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This paper analyses the interrelation between technological innovation (TI) and air quality (AQ) using the bootstrap rolling-window subsample Granger test for China. We find that TI has a twofold impact on AQ. On the one hand, TI brings better AQ. This result proves the technique effect, indicating that TI can improve AQ by directly reducing air pollutants emissions and facilitating clean energy use. On the other hand, TI can make AQ worse when TI mainly focuses on utilising fossil fuels to expand production, which proves the scale effect. In turn, AQ can also influence TI ; the direction of the influence is dependent on the severity of air pollution and the government's response. This study provides important policy implications for coordinating innovation and environmental conservation to achieve sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market segmentation led by "beggar-thy-neighbor" and "local protectionism" among local governments is the deep institutional reason of environmental pollution. Therefore, eliminating market barriers and accelerating regional market integration are important way to achieve green development. This paper develops a theoretical model for analyzing the relationship between market integration and air quality by introducing inter-regional trade cost and game behavior. Based on the panel data of 101 prefecture-level and above cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China, we verify the effect and its mechanism of market integration on air quality. The results show that regional market integration is conducive to improving urban air quality, which is still supported by the robustness test. In terms of regional differences, market integration has a greater effect on air quality in the downstream than in the upstream and midstream. Market integration improves air quality by strengthening scale effect, accelerating industrial structure upgrading and promoting technological progress. Moreover, Environmental regulation and environmental performance assessment facilitates strengthening the air quality improvement effect of market integration. We suggest that China should continually promote market integration in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, strengthen environmental regulation, and establish a reasonable performance evaluation system, so as to build a green development linkage mechanism between environmental protection and economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the level of green development is far from being a well-assessed problem, due to both the broad meaning of green development and the presence of randomness in environmental changes. In this paper, we develop the sustainable development evaluation index system from different perspectives, including resource utilization, green development management, green development quality, environmental protection, growth quality and green lifestyle. This evaluation index system is further viewed as a cybernetic system. Following a rough set approach, we properly address the issue of uncertainty and develop a robust estimation methodology. Neighborhood rough set and rough set methods based on genetic algorithms (GAs) have been used to identify the key indicators within the system. First, the results illustrate how a cybernetic approach deals with green policy and economic growth. Second, such a cybernetic approach provides new insights into identifying the main attributes for a sustainable development. Finally, stategies of improving green development in different parts of China are provided, concluding this paper. • Measuring green development is challenging due to its broad definition and environmental randomness, making standardized assessments difficult. • The paper introduces a sustainable development evaluation index system, viewing green development from multiple perspectives. • The conclusion presents strategies to enhance green development across China, providing a practical framework for implementing sustainable green policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental protection and sustainable development are now profoundly ingrained in the public consciousness in the modern era of the global green revolution. First, this paper uses an evolutionary game model to theoretically analyse the impact of environmental regulation and green finance on enterprises by dissecting the game behaviour between local governments, banks and enterprises. Then, we incorporate entrepreneurial spirit into the model to determine whether entrepreneurial spirit accelerates the achievement of green sustainability objectives. Environmental regulation and green finance are found to contribute substantially to the innovation of green technologies by local enterprises, while entrepreneurial spirit accelerates this process. Finally, we empirically test the findings based on a prefecture-level panel dataset from 2007 to 2020. We find that green finance has a positive impact in Central and Western cities of China, while Eastern cities are in greater need for government environmental regulation controls. For entrepreneurial spirit, the incentive effect of entrepreneurial spirit on the level of green technology innovation is more significant in Central and Western regions of China. This paper enriches the field of research on entrepreneurial spirit and regional green sustainable development by providing empirical evidence for the evaluation of environmental regulatory and green financing policy impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, a worldwide economic slump has reduced the depletion of natural resources, lowering their costs. The loss of renewable energy profitability might hinder the attainment of specified goals of sustainable development goals. By using Chinese provinces data from 1995 to 2020, this research examined the relationships between renewable energy investment (REI), green finance (GFI), growth of the economy (GDP), renewable energy production (REP), and private sector participation (PSP) in China. According to this analysis, REI, REP, and GFI are more variable throughout the given period than GDP. And PSP. A bidirectional substantial causal correlation between REI and REP was identified using the Generalized method of moments (GMM). Still, the regression coefficient between GDP and REI and REI. and GFI has a one-way causal relationship. There was no evidence that the PSP directly impacted the REI. Based on the empirical findings of this research, we propose that policies be designed to reduce volatility in REI GFI, and REP and increase support to improve sustainable economic development and environmental and renewable energy production. Examine between green financing and environmental conservation for long-term environmental quality. • There is a dire need to measure the examined the relationships between renewable energy investment (REI), green finance (GFi). • Bidirectional substantial causal correlation between REI and REP was identified using the Generalized method of moments (GMM). • There was no evidence that the PSP had a direct impact on the REI. • This paper improve sustainable economic development as well as environmental and renewable energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the global call for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, China plans to reform its protected areas (PAs) system. Despite positive progress, there are still challenges in defining PAs boundaries, allocating management authority, and securing sustainable funding. This paper reviews the current state and challenges of China's PAs management and advocates a paradigm shift towards comprehensive public governance. This shift aligns with the Ecological Conservation Redline (ECR) and integrates PAs into the National Territorial Spatial Planning, for a coordinated layout of Ecological-Productive-Living Spaces. The current study emphasizes the need for a refined assessment of PAs, including ecosystem services, to balance human development rights and environmental sustainability. It also advocates for multi-stakeholder consultation mechanisms to ensure broader social participation, particularly for indigenous peoples and local communities. The current investigation highlights the importance of valuing ecological products to harmonize environmental protection with community welfare. This review contributes to the discourse on balancing ecological integrity with socio-economic progress and provides insights into the difference between human rights, ecological conservation, and sustainable development, marking a significant stride towards global sustainability goals. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Performance-friendly regulation is illusion in China. • We document that investments and fees for environmental protection are mutually complementary in China. • We show that regulation in China leads to better firm performance but stimulate little for environment. Porter (1991) and follow-up scholars hypothesize that environmental regulation stimulates innovation to promote performance. As a complement to the existing literature, this paper reveals an ironic reality: performance-friendly regulation as a proxy for the "win–win" solution of environmental regulation is an illusion due to ineffective intensity for sustainability. With firm-level evidence from China, we measure the intensity of environmental regulation by a firm's investments for environmental protection (IEP) or fees for environmental protection (FEP). After identifying a positive causal effect on performance of IEP or FEP, we document that IEP and FEP are complementary and thus ineffective for sustainable development. We further document that the effects between IEP and FEP are mediated by performance insignificantly from an economic perspective, thereby revealing the incentive incompatibility of a firm in IEP and FEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Qinling Mountains include unique geography, geology, climate, ecology, and culture. • Regional economic growth and environmental preservation can coexist. • The "life community" promotes eco-friendly civilization and regional growth. China geography, geology, climate, ecology, and cultural landscape are bounded to the north and south by the Qinling Mountains. It has several challenges, including the need to maintain its biodiversity and the need to accelerate economic development. Therefore, the mining area development and ecological community research has strong theoretical and practical significance. In this paper, we studies the Environmental Kuznets Curve, the key influencing factors in the model and a comprehensive strategy of green ecological development based on the three contradictions between environmental protection and mining development in Qinling Mountains. The result of the studies suggested that the solution of resource development, pollution control, and climate change concerns can be accomplished by employing four distinct classifications of enhanced and iterative intelligent, green, and low-carbon comprehensive technological systems. These systems are achievable through the implementation of an independence and self-enhancement strategy in advanced science and technology. Furthermore, the proposed model of Environmental Kuznets curve suggested that there are no significant effect on the sustainable development of mining industry and ecological protection. Moreover, the long-term effects of changes in the ecological and socio-economic environments on a given habitat, an assessment of the sustainability of the ecological environment is more comprehensive and systematic. Thus, the "life community" of ecological preservation and mineral resource development in Qinling is the consequence of the ecologically green civilization and provides the most vigor to the growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: China's policymakers are being forced to balance socioeconomic development with the need for environmental protection. In this paper, we have briefly discussed the main characteristics of the environmental problems that China will face in the 21st century and the challenges that must be met in order to develop policies that will support environmental management. As our discussion in this paper shows, the negative effects of China's economic development on its environment will continue to rise for some time, despite strong efforts to reverse the situation. It will also be necessary to change China's resource-intensive mode of economic development, change the economic development philosophy to one in which controlling pollution is as important as economic development, and raise public awareness of the need for environmental protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Farm size plays a critical role in agricultural sustainability. This may have far-reaching consequences for the economic and environmental performance of agricultural production, resulting, for instance, in an excessive use of mineral fertilizers. However, the magnitude of such effects and their main causes are not well understood, while being essential for effective policy development, especially for countries like China where the agricultural sector is still largely dominated by smallholder farms. In this paper, we review the current understanding of how farm size affects agricultural sustainability using China's crop farming as an example from economic, environment and social aspects. We analyze impacts from both a Chinese and a global perspective to identify intervention points to improve agricultural performance. We found that increasing farm size has a positive impact on farmer's net profit, as well as economic, technical and labor efficiency with mean coefficients of 0.005, 0.02 and 2.25, respectively. Nevertheless, the relationships between farm size and overall productivity, total factor productivity and allocative efficiency are still not well understood and therefore require more research. Meanwhile, increase in farm size is associated with statistically significant decrease in fertilizer and pesticide use per hectare, showing clear benefits for environmental protection. In line with the experiences documented for the evolution of agricultural practices in developed countries, the expansion of large-scale farming is a critical path for modernizing agricultural production and ensuring sustainable food production from the social perspective. Measures concerning farm size should be implemented in an interaction between farmers and the government to promote the green development of agriculture. Highlights • Farm size plays an important role in the performance of agriculture. • Increasing farm size shows clear benefits for environmental protection. • Large-scale farming is a critical path for modernizing and sustaining agriculture. • Smallholders prefer to use more non-fixed inputs to increase yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Thallium (Tl) is a typical toxic metal, which poses a great threat to human health through drinking water and the food chain (biomagnification). China has rich Tl-bearing mineral resources, which have been extensively explored and utilized, leading to release of large amounts of Tl into the environment. However, research on Tl pollution and removal techniques is relatively limited, because Tl has not been listed within the scope of environmental monitoring in China for several decades. This paper reviewed Tl pollution in wastewater arising from various industries in China, as well as the latest available methods for treating Tl-containing industrial wastewater, in order to give an outlook on effective technologies for controlling Tl pollution. Conventional physical and chemical treatment technologies are efficient at removing trace amounts of Tl, but it proved to be difficult to achieve the stringent environmental standard (≤0.1–5 μg/L) cost-effectively. Adsorption by using newly developed nanomaterials, and metal oxide modified polymer materials and microbial fuel cells are highly promising and expected to become next-generation technologies for remediation of Tl pollution. With the potential for greater Tl contamination in the environment under accelerated growth of industrialization, researches based on lab-scale implementation of such promising treatment technologies should be further expanded to pilot and industrial scale, ensuring environmental protection and the safety of drinking water for sustainable development. Comprehensive insights into experiences of Tl pollution in China and in-depth perspectives on new frontier technologies of Tl removal from wastewaters will also benefit other nations/regions worldwide, which are susceptible to high exposure to Tl likewise. Highlights • Thallium (Tl) is highly toxic whereas understudied as compared to other metals. • Booming Tl pollution is occurring in China very recently. • Various sources were reviewed for soaring Tl pollution in wastewater in China. • Traditional methods are hard to meet environmental standards cost-effectively. • New frontier technologies of Tl removal benefit all nations faced high Tl exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A Super-SBM with undesirable output model is applied. • The environmental efficiency of 283 Chinese cities during 2003–2016 is analyzed. • The overall environmental efficiency performance across the Chinese cities is low. • China has achieved significant improvement in environmental efficiency across survey period. Abstract In the past decades, unprecedented dramatic economic development in the Chinese cities has also brought serious environmental problems. In line with this, the Chinese government has been investing great efforts and resources in addressing environmental problems. However, little previous studies have been conducted in examining whether this development is efficient from a win-win perspective balance between economic growth and environmental protection. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis on the environmental efficiency (EE) in the process of dramatic economic development in the Chinese cities. The Super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model is adopted to analyze the EE performance. Data used for analysis are collected from 283 sample cities in China. The research results indicate that the overall EE performance across the Chinese cities is relatively low, and the differences in EE performance among the 283 cities are significant. The top three EE performers are Shenzhen, Sanya and Erdos, and Baiyin, Xinzhou and Liupanshui are the bottom three performers. The results also suggest that the EE performance in the Eastern area, where most first-tier cities are located in, is significantly higher than that in the Central and Western areas (aggregated with fourth and fifth tier-cities). From the dynamic perspective, the results show that China has achieved significant improvement in environmental efficiency across the surveyed period of 2003–2016. The research findings provide valuable references not only for the Chinese policy-makers and practitioners to adopt measures for promoting a win-win balance between environmental protection and economic development in the Chinese context, but also for further studies on environmental efficiency in the international context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The trilemma of economic growth, energy sustainability and environmental protection is facing China's urban sustainable development. In this paper, the ecological network analysis is applied to evaluate the whole metabolic processes of urban energy system. Then, a hierarchy analysis is conducted to diagnose and describe the energy's impacts on the whole energy metabolic processes, and reflect the dynamics and evolution of urban energy metabolic system. Using Beijing as a case study, results suggest that Beijing's strongest energy metabolic flows are electricity→service and electricity→ industrial energy use. Meanwhile, the main inflow to electricity has switched from raw coal in 2008 to natural gas in 2016. The hierarchy analysis indicates that the impacts of Natural gas and other energy are increasing while that of raw coal is decreasing. These results also suggest that Beijing's current achievements on urban energy system optimization mainly rely on structural variation in industries. It is considered that the future optimization should concentrate on promoting clean energy utilization in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional collaborative governance has become one of the most significant trends in environmental protection due to its importance in suppressing pollution transfer. This paper employs panel data from 285 cities in China during 2003–2019 and a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) method to evaluate the influence of regional collaborative governance on air pollution. Results show that regional collaborative governance significantly reduces air pollution. Heterogeneity assessment suggests that the inhibiting impact of regional collaborative governance on air pollution is long-term and increases temporally, whereas the spillover effect of regional collaborative governance is only significant in a specific range and decays spatially. In addition, the mechanism analysis reveals that regional collaborative governance reduces air pollution by increasing environmental regulation intensity, improving environmental governance efficiency, and promoting environmental protection technology. This study provides useful policy insights for policymakers seeking green and sustainable development to curb air pollution and improve environmental quality. • The impact of regional collaborative governance on air pollution is examined. • We employ a multi-period difference-in-differences approach. • Regional collaboration significantly reduces air pollution emissions. • Local effects increase temporally whereas spillover effects decay spatially. • The strongest inhibition comes from promoting environmental protection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analysed the influencing factors of urban eco-efficiency in Western China. • The US-SBM model and spatial econometric models were used for 84 cities' data. • Urban eco-efficiency showed a fluctuating upward trend during 2004–2017. • Economic development and urbanization had U-shaped impact on urban eco-efficiency. • Four explanatory variables showed a positive impact on urban eco-efficiency. Improving eco-efficiency can promote sustainable development. This study first evaluated the urban eco-efficiency of 84 cities in Western China from 2004 to 2017 by the undesirable-super-slack-based measure (US-SBM) and analysed their spatiotemporal characteristics, and then investigated its influencing factors using spatial econometric models. The results indicated that the urban eco-efficiency in Western China was at a relatively low level and showed a fluctuating upward trend with the highest average value of 0.65; however, capital cities of Western China have improved their eco-efficiency rapidly. Furthermore, there were obvious spatial spill-over impacts of the urban eco-efficiency in Western China. This paper also found that both the economic development level and urbanization level have "U" shaped impacts on Western China's urban eco-efficiency, which decreases at first and then rises. Similarly, increasing the proportion of secondary industry promotes urban eco-efficiency, and FDI, trade activities, improved environmental regulations as well as technological innovation capabilities have a positive impact on urban eco-efficiency in Western China. This paper also put forward corresponding policy suggestions to promote Western China's urban eco-efficiency. The present study may be helpful for policy-makers to balance economic development and environmental protection in Western China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has created the rapid development of the economy, but it has also negatively impacted the ecosystem. In China's affluent and innovative pearl river delta urban agglomeration (PRDUA), how to balance the relationship between economic development and environmental protection is related to the realization of local green development strategy. Consequently, to carry out green development more accurately and scientifically, the primary task is to conduct scientific research and judge the relationship among regional resources, environment, and economy. Therefore, it's of tremendous significance to study the green total factor productivity (GTFP) of the PRDUA, including resources and environmental factors. Combining the fixed Malmquist-Luenberger (ML) index and the slack based measure (SBM) model with undesirable output, this paper proposes a novel method, called slack based measure-Malmquist-Luenberger (SBM-ML) model, to measure GTFP. This method was used to measure the GTFP of the PRDUA from 2005 to 2018 and analyzes its changes from time and space dimensions. The results show that: from the perspective of time, the GTFP of all cities in the PRDUA increased in a wavelike increasing trend during the sample period, and the change of the annual average GTFP of the PRDUA can be roughly divided into four stages. From the perspective of space, the GTFP of Shenzhen has been at the top-level during the sample period. Meanwhile, the disparity of GTFP between cities in PRDUA becomes narrowing in the overall trend. Finally, according to the empirical results of the GTFP of the PRDUA, this paper puts forward targeted policy recommendations to facilitate greener development in the PRDUA. • GTFP of PRDUA region is measured by SBM-ML model combining ML index and SBM model. • GTFP of all cities in PRDUA increased in a wavelike increasing trend. • Change of the AAGTFP of PRDUA can be roughly divided into four stages. • GTFP of Shenzhen has been at the leading level during the sample period. • The disparity of GTFP between cities in PRDUA becomes narrowing in overall trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlation between urbanization and environmental pollution is a major focus of study in geography, environmental science, and economics. Particulate matter is the primary pollutant of air pollution and made up of heavy metal, organic carbon and aromatic hydrocarbon and complicated chemicals. PM 2.5 are fine particulate matter with diameters that are less than 2.5 μm. The aim of this study on the relationship between urbanization and PM 2.5 concentration is to achieve a win-win situation of both economic development and environmental protection, which is of great significance to sustainable development in China. This paper uses PM 2.5 remote sensing data and statistical yearbook data from 2000 to 2011 to build four panel data models within the urbanization-PM 2.5 concentration Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework. The goal is to find out the correlations between PM 2.5 concentration and economic urbanization, population urbanization, and space urbanization. Furthermore, scenario simulations are set to predict when China will reach inflection point and achieve its target concentration. Results show that the relationship between economic urbanization and PM 2.5 concentration is an inverted N-shaped or inverted U-shaped curve. Most cities in East China have reached the second inflection point of inverted-N curve to step into the win-win stage while many cities in Middle China still need 10–15 years to arrive at the inflection point of the inverted-U curve. Therefore, China is under great pressure to prevent PM 2.5 pollution and pursue more targeted PM 2.5 -reduction policies for air quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty eradication and sustainable development are common missions of humanity and are top priorities of the Chinese government. Nevertheless, the poverty of reservoir immigrants is usually interwoven with eco-environmental and geo-disaster factors, making poverty alleviation the most challenging task in rural China. In this context, a System Dynamics Model (SDM) is used to explore interactive mechanisms of eco-environment, geo-disasters and immigrant poverty as well as enable policy makers to understand the impacts of different investment strategies on the key variables and the sustainable development of China's Poverty-stricken Reservoir Regions (CPRR). Based on data from 1998 to 2014, this paper simulates the Wanzhou reservoir area. It designs four policy scenarios to simulate changes to the major variables: sewage treatment investment, disaster control investment, soil erosion control investment and poverty alleviation fund, from 2015 to 2020. It is found that 1) China's Poverty-stricken Reservoir Regions are highly likely to achieve the poverty reduction goal by 2020 by taking the coordinated strategy and pay more attention to disaster management; and 2) the coordinated development scenario could reduce poverty, sewage discharge, disease incidence, geo-disasters and soil erosion, and increase the areas of forest cover and agricultural land systematically. The SDM method is reliable for the dynamic development analysis of CPRR. The results could offer policy recommendations to policy makers and provide a method to implement best practices for the sustainable development of CPRR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive design strategies are important for achieving building sustainability given their proved influences over the building performance in both energy and indoor environmental aspects. The building layout, envelope thermophysics, building geometry and infiltration & air-tightness are major passive architectural parameters to improve the building energy efficiency. In this paper, a comprehensive literature review on simulation-based approaches to optimize passively designed buildings is conducted and corresponding research gaps are identified. Based on existing research methods, modelling experiments on a generic building are conducted to integrate robust variance-based sensitivity analyses with an early-stage design optimization process. Proposed mixed-mode ventilation and lighting dimming control algorithms are applied to the EnergyPlus model to simulate the total lighting and cooling energy demands by incorporating the related design criteria in a local green building assessment scheme. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is then coupled with the modelling experiment to obtain the Pareto frontier as well as the final optimum solution. Different settings of NSGA-II are also investigated to improve the computational efficiency without jeopardizing the optimization productivity. Furthermore, the sensitivity of optimum design solutions to external environmental parameters in hot and humid areas are explored. Findings from this study will guide decision-makers through a holistic optimization process to fulfill energy-saving targets in a passively designed green building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Total factor productivity changes and annual growth rates of sustainable development 31 regions in Mainland China from 2015 to 2018. • Technology efficiency and scale efficiency of e-agricultural infrastructure of 31 regions in Mainland China from 2015 to 2018. • Suggestions to enhance the management of electronic agriculture and protect the environment. With the rapid development of the Internet and telecommunication systems, the electronic agricultural infrastructure has been continuously improved. This paper analyzes the regional differences and dynamic evolution of agricultural sustainable development and efficiency in 31 regions of Mainland China. The research is based on a data envelopment analysis-Malmquist productivity index model. The paper puts forward suggestions to help enhance the management of electronic agriculture and keep a balance between societal development and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the concept of remanufacturing is gaining popularity in practice, its effect on environmental protection and energy saving is significant, which has attracted widespread concerns, especially in the automotive components field. Automotive components remanufacturing (ACR), as a prominent part in automotive life-cycle development, can dramatically reduce resources-waste and mitigate energy-crisis, which has become a prominent direction to promote sustainable development of Chinese economy. Thus, influence factors analysis and enterprise operation patterns assessment which primarily contribute to ACR industry development are of paramount importance. This paper elaborates the criteria influencing the ACR industry operation and analyzes the main operation patterns for ACR in China. To overcome the uncertainty of the evaluation process, a new hybrid multi-criterion decision-making (MCDM) model that combines fuzzy AHP (analytical hierarchy process) and fuzzy G-TOPSIS (combining gray relation analysis and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution) is proposed to determine weights of influence criteria and evaluate ACR production operation patterns. In addition, sensitivity analysis is applied to monitor the robustness of the method. The study refers to the experience of Chinese end-of-life vehicle (ELV) laws and implementation requirements of extended producer responsibility (EPR). The obtained results provide the new guideline to revise the regulations of Chinese ACR industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine zoning and planning are cornerstones of China's marine and coastal management, but are facing challenges in maintaining sustainable development with increasing resource use. Marine functional zoning (MFZ) and marine environmental functional zoning (MEFZ) are existing official Chinese regulations possessing legal force. In contrast, the Marine ecological red line (MERL) refers to a type of marine spatial planning aimed at ecological protection which has been promoted following a 2011 decision of the Chinese State Council to strengthen environmental protection. It has been partially implemented within China, but has only gained legal status in late 2014 and implementation in 2015. The paper compares the two kinds of marine spatial planning providing a general overview, an example in the Bohai Sea, and discussing the marine functional zone and marine ecological red line approaches. The legal status, spatial layout, and control of the systems are compared. The comparison shows that the marine ecological red line has the potential to supplement and strengthen the current marine functional zoning system, and that further improvement should come from recent legal developments. Management will require more ecological information to improve the technical aspects of the MERL approach to enable further MFZ and MERL integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to investigate the effect of the Internet penetration on government's environmental protection expenditure (GEPE). On the basis of Chinese provincial panel data from 2007 to 2016, this paper estimates a dynamic panel model by employing the system generalized method of moments (GMM). We find a significant positive relationship between Internet penetration and the GEPE in China, and this conclusion remains consistent after conducting several robustness checks. In addition, we further identify three potential mechanisms to explain how Internet penetration affects the GEPE, namely, the popularity of the Internet contributes to restraining government's behaviors, improving government's responsiveness to public's needs, and enhancing public's environmental protection awareness. The findings shed light on several issues in environmental policy, for instance, the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and sustainable development. • Investigating the effect of Internet penetration on government's environmental protection expenditure (GEPE) in China • Finding a significant positive relationship between Internet penetration and the GEPE. • The popularity of the Internet can boost GEPE in China via improving the government's responsiveness to public's needs. • The popularity of the Internet can boost GEPE in China via enhancing public's environmental protection awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: With the increasing scarcity of fossil fuel resources, the demand for greenhouse gas reduction and environmental protection all over the world, developing hydropower becomes one of the most important energy strategies. This paper introduces the current development situation of hydropower in China from following aspects: economy, environment and society as well as assesses their existing problems, and then demonstrates that China must accelerate the development of small hydropower and CDM projects in order to realize the sustainable development of economy, environment and society. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Considering the traditional indicator of Green GDP and EDP, which ignored the ecological content when used to assess the regional sustainable development level, we proposed a new indicator, “EcoDP”, which consists of five sub-indicators: eco-service domestic product, eco-disaster domestic product, eco-construction domestic product, eco-threat domestic product, and eco-protection cost input, to distinguish the traditional EDP; we also suggest that the “EcoDP” should rather be divided into two main types: the “EcoDP value-stocked” and the “EcoDP value-added”. An analysis is carried out of China''s “EcoDP” change from 1999 to 2008, providing the following figures for the past 10 years: eco-service domestic product rose by 0.11 trillion yuan; eco-disaster domestic product increased by ¥1.03 trillion; eco-construction domestic product dropped by ¥9.8 billion; eco-threat domestic product rose by ¥114.4 billion; eco-protection cost input grew by ¥431.1 billion; and then we discussed the reasons for this change in China''s “EcoDP” from the perspectives of ecosystem, environment, resources and energies. Finally, based on various uncertainties regarding the research methodology adopted, the paper considers how to conduct quantified research and assessment for regional sustainable development in a comprehensive way in the future, in terms of GDP, EDP and social domestic product, like HDI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To some extent, there are some uncertainties factors in forecasting energy demand of road transportation. Scientific forecasting China''s energy demand of road transportation is a key for make long-term development plans of the nation''s road transportation, and relevant policies of environmental protection and energy-saving. Basing on the energy demand of China''s road transportation, considering the factors average fuel consumption of singleautomobile and the workload of road transportation, the paper does a comprehensive forecasting for China''s energy demand of transportation in the future. The result is that in 2030, the energy demand of road transportation will amount to 250 million tons, which is 1.4 times that of 2020, and 2.3 times that of 2010. The significant increase of energy demand will inevitably bring great pressure to resources of energy and environmental protection, so the implementation of scientific development concept, saving resources and protecting the environment and adopting sustainable development policy will be the objective requirements for highway transportation development of China in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The enactment and implementation of the 2003 EIA Law in China institutionalised the role of plan environmental impact assessment (PEIA). While the philosophy, methodology and mechanisms of PEIA have gradually permeated through the various levels of government with a positive effect on the process and outcome of urban planning, only a few cities in China have so far carried out PEIA as a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)-type procedure. One such case is the southern city of Shenzhen. During the past three decades, Shenzhen has grown from a small town to a large and booming city as China has successfully and rapidly developed its economy by adopting the “reform and open door” policy. In response to the challenges arising from the generally divergent processes of rapid urbanisation, economic transformation and environment protection, Shenzhen has incrementally adopted the SEA concept in developing the city''s Master Urban Plan. As such, this paper reviews the effectiveness of PEIA in three ways: [•] as a tool and process for achieving more sustainable and strategic planning; [•] to determine the level of integration of SEA within the planning system; and, [•] its effectiveness vis-à-vis implementation. The implementation of PEIA within Shenzhen''s Master Urban Plan offers important insights into the emergence of innovative practices in undertaking PEIA as well as theoretical contributions to the field, especially in exploring the relationship between PEIA and SEA and highlighting the central role of local governing institutions in SEA development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Yellow River Delta was selected as study area in this paper. Based on a comprehensive analysis of environmental capacity theory, environmental carrying capacity was studied using ecological footprint model, combining with the economic and social data of the Yellow River Delta from 2001-2008. The results showed that the ecological footprint per capita had increased two times from 2001-2008, which was from 0.1885 hm2 in 2001 to 0.4639 hm2 in 2008. The diversity of ecological footprint had changed slightly, and the ratio of biotic resources requirement was largest among all the other types. The development ability of ecosystem had a little improved. Environmental carrying capacity of the Yellow River Delta had increased. But compared to the increasing of ecological footprint, the increasing degree was not notable, and the ecological deficit increased obviously. The unsustainable development has already appeared from the analysis of ecological footprint index. Finally, some countermeasures were advanced in order to improve the environment situation of the Yellow River Delta, such as adjusting industrial structure through developing circulate economy vigorously, saving mine resources and protecting pasture environment through strengthening management, controlling the population and advocating sustainable life style. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The pharmaceutical industry is the focus of State Environmental Protection Plan among the 12 industries, the execution of ecological engineering and furthering of cleaner production is a key way to sustainable development with enhancing production vitality of pharmaceutical companies. With the consideration of the pollution from pharmaceutical companies, this paper examines the implementation of cleaner production for the pharmaceutical companies in Shijiazhuang City through the empirical analysis, its conclusion will guide the decision-making of the government and corporations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current developing situation and prospect of chemical industry of Shandong Province is reviewed and analyzed. The chemical industry of Shandong Province has developed rapidly with a large economic aggregate, and has become one of the pillar industries of Shandong Province. However, its structure is not reasonable and its processing depth is inadequate. This paper points out the main contradiction in the developing process of chemical industry of Shandong Province and its main environmental problems. Combined with the relative industry policies issued by the Country and Shandong Province, several suggestions and recommendations on implementing the sustainable development strategy in chemical industry of Shandong Province are brought out, which includes promulgating the related policies and regulations to establish a threshold of environmental admittance for new chemical projects, gathering the chemical projects into the centralized areas, paying attention to the construction of environmental infrastructure facilities and its perfection of the chemical industry parks, and strengthening the supervision and management of environmental risk of the chemical projects, as aims to harmonize economic development and environmental protection, and to realize the harmonious state of society, environment and human beings, on the base of a fast economic progress of chemical industry. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of RIUDS [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the 1980s Chinese economic reform has greatly accelerated its economic growth while in contrast China's environment is increasingly degraded. The Chinese government has recognized that environmental protection and sustainable economic development can promote mutual and sustainable co-development of the economy and the environment as a basic national principle. This paper examines the interactions between economic development and environmental change in China that were compared and analyzed for the years 1996 and 2000. Net primary production (NPP) was selected as a proxy evaluator of ecosystems and gross domestic product (GDP) was chosen as a proxy evaluator of economic development. An NPP change map was produced with Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) summed annual NPP imagery products. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) nighttime imagery was used to produce a Chinese GDP change map. An integrated map was produced to exhibit the combined changes of NPP and GDP. This map showed that in the regions with increased GDP, NPP decreased but the regions with no GDP change were smaller in area for NPP increase while larger in area for NPP decrease. The changing pattern of NPP varied with the developing level of GDP at province level. A province's development of GDP is controlled by its accessibility to natural resources. Interactions between NPP and GDP are greatly affected by factors of spatial location aside from human factors and natural systems'' characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With the largest population living in rural areas, the lack of clean energy supply is an important problem in China, and the utilization of renewable energy not only meets the demand of energy, but also provides a basis for environmental protection and sustainable development. This paper reviews use of clean energy in a resource-rich region, including the basic principle of the development of recycling agriculture, the potential, the present status and the future of renewable energy in the region rural areas. If the project will be finished, there will be 300,000 families benefiting from it and it can bring at least 2.2×108 US dollars revenue increase directly, the indirect revenue increase will be 0.15billion US dollars, the environment will be improved and the living standard in Jincheng''s rural areas is also be greatly improved because of developing biogas project. Based on the developing status and constraint conditions, the solutions to further promote renewable energy projects in this region are also proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Natural ecosystems and human societies have evolved in many diverse ways and they are both complex systems. Our learning from the structure complexity of natural ecosystems can help us to redesign the structure of industrial system. Thus the materials and energy efficiency of industrial systems can be improved well to achieve the sustainable goals. In this paper, Structural Analysis Method for Industrial Ecosystems (SAMIE) is introduced and applied in the analysis of the structure complexity and efficiency of the industrial ecosystems. The industrial ecosystem is analyzed based on the industrial species’ classification, which is analogous to the natural ecosystem. A set of indicators are developed to evaluate the industrial system, in order to explore the problems of structural complexity, identify the limiting factors of industrial ecosystem evolution, and strengthen the capacity of adaptation and self-organization. A case study on LuBei industrial ecosystem in China has been selected to apply the SAMIE approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development stipulates 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The implementation of this agenda will mobilize countries worldwide to incorporate the SDGs into their national development strategies. The agenda does not specify how these goals are interconnected, thus limiting their implementation. In addition, air quality affects human life and plays a vital role in achieving these SDGs. Clarifying the interconnections between SDGs related to air pollution and other SDGs will accelerate the implementation of air protection and SDGs while simultaneously promoting policy coherence. In this paper, we use the latest calculation of the SDGs in China to construct national and provincial panel data to investigate the trade-offs and synergies among Chinese air pollution-related SDGs. The findings are as follows. First, most air pollution-related SDGs have synergetic relationships, except for SDG12, which has a trade-off relationship with other air pollution-related SDGs. Second, the synergies between air pollution-related SDGs and other SDGs far outweigh the trade-offs. Third, rapidly developing areas are more likely to experience a trade-off between economic development and air pollution problems. Fourth, geographic advantages in reducing air pollution, such as being adjacent to the sea, may weaken the synergies among air pollution-related SDGs and their synergies with other SDGs. These findings indicate that most air-pollution-related SDGs and interactions between air-pollution-related SDGs and other SDGs have substantial synergy; that is, measures aimed at one goal are conducive to the advancement of other goals. However, SDG12 reflects a trade-off relationship between economic development, environmental protection, and resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws upon smart growth theory to provide an analytical framework of "smart identification" for industrial land to be readjusted. Huai'an city, Jiangsu province, China, is selected as a case example for the developed framework. Unlike the identification method of efficiency orientation for stock industrial land, which emphasizes the core goal of input and output of production factors per unit area, the smart identification framework covers the five dimensions of industrial policy, urban planning, socioeconomic benefits, transportation convenience, and environment protection. The framework pays more attention to the characteristics of high-quality socioeconomic development, including innovation-driven, coordinated, and sustainable development. Industrial land blocks are used as the research unit. A total of 1,552 industrial land blocks are identified for readjustment, covering an area of 4,008.7 hm2 and accounting for 54.3% of the total industrial land area in Huai'an city; this shows that considerable potential exists for adjustment. We argue that the evaluation index selection of intensive industrial land use and the method by which industrial land is identified for readjustment is influenced by the stage of socioeconomic development. The smart identification method is more consistent with the connotation of high-quality development, and more conducive to revealing the current demand and change law of industrial land against the background of industrial transformation and upgrading, which is of great significance with regard to promoting the intensive use and spatial optimization of industrial land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The relation between urbanization and water environment in Hanjiang Basin was studied. • Coupling coordination degree model between UAWE of Hanjiang Basin was established. • The positive interaction effect of UAWE is mainly focused on the middle and lower reaches of the Hanjiang River. • Put forward feasible measures to realize the sustainable development of UAWE. The urbanization process of the Hanjiang Basin is speeding up and facing many challenges. It is necessary to take active actions to realize the balance between urbanization development and water environment protection. This paper aims to establish a comprehensive evaluation model of urbanization and water environment (UAWE) and explore the development of UAWE in the Hanjiang Basin in China from 2010 to 2018. In terms of methodology, these evaluation models are combined with the Coupling coordination degree model (CCDM), Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), and Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) to measure and analyze the coupling degree (CD) and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of UAWE. Our findings include the following: (1) From 2010 to 2018, in all regions of the Hanjiang Basin, urbanization showed a gradual upward trend. Among Them, the comprehensive urbanization index (CUI) of Xiangyang increased by 25.37%. (2) The comprehensive water environment index (CWEI) presents a fluctuating growth, with the rate of increase in Jingmen's reaching 17.44%. (3) There is heterogeneity in time and space between cities in the Hanjiang Basin, and the positive interaction effect of UAWE is mainly focused on the middle and lower reaches of the Hanjiang River. (4) Coupling coordination degree (CCD) in the basin shows an increasing trend, and the areas with high CCD are mainly concentrated in Xiangyang and Xiantao. (5) ESDA shows that the CCD among cities in the basin has spatial correlation and heterogeneity, and the regions with similar CCD tend to be distributed centrally in space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

•This paper distinguishes three types of development modes based on China's practice. •A nonparametric model was built for examining the win-win ability during China's transition. •Results show that China could achieve a win-win of its economy and environment. •There is a "U" shaped relationship between win-win ability and economic development stage. •China has not succeeded in passing the turning point of the curve. Since reform and opening up, China's economic development mode has moved from "extensive" to "bottom line," and will further turn to "green" in the future. Using non-parametric and spatial econometric models, this study investigates the win-win ability of environmental protection and economic development and the best time for China's transition. The results reveal that at present, China's green development transition on the whole could achieve a win-win of environmental protection and economic development, but this ability is on a waning trend. During the past decade, the best time for China's green development transition was 2011 and 2012, when its economy came into "New Normal." For many of the country's internal provinces, such transition seems to have negative impacts on the economy in the short term. There is a "U" shaped relationship between the win-win ability and economic development stage, and China has not succeeded in passing the turning point of the curve. Under the high-, medium-, and low-growth scenarios, this decay cycle is expected to end in 2025, 2027 and 2032. Compared with the environmental Kuznets curve, the turning point of the win-win curve comes much later. It means that while the public's willingness to protect the environment is sufficiently high and has crossed the inflection point of the environmental Kuznets curve, the win-win ability is going through decay cycles over longer periods (more than 10 years). Besides, to better adapt to the economic and social changes brought about by development mode transition, the central government should give local governments much more autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation has been valued as a main driving force of social development, and the need for environmental protection has further raised green innovation development. Previous studies have confirmed that industrial agglomeration has an innovation spillover effect, and furthermore it varies with different agglomeration modes. However, the addition of environmental regulation could exert effects on the innovation spillover of industrial agglomeration. Based on Chinese provincial panel data from 2003 to 2017, this paper tested the effect of different agglomeration modes on green technology innovation (green process innovation and green product innovation) under environmental regulation. Research found that: when industrial agglomeration promotes green technology innovation, environmental regulation will inhibit agglomeration innovation; when industrial agglomeration hinders green technology innovation, environmental planning will promote agglomeration innovation. The regional difference of cluster development are obvious in China, and the effect of agglomeration innovation in different regions is also different. In the implementation of environmental regulation for each region, it is necessary to combine the current situation of cluster development to effectively promote green technology innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron and steel sector is the largest industrial energy consumer and emission source of greenhouse gas and air pollutants in China. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a quantitative assessment for energy conservation potential and environmental benefits of China's iron and steel industry. Energy efficiency improvement, EAF promotion and charcoal substitution are efficient measures to achieve cleaner and sustainable development. In this paper, five scenarios are designed for comprehensively analyzing the multiple factors influencing the potential for energy conservation and emission reduction. Furthermore, emissions reduction benefits of air pollutants are combined with Conservation Supply Curves to accurately evaluate the cost of the technology. A comprehensive emission inventory of air pollutants is established. The results show that under the synergistic effects of charcoal substitution, EAF improvement and energy efficiency improvement, significant environmental benefits have been achieved. Energy intensity was reduced obviously from 16.59 GJ/t-steel in 2017 to 14.46 GJ/t-steel in 2030 in integrated scenario, while the emission intensity of GHG, SO 2 , NO x , PM 2.5 , PM 10 , CO and VOCs in 2030 is decreased by 21.53%, 14.59%, 17.07%, 0.16%, 0.22%, 16.5% and 20.67% compared with business-as-usual scenario. In addition, combining Conservation Supply Curves with emissions reduction benefits can significantly reduce the cost of the technology, which has a great significance to the popularization and application of technologies. Sensitivity analysis in terms of discount rate and energy price is conducted. This study could help policy makers to cast light on the status quo and prompt more effective policies for China's iron and steel industry. Image 1 • Energy conservation and emission reduction supply curve model was established. • Mitigation potential of three greenhouse gases and six air pollutants were studied. • The effect of charcoal substitution in the iron-making process was evaluated. • Five scenarios were set to assess the energy saving and mitigation potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green innovation is the main force to drive China's intensive pollution industries (IPIs) into sustainable development. Improving green innovation efficiency (GIE) is an effective way to reach this goal. The correct approach to measuring IPIs' GIE and its influencing factors is a hot issue. Based on the panel data of China's 21 subdivided industries of IPIs over the period from 2011 to 2015, this paper applies the Super-Slack-Based Measurement (Super-SBM) and Tobit model to analyse IPIs' GIE and its influencing factors, respectively. The results show that IPIs' overall efficiency fluctuates around 0.67 in the first 4 years and increases to 0.776 in 2015, failing to be DEA-efficient; there are obvious gaps in GIE between the 21 industries, and the ferrous metal smelting and calendering industry has the weakest GIE. The regression results show that, government R&D support and environmental regulation have inverted U-shaped and U-shaped relationship with IPIs' GIE, respectively. Foreign market demand and market competition have significant positive and negative impacts on GIE, respectively, but the impact of market openness is not significant. The results suggest that (1) Chinese government should increase R&D support for IPIs, especially for those with low GIE, and strengthen supervision of the use of government R&D funds to avoid the crowding-out effect, (2) strengthen the intensity of environmental supervision and enforcement of environmental regulation policies, (3) improve environmental protection standards and preferential policies for exportation at the same time, (4) promote industrial restructuring and improve the mechanism of resource and benefit sharing to promote the flow of innovative resources and diffusion of innovative achievements. • Supplementing the evaluation indexes of GIE to reflect the requirements of recycling, low-carbon development, cleanness. • The GIE of IPIs has been improved from 0.67 to 0.776 during 2011–2015, but still fail to be DEA-efficient. • GIE of different industries varies greatly, and the ferrous metal smelting and calendaring industry's GIE is the weakest. • Government R&D support and environmental regulation have inverted U–shaped and U-shaped relationship with GIE, respectively. • Foreign market demand and market competition have significant positive and negative impacts on GIE, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing concerns over sustainable development and environmental protection, wastewater treatment and recycling, a crucial issue to address to ensure an oilfield's economic and clean production, is of great significance to achieve water pollution prevention and rational and scientific use of water resources. In this paper, aiming at the optimal operation of oilfield wastewater treatment and recycling system, a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed to ensure minimum costs and maximum amounts of recycled water. Various technical and operational constraints of wastewater treatment stations, waterflooding stations, and water allocation rooms are taken into consideration. For the safe and efficient operation of the system, the flowrate and energy balance equations of water delivery and waterflooding networks are also included. The augmented ε-constraint method is introduced to deal with the two conflicting objectives and generate the Pareto front. Lastly, taking a real-world wastewater treatment and recycling system in the Xinjiang Oilfield, China, as an example, the model's validity and applicability as well as analysis of the conflicting objectives trade-offs are demonstrated. Compared with manually developed plans, the model solution could not only lower the total costs but also improve the staff working efficiency and the correlation of sub-systems. With different levels of importance given to sustainable development and operational economy, a set of optimal operation schemes can also be provided for reference and decision-support. • A multi-objective MILP model for the oilfield wastewater system is established. • Various operational and technical constraints of the system are considered. • The augmented ε-constraint method is adopted to generate the Pareto front. • Two cases are given to demonstrate the model's applicability and the trade-offs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Economic agglomeration (EA) was quantified based on nighttime light data. • All provinces are facing ecological overload excluding Qinghai. • A positive correlation between EA and ecological efficiency (EE) was found. As natural resources are becoming one of the factors hindering economic development, the utilization efficiency of natural resources should be improved and ecological stress should be reduced to ensure sustainable economic development. In this study, the ecological stress index and ecological efficiency were quantified using the ecological footprint model to describe the current status of sustainability and utilization efficiency of natural resources. The economic agglomeration was determined by conducting global spatial autocorrelation analysis using Defense Meteorological Program/Operational Line-Scan System (DMSP/OLS) nighttime light data. The relationship between economic agglomeration and ecological efficiency of China was then illustrated in a four-partite graph, and the results show that (1) the per-capita ecological footprints vary between the different provinces; however, the composition of the ecological footprint is similar between the provinces, and demonstrates the demand for fossil energy land is highest, while that for fishing ground is lowest. (2) All provinces are facing ecological overload, excluding Qinghai, and Shanghai, Tianjin, and Beijing are enduring the most severe ecological overload. (3) The ecological efficiency differs greatly between the different provinces of China, and the ecological efficiency values tend to decrease from the eastern coast to the inland region. (4) The economic activities in every province of China are spatially agglomerated, and the degree of agglomeration differs significantly. (5) There is a positive correlation between economic agglomeration and ecological efficiency, indicating that promoting economic agglomeration is an effective method of improving the utilization efficiency of natural resources. The relationship between economic agglomeration and ecological efficiency observed in this paper will provide a reference for optimizing the spatial distribution of economic activities and a theoretical basis for synchronizing environmental protection with economic development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal is one of the most important energy sources in China, and a lot of coal dust will be produced in the process of coal production and transportation. The coal dust generated will cause environmental pollution and waste of resources, and it can have adverse effects on human health. Water spraying is usually used to suppress coal dust in coal production and transportation, but the effect of this method is not lasting and a lot of water resources were wasted. In order to better solve the problem of coal dust pollution and waste of water resources, a new dust suppression gel was prepared by graft copolymerization of itaconic acid-acrylic acid polymer and bentonite. The properties of the dust suppression gels were comprehensively studied through chemical experiments, numerical simulation and field tests. The results showed that the wettability of the dust suppression gel to coal dust was 2 times that of the water. Because of the water retention property of the dust suppression gel, the use of dust suppression gel could save 90% of the dust-proof water consumption than that of spraying water. The dust suppression gel had excellent wind erosion resistance and could effectively reduce the occurrence of coal dust during coal transportation. The dust suppression gel is used for dust removal in fully mechanized mining face, and its efficiency is more than 9 times that of spraying water. In summary, the dust suppression gel prepared in this paper is suitable for dust prevention during production and transportation of the coal mining industry, and can effectively reduce the water consumption when dustproofing under the condition of improving dust removal efficiency. This study is of great significance to the sustainable development of coal mining industry and environmental protection. Image 10806 • A dust suppression gel for coal transportation was studied and prepared. • The use of dust suppression gel reduces the water consumption of dust suppression. • The use of dust suppression gel improves the efficiency of dust suppression. • The wind erosion resistance of dust suppression gels was verified by simulation technology. • Dust suppression gel provides a new way to solve the problem of coal dust emission during coal transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]