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The conflict between cultivated land protection and economic development has become increasingly acute in recent years. Despite, intensive researches made on this conflict, little attention has been paid to the spatial correlation of variables. In view of this, the paper introduces the spatial panel regression model to estimate, and test whether the relationship between economic growth and cultivated land conversion conforms to Kuznets curve. Research results show that the area of converted cultivated land in China exhibits strong spatial auto-correlation; the spatial panel model with time effect and fixed effect is more stable and significant than conventional panel mode, and that the relationship between economic growth and cultivated land conversion agrees with the inverted U-shape of Kuznets curve, with inflection point occurring when average per capita GDP reaches ¥31330.93 (calculated at comparable price of 1999). On the basis of analysis, it is suggested that the government, with a view to developing economy alongside protecting cultivated land, should attach more importance to land use and planning in the future, pay more attention to the spatial correlation of cultivated land planning in adjacent areas and make greater efforts to increase the input–output ratio of land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The company's environmental management behaviors can improve the relationship between the company stakeholders, help companies to sustainably develop. But it is more seen as an obligation and cost of the company's environmental protection in developing countries. So what kind of impact the environmental protection have on the value of the company? Taking Chinese listing Corporation as a sample. This paper analyzes the impact of enterprises’ environmental management and its disclosure on corporate value. We conclude that environmental management excluding independent environment report can improve corporate value. In specific environmental management measures, producing environmental friendly products can help environmental friendly products gain recognition and improve corporate value significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental protection and climate change have become one of the most important issues of great concern. Consequently, improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy have also become the fundamental energy policies of all countries around the world. China has put forward the ambitious goal to speed up the construction of the resource conserving and environmentally friendly society. In Copenhagen Global Warming Summit, held in November 2009, China made a solemn commitment: by 2020, the CO 2 emissions per unit of GDP (i.e. carbon intensity) will decrease by 40% to 45% compared with that in 2005. Therefore, increasing energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption and protecting environment will undoubtedly become the urgent task in China, hence energy saving and emission reduction prove to be the developing trend. The Energy Saving Power Generation Dispatching (ESPGD) Measures (trial) printed by National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) was required to carry out energy saving power generation dispatching, so as to maximize the environmental benefits which the renewable energy and other clean energy create, minimize the energy consumption and pollutant emissions, and promote the secure, efficient and clean electric power system. The implementation of ESPGD is facing enormous challenges both in technology and in regulations. How to realize the balance among energy conservation, environmental protection and economic efficiency under the premise of secure and stable system operation, and how to promote the effective implementation through the policy measures, are the key problems to be resolved urgently for China to thoroughly carry out ESPGD. This paper introduces the concept of ESPGD, elaborates the influences of ESPGD on the entire electric power industry, discusses the situation and comparison of ESPGD in the pilot provinces, and puts forward technical and policy suggestions for the effective implementation of ESPGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the peak of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions requires a large amount of green and low-carbon investment. Whether the green finance system can efficiently support the capital need for achieving the CO 2 emissions target in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic is a matter of concern. This paper constructs a system dynamics model (SD model) to illustrate the quantitative relationship between the green finance system and CO 2 emissions and introduce the COVID-19 epidemic as a variable to analyze ten simulation scenarios regarding the carbon emissions commitment realization under different green finance and economic growth status. It is shown that: (1) Regardless of the impact of COVID-19, China can meet its commitment by reaching its CO 2 emissions peak in 2030 and realizing a 20% non-fossil energy proportion in 2025; (2) Under the impact of the epidemic, the goal can not be obtained in all energy consumption scenarios when the government expenditure on the environment is low. The target year of reaching CO 2 emissions peak becomes 2033, 2037, and 2040. The results indicate that reducing government expenditure on environment protection makes the CO 2 emissions peak target less likely to be achieved within a given time frame. We also concluded with important policy implications according to the result of the simulations. Overall, this study makes a reference for other economies and researchers to quantitatively predict the interaction relationship between the green finance system and CO 2 emissions in the context of COVID-19, which provides policymakers with insights into a joint power of energy consumption upgrading and green capital guidance. • Providing empirical studies regarding the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of green finance on CO 2 emissions. • Using systems dynamics model to address the missing data problem. • Making solid suggestions under COVID-19 Epidemic. • Building the relationship between the green finance system and CO 2 emissions and making forecasts for "3060" mission result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the feasibility of constructing multi-energy complementary systems in rural areas of China is examined. First, the rural energy structure and energy utilization in the eastern, central, and western regions of China are analyzed, and the development and utilization modes of multi-energy complementary systems in different regions are evaluated based on the differences in the resource endowment in different regions. Second, the input-output status of the multi-energy complementary mode in different regions is analyzed. Then, based on the assumption of technical feasibility, the feasibility of the multi-energy complementary system is analyzed in terms of various dimensions, such as economic, energy conservation, environmental protection, and social benefit. Finally, an empirical study is conducted by comparing the proposed multi-energy complementary system with traditional energy supply system. The results show that the development of a multi-energy complementary system in each region is feasible from the perspective of multiple dimensions to reduce environmental pollution, create employment opportunities, and improve the economy. Moreover, the system can significantly reduce the peak-valley difference and improve energy efficiency. • This paper analyzes the differences in energy structure in the different regions of China. • Construct a multi-energy complementary system in each region. • Demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a multi-energy complementary system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a practice of campaign-style pollution control, the central environmental inspection has great guiding significance for China's environmental management system reform. This paper analyzes the operational mechanism of central environmental protection inspection from the perspective of multi-governance and tests its effectiveness from both theory and empirical evidence. We find that the central environmental protection inspection can improve environmental quality. However, the air quality improvement of non-key cities of environmental protection is better than that of key cities of environmental protection. Besides, the effectiveness of the central environmental protection inspection is unsustainable. The results show that the direct intervention of the power of the Party Central Committee and the central government is a significant driving force to realize the improvement of the environmental quality by playing the role of the multi-governance model in the environment. The continuous environmental participation of the Party Central Committee and the central government is the guarantee for achieving the continuous operation of the multi-government model and maintaining the effect of environmental quality improvement. • We analyze the operating mechanism of the CEPI from the perspective of multi-governance. • A differential game is constructed to explain why the CEPI can reduce pollution. • The CEPI can improve air quality, but its effectiveness is unsustainable. • The air quality improvement of non-key cities is better than that of key cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The new EPL sets harsher penalties against polluters while providing discretion to local environmental authorities • The level of enforcement is significantly higher in counties with higher GPD per capita and larger government budget deficit • The choice of penalty types is unlikely to be correlated with GPD per capita and government budget deficit • The central government issues normative documents to limit local authorities' room to select the type of penalties • The central government also need to regulate local authorities' discretion to decide whether to impose penalties Discretion given to local authorities is an essential feature when national governments delegate enforcement of environmental regulations/laws to the local authorities. Enforcement discretion, however, raises the concern about weak environmental enforcement at the local level, especially in developing countries where institutions are built on weak foundations in general and enforcement usually falls short of what is needed to address environmental challenges. Given that existing literature does not have a clear understanding of whether discretion helps or hinders enforcement, This paper uses a unique nation-wide dataset collected from more than 2,200 counties in China from 2015 to 2017 to empirically identify key factors considered by local environmental authorities when they exercise discretion in the enforcement of the new Environmental Protection Law. Main results from the econometric analyses show that the level of enforcement measured by the total number of penalties is significantly higher in counties with higher GPD per capita and larger government budget deficit. In contrast, the choice of penalty types is unlikely to be correlated with these two variables. The patterns above are quantitatively similar across geographical regions that have different natural, economic and environmental conditions. Similar to the case for which the central government issues a series of normative documents to limit local environmental authorities' room to select the type of penalties to be imposed, it is also necessary for the central government to regulate local authorities' discretion to decide whether to impose penalties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model, this paper explores the influence of electricity generation and technological innovation on CO 2 emissions, as well as that of population and economic growth, in China during the period of 1985–2019. Econometric methods of smooth transition regression (STR) are used to calculate the threshold effects of the linkage among the selected variables. The conversion function of LSTR(1) (logistic STR with one regime switch) is selected by F-statistics based on third-order Taylor approximation. The results of the diagnostic test indicate that when the growth rate of electricity generation exceeds 8.914%, the relationships become nonlinear. Moreover, 1% increases of electricity generation and technological innovation may lead to increases of 2.91664% and 0.31016% in China's CO 2 emissions, respectively, while a 1% increase in economic growth can decrease China's CO 2 emissions by 1.16441%. Finally, some implications are suggested, such as strengthening the publicity surrounding environmental protection to reduce the footprint of CO 2 emissions, extending the green GDP even further, and building a more diversified power supply structure. [Display omitted] • Nonlinear STR model is established based on STIRPAT model in China. • Positive impacts of population, electricity, and innovation on emissions are found. • Economic growth may lead to emissions reduction. • Translation of technological innovation should be advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

whether political resource endowment affect regional low-carbon economic development has attracted the attention of many relevant stakeholders. Given that, by using remote sensing data such as nighttime light data and introducing the spatial econometric models, this paper selected 519 counties covering 69 prefecture-level cities in China's 14 provinces to explore the impact of political resource endowment on carbon productivity at the county level. The results showed that regional carbon productivity along the Long March areas was more 12% higher than that along non-Long March areas. Moreover, a series of robustness tests also verify that political resource endowment can effectively promote regional carbon productivity. Additionally, regional industrial structure is the most significant influencing factor in reducing carbon productivity. Our results also showed economic benefits generated from per unit carbon emissions in these counties along the Long March areas were obviously higher than those of counties along the non-Long March areas, indicating that counties along non-Long March areas should pay more attention to improving the balanced development of economic growth and environmental protection. Finally, for counties along the Long March areas and their surrounding regions, their carbon productivity spatially presents the typical spatial autocorrelation trend. Therefore, it is necessary to combine the transformation of industrial structure with the optimization of industrial spatial layout, and formulate the targeted improvement plan on carbon productivity for counties along the Long March areas to achieve coordinated low-carbon development. • The impact of political resource endowment on regional carbon productivity is explored; • Carbon productivity of counties along the Long March areas is higher than that of other counties; • Industrial structure hindered the growth of carbon productivity along the non-Long March areas; • Carbon productivity of counties benefitted from the endowment of political resources. [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: Carbon dioxide (CO2)-emission dynamics are critical to inter-governmental climate negotiations. Previous studies have noted a gradual equalization of per capita CO2 emissions across developed countries; that is, CO2 emissions converge across developed countries. However, they have ignored the effects of spatio-temporal dynamics on such convergence. In this paper, we address this gap in understanding the regional convergence of CO2 emissions by considering the spatio-temporal dynamics underlying the data. An empirical analysis of CO2 emissions in urban China based on our spatio-temporal model shows that overall, per capita CO2 emissions in these areas increased and converged from 1985 to 2008. The proposed convergence model provides greater explanatory power than its conventional counterpart due to the specification of spatio-temporal dependency. Our results reveal the dynamics of spatial effects in the convergence model, thus identifying the role of spatial effects in a disaggregated manner. The convergence rate increases when considering its spatio-temporal dependency. This ‘catching-up’ in the convergence of CO2 emissions indicates an increasing trend in such emissions in China, although the Chinese government has taken many measures to reduce CO2 emissions. These results should motivate policy makers to reflect on whether current policies actually reduce carbon emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The driving forces behind the promotion of compulsory cleaner production assessment in key enterprises of China are described in this paper, and quantitative analysis indicators for evaluating this process are presented. The effects of the economic development level of the province, pollution pressures and other external factors, such as staff training, on the promotion of compulsory cleaner production assessment in key enterprises were analyzed with a regression method. The results showed that the assessed rate of key enterprises that implemented a compulsory cleaner production assessment among all the key enterprises that have been identified by the local government is a reasonable and accurate indicator for evaluating the promotion of compulsory cleaner production assessment in key enterprises. Driving forces based on the economic development level of the province, pollution pressures and external driving conditions contribute to the promotion of compulsory cleaner production in China. However, improved performances based on these driving forces are not sufficient to address the urgent need for rapid progress in reducing pollution in China. There is a need to strengthen the main driving forces for the promotion of compulsory cleaner production assessment in key enterprises by improving the benefits of cleaner production practices by increasing the proportion of implementation of middle and high-cost options. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of environmental policy on environmental conditions resulting from China''s accession to the WTO. We estimate environmental technological efficiency under both weak and strong disposability assumptions and use the difference to calculate the pollution abatement cost (PAC). We then undertake Tobit regression analysis on several explanatory variables, including dummies for different time periods and regions. Generally, our findings show that China''s accession to the WTO did not guarantee better environmental conditions even though China adopted stronger regulations to meet the higher standards. In particular, the eastern region does not seem to be strictly regulated. These interesting results may be partly attributable to China''s need to attract foreign investment and may represent a case in which institutional regulations are not always effective in practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: China has become the primary energy consumer in the world, consuming 48.2% of the world''s coal in 2010. Of this percentage, 48.0% of China''s coal consumption is used by the power generation industry, which causes unavoidable environmental problems in the country. This paper presents complete life cycle modeling and a comparative assessment of current clean coal power generation technologies in China, including a state-of-the-art commercial ultra super-critical system. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) is adopted for energy and environment analysis, followed by a brief economic discussion. Incorporating up-to-date data and country-specific situations, the present work covers all up-stream stages of the electricity life cycle before final consumption: coal mining, coal transportation, and coal power generation. The modeling results show that ultra super-critical systems (USC) have the highest life cycle energy efficiency due to the highest net generating efficiency and the lowest plant auxiliary power consumption among the cases examined. The global warming potential (GWP) scores show reverse dependencies of net generating efficiency. An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) was demonstrated to be the cleanest technology and has the lowest scores in most of the life cycle impact categories, in particular in acidification potential (AP) and photo-oxidant formation potential (POCP). IGCC ranks as the highest in capital costs due to its complexity, while USC and super-critical systems are among the lowest in capital cost because of their commercialization in China. Evaluation of coal power generation combined with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) shows that the CCS technologies can reduce the total life cycle CO2 emission from coal power plants substantially, although higher levels of CO2 are generated from the extra energy consumption by the CCS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Compared with traditional fossil fuel energy, wind power is becoming more and more popular relies on its environment protected characteristic. In China, the wind power industry has undergone a rapid development based on the rapid development of wind power technology and the support from Chinese government policy. However, there is still a big difference between actual generating capacity and design data, which has caused a great impact on people''s life and running of power grid. It is necessary to have a post-evaluation on wind farm planning. Based on studying domestic and foreign literatures that are about evaluation on wind farms, this paper gets a more comprehensive and integrated post-evaluation dedicator framework on wind farm planning. This framework consists of four indicators and ten sub-indicators, and also adds in evaluation study on management effect particularly, proposes a new evaluation perspective compared with the existing research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With increasing concern in environmental and ecological protection, more studies have focused on solving the problems caused by dam. Large reservoirs often release low-temperature water in spring and summer, which have adverse effects on downstream ecosystem. The 3-D Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) and 1-D longitudinal stream temperature model were used in this paper, to predict the water temperature in reservoir and canal and analyze the effects on irrigation area. The results indicate that the affected area is within a 55km distance mainly in the period between April and June. Some management and engineering measures should be adopted to reduce the impact. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nowadays, China is faced with many issues, such as increasing farmers’ income, protecting environment and adjusting energy structure, which may be solved by developing the biomass power generation industry. However, the lack of technical capability, inadequate raw materials and challenges for grid feed-in are all obstacles that prevent large-scale production and industrialization in the biomass power generation industry. Therefore, government should provide necessary policies to support and advance the biomass power generation industry. This paper systematically analyzes the current laws, regulations and policies implemented recently in China and provides a comprehensive review of the fiscal subsidies, reduction and exemption of taxes, tariff concessions, the policies of investment and financing and the support of R&D. Suggestions for relevant policies are proposed to address the existing problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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: Landscape design of tunnel portals has been under intensive study in recent years. This paper summarizes the general development of highway tunnels and the main problems concerning highway tunnel entrances during this development phase in China. It then analyzes the significance of mountain highway tunnel landscape design in terms of preventing travel fatigue, visual adaptation, communicating and displaying culture, land marking, and environmental protection. Thirdly, it lays down the principles for landscape design, e.g. safety, failure prevention, physiological, anthropological, blending and economic principles. Lastly, it discusses the diversity of landscape designs in China, including types of tunnel portals, integration with local cultures (subdivided into ethnological culture, regional culture and historical culture), environmental protection awareness, lighting transitions in tunnel entrances, blending with the surrounding environment, symbolic and metaphorical skills in tunnel portal landscape design, and special decorations. The results suggest that landscape design of tunnel portals is a comprehensive artistic endeavor, involving local culture; bionomics; psychology; environment protection; lighting; structural techniques; new material implementation; and new technical arts. In conclusion, good landscape design requires intensive and collaborative interdisciplinary studies. [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: [Purpose] This paper explains the basic theory and research methods of ecological security based on the basic concept of ecological security. Qinhuangdao City is the study area, the index system of its ecological security assessment was constructed on the basis of the pressure - state - response conceptual model, and its ecological security was evaluated by comprehensive index method. The evaluation result is that the ecological security index of Qinhuangdao is 0.633, and it is in the lower bound of the relatively safer state. At present, the main ecological problems are water shortage, water pollutions, large quantity of gaseous pollutants emission from heavy industry enterprises, inadequate protection of natural reserves, and insufficient investments in environmental protection. Some targeted countermeasures for strengthening regional ecological security management are proposed as following: establishing ecological security early warning system, developing and utilizing water resources rationally to improve water utilization efficiency, strengthening the marine environmental protection to ensure the security of marine environment, reducing sulfur dioxide emission volume by improving air quality through an effective way, and implementing ecological restoration project to improve the ecological carrying capacity. The ecology of Qinhuangdao would move to a safer ecological level through these channels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In-depth and comprehensive survey and research on the public environmental awareness in Shanghai has been gradually carried out in recent years. However, there is lack of dynamic analysis of the time sequence. Therefore, the paper carried out survey of the public environmental awareness in Shanghai between 2007 and 2011 to learn about the trend of the public environmental awareness in Shanghai in recent 5 years in time. The conclusion show: the public environmental awareness of Shanghai took on a slightly rising tendency between 2007 and 2011, the public in Shanghai can sense the changes in the environmental conditions in Shanghai in the past 5 years, the proportion of the information obtained from newspapers and magazines has decreased, while that of the information on environmental protection from internet has obviously risen. [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: Bank-collapse, a kind of bank deformation or destruction under hydraulic power and gravitation, could contribute to the invalidation of dams and the rise of the river beds. It occurs frequently in the wide valley desert reach of the upper Yellow River, which leads to the formation of the suspended river and increasing disasters like floods. Recently, a suspended reach has formed, which is a great threat to the local people, even to the stability of the whole society. The Chinese government has been paying a great deal of attention to settling this problem. Research could contribute to these guidelines. This paper took the Ningxia-Inner Mongolia Reach as an example to study the characteristics of bank-collapse disasters. Eight conservation points were established in accordance with bank-morphology. First of all, we analyzed the changing characteristics of channel morphology and hydrological conditions with climate change. Bank-collapses occurring in flood seasons were emphasized on the basis of other''s research achievements. Furthermore, we summarized time-characteristics and spatial-characteristics of bank-collapse, respectively. By this research, the question about how serious bank-collapse disasters are in the wide valley desert reach of the Upper Yellow River can be settled. And some predictions about bank-collapse disasters can be made. In addition, the results can be advantageously used in guiding the design of hydraulic projects for the flood control, dredging and environment protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Assessing the effectiveness of management of protected areas is critical to understanding and improving management, to improving the level of management and to achieving management targets. Based on the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) of the IUCN framework for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas and protected area systems, this paper establishes a comprehensive evaluation index system that conforms to the given management objectives. The assessment of the management situation for The national protected area in the Yellow River Delta comprises four aspects: management base, mechanism, behavior and effectiveness. And we put forward, as well, corresponding management suggestions. Assessment results indicate that the management situation is fine in the national protected area in the Yellow River Delta. However, further actions need to be taken in terms of reserve control and coordinated development between reserve and community due to existing oil deposits and some construction engineering involving the Yellow River. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to propose a new direction of eco-tourism development in China. Using the converse thinking method, we found China eco-tourism is still locating a lower level, and has some problems: the eco-tourism plan is simple and unreasonable; the eco-tourism development has mainly focused on better ecological system resource but not the worse; the eco-tourism products mostly expense natural resource and damage ecological system, but not protect or rebuild it. Then we proposed the advice that the eco-tourism development should mainly focus on the destroyed ecosystem, go the length of “two not, one transition” when doing tourism exploitation of worse ecological system resource, and emphasize that it must protect and rebuild the ecological system but not damage it. It has important meanings to reconditioning and protecting the environment, and it is feasible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Environmental hormone mainly cause harm to the reproductive function of human being and animal kingdom, which is a serious threat to human and animal survival or reproduction. This paper blacklisted 70 kinds of environmental hormones, studied pollution situation of some environmental hormone (which are remaining in the atmosphere, water, sediment, soil, seafood and human tissue) in Chinese Environment and population, and outlined the environmental hormone pollution hazards. Therefore, China should strengthen basic research in environmental hormone pollution, strengthen the environmental management and the publicity of environmental law to curb environmental hormone pollution. In addition, some legislative measures should be proposed, laws and regulations of environmental hormones should be formulated, and the law enforcement should be strengthen to control environmental hormones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Strategy-oriented performance management system is a relatively complex integrated system, and how to construct its system structure model has become one of the hotspot problems researched by many experts and scholars. From five aspects, namely the formulationsystem of the planning of Poyang Lake Ecological Economy Zone, the decomposition and transfer system of planning objectives, the design system of assessment method and subject, performance management process system, and basic guarantee system of performance management, etc., this paper constructs the environmental protection performance management system structure model of Party & government leaders at the county and city levels based on the planning of Poyang Lake Ecological Economy Zone, and discusses the main contents of the five subsystems briefly, for purpose of providing certain references for the design of the strategy-oriented performance management system structure model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Wetland, located in the terrestrial-aquatic transverse zone, is an important landscape and ecosystem. This paper describe the features and functions of wetlands, and take the case of lower reaches of the Yellow River wetlands, analysis on existing problems of ecological safety on wetland in lower reaches of the Yellow River. Using of GIS and two-dimensional water-sediment mathematical model of the Lower Yellow River, in accordance with the requirement of wetland areas, submerged areas for floods of below the 8000m3 /s magnitude designated as different functional areas. The ideal patterns of ecological security on the wetlands are divided into the core zone, buffer zone and experiment zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Environmental problems become more and more serious under the quick development of economy. In order to make the whole society understand the worsening issues of the environment and correctly establish the environmental value, the government has been using environment education to promote the environmental protection knowledge, consolidate and improve the environmental consciousness. This paper is based on the questionnaire survey and analysis the results, using quality synthetic evaluation method to evaluate the status of environmental education in our country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the systemization process of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in China through the review of China''s experience in EIA implementation and legislation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the key driving forces of this systemization process and provide advice for future improvement of China''s EIA system. It is found that there are three key drivers promoting the systemization of China''s EIA: the Government''s powerful guidance on the environmental policy implementation; the critical environmental pressure caused by the scale expansion of construction projects and planning activities; and people''s consciousness-raising on environmental protection and environmental rights. Based upon the analysis results and China''s political, legislative and administrative characteristics, some recommendations are proposed to improve the effectiveness of EIA system in China, in terms of internal measures on refining EIA legislative framework and external mechanisms concerning supporting the efficient operation of EIA legislation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, 16 economic, social and environmental indicators were used to evaluate the urban livability in Gansu. The principal component analysis revealed six principal components with eigenvalues more than 1, the most important of which represents economic development, and others represent environmental quality, geographical location, living standards, medical facilities, and urban traffic condition. The comprehensive scores of six principal components exhibited that the level of livability of the cities in Gansu is totally low, and the differences in livability between these cities are significant. The livability of cities in different regions are significant as well, with cities in Hexi corridor being more livable than those in eastern parts and northern cities being more livable than those in southern parts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reviews the present development of environmental emergency in China that involves legislative framework, regulations and technical support system. Through the analysis of actual case, these deficiencies and problems existing in action of environmental emergency are pointed out. In the countermeasures, the punishment and fine ceiling for environmental violations should be raised by revising clauses, and fees about handling, inspection, restoring and compensation for pollution incidents should be put into the law system, and environmental protection departments should be the leadership to improve emergency response efficiency, and the technical support system should be established to build a series of technical guidelines, norms and work manuals around three procedures that include prevention and monitoring before incident, response and handling in incident and assessment and restore after incident. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The rapid growth of Chinese economy has tremend-ously stimulated the expansion of energy consumption. The structure of energy consumption in China is featured with the coal domination. Air pollution is becoming increasingly severe and causes enormous economic losses. As a result, we are confronted with the extremely arduous task to balance energy consumption and environmental protection. In order to avoid the situation that its rampant environmental pollution problem will worsen before it gets better, Chinese government has put high emphasis on the problem. The efforts made by Chinese government, including energy consumption structure improve-ment and control measures to air pollution, have been introduced and discussed in this paper. China possesses very abundant renewable energies such as wind, solar, geothermal and tidal. Applications of renewable energies, especially solar energy, can coordinate and improve the relationship between energy consumption and environmental protection. Therefore, Chinese government should make more efforts to set up priority of development for renewable energies. [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: Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) inherently needs to address greater levels of uncertainty in the formulation and implementation processes of strategic decisions, compared with project environmental impact assessment. The range of uncertainties includes internal and external factors of the complex system that is concerned in the strategy. Scenario analysis is increasingly being used to cope with uncertainty in SEA. Following a brief introduction of scenarios and scenario analysis, this paper examines the rationale for scenario analysis in SEA in the context of China. The state of the art associated with scenario analysis applied to SEA in China was reviewed through four SEA case analyses. Lessons learned from these cases indicated the word “scenario” appears to be abused and the scenario-based methods appear to be misused due to the lack of understanding of an uncertain future and scenario analysis. However, good experiences were also drawn on, regarding how to integrate scenario analysis into the SEA process in China, how to cope with driving forces including uncertainties, how to combine qualitative scenario storylines with quantitative impact predictions, and how to conduct assessments and propose recommendations based on scenarios. Additionally, the ways to improve the application of this tool in SEA were suggested. We concluded by calling for further methodological research on this issue and more practices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An emission pre-processing tool is generally needed to transform a bulk annual emission inventory into gridded, temporal (monthly, weekly, and hourly), and speciated emissions in order to use complex air quality models such as the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to assess control strategies, forecast air quality, and investigate pollution formation and transport processes. To support the regional air quality modeling in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), we developed an emission pre-processing system, Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions-PRD (SMOKE-PRD), based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)/SMOKE model. This paper introduces the methods and procedures for adapting the SMOKE model to the PRD regional bulk emissions. These include the compilation of the PRD local source-class clarification codes, the incorporation of the PRD local emission inventory, and the updating of spatial, temporal, and chemical speciation information. The SMOKE-PRD system was evaluated, and a case study on ozone simulation was conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the SMOKE-PRD system. Results show that the model can properly simulate temporal variations, spatial patterns, and peak values of O3 concentrations in the PRD region, suggesting the SMOKE-PRD system was successfully localized and can be used to provide model-ready emissions for regional air quality modeling in the PRD region. This work can be extended for adapting the SMOKE model to process emissions for modeling use in other regions of China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Building manufacturing creates product value like building space, and induces severe environmental influence at the same time. The idea of eco-efficiency (EE) can link a product or service value and the corresponding environmental influence together, but there has been little research that implements such idea on building manufacturing, such as the green building rating system of the comprehensive assessment system for building environmental efficiency (CASBEE) in Japan and the EcoEffect in Sweden. This paper proposes an emergy (spelled with an “m”) analysis-based methodology for EE evaluation of building manufacturing, where the building space (in cubic size) and the emergy amount of building manufacturing are selected as the indicators of product value and the environmental influence, respectively. Six residential buildings that include multi-storeys, moderate high-rises and high rises are selected averagely from two Chinese famous cities, namely Beijing and Shanghai. The evaluation results can provide directions to assess environmental influence and thus to heighten the EE of building manufacturing. The EE evaluation result can even be used as the base of a new green building (or eco-building) rating system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Beijing’s mountainous areas have an important ecological significance because they are ecological conservation and water source protection areas of Beijing. The impact of precipitation on the vegetation coverage of Beijing’s mountainous areas is qualitatively analyzed using multi-temporal Landsat images obtained during the last 20 years. Firstly, the influence of external factors, such as phenology and relative radiometric correction, on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are removed by the normalization of remote sensing images for different periods. Then, the vegetation coverage is calculated using the method of the dimidiate pixel model. Finally, based on that, the relationship between precipitation in different seasons and change of vegetation coverage is discussed. The results indicate that the mean vegetation coverage has the same change trends with winter and summer precipitation, but an opposite change trend with spring precipitation. The paper provides a theoretical basis and data support for further research on driving models of natural vegetation restoration in Beijing’s mountainous areas. [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: With the rapid development of economy in China, the issue is increas ingly serious involving the degradation of environment, the shortage of resource and the absence of environmental protection. To keep sustainable development of economy, this paper illustrates stimulating function of tax policy involving in environmental prot ection, energysaving and emission-reducing from aspect of encouraging technology innovation. Furthermore, it put s forward policy orientation including further improving tax to support energy -saving and emission-reducing and independent innovation with the analysis of existing tax policy on environmental protection, energy-saving and emission-reducing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The citizen''s environmental behaviours will directly affect the urban ecological environment construction. In order to provide the references for construction of ecological city in Beijing, this paper takes the citizen''s environmental behaviours in Beijing as a breakthrough point to analyze the status of citizen''s environmental behaviours and research their influence factors by constructing a structural equation model with the sampling survey data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the era of the low-carbon economy, mode of production and trade is experiencing great changes all over the world. In order to adapt itself to the new environment, enterprise in China needs to trot its transformation and implement a low-carbon operation. This paper constructs the lead-in mechanism for enterprises to realize their low-carbonization from “four-level and multiple-dimension”, that is, with collaboration and mutual promotion of government, innerenterprise, inter-enterprises and consumers, a low-carbon transformation of enterprises in China is expected to be pushed and developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A kind of index system used for evaluating the circular economy development of Shaanxi province was built in this paper based on the circular economy development''s content and some basic principles that should be followed by the system, along with the current status of the circular economy development of Shaanxi province. This system includes five aspects that are social and economic development, resource efficiency, resource recycling and reuse, environment protection, pollution reduction. By using this system and principal component analysis as well as analytic hierarchy process, we studied the circular economy development of Shaanxi Province. The results show that circular economy development in this province is in steady upward developing. Finally, some advices for accelerating the circular economy development of Shaanxi were prompted. [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: With human agricultural civilization of five thousand years, the vast majority of China''s biodivers ity resources are squeezed into the area of Hengduan Mountian. This region is the only oasis on the tropic of cancer, and possess the most peculiar natural landscape of the world “Three Parallel Rivers”. Its biodiversity has important strategic value for the whole world. The region has been called “Gold-Cross” of biological diversity on the earth. The particularity, strategic position and ecological threats of the “Gold-Cross” were analyzed in this paper. To achieve the protection and development of “Gold-Cross” some means were put forward. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Renewable energy resources have a positive effect on energy supply security as well as environmental protection. By analyzing the situation of the world and China''s solar industry, the paper indicates there is of great potential in China''s solar industry. However, there are capital, technology, market and policy obstacles in the development of solar industry. So we need not only the regulation of the market, but also the support of government policy, particularly economic incentives to promote solar industry in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent years, low carbon technology has got great attention all over the world, because of the limited reserves of fossil fuels and increasingly severe environmental pollution. Meanwhile, with the development of global low carbon, the new energy industry has become a focal point all around the world, especially, solar energy has become the most developing fields in the new energy markets. This paper will make a study of Hohhot PV industry situation and development direction, basing on the analysis of PV industry chain and combining with national solar PV industry technology roadmap. Finally, the corresponding policy recommendation will be advised. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The geoheritages landscape resources in xinjiang are great in quantity, vary in type and excellent in grade. The geoheritages landscape resources can be classified into 7 different types and 28 subtypes in xinjiang. The old Model of Geoheritages management can no longer meet the demands of fast development. Therefore, An Optimization Model of Geoheritages landscape resources management is put forward in this paper based on the view of Benefit- Sharing in Xinjiang. In The Optimization Model, geological heritages landscape resources can get Optimization at last, by government centered management, capitalized management, ecosystems management conception, wellcycling protection and exploitation management model, benefit-sharing mechanism innovation and geological tourism network with geopark as its center. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposes the evaluation of China''s eco-innovation capability at provincial level. It conducts the model for eco-innovation capability which is concerned four crucial factors: trading openness, the ratio of amount engineers and R&D staffs, R&D expenditure intensity and the investment on pollution abatement. After using the empirical study which is based on the DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), the results show that 2/3 of all the provinces in China have relative strong eco-innovation capability, and sufficient human resource and investment on the pollution control can significantly promote the eco-innovation capability, however, the factor of trading openness cannot be ignored any more in order to seek ascension in the capability of eco-innovation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]