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This paper reports on academic libraries' Community Engagement (CE) initiatives in South Africa and outline their potential to contribute to the actualisation of three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 3 and 13). The research approach adopted was qualitative using online interviews with 20 heads of libraries in South Africa and eight online focus group discussions with library staff as data collection methods. It was found that South African academic libraries' CE initiatives can be successfully mapped out against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results showed that through CE, academic libraries in South Africa play a role in addressing hunger, improving health and well-being and contributing to climate action, among other SDGs. CE, therefore, can play a role in SDGs that fall outside of academic libraries' traditional teaching, learning and research support role. These results will serve as a call for academic libraries to consider participating in CE in order to contribute to development areas that they do not normally contribute to directly. This study provides unique insights on the contribution of academic libraries to SDGs. As a recommendation, academic libraries should consider mapping their CE initiatives against the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Green Deal was launched by the European Commission (EC) in December 2019, before being formally approved in 2020. It comprises a package of policy measures that aim to set the European Union (EU) on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Despite the EU's longstanding commitment to reducing carbon emissions in support of climate change mitigation and the achievement of its net zero ambition, this paper focuses on the growing importance of climate change adaptation within its policy portfolio. With respect to the latter, the long-term vision is for the EU to become a climate-resilient society that is also fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Achieving climate neutrality and a climate-resilient society by 2050 will be more challenging for some EU member states and regions than for others, eg poorer regions and those highly dependent on fossil fuels or with carbon-intensive industries that employ significant numbers of people. To address such issues, the EU has introduced a Just Transition Mechanism to help level the playing field and provide financial and technical support to regions most adversely affected by the move towards a low carbon economy. The paper traces the evolution of the EU's climate policy agenda leading up to the adoption of the Green Deal, outlines its proposed road map in pursuit of climate neutrality and a climate-resilient society by 2050, and questions the efficacy of some its intermediate targets including the adequacy and equity of its just transition aspirations. It also details and scrutinises the key role that the European Investment Bank (EIB) will play in supporting delivery of the strategy.1,2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon food consumption is defined as the selection of a diet that is done by people that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to excessive energy use. Greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change. Thus, it is needed mitigation for climate change through education to make changes in mindset and habits. This study aims to investigate students' sustainability consciousness through low-carbon food consumption by using simple calculation applications. The research used is a research and development method with 53 pre-service teachers. The data collections are analyzed by simple calculation percentages. The results describe that the sustainability consciousness of preservice teachers has already in excellent results either in sustainability knowingness, sustainability attitude, and sustainability consciousness through low-carbon food consumption learning topics using simple calculation applications. it can be interpreted that learning the topic of low-carbon food consumption can lead pre-service teachers to make a change in their lifestyle starting from choosing the menu of their plates to reduce greenhouse gases indirectly as climate change mitigations. It can be concluded that low-carbon food consumption could promote preservice teachers' sustainable consciousness. This study also supports strategies facing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses four relevant climate actions in Indian agricultural sector through the lens of United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to understand how climate actions (SDG 13) are linked with other SDGs and their targets and what measures can be taken to scale up these actions. Four board categories of climate actions are considered for this exercise: shift to less-flooded paddy water management practices; minimizing overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizer, system of rice intensification and climate smart agricultural practices. A mixed method has been followed: first, scoping review of literature between 2010 and 2022 is undertaken to capture the growing body of literature and then a normalized weighted score is used to understand the net strength of the linkages. Scoping review helped in identifying 100 studies spanned across Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and the eastern part of Peninsular India. Findings from the scoring method suggest that these practices have linkages with 15 SDGs and as many as 43 SDG targets. Almost all linkages are positive (synergy) but there are a few negative linkages (trade-offs) as well. Trade-offs include exacerbating inequalities including gender, high upfront cost, requirement of skilled labor, lack of access to information and finance. This paper provides a detailed description of these trade-offs and suggests measures to tackle and minimize them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) positioning and response to reforms in the European development financing landscape. These reforms aimed to enhance the role of Development Finance Institutions in promoting external investment, threatening the EIB’s privileged access to EU budgetary resources. The EIB responded by creating “EIB Global” and rebranding as the European climate bank. Through framing analysis, this article studies the EIB’s discourse supporting these reforms. It concludes that in striving for institutional survival, the EIB has unintentionally created a situation in which its development and green finance mandates now compete for attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surf breaks are increasingly recognized as socio‐environmental phenomena that provide opportunities for biodiversity conservation and sustained benefits for local communities. Here, we examine an additional benefit from improved conservation of the ecosystems that host and surround surf breaks—their coincidence with carbon dense coastal ecosystems. Using global spatial datasets of irrecoverable carbon (defined as carbon stocks that, if lost today, could not be recovered within 30 years' time), surf break locations, ecosystem types, protected areas, and Key Biodiversity Areas, we identified 88.3 million tonnes of irrecoverable carbon held in surf ecosystems. Of this total, 17.2 million tonnes are found in Key Biodiversity Areas without formal measures of protection. These results highlight surf conservation as a potential avenue to simultaneously mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development in coastal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an effective technology for the sustainable management of organic agricultural waste, producing both biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. This study aims to review and evaluate different methods for obtaining valuable products from digestate, with a focus on innovative and sustainable approaches. The main objectives are to identify effective technologies for the recovery of nutrients and organic matter, assess their environmental and economic impact and outline the challenges and prospects in this area. The review covers established techniques (with a technology readiness level (TRL) of six to nine, indicating their maturity from pilot to full scale) such as struvite precipitation and ammonia stripping, which are very effective in recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from digestate and converting it into valuable biofertilizers. Struvite, for example, offers an option for slow-release fertilizers that reduces dependence on synthetic fertilizers. A comparative analysis shows that ammonia stripping can efficiently capture nitrogen and produce fertilizer without harming the environment. New methods, such as microalgae cultivation, use digestate as a nutrient source for the production of biofuels and bioplastics, contributing to renewable energy and sustainable material production. The study also examines composting and vermicomposting, where digestate is converted into nutrient-rich soil conditioners that significantly improve soil health and fertility. The production of biochar through pyrolysis is highlighted for its benefits in improving soil properties and sequestering carbon, providing a dual benefit for waste management and climate change mitigation. Membrane technologies, including ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO), are being investigated for their effectiveness in nutrient recovery, despite challenges such as membrane fouling and high operating costs. The study highlights the potential of these valorization processes to improve the sustainability and economic viability of AD systems and to align with circular economy principles. The results suggest that the continuous optimization of these technologies and the integration of recycling processes are crucial to overcome existing challenges and realize their full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses macroeconomic trends in Southeast Asian countries and their implications for climate change, focusing on urbanisation, GDP per capita, energy intensity, FDI, inflation, and trade. Using panel data from 1970 to 2020, we investigate climate change drivers across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand through panel ARDL with PMG and MG analyses, along with Hausman tests. Our results highlight the need for tailored urbanisation policies for sustainability, as the consistent positive correlation between GDPs per capita and emissions, underscores the challenge of decoupling economic growth from emissions. Urbanisation's varying impact calls for proactive planning, and mixed FDI results suggest nuanced investment approaches aligned with sustainability. Inflation's negative impact hints at environmental benefits during price increases, necessitating integrated economic and climate policies. The positive relationship between trade openness and emissions emphasises the need for eco-conscious trade agreements to mitigate emissions from industrial activity. Our study stresses the importance of considering macroeconomic heterogeneity in crafting climate policies. Policymakers must adopt multifaceted approaches that prioritise sustainability across economic growth, energy efficiency, technology adoption, and trade to balance development with environmental preservation. This approach enables Southeast Asian countries to contribute effectively to global climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the critical need for energy transitions to mitigate the climate crisis. The achievement of two energy‐ and climate‐focused SDGs—SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action)—remains uncertain under potential future global energy transition outlooks. This study evaluates the progress toward achieving SDGs 7 and 13 by 2050 under four representative energy transition outlooks through 14 performance indicators derived from a global system dynamics model. Our results reveal a progressive trend in achieving SDGs 7 and 13 under these energy transition outlooks. The overall progress scores toward these two SDGs are estimated as 16.23% in 2030 and 20.06% in 2050 under the most conservative outlook and 65.35% in 2030 and 88.24% in 2050 under the most radical outlook. Although energy transitions contribute to achieving SDGs 7 and 13, our analysis indicates that the world is far off‐track in achieving these SDGs by relying solely on the implementation of energy transition policies. We further suggest promising measures from both the energy sector and other vital sectors to facilitate progress toward achieving the two SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between green finance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Utilizing a novel SDG index based on United Nations criteria, the study evaluates the effect of green finance on sustainability across OECD economies between 2000 and 2020. Employing advanced econometric methods, including Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, FMOLS, DOLS, and the method of moments quantile regression, the findings reveal that green finance, along with environmental governance, fiscal policy, and population growth, significantly contributes to the advancement of SDGs. However, the study also highlights the detrimental impact of elevated geopolitical risks, which can hinder progress toward these goals and partially negate the benefits of green finance initiatives. These insights are vital for policymakers striving to develop effective strategies to promote the SDGs amidst current global uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to explore "Two Sides of the Coin That Must Be Considered on the Journey to Sustainable Development" using a qualitative approach through literature study. The research method used for analysis is content from various written sources such as scientific journals, international organization reports, and other related documents. The research results reveal that to achieve balanced sustainable development, a balance is needed between economic growth, environmental protection and social justice simultaneously. The concept of a green economy, circular economy, as well as mitigation and adaptation efforts to climate change are promising approaches to realizing this balance. In addition, active participation from the government, private sector, civil society and local communities is very necessary in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chiusella Valley (NW Italian Alps) is a key area for both the history of the alpine orogeny and its environmental context. It presents major structural features (including the Traversella neoalpine intrusion and a section of the Insubric line) and evidence of past climate changes in the region. Even if the Chiusella Valley was previously renowned for mining activities and most recently considered an alpine rural area with minor tourist attractions, its important geoheritage could offer alternatives to traditional mountain activities, which are facing adversity from increasing temperatures. This paper emphasises the role of geotourism in both enhancing sustainable development and raising awareness of climate change. For this purpose, the geodiversity of the Chiusella Valley has been analysed and several geosites have been identified. The research methodology includes field surveys, analysis of an existing educational activities and scientific literature, and assessment of geosites by quantitative analysis of five groups of indicators, including scientific, cultural, and educational values. The geosite selection within the Chiusella Valley reveals memories of past and present climate changes but also supports the development of targeted geotourism activities in the area. Additionally, a specific location has been identified for hosting indoor activities showcasing climate change action. These valuable contributions to sustainable geotourism provide opportunities for exploring the Alps in the vicinity of the Po Plain urban areas, while minimizing the environmental impact and facilitating educational activities on geodiversity and geoheritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the research problem concerning climate mitigation finance (CMF) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Our research question is: Does an increase in CMF reduce GHG? This question generates two goals. First, to verify the predicted negative association using data that measures CMF in USD and GHG in kilotons. Second, to test the robustness of the predicted direction. To achieve our goals, we use a methodology consisting of a graphic analysis of the data over time and a panel data regression model accompanied by robust tests. Our baseline model finds evidence to support our first goal. Robust tests support our second goal by confirming that CMF decreases GHG. Noteworthy, robust tests also show that GHG outperforms the variable used by prior research, which is CO2. Our data, tests, and findings are new and so value-additive in their contributions to the international literature on climate mitigation finance and greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines theoretical and legal issues related to the need to introduce the institution of the Commissioner for Environmental Rights in Ukraine. In order to clarify this issue, the legislation of Ukraine and international legal acts, the provisions of which relate to environmental human rights, are analyzed. In addition, the authors researched the foreign experience of various models of the implementation of the position of the environmental ombudsman – the USA, Great Britain, Austria and the Republic of the Philippines. Taking into account the increase in factors influencing the state of the environment, the issue of protecting violated human environmental rights is becoming increasingly important. It is especially important to ensure the protection of environmental rights in the period of martial law in connection with the mass of their violation by the aggressor state. The issue of the relationship between the environment and human rights is considered. The article proposes the introduction of the position of the Commissioner for Environmental Rights in Ukraine with the definition of his main tasks, in particular: the implementation of the state environmental policy and strategies for the sustainable development of regions in the field of environmental protection, the implementation of monitoring in order to detect violations of environmental human rights, the initiation of the investigation of committed violations in the absence of a statement from other individuals or legal entities about offenses, taking measures to prevent violations of environmental human rights, conducting educational and educational events for individuals and legal entities. Additionally, the grounds for the presence of regional representatives of the Environmental Ombudsman have been established. Attention is drawn to achieving the goal of sustainable and green economic development, taking into account climate goals, as well as protection of legal foundations, including environmental and social components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people in rural sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity and rely on traditional, inefficient, and polluting cooking solutions that have adverse impacts on both human health and the environment. Here, we propose a novel integrated agroforestry-bioenergy system that combines sustainable biomass production in sequential agroforestry systems with biomass-based cleaner cooking solutions and rural electricity production in small-scale combined heat and power plants and estimate the biophysical system outcomes. Despite conservative assumptions, we demonstrate that on-farm biomass production can cover the household's fuelwood demand for cooking and still generate a surplus of woody biomass for electricity production via gasification. Agroforestry and biochar soil amendments should increase agricultural productivity and food security. In addition to enhanced energy security, the proposed system should also contribute to improving cooking conditions and health, enhancing soil fertility and food security, climate change mitigation, gender equality, and rural poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the evolving landscape of global energy dynamics, Malaysia stands as a pivotal example of a nation actively transitioning towards renewable energy and sustainable development. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Malaysia's energy sector transformation, underpinned by the government's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The objective of this research is to delve into the intricacies, opportunities, and challenges of steering Malaysia towards a greener future, with a particular focus on the shift from reliance on fossil fuels to the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study synthesizes existing literature, policy documents, and case studies to examine the current state and historical context of energy use in Malaysia, analyze government initiatives and policy frameworks, explore technological advancements, and assess the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the energy transition. Results indicate that despite facing challenges such as financial investment, technological advancement, and public acceptance, collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and communities have led to significant progress in promoting renewable energy. The paper concludes that Malaysia's energy transition represents a critical step towards achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation, setting a precedent for sustainable development in the Southeast Asian region. This transition is not only essential for climate change mitigation but also presents opportunities for economic diversification, energy security, and social inclusivity. The study ultimately calls for continued innovation, supportive policies, and international cooperation to overcome remaining barriers and fully realize the potential of renewable energy in Malaysia.

Background: Human and earth system modeling, traditionally centered on the interplay between the energy system and the atmosphere, are facing a paradigm shift. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's mandate for comprehensive, cross-sectoral climate action emphasizes avoiding the vulnerabilities of narrow sectoral approaches. Our study explores the circular bioeconomy, highlighting the intricate interconnections among agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, technological advancements, and ecological recycling. Collectively, these sectors play a pivotal role in supplying essential resources to meet the food, material, and energy needs of a growing global population. We pose the pertinent question of what it takes to integrate these multifaceted sectors into a new era of holistic systems thinking and planning. Results: The foundation for discussion is provided by a novel graphical representation encompassing statistical data on food, materials, energy flows, and circularity. This representation aids in constructing an inventory of technological advancements and climate actions that have the potential to significantly reshape the structure and scale of the economic metabolism in the coming decades. In this context, the three dominant mega-trends—population dynamics, economic developments, and the climate crisis—compel us to address the potential consequences of the identified actions, all of which fall under the four categories of substitution, efficiency, sufficiency, and reliability measures. Substitution and efficiency measures currently dominate systems modeling. Including novel bio-based processes and circularity aspects might require only expanded system boundaries. Conversely, paradigm shifts in systems engineering are expected to center on sufficiency and reliability actions. Effectively assessing the impact of sufficiency measures will necessitate substantial progress in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, primarily due to their non-technological nature. In addition, placing emphasis on modeling the reliability and resilience of transformation pathways represents a distinct and emerging frontier that highlights the significance of an integrated network of networks. Conclusions: Existing and emerging circular bioeconomy practices can serve as prime examples of system integration. These practices facilitate the interconnection of complex biomass supply chain networks with other networks encompassing feedstock-independent renewable power, hydrogen, CO2, water, and other biotic, abiotic, and intangible resources. Elevating the prominence of these connectors will empower policymakers to steer the amplification of synergies and mitigation of tradeoffs among systems, sectors, and goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explains that periodic examination of the goals of education is essential for educational institutions to ensure they are adequately preparing students to address the challenges of the present and build a better future. It argues that education is an ethical enterprise, and that clear and shared goals provide education institutions with direction and coherence. Rapid societal changes challenge educational institutions to revisit whether their goals are supporting teaching students so they can develop the necessary knowledge, skills and dispositions to address them. The article discusses three accelerating existential challenges––challenges to human rights, democratic decline, and climate change––and argues that they require schools, universities, and systems to educate students to understand and be able and committed to address them. These three challenges also influence educational institutions, and the development of institutional strategies can help create synergies among functions and processes in schools and universities to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that can help understand and mitigate climate change and declines in human rights and democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of global climate change on the built environment emphasizes the need for sustainable development goals (SDGs) using technological solutions, such as the Internet of Things (IoT). The significance of innovative building assessment (BA) tools plays a pivotal role in bridging the existing gap between the theoretical and actual operational performance of buildings. The main research question is how can a new generation of BA tools leverage the IoT to optimize occupant well-being and achieve SDGs' targets. This article delves into the pivotal role played by the IoT and occupant-centric concepts in advancing sustainability initiatives and facilitating the achievement of SDGs. The novelty of this paper lies in its exploration of the current state of IoT integration as a strategic imperative for SDGs' achievement and climate change mitigation. Consequently, a paradigm shift is evident in this work, showcasing a comprehensive comparison between conventional and IoT occupant-centric BA tools and introducing a correlation study between IoT occupant-centric systems and future SDGs' targets. Lastly, current gaps and valuable insights into future research possibilities are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates knowledge management for climate change in South Africa and proposes a strategy for knowledge management for climate change. The economic, political, social and ecological dimensions of climate change are predicted to pose a threat to the country's National Development Plan and sustainable development. Given the growing emphasis on knowledge management for sustainable development and the importance of knowledge in the adaptive capacity and mitigation of climate change, knowledge management has been a central response strategy to climate change by various government and non-government agencies across the globe. The effects of climate change and the lack of focus on knowledge management for climate change in South Africa makes this an important topic for investigation. A systematic literature search and content analysis of relevant textbooks, articles, policy strategies, frameworks and legislation on knowledge management and climate change was conducted. Climate change, knowledge management and strategies were the keywords that were interrogated in the Scopus, ProQuest, EBSCO, Science Direct, Emerald, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, Springer, Wiley and Inderscience databases to ensure comprehensive coverage. The retrieved articles were evaluated for eligibility. After removing 2900 irrelevant duplicate entries that did not entirely address the study's scope, a descriptive synthesis of the 100 pertinent articles was completed. A strategy for knowledge management for climate change that calls for establishing a Knowledge Management Centre for Climate was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the Paris Agreement, countries must articulate their most ambitious mitigation targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years and regularly submit interconnected information on greenhouse gas (GHG) aspects, including national GHG inventories, NDC progress tracking, mitigation policies and measures (PAMs), and GHG projections in various mitigation scenarios. Research highlights significant gaps in the definition of mitigation targets and the reporting on GHG-related elements, such as inconsistencies between national GHG inventories, projections, and mitigation targets, a disconnect between PAMs and mitigation scenarios, as well as varied methodological approaches across sectors. To address these challenges, the Mitigation-Inventory Tool for Integrated Climate Action (MITICA) provides a methodological framework that links national GHG inventories, PAMs and GHG projections, applying a hybrid decomposition approach that integrates machine learning regression techniques with classical forecasting methods for developing GHG emission projections. MITICA enables mitigation scenario generation until 2050, incorporating over 60 PAMs across Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sectors. It is the first modelling approach that ensures consistency between reporting elements, aligning NDC progress tracking and target setting with IPCC best practices while linking climate change with sustainable economic development. MITICA's results include projections that align with observed trends, validated through cross-validation against test data, and employ robust methods for evaluating PAMs, thereby establishing its reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sustainability lies at the centre of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Many developing economies, including Bangladesh, undertook massive institutional and policy reformulation initiatives to accomplish the respective environmental targets of the SDGs. However, effective policy implementation and obtaining the desired impact on people and the planet remain challenging. Against this backdrop, using the typical case of Bangladesh, the study hypothesises whether environmental (including forest and climate change) policy changes beget optimal policy outcomes and bring innovative policy ideas. Or they deliver sub‐optimal policy outcomes and prioritise traditional policy substances in achieving the SDGs. The study uses a policy typology and does content analysis for a large number of policy changes (n = 82). It applies the analytical framework of policy planning and a coherent–consistent policy approach. The result shows a tremendous shortfall in policy planning and a lack of technical policy capacities to implement innovative policy substances, for example, sustainable and scientific resources management, pollution control, science‐based study and data generation, and so forth. Also, incoherent goal settings (e.g., biodiversity conservation versus infrastructure development) and inadequate policy solutions for long‐standing problems (e.g., land tenure conflict) can obstruct achieving transformative changes. The sustainable development targets demand an all‐inclusive sectoral approach and technical‐legal policy solutions to achieve environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate how corporate governance focused on meeting the legal requirements applied in poultry slaughterhouses contributes to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the environmental pillar and identify vulnerabilities in this governance framework. Design/methodology/approach: This research was qualitative and was structured with the following steps: literature review, selection of companies and documentary research on licenses applied to these companies. Findings: The assessment demonstrates that the governance strategy based on legal aspects contributes to progress in indicators related to SDGs such as clean water, climate action, life below water and life on land. However, it falls short when addressing SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy. Another vulnerability of this governance model is that legislation establishes metrics and indicators individually for each link in the poultry industry chain. Research limitations/implications: Assessment of the corporate governance of poultry slaughterhouses, focusing on legality and analyzing vulnerabilities in the legal aspects of the poultry industry concerning the SDGs that encompass the environmental pillar. Practical implications: The results provide valuable information for policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders in the segment, suggesting the need to align legislation with SDGs or adopt incentive policies to encourage the spontaneous advancement of SDGs in the poultry industry. Originality/value: Considering the need for progress toward a more sustainable world and the trend of organizations focusing their efforts on complying with local legislation, this study aims to contribute to understanding how the legal requirements applied in practice are prepared to support the advancement of the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific literature related to human resource management (HRM) and sustainability has increased since 2015, coinciding with the establishment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This article combines a bibliometric approach, using VOSviewer and SciMat software, with a systematic literature review to assess and identify the scientific production in this domain. During the period studied (1996–2023), the results reveal the role of HR in achieving corporate sustainability but also the responsibility of companies to apply sustainable principles to HRM practices. Based on the findings and the less developed issues related to the SDGs and HRM a model of research proposals is provided, focusing on mental health (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), collaboration towards climate action and responsible production and consumption (SDGs 12 & 13), and more emphasis on SDG 1 regarding the social sustainability of organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating urban green infrastructure (UGI) into cities is receiving increasing attention owing to its potential to provide various urban ecosystem services (UES). This review assesses the multifaceted services of UGI as benefits and co-benefits. By combining systematic and narrative review processes, we aim to synthesise existing knowledge along six current themes and identify research gaps. A total of 690 peer-reviewed articles published during 2000–2020 from Web of Science were selected, followed by bibliometric and full-text analysis. Based on the frequency of appearance in the network visualisation of keywords, six themes of current trends were identified, namely: (1) benefits of UGI as UES; (2) mitigating climate and urban climate impacts by UGI; (3) UGI contribution to sustainable development goals; (4) reconceptualising greenspaces as 'safe havens'; (5) public acknowledgement and supportive governance for UGI; and (6) rethinking the operationalisability of UGI. The first two themes represent existing focus on categories of ecosystem services, the next two encompass broader emerging co-benefits and the last two focus on how to operationalise UGI and support widespread adoption and implementation. Within Theme 2, the most frequently discussed service with the largest number of research, we conducted a detailed analysis of the methods and content focus in the existing literature. Through a narrative review, we identified 15 research gaps throughout these 6 themes. This review provides a comprehensive overview for urban researchers and practitioners to inform the integration of urban green infrastructure into urban planning and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 37% of the world's combined emissions, and plays a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is no systematic means for planners and practitioners to integrate climate considerations throughout the lifecycle of energy infrastructure projects. Using a thematic document analysis, we provide a comprehensive list of activities related to climate mitigation and adaptation which can be systematically mainstreamed into the energy sector project lifecycle to support a range of sustainable development outcomes. Two renewable energy projects were used to integrate the results into a practical context and demonstrate the range of potential SDG target synergies. The case studies demonstrate the varied means by which climate action can be integrated through mainstreaming in project lifecycle stages, holistically achieving wider SDG impacts. This work provides a practical means to maximise progress within the framework of climate-compatible development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Colombia has committed to ambitious forest restoration targets which include a 1 million ha Bonn Challenge commitment and 6.47–8.31 million ha (rehabilitation and restoration, respectively) under the National Restoration Plan. Determining where and how to implement programs to achieve these targets remains a significant challenge. Location: Colombia. Methods: We adopt a multi‐objective optimisation framework for restoration planning and apply it to Colombia. We explore cost‐effective solutions that leverage the potential for assisted natural regeneration benefits while accounting for opportunity and establishment costs of restoration and maximising biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation benefits. We explore four politically relevant restoration area‐based targets (1, 6, 6.47 and 8.31 million ha) and identify minimum cost, and suites of maximum benefit and cost‐effective solutions. Results: We identify solutions that simultaneously perform well across biodiversity and carbon objectives, despite trade‐offs between these objectives. We find that cost‐effective solutions can achieve on average 91.1%, 90.8%, 90.5% and 90.1% of maximum carbon benefit and 100% of the maximum biodiversity benefit while significantly reducing costs. On average, the cost‐effective solutions reduce the cost by 87.5%, 56.8%, 59.6% and 46.2% compared to the maximum benefit solutions considering one, six, 6.47 and 8.31 million ha restoration targets, respectively. Main Conclusions: Colombia has committed to bold restoration and conservation targets, such as those under the new 2030 Convention on Biological Diversity Global Biodiversity Framework. Strategic forest restoration planning will play an important role in achieving Colombia's biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation goals. We provide quantitative evidence to inform planning for environmentally and economically sensible restoration policy and practice in the country. Our framework and results can help guide Colombia towards meeting its ambitious forest restoration targets cost‐effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into local public diplomacy from the perspective of climate action. A cross-sectional analysis is made of the climate perspective in the international 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, considering the social, political, and economic challenges implied by human alteration of the environment. The websites of local municipal corporations in Portugal are analysed to identify the information referring to Agenda 2030 and its convergence in climate action. To this end, a content analysis method was designed based on the relationship of the Agenda’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) with their associated climate change goals. Attention is paid primarily to the websites’ fixed sections, and secondarily to their informational content and external portals. The method is applied to the websites of seven of Portugal’s municipalities. Conclusions are drawn concerning whether or not they provide information on climate change so that the effort directed by these local governments towards climate action can be determined. A comparison is made with the international case. This tool contributes to localizing the SDGs and prioritizing environmentally important components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) and community resilience are fundamental for sustainable development. However, cultural and political‐institutional barriers hinder governments from progressing towards sustainability. We propose a redesign of social impact assessment (SIA) to make it more applicable to the field of regional and urban planning, and we discuss the role SIA can have in enhancing community resilience to achieve DRR and sustainable development in localities. We argue that, to convert SIA into a tool that can inform regional recovery and development planning, a rethinking of SIA and of the role of SIA practitioners is needed. We therefore expound the SIA Framework for Action and we enhance it to be a community‐based process focussed on informing regional policies and plans and decisions about the projects to be included in such plans. Application of the SIA Framework for Action will help governments overcome the barriers to DRR and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue contributes to building an integrated social science perspective on resilience and resilience‐building. The articles in this issue provide theoretical reflections and empirical insights on two dimensions that characterize resilience in society. The first (local community dimension) comprises the set of community resources, services, adaptive, transformative and coping capacities, processes, actions and behaviors that enable communities to learn from crises, disasters and past failures and transform toward sustainability in localities (community resilience). The second (governance dimension) comprises the set of adaptive and transformative governance strategies and assessment frameworks that enable social learning and sustainability transformation to be strengthened in localities and scaled up across multiple governance levels (social resilience). This special issue provides a theoretical common‐ground and practical pathways to define resilience and to support recovery and development planning to enhance resilience in society in order to achieve effective disaster risk reduction and climate action for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is recognised to pose serious environmental threats due to its anthropogenic activities. To confront this challenge, green building has been famed as an auspicious strategy to alleviate energy-related carbon emissions alongside climate change mitigation. Consequently, it has birthed diverse empirical studies and holistic reviews by the research community. However, these previous studies have been carried out from a global and continental viewpoint regardless of the green building development specifically in emerging economies. This present study seeks to fill the sparse research upshots on the synthesis of green building research at the country level with core focus on South Africa. In this light, the current study provides a scoping overview of the intellectual exploration on green building research in the South African context. The study's findings highlight the varying growth regarding the subject matter, the drivers, drawbacks, and socio-economic issues confronting in developing green building projects in the country. To optimize the advancement of green building in the region, this study recommends the implementation of financing schemes, utilization of advanced digital technologies, and promotion of green and sustainable building curricula across the institutions as well as post-occupancy-related studies within the green building spectrum towards a safe and salutogenic built-environment in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to test the usage of econometric and machine learning approaches to study the relationship between methane (CH4), a hydrocarbon component of natural gas, as a proxy of carbon emission, GDP as economic growth, financial development (FIN), and medium and high technologies as a proxy of information technology (ICT) and human development (HDI). This study observes two extended moderating effect models of human development index and financial development via medium and high technologies on carbon emissions over the 15-year periods from 2007 to 2021 for the 27 EU economies. Results indicate that when considered solely, ICT, economic growth, and HDI improve environmental quality and contribute to climate change mitigation, reducing methane emissions, whereas financial development seems to damage environmental quality. However, the crossed effects of ICT with HDI, and that of ICT with FIN, were considered in estimations, with results pointing out that those favorably affect climate change mitigation. Jointly considering ICT, HDI, and financial development proves to have a synergistic effect in promoting environmental health than each element on its own. Green and yellow countries were also identified revealing the countries for which a reduction and increase, respectively, in the value of methane emissions is predicted after three years. In the case of the entire panel, the STR (linear regression tree) algorithm predicts an average growth in methane emissions of around 3.64 %. Important policy directions are drawn considering the results obtained.

Despite the lack of research, development, and innovation funds, especially in South Atlantic countries, the Atlantic is suited to supporting a sustainable marine bioeconomy. Novel low-carbon mariculture systems can provide food security, new drugs, and climate mitigation. We suggest how to develop this sustainable marine bioeconomy across the entire Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen, produced by water electrolysis with renewable energy, plays a crucial role in the revolution towards energy sustainability, and it is considered a key source of clean energy and efficient storage. Its ability to address the intermittency of renewable sources and its potential to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify make it a strategic component in climate change mitigation. By using a method based on a bibliometric review of scientific publications, this paper represents a significant contribution to the emerging field of research on green hydrogen and provides a detailed review of electrolyzer technologies, identifying key areas for future research and technology development. The results reflect the immaturity of a technology which advances with different technical advancements, waiting to find the optimal technical solution that allows for its massive implementation as a source of green hydrogen generation. According to the results found in this article, alkaline (ALK) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers seem to be the ones that interest the scientific community the most. Similarly, in terms of regional analysis, Europe is clearly committed to green hydrogen, in view of the analysis of its scientific results on materials and electrolyzer capacity forecasts for 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural hazards caused by climate change have a significant impact on the production and life of urban residents, enhancing urban resilience is an important way to cope with climate disasters and ensure the safety of urban systems. Based on the "urban resilience" research relevant literature, the paper applies bibliometric analysis software to reveal the research hotspots and evolution trends of urban resilience in the perspective of climate change. The results indicate that the main research contents can be summarized into four aspects: i) influencing factors of urban resilience; ii) evaluation index and method of urban resilience; iii) the impact of climate change on urban resilience; iv) Enhancing urban resilience in response to climate change. Finally, potential directions for future research on urban resilience were proposed, multi-dimensional research on urban resilience should be carried out from aspects of theoretical development, urban planning based on resilience mechanisms should be carried out from the perspective of planning practice, and innovation and reform should be carried out in policy implementation and urban management. Accurately understanding the conceptual connotation and construction mechanism of urban resilience is a crucial premise for climate mitigation and adaptation. Relevant research conclusions can provide useful reference for theoretical research and spatial planning of resilient cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel governance concept for sustainable development, introducing the 'Safe System Approach' as a transformative model that shifts focus from individual behavioural change to systemic transformation. This approach challenges traditional governance models that emphasize individual responsibility in achieving sustainable development and decarbonization. Instead, it advocates for creating an enabling environment that inherently guides individuals and communities towards sustainable actions. The Safe System Approach is centred on delivering low-carbon services across essential sectors, including electricity, mobility, industry, buildings, human settlements, and agriculture, thereby embedding sustainability as a default choice in societal systems. Drawing parallels with successful models in road safety, the paper explores the potential of this approach in urban development and climate action. It emphasizes the need for a broad coalition and integrated approaches in managing shared resources, highlighting the significance of systemic adjustments over individual behavioral change. By proposing a structure where sustainability is facilitated by the system's design, the paper builds on key concepts from seminal works by scholars like Garrett Hardin, Mancur Olson, Elinor Ostrom, and Ahrend Lijphart. It discusses the challenges and opportunities in creating safe operating spaces for sustainable development, emphasizing the need for multi-actor, multilevel governance systems that can manage shared resources sustainably and are resilient to political volatility. The paper aims to offer a robust, efficient, and inclusive pathway to sustainable development, contributing to the global discourse on environmental and social resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to evaluate the impacts of oil palm-cattle integration systems on food security and environmental sustainability. We reviewed more than 100 papers and selected those that reported the advantages of these systems. Oil palm-cattle integration has been implemented in some Southeast Asian countries, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia, but it is not widely adopted by oil palm plantations. These systems are mainly driven by policies to enhance food security and reduce environmental impacts. Oil palm-cattle integration can contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals, such as (SDG 1 and 2) no poverty and zero hunger, because it allows for more and diverse food production on the same land, and it increases the income per hectare by up to 15% due to higher oil palm yield (up to 4 t FFB/ha) and lower weed control costs (up to 60%) with rotational grazing. It can also support (SDG 6, 12, 13) responsible production and consumption, clean water and sanitation, and climate action, because it can decrease herbicide use, enhance biodiversity (understory and beneficial species), and improve soil quality. Moreover, it can mitigate the risk of indirect land use change associated with deforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a world grappling with unprecedented challenges, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, to be achieved by 2030, stand as a beacon of hope, envisioning a future where prosperity, equity, and environmental sustainability coalesce. As the outcome of the 2023 SDG New York Summit (18-19 September) showed, the path to achieving these ambitious goals remains uneven, with persistent gaps in poverty eradication, climate action, and other critical areas. While legal frameworks, such as national development plans and international treaties, play a role, integrating the SDGs into the very foundation of governance –the constitution –offers a potentially powerful solution. Elevating the SDGs to constitutional principles grants them binding legal force, making governments accountable for their implementation. Additionally, integrating human rights and environmental protection principles embedded within the SDGs strengthens existing constitutional guarantees and opens avenues for legal challenges against unsustainable policies. Domestic policies must align with these 'constitutionalised goals', leading to a more holistic approach to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of releasing carbon from the terrestrial pool into the atmosphere have significant long‐term and short‐term implications that affect many parts of our globe. Agricultural fields might help to address these concerns and provide cost‐effective solutions, such as lowering carbon dioxide levels (CO2) in the atmosphere while raising carbon levels in the soil. In order to increase agricultural land's potential to absorb and store carbon, the proper selection of suitable microbial inoculants with the capability to sequester carbon into soils is critical. Soil quality and characteristics would improve as a result, and atmospheric carbon would therefore be reduced. Soil microbes have the potential to influence the level of organic matter, which has an impact on the soil's ecological system and characteristics. Soil microbes play a role in carbon sequestration in soils by regulating multiple and distinct pathways for CO2 inputs and losses, such as biochemical processes that could sequester CO2, the capacity to sediment carbonates, the rigid nature of their components and vegetative tissues, or the composition of complex substances that preserve carbon in the soil. Further research is needed to investigate if particular microbial strains that can sequester carbon will help enhance soil quality and prevent climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities are taking action to respond to climate change by designing and implementing sustainable solutions which provide benefits and challenges to citizens. Measuring the progress and effects of such actions at the urban level, beyond mere greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions quantification, is still an emerging research area. Based on data from the 40 European cities belonging to 20 pilot city programmes within the EU-funded NetZeroCities (NZC) project, cities' selections and preferences for indicators for assessing their climate actions are analysed in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study provides bottom-up evidence of cities' selection of non-GHG indicators through different levers of change, including participatory governance and social innovation, for assessing progress and the co-benefits of actions toward climate neutrality taken at the urban level. The resulting list of indicators, classified according to the SDGs, provides evidence of cities' priorities and can be utilised by cities' climate transition teams and also by researchers, as it highlights gaps and opportunities compared to extant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability outcomes are influenced by the laws and configurations of natural and engineered systems as well as activities in socio-economic systems. An important subset of human activity is the creation and implementation of institutions, formal and informal rules shaping a wide range of human behavior. Understanding these rules and codifying them in computational models can provide important missing insights into why systems function the way they do (static) as well as the pace and structure of transitions required to improve sustainability (dynamic). Here, we conduct a comparative synthesis of three modeling approaches--integrated assessment modeling, engineering-economic optimization, and agent-based modeling--with underexplored potential to represent institutions. We first perform modeling experiments on climate mitigation systems that represent specific aspects of heterogeneous institutions, including formal policies and institutional coordination, and informal attitudes and norms. We find measurable but uneven aggregate impacts, while more politically meaningful distributional impacts are large across various actors. Our results show that omitting institutions can influence the costs of climate mitigation and miss opportunities to leverage institutional forces to speed up emissions reduction. These experiments allow us to explore the capacity of each modeling approach to represent insitutions and to lay out a vision for the next frontier of endogenizing institutional change in sustainability science models. To bridge the gap between modeling, theories, and empirical evidence on social institutions, this research agenda calls for joint efforts between sustainability modelers who wish to explore and incorporate institutional detail, and social scientists studying the socio-political and economic foundations for sustainability transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials are of great importance as they are fundamentally integrated into many different critical topics, including green transition, technological progress, industrial emissions, and supply chains. Therefore, the amount of materials we demand and employ in the production process or how efficiently we use them become highly crucial. In this paper, we study the emerging role of materials with a special focus on the key role of material efficiency (ME) in climate mitigation. To this end, we empirically investigate the main determinant of material demand and evaluate the ME performance in the European Union (EU) countries over the period of 1995–2019 based on a four‐component Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) panel data approach that separates unobserved country effects from persistent and transient inefficiency. We obtain the following outcomes. First, material demand function estimates reveal that economic growth and energy consumption are the main drivers of domestic material consumption, highlighting the need for promoting sustainable energy and economic growth. Second, although the SFA‐based ME scores significantly vary across countries, transient inefficiency is the main source of overall inefficiency for most countries, suggesting that there is considerable potential for improvement in ME. While Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, and Slovenia improve their ME performance over time, the ME score of some other countries, such as Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and the Slovak Republic reveal an opposite outcome. Third, the results show that material intensity is not always a good proxy for ME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article asks how the concept of resilience has been used in development studies. Set amidst the rise of resilience in sustainable development, it offers insights for scholars and policymakers, alike. Sampling 419 journal articles from 2017 to 2022, it uses Kuhnian paradigms to analyse development knowledge production on resilience. This produces three key findings. First is the absence of a coherent resilience paradigm (with shared definitions, problems and methods) in development studies. Second is its use, instead, by incumbent development paradigms in piecemeal fashion to extend and/or repackage pre‐existing arguments. Third are ensuing possibilities for resilience as both a rallying call and siren song in sustainable development. Ultimately, resilience‐based research and policy discourses open vital space for collective action across interdisciplinary and international divides. However, a lack of critical awareness of its non‐uniform use can produce more harm than help. If the language of resilience is to advance collective prospects for development cooperation and climate action, then it will help to know precisely what we each are talking about. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a changing business environment, firms encounter significant challenges to fulfill sustainable development goals. However, firms can make substantial progress by adopting regenerative approaches grounded in circular economy principles, enabling them to effectively pursue sustainable development objectives such as responsible production and consumption (goal 12), climate action (goal 13), and the preservation of life on land (goal 15). However, there is a scarcity of research studies that offer guidance to top supply chain (SC) executives, aiming to enhance their environmental focus and enhance the SC viability through regenerative SC practices. This study employed the philosophical perspective of the natural resource‐based view. Advancing the SC literature, it tested a theoretical model to investigate the relationship between the political skills and SC analytics skills of top SC executives and the environmental orientation of SCs. Additionally, it examined the direct and indirect (via regenerative SC) relationships between a firm's environmental orientation and SC viability. This study also tested the moderating role of a firm's artificial intelligence‐driven big data analytics culture in these relationships. Applying a mixed‐methods approach, the study derived a theoretical model to link the aforementioned constructs. Apart from a qualitative investigation, data were also collected through a questionnaire‐based survey from 375 samples. The results indicated that the relationship between the political skills and SC analytics skills of top SC executives toward the environmental orientation of SCs is significant. Furthermore, they indicated that a firm's environmental orientation is positively related to a regenerative SC, which in turn enhances SC viability. The findings also provided evidence that a firm's AI‐driven big data analytics culture enhances the strength of these relationships. The current study extends the knowledge base by integrating the two unique concepts of digitalization and circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global concern of the current century. Its rapid escalation and ever-increasing intensity have been felt worldwide, leading to dramatic impacts globally. The aftermath of climate change in India has brought about a profound transformation in India's environmental, socio-economic, and urban landscapes. In 2019, India ranked seventh, among the most affected countries by extreme weather events caused due to changing climate. This impact was evident in terms of both, the human toll with 2,267 lives lost, and the economic damage, which accounted for 66,182 million US$ Purchasing power parities (PPPs). Over the recent years, India has experienced a significant increase in the number and frequency of extreme weather events, causing vulnerable communities. The country experienced severe air pollution problems in several metropolitan cities and was highlighted in the list of the world's most polluted cities. Additionally, India has become the most populous nation globally, boasting a population of 1.4 billion people, equating to ~18% of the global population, and experiencing an increased rate of consumption of natural resources. Owing to the country's current scenario, various climate mitigation strategies, including nature-based solutions, must be implemented to reduce such impacts and support India's target of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review tries to have a holistic understanding of the effects of climate change on different sectors to identify India's challenges in achieving SDG 13 and SDG 11. Finally, it also highlighted the future recommendations for climate change-related research from an Indian perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigation actions needed to achieve the ambitions of the Paris agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C or below 2 °C have to align with sustainable development. In the near term, this implies a better understanding of context-specific challenges in integrating sustainability with climate policies during the designing, planning, implementation and financing stages. Through a review of selected studies across regions, this paper draws out conclusions focussing on mitigation–sustainable development goal (SDG) trade-offs, with implications on costs and equity for different development contexts. Studies show that trade-offs depend on how the option is implemented and at what scale; mitigation options such as afforestation, biomass production and digitalisation are examples of this. Some options could also result in significant adverse environmental impacts as in the case of battery waste and raw material resources for electric vehicle (EV) or air pollution associated with compact urban development. We find the most important factors influencing equity include unequal access (e.g. urban green spaces and public transportation), high costs (e.g. EV) and financial constraints. Major knowledge gaps include (i) limited empirical evidence of SDG-related trade-offs associated with scaling up mitigation options, (ii) limited understanding of the extent to which benefits are experienced by different groups, (iii) an understanding of the extent to which local context was considered when assessing mitigation–SDG interaction, including the engagement of stakeholders and (iv) synergies and trade-offs associated with cross-sectoral policies. The paper recommends ex-post analysis of detailed and place-based cases that document how synergies and trade-offs emerged and how these were addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abnormity of climate change poses environmental concerns and indirectly promotes the development of low-carbon economic growth pattern. Climate change mitigation technology innovations contribute significantly to achieve environmental goals in China, and thus, technological cooperation has become a strategic choice for the Chinese provinces to achieve technological breakthroughs. Based on 3, 280, 808 patents, this study uses social network analysis (SNA) method and similarity measurement to discuss the evolution process and structural features of the spatial correlation network to analyze the patent data from 1985 to 2020. The process for the research is as follows. First, a form solution of the correlation problem to calculate the minimum Euclidean distance is available in the field of social network. Second, the European distance is used to measure the similarity between provinces, and then, SNA is used to construct the spatial correlation network. Finally, the similarity of growth trend of provincial patent applications in different years from a nonlinear perspective is described, so as to calculate the potential provincial linkage strength. The results demonstrate that low-carbon technology innovation in China takes the form of a network structure. The network exhibits significant characteristics of regional agglomeration, and several central provinces exert the role of mediation and transmission, such as Tianjin, Hubei, and Henan. The study contributes by illustrating the current situation of green technology innovation and provides a critical theoretical foundation for the government when formulating future low-carbon economy development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]