Sustainability

Research

17 pages, 935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fostering Employees’ Voluntary Green Behavior: The Role of Environmentally Specific Servant Leadership, Positive Affectivity, and Workplace Anxiety

by Liyan Yang, Xiaojing Shao and Yuan Jiang

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14883; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014883 - 15 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1082

Abstract

The recent introduction of servant leadership into the research on pro-environmental behavior in organizations has stimulated interest and concern among scholars on how an environmentally specific servant leader fosters their subordinates’ green behavior. Drawing from affective event theory, this study focuses on the [...] Read more.

The recent introduction of servant leadership into the research on pro-environmental behavior in organizations has stimulated interest and concern among scholars on how an environmentally specific servant leader fosters their subordinates’ green behavior. Drawing from affective event theory, this study focuses on the underlying affective mechanism linking environmentally specific servant leadership and employee voluntary green behavior. Using two-wave data from 190 employees in two organizations, we found that environmentally specific servant leadership was indirectly related to employee voluntary green behavior via positive affectivity. Moreover, workplace anxiety moderated the indirect effect, such that it was only significant and positive under low levels of workplace anxiety. Overall, our study sheds light on the role the effect plays in unpacking the influence of environmentally specific servant leadership on employee voluntary green behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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14 pages, 2121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Time Limit of Environmental Benefits of Renewable Energy Power Projects—Analysis Based on Monte Carlo Simulation

by Nan Shang, Guori Huang, Yuan Leng, Jihong Zhang and Angxing Shen

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14687; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014687 - 10 Oct 2023

Viewed by 765

Abstract

The supply of green electricity certificates (GECs) exceeds the demand, leading to companies being more willing to purchase GECs to meet their emission reduction obligations. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of renewable energy (RE) projects labeled as “greenwashing”. Drawing [...] Read more.

The supply of green electricity certificates (GECs) exceeds the demand, leading to companies being more willing to purchase GECs to meet their emission reduction obligations. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of renewable energy (RE) projects labeled as “greenwashing”. Drawing on the “additionality” theory, we developed a cost model with construction, operation, and discount rates. We utilized cost data from China’s onshore wind and photovoltaic power generation in our study. After 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations, we made the following findings: (1) The environmental benefits of RE power generation diminish over time, and the time limit for judging whether RE projects have additional costs compared with traditional thermal power should be considered; (2) The time limit for marginal environmental effects of China’s onshore wind and photovoltaic power generation is estimated to be 7.65–10.78 years and 5.44–7.25 years, respectively. The analysis methods and ideas proposed in this paper can provide reference for the development of the GEC system in China and even other countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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14 pages, 1788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Evaluation of Carbon Reduction Policy Based on the Background of Global Climate Change

by Junyan Meng and Wei Xu

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14581; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914581 - 8 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1172

Abstract

High-quality carbon reduction policies play a crucial role in tackling global climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. China, as the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, has committed to peaking its carbon emission by 2030. This study focuses on the evaluation of [...] Read more.

High-quality carbon reduction policies play a crucial role in tackling global climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. China, as the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, has committed to peaking its carbon emission by 2030. This study focuses on the evaluation of 12 carbon reduction policies implemented by the Chinese government. A quantitative evaluation index system for carbon reduction policies was designed. Next, the policy modeling consistency (PMC) index method was utilized to assess the quality of these policies. The findings are as follows: Firstly, the average PMC index value of the 12 carbon reduction policies is 6.75, indicating a good performance overall. Secondly, the carbon reduction policies established by the Chinese government are generally effective; among the twelve policies analyzed, one policy received a perfect evaluation grade, four policies were graded as excellent, six policies were graded as good, and one policy received a bad evaluation grade. Thirdly, the indicators Z₃, Z₄, Z₅, and Z₉ in the evaluation index system for carbon reduction policies scored relatively low, suggesting that there are some deficiencies in terms of policy timeliness, issuing institutions, policy tools, and policy evaluation within the 12 policies. Fourthly, this study presents a PMC curved surface diagram to visually illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the carbon reduction policies. Finally, based on the research findings, recommendations are provided to enhance the quality of carbon reduction policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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13 pages, 1479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How to Evaluate Ecological Civilization Construction and Its Regional Differences: Evidence from China

by Xiaohan Yan and Qun Sun

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12543; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612543 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1099

Abstract

Ecological civilization construction (ECC) has positive significance for the sustainable development of China, and it has specific Chinese characteristics. This paper design an index system of ECC based on environmental, societal and economic dimensions. Panel data for the 30 provinces in China from [...] Read more.

Ecological civilization construction (ECC) has positive significance for the sustainable development of China, and it has specific Chinese characteristics. This paper design an index system of ECC based on environmental, societal and economic dimensions. Panel data for the 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2021 were collected from the statistical yearbook released by the Chinese government, and then we evaluated ecological civilization construction by using the entropy TOPSIS method and the coefficient of variation. This paper’s findings are as follows: firstly, the level of ECC in China presents a rising trend, with the level of ECC in China riing from 0.355 in 2012 to 0.553 in 2021. Secondly, China’s ECC has experienced three stages: a rapid rise period (2013–2016), a gradual decline period (2017–2019) and a steady rise period (2020–2021). Thirdly, the level of ECC in China is high in the central region and low in the eastern region and western region. Fourth, the dispersion degree of ECC in the 30 provinces of China first reduced and then expanded, and the dispersion degree of ECC ranges from high to low in the eastern region, western region and central region, respectively. Fifth, although there is a regional imbalance in the level of ecological civilization construction in different regions of China, their coefficients of variation from 2012 to 2021 are less than 0.2. Finally, some suggestions are proposed to improve ECC based on research findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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21 pages, 639 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Transportation for the Climate: How Do Transportation Firms Engage in Cooperative Public-Private Partnerships?

by Deborah de Lange

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118682 - 27 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2639

Abstract

This research examines the effectiveness of transportation-sector public-private partnerships (PPPs). Coordination across sectors is needed to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. PPPs are of interest to transportation firms, but they may prefer private-sector opportunities given that working with the public sector can present [...] Read more.

This research examines the effectiveness of transportation-sector public-private partnerships (PPPs). Coordination across sectors is needed to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. PPPs are of interest to transportation firms, but they may prefer private-sector opportunities given that working with the public sector can present challenges. However, the challenges are not clear and, therefore, this needs research investigation to develop understandings for policy to make PPPs work better for firms. Moreover, this research informs firms so that they may better comprehend and manage the risks of PPPs or choose other opportunities. This empirical research uses a sample of 300 transportation firms across 28 countries. The findings suggest that, although government contracts may be lucrative, the institutional environment of the PPP context is not preferable to other business-oriented private-sector opportunities. If more sustainable transportation is to be constructed to address climate change and other public interests, policymakers may need to rethink PPPs to adapt to the needs of transportation firms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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13 pages, 1833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating China’s Common Prosperity Policies against the Background of Green Development by Using the PMC Model

by Xiangfei Ma, Yifan Ruan and Qiying Yang

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7870; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107870 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1479

Abstract

Green development is the background of common prosperity and is important for the sustainable development of China. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate China’s common prosperity policies to understand the advantages and disadvantages of common prosperity policies. In this paper, [...] Read more.

Green development is the background of common prosperity and is important for the sustainable development of China. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate China’s common prosperity policies to understand the advantages and disadvantages of common prosperity policies. In this paper, 15 representative common prosperity policies are research subjects, and this study uses the PMC (Policy Modeling Consistency) index method to assess the quality of common prosperity policies in China. This study, firstly, finds that the average value of the 15 common prosperity policies is 6.47, evaluated as a good grade. Secondly, 80% of policies are evaluated as a good or excellent grade, which means that the quality of the policy making of 80% of policies is at least good. Except for policy prescription, policy subject and policy incentive, the values of other first-level indicators are all greater than six, indicating that the Chinese government’s formulation level of common prosperity policies is relatively high. Thirdly, among fifteen common prosperity policies, one policy is evaluated as a perfect grade (quality of policy making is very good), four policies are evaluated as excellent (quality of policy making is better than required), eight policies are evaluated as good (quality of policy making is good) and two policies are evaluated as bad (quality of policy making is bad). Fourthly, by drawing figures composed of PMC curves, this paper analyzes common prosperity policies of different grades. Finally, some suggestions are proposed in this study to improve China’s common prosperity policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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17 pages, 1784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Differences and Convergence of Technical Efficiency in China’s Marine Economy under Carbon Emission Constraints

by Gen Li, Jingwen Wang, Fan Liu, Tao Wang, Ying Zhou and Airui Tian

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7632; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097632 - 6 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1085

Abstract

With the continuous development of China’s marine economy and the increasing pollution in marine-related industries, how to implement a sustainable development strategy in the marine economy has become an important issue. Under the stochastic frontier analysis framework, this paper measures the technical efficiency [...] Read more.

With the continuous development of China’s marine economy and the increasing pollution in marine-related industries, how to implement a sustainable development strategy in the marine economy has become an important issue. Under the stochastic frontier analysis framework, this paper measures the technical efficiency of the marine economy in 11 coastal provinces in China under carbon emission constraints from 2006 to 2016 and analyzes regional differences and the dynamic evolution of technical efficiency and its influencing factors. Panel unit root test is applied to analyze the stochastic convergence of technical efficiency of the inter-regional marine economy. The result shows that: in the reference period, the technical efficiency of the marine economy is on the rise. Guangdong and Shanghai are in the lead. Technical level and industrial structure have a positive impact on technical efficiency, while the structure of property rights, FDI, energy prices, and energy structure have a negative effect on it. On the whole, the changes in the technical efficiency of coastal provinces present a process from concentration to differentiation. There is a stochastic convergence between the Pan-Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta. Raising the technological level, promoting low-carbon production in the marine industry, and strengthening inter-regional cooperation have a certain effect on the improvement of the technical efficiency of the marine economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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26 pages, 2931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Policymaking in Japanese Municipalities: An Empirical Study on External and Internal Contextual Factors

by Dries Couckuyt, Toshi H. Arimura, Takuro Miyamoto and Naonari Yajima

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7449; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097449 - 30 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1575

Abstract

This article examines the establishment and publication of green plans and green public procurement (GPP) policies in Japanese municipalities. The purpose of the study was to investigate these green policymaking initiatives from a contingency theory perspective. The first research question examined contextual factors [...] Read more.

This article examines the establishment and publication of green plans and green public procurement (GPP) policies in Japanese municipalities. The purpose of the study was to investigate these green policymaking initiatives from a contingency theory perspective. The first research question examined contextual factors for green policymaking. The second research question focused on barriers and enablers. For RQ1, through hypothesis testing and a regression analysis (n = 1663), we found that green policymaking differs by organization location, organization size, and organizational green capabilities. More specifically, we identified prefectures where municipalities score relatively higher as well as lower. Second, we found that larger (vs. smaller) municipalities undertake more (vs. less) green policymaking initiatives. Third, we observed that organizations with more (vs. less) green capabilities develop more (vs. less) green initiatives. For RQ2, through a descriptive and cluster analysis, we identified dominant barriers and enablers to establishing a GPP policy. The dominant barriers include a lack of information, lack of staff, and cost concerns, whereas manuals and example forms are important enablers. These findings are highly relevant to understanding and supporting green policymaking in Japanese municipalities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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30 pages, 5266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Game Analysis among Governments, the Public and Green Smart Supply Chain Enterprises in Necessity Purchase and Supply during COVID-19 Pandemic

by Ruzhi Xu, Chenglong Yan, Chenlong Wang and Huawei Zhao

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7229; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097229 - 26 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1339

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, panic buying, price inflation, and the pollution of production processes led to economic and social unrest. In response to the current situation, the current research takes less account of the subjective perception of public panic buying and the lack [...] Read more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, panic buying, price inflation, and the pollution of production processes led to economic and social unrest. In response to the current situation, the current research takes less account of the subjective perception of public panic buying and the lack of reference to the reality of effective governance. First, this paper uses prospect theory to portray the public’s perceived value of goods in panic buying and non-panic buying situations. Then, drawing on the experience of effective governance in China, a tripartite evolutionary game model of local government, the public and green smart supply chain enterprises is constructed under the reward and punishment mechanism of the central government. Then, this paper analyzes the strategic choices of each game player and the stability of the system equilibrium. The structure of the study suggests the following. (1) Improving local government subsidies and penalties, the cost of positive response and the probability of response can lead to an evolutionary direction where the public chooses not to panic buy and green smart supply chain enterprises choose to ensure a balance between supply and demand and increase pollution control in the production process. (2) Our study yields three effective combinations of evolutionary strategies, of which an ideal combination of evolutionary strategies exists. Non-ideal evolutionary strategy combinations can occur due to improper incentives and penalties of local governments and misallocation of limited resources. However, we find four paths that can transform the non-ideal evolutionary strategy combination into an ideal evolutionary strategy combination. (3) The central government’s reward and punishment mechanism is an important tool to stabilize the tripartite strategy, but the central government cannot achieve effective governance by replacing incentives with punishment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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13 pages, 1843 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Common Prosperity Level and Regional Difference Based on the Background of Green Development

by Xiang-Fei Ma, Ru Zhang and Yi-Fan Ruan

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15863; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315863 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1672

Abstract

Green development and common prosperity are two major development goals put forward by the Chinese government. Based on the background of green development, the index system of common prosperity is designed in this paper, and the entropy method and coefficient of variation method [...] Read more.

Green development and common prosperity are two major development goals put forward by the Chinese government. Based on the background of green development, the index system of common prosperity is designed in this paper, and the entropy method and coefficient of variation method are used to calculate the level of common prosperity in China from 2010 to 2020. The research findings are as follows: Firstly, the level of common prosperity based on the background of China’s green development has been raised from 2010 to 2020. The level of common prosperity based on the background of China’s green development has increased from 0.301 in 2010 to 0.513 in 2020. Secondly, based on the background of China’s green development, the level of common prosperity in the eastern region is higher than that in the northeast region, the northeast region is higher than that in the central region, and the central region is higher than that in the western region. Thirdly, the regional difference in common prosperity level based on the background of green development shows a trend of narrowing, with the coefficient of variation decreasing from 0.25 in 2010 to 0.13 in 2020. Finally, based on the research findings, corresponding suggestions are put forward to promote common prosperity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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15 pages, 2047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decoupling of Economic Growth and Industrial Water Use in Hubei Province: From an Ecological–Economic Interaction Perspective

by Yijing Chu, Yingying Wang, Zucheng Zhang and Shengli Dai

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13338; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013338 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1306

Abstract

Rational water use is the basis for sustainable development. The issue of how to use limited water resources to satisfy the high rate of economic development has attracted a great deal of attention from society. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the [...] Read more.

Rational water use is the basis for sustainable development. The issue of how to use limited water resources to satisfy the high rate of economic development has attracted a great deal of attention from society. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the intrinsic relationship between economic growth and industrial water use changes in Hubei Province based on panel data from 2004 to 2019. With the help of the Tapio decoupling model, the problem of decoupling the economic growth of Hubei Province and the water use of the three industries in 15 years was discussed. On the basis of Kaya’s extended identity, the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) index decomposition method is used to evaluate the driving factors and steady state changes in the three industries’ water use. The results show that, with regard to the decoupling state, there are three decoupling states between economic growth and industrial water use in Hubei province: negative decoupling, strong decoupling, and weak decoupling, which showed a phase characteristic. From the decomposition of the factors, the industrial structure effect and the water intensity effect are the key factors that determine the decoupling of economic growth and industrial water use in Hubei Province, as well as the core driving force to promote the decoupling state. According to the development trend, Hubei Province needs to take into account the efficiency and affordability of water resources in the process of promoting social and economic development. Therefore, in line with the research outcomes, this study provides effective and feasible recommendations for promoting sustainable economic and social development in Hubei Province. Full article

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21 pages, 2701 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Effects and Mechanism of Carbon Emission Trading on the Development of Green Economy in China

by Ling Wang, Zhiying Chen and Zheheng Huang

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12483; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912483 - 30 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1386

Abstract

Based on the panel data from 2004 to 2018, this paper evaluates the effect of carbon emission trading policies launched in 2014 on the development of green economy in pilot areas by using synthetic control methods, and further studies the mechanism of the [...] Read more.

Based on the panel data from 2004 to 2018, this paper evaluates the effect of carbon emission trading policies launched in 2014 on the development of green economy in pilot areas by using synthetic control methods, and further studies the mechanism of the policies affecting green economy by using the mediating effects test. The results show that carbon emission trading has a significant effect on the green economy, which is affected by the economic base and location conditions. Technological innovation and the use of clean energy are the main mechanisms by which to promote green economy. Finally, some corresponding policy recommendations are put forward. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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18 pages, 1244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmentally Specific Servant Leadership and Employee Workplace Green Behavior: Moderated Mediation Model of Green Role Modeling and Employees’ Perceived CSR

by Fan Gu and Jiaqi Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11965; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911965 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

While employee workplace green behaviors (EWGBs), which contribute toward goals of organizational sustainability, have developed as an important research topic in the last decade, environmentally specific servant leadership (ESSL) is considered an important enhancer of employees’ green behaviors. From a social learning perspective, [...] Read more.

While employee workplace green behaviors (EWGBs), which contribute toward goals of organizational sustainability, have developed as an important research topic in the last decade, environmentally specific servant leadership (ESSL) is considered an important enhancer of employees’ green behaviors. From a social learning perspective, we developed a theoretical model to explore the mediating role of green role modeling and the moderating effect of employees’ perceived CSR on the relationship between ESSL and EWGB. In order to test the hypotheses, we adopted a two-wave research design and collected survey data from 512 employees from eight companies in Shandong Province, China. Structural equation modeling and the PROCESS macro for SPSS were utilized to analyze the data from the survey. The results of the quantitative analysis suggest that ESSL has positive impact on both employees’ in-role green behavior and extra-role green behavior. Meanwhile, green role modeling has a mediating effect on the relationship between ESSL and EWGB. Moreover, employees’ perceived CSR moderates the mediating relationship between ESSL and EWGB through green role modeling. The findings indicate that organizations should promote managers’ environmentally specific servant leadership and establish their own CSR policies and practices in order to motivate employee workplace in-role and extra-role green behaviors, which, in turn, contribute to sustainability, environmental protection and societal development. Overall, the theoretical and practical implications of our findings for the research on ESSL and EWGB are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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19 pages, 2284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Decoupling Relationship and Rebound Effect between Economic Growth and Carbon Emissions in Central China

by Ke Liu, Mingxue Zhao, Xinyue Xie and Qian Zhou

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10233; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610233 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1265

Abstract

The central area is the core region of China’s economic development. Under the current goal of carbon emission reduction, the analysis of the decoupling relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions and the carbon rebound effect will help us to formulate corresponding policies, [...] Read more.

The central area is the core region of China’s economic development. Under the current goal of carbon emission reduction, the analysis of the decoupling relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions and the carbon rebound effect will help us to formulate corresponding policies, achieve a carbon peak at an early date, and ensure high-quality economic development. Based on the energy consumption data from 2000 to 2019, the carbon emission of six provinces of the central region was calculated. The Tapio decoupling model was used to learn about the decoupling index. And then, by calculating the contribution rate of technological progress to both economic growth and carbon emission intensity, the carbon saving amount and carbon rebound amount can be calculated, and the rebound effect value of carbon emission is obtained. The results show that the economy in central China presents a trend of growth. In contrast, the carbon emission of each province shows a gradient structure with a large difference, and the economic growth and carbon emission show a weak decoupling in the past five years. We further analyzed the rebound effect of carbon emissions and found that 30% of the years in the central region have a rebound effect with values of more than one. Finally, this study puts forward policy suggestions for the early realization of carbon peaks and high-quality economic development in the central region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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14 pages, 637 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on China’s Carbon Emission Efficiency and Its Regional Differences

by Xiaochun Zhao, Huixin Xu and Qun Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159731 - 8 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1565

Abstract

With the development of China’s economy, China is emitting more and more carbon. At the same time, it has also exposed the problem of carbon emission efficiency differences caused by the unbalanced development of resources and economy among regions. Based on the carbon [...] Read more.

With the development of China’s economy, China is emitting more and more carbon. At the same time, it has also exposed the problem of carbon emission efficiency differences caused by the unbalanced development of resources and economy among regions. Based on the carbon emission panel data of provinces and cities in China from 2009 to 2018, this paper studies carbon emission efficiency and regional differences by constructing a three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that eliminates the influence of environmental factors and random factors. The research shows that: (1) Carbon emission efficiency in China is spatially distributed; carbon emission efficiency in the western region is generally lower than that in the eastern region. (2) China’s carbon emission efficiency is not entirely synchronized with economic development; carbon emission efficiency in some underdeveloped western regions has reached the forefront of China, and some developed regions in the east are in the middle position. (3) China’s carbon emission efficiency is restricted by scale efficiency; many regions in China have high pure technical efficiency, but due to low scale efficiency, overall efficiency is low. (4) Overall, China’s carbon emission efficiency is currently on the rise, but the rising rate is relatively slow, and there is still plenty of room for improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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18 pages, 1881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Emissions in the Yellow River Basin: Analysis of Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors Based on a Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) Decomposition Method

by Ke Liu, Xinyue Xie, Mingxue Zhao and Qian Zhou

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9524; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159524 - 3 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1509

Abstract

The “14th Five-Year Plan” period is a critical period and a window to obtain emission peak and carbon neutrality in China. The Yellow River Basin, a vital location for population activities and economic growth, is significant to China’s emission peak by 2030. Analyzing [...] Read more.

The “14th Five-Year Plan” period is a critical period and a window to obtain emission peak and carbon neutrality in China. The Yellow River Basin, a vital location for population activities and economic growth, is significant to China’s emission peak by 2030. Analyzing carbon emissions patterns and decomposing the influencing factors can provide theoretical support for reducing carbon emissions. Based on the energy consumption data from 2000–2019, the method recommended by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is used to calculate the carbon emissions in the Yellow River Basin. The Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method decomposes the influence degree of each influencing factor. The conclusions are as follows: First, The Yellow River Basin has not yet reached the peak of carbon emissions. Regional carbon emissions trends are different. Second, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan and Inner Mongolia consistently ranked in the top four in total carbon emissions, with low carbon emission efficiency. Third, Economic development has the most significant contribution to carbon emissions; other factors have various effects on nine provinces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Policy and Green Governance)

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