found. The country should improve economic freedom and human rights and increase knowledge/innovation-based production to accelerate China's transition to green energy and contribute to environmental sustainability. • Green energy transition is influenced by socio-economic factors. • Advanced and robust estimation methods are used. • China is researched for the years 1995–2022. • Sustainable Development Goals are covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy justice serves as a pivotal factor in the global shift towards energy transition. A comprehensive evaluation of energy security necessitates the integration of energy justice principles. Accordingly, this study introduces an energy security index (ESI) from the perspective of energy justice and assesses the energy security of 30 provinces in mainland China. The analysis, covering data from 2001 to 2020, explores the spatiotemporal variations of ESI across these provinces. It also examines their spatial relationships and clustering tendencies using Moran's I analysis. The findings indicate that, when viewed through the lens of energy justice, the majority of provinces display a low ESI, characterized by modest enhancements and persistent low-value conditions from 2001 to 2020. This trend primarily results from the inadequate emphasis on justice components in China's energy transition and the continuous failure to significantly boost regional energy supply capabilities. Additionally, this study highlights significant spatial disparities and positive correlations in ESI values across provinces. Regions abundant in resources tend to register higher ESI values, whereas resource-scarce but economically advanced areas show lower values. These insights are crucial for the formulation and adaptation of differentiated energy strategies, especially those focused on achieving energy justice and fostering a balance between regional energy supply and demand. • Developed a novel energy security index (ESI) from the perspective of energy justice. • Revealed low ESI levels across most provinces in China influenced by energy supply capacity. • Uncovered spatial agglomeration in provincial ESI underscoring regional disparities in energy justice and security. • Stressed importance of balanced energy policies for stable supply, sustainability, and justice in energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring that electricity systems maintain reliable power supplies is critical to sustaining political support for the low-carbon energy transition. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the recent electricity disruptions in China and evaluate the government's response. Since 2020, China has faced three unprecedented power outage affecting multiple provinces for weeks. This study investigates the interplay of various factors contributing to China's power crisis and examines the government's policies aimed at addressing immediate issues while advancing broader reforms. Key policy measures involve adjusting the electricity market to allow greater price fluctuations for coal-fired electricity and opening the wholesale market to industrial and commercial users. While this reform is expected to boost market competitiveness, the present market structure falls short of what is likely needed to ensure that power sector dispatch, pricing, and investment can work together to ensure reliable electricity supply in the context of China's transition towards carbon neutrality. To create an advanced, resilient, and flexible renewable energy grid, more intricate reforms across the electricity system, market, regulatory framework, and institutions will be essential. [Display omitted] • Power reliability is critical to keeping political support for energy transition. • A combination of factors led to power curtailments in China in recent times. • Policy responses to address China's power crisis are examined. • Implications of these policy changes are assessed. • An integrated solution framework is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is currently facing a critical challenge in completing its second radical energy transition from fossil to zero-carbon energy amidst the impacts of climate change and the international landscape. In order to clarify the concept of energy transition and the challenges facing China's energy transition, this paper adopts a research framework with Multi-Level Perspective to sort out China's energy history. Drawing on China's energy transition experience, this paper derives four key conclusions. Firstly, the energy transition is a comprehensive transformation of the energy system, which is influenced by the macro landscape, socio-technical regime and innovation niche. Secondly, based on the intensity of the transition, the historical energy transitions can be divided into two categories: incremental energy transitions and radical energy transitions. Thirdly, China's past energy transitions are mainly incremental energy transitions. Influenced by the macro environment and socio-technical regime, the transition process is mostly iterative and tortuous. Fourthly, China's energy transition is facing significant challenges in the current stage, with a tight schedule and heavy tasks, and a lack of basic scientific and technological theories and niche innovations. Building on these findings, specific recommendations to policy makers are provided. • The energy transition is a comprehensive transformation of the energy system. • China's past energy transitions are mainly incremental energy transitions. • China's energy transition faces great difficulties at this stage. • China must champion robust institutional reforms and expedite niche innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]