PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how green innovation, energy system transformation, governance quality, sustainable consumption and digital consumption jointly shape ecological footprints in OECD economies. By using a dynamic panel framework, the study aims to capture the persistence of environmental pressure while disentangling the technological, institutional, behavioral and digital drivers of sustainability transition. The research seeks to provide integrated empirical evidence to inform policy on how advanced economies can effectively reduce ecological footprints while managing the environmental externalities associated with rapid digitalization.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a quantitative, longitudinal research design using a balanced panel data set of 25 OECD countries covering the period 2012–2023. A dynamic empirical framework is used, with ecological footprint as the dependent variable. To address endogeneity, unobserved country-specific effects, autocorrelation and dynamic persistence, a two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator is applied. Environmental technology patents, smart energy transition, eco-governance performance, sustainable consumption dynamics and digital consumption expansion are incorporated as key explanatory variables, with appropriate diagnostic and robustness tests conducted to ensure model validity.FindingsThe findings reveal strong persistence in ecological footprints across OECD economies, indicating deep-rooted structural environmental pressures. Green innovation, smart energy transition, eco-governance performance and sustainable consumption dynamics significantly reduce ecological footprints, confirming the effectiveness of technological progress, energy system optimization, institutional quality and demand-side behavioral change in mitigating environmental degradation. Conversely, digital consumption expansion exerts a positive and statistically significant impact on ecological footprints, suggesting that the environmental costs of expanding digital services and e-commerce currently outweigh efficiency gains. Overall, the results highlight the need for integrated sustainability strategies that address both supply- and demand-side dynamics.Originality/valueThis study offers original value by integrating green innovation, energy transition, governance quality, sustainable consumption and digital consumption within a unified dynamic framework to explain ecological footprints in OECD economies. Unlike prior studies that examine these drivers in isolation, it captures their joint and persistent effects using a two-step system GMM approach. The analysis provides novel empirical evidence on the environmental rebound effects of digital consumption in advanced economies, enriching the sustainability transition literature. The findings deliver policy-relevant insights by highlighting the necessity of coupling technological and energy transitions with governance reforms and regulatory oversight of digital expansion.
PurposeThis study investigates the factors influencing the consumer resource recovery rate within South Korea’s disposable cup deposit system. By analyzing the impact of physical infrastructure, store operational characteristics and regional environmental factors, this research aims to provide empirical evidence for designing a consumer-centric resource circulation system that enhances the recovery of high-quality recycled materials.Design/methodology/approachUsing actual operational data from the Container Deposit System Management Organization, this study used a panel regression analysis with a time fixed effects model. The data set covered 48 administrative districts (eup, myeon and dong) in Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si and Sejong-si from January 2024 to August 2025. The analysis examined variables such as the number of stores with unmanned return machines installed, cross-brand return rates and visitor demographics.FindingsThe results indicated that return rates were driven by the openness of return points (cross-brand return rate) and voluntary store participation rather than hardware expansion. Notably, unmanned return machines had a negative effect, suggesting that technology-driven supply fails without user-centric convenience. Conversely, stability in routine consumption areas significantly increased recovery. To enhance return rates, policy should shift from hardware-centric supply toward a universal return network through cross-brand participation and repetitive exposure strategies targeting high-traffic daily living areas.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies focused on psychological intentions or acceptance, this study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to use large-scale operational data to empirically analyze the physical and regional determinants of disposable cup return rate. It provides specific policy implications for shifting toward a community-based, voluntary resource circulation model.
PurposeThis study aims to examine how different dimensions of economic development influence air pollution across countries at varying stages of development. Focusing on Asia–Europe Meeting economies, it reassesses the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis by distinguishing between global pollutants (CO2 emissions and total greenhouse gases) and local air pollution (PM2.5), while accounting for financial development, structural change and urbanization.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a dynamic panel kink regression framework combined with system generalized method of moments estimation to capture nonlinear and regime-dependent relationships between development indicators and air pollution. Dynamic specifications address emission persistence and endogeneity, while kink points are endogenously estimated to identify development-stage-specific effects.FindingsThe results reveal marked heterogeneity across pollutants and development dimensions. Income growth does not exhibit an inverted-U relationship with CO2 emissions or total greenhouse gases, suggesting the absence of an EKC for global pollutants. In contrast, PM2.5 concentrations display an inverted-U pattern, indicating that local air pollution can be reduced beyond certain development thresholds. Financial development and urbanization initially intensify pollution but are associated with improved air quality at higher development stages, whereas economic tertiarization consistently contributes to pollution reduction.Originality/valueThis study extends the EKC literature by jointly analyzing multiple air pollutants and multiple dimensions of economic development within a nonlinear dynamic panel framework. By endogenously identifying development-stage-specific regimes, it shows that nonlinear pollution–development relationships depend on both pollutant type and the dimension of development considered.
PurposeAs climate warming and urban heat exposure continue to intensify, accurately identifying the cooling effect of vegetation is essential for developing effective urban climate adaptation strategies. However, the relationship between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) is highly sensitive to spatial scale. Inappropriate scale selection may lead to misjudgments of urban cooling potential due to the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP). This study aims to reveal the scale dependency of the NDVI–LST relationship and assess its implications for urban green space planning and climate adaptation decision-making.Design/methodology/approachTaking Shanghai as a case study, this research constructs multi-scale grids while maintaining consistent spatial resolution of remote sensing data. Land use change information from 2000 to 2024 is integrated into the analysis. By combining the Random Forest model with the SHAP interpretation method, this study examines the statistical relationship, nonlinear response structure and variations in cooling turning points of NDVI–LST across different scales and land use contexts. This approach enables a systematic assessment of how spatial aggregation methods influence the identification of vegetation cooling effects.FindingsThe results show that as the analysis scale shifts from coarse to fine, local heterogeneity and contextual effects are significantly enhanced. The nonlinear response structure of NDVI–LST and its cooling thresholds undergo systematic changes with scale. At coarse scales, local fluctuations are smoothed out and the overall response becomes more stable. At fine scales, nonlinear characteristics become more pronounced and spatial differences more prominent. From the MAUP perspective, scale selection not only affects the assessment of statistical correlations but may also introduce biases in evaluating the cooling efficiency of green spaces within climate adaptation planning.Originality/valueThis study proposes a reusable multi-scale assessment framework from the MAUP perspective. It reveals the scale sensitivity of the NDVI–LST relationship and its contextual dependency across different land use backgrounds. The findings highlight the critical value of multi-scale information in urban green infrastructure planning and heat risk management. This provides methodological innovation and practical references for developing evidence-based urban climate adaptation strategies.
PurposeFocusing on Gampaha, Sri Lanka’s most densely populated district, this research aims to explore the lived experiences, vulnerabilities and adaptive strategies of 25 women and girls aged 10 to 76 years who faced increasing frequency and severity of recurrent flooding. The district’s low-lying coastal terrain, rapid urbanization and unsustainable development practices exacerbate flood risks, as a gendered issue with disproportionate impacts on women and girls.Design/methodology/approachThis study was designed by women, for women, with all-women expert researchers personally conducting interviews with women and girl respondents. When participants struggled to verbally express their experiences, particularly the gendered impacts of climate change-induced flooding, they were invited to draw their perceptions, which were then discussed in depth.FindingsWhile only seven participants were familiar with the term “climate change” all could identify environmental changes such as irregular rainfall and increased flood frequency. Reported impacts included the destruction of homes and infrastructure, reduced income opportunities, education disruptions and health challenges, particularly related to sanitation and hygiene. Twenty-one of the respondents had lived in the area for over a decade and described intensified responsibilities during floods, including food preparation and community support, despite minimal involvement in formal disaster planning. Most respondents said women’s caregiving roles made evacuations during floods more difficult. Fifteen of the 25 participants expressed dissatisfaction with current flood management approaches, calling for improved healthcare, tailored support services and greater inclusion of women in preparedness and response planning. The findings underscore the urgency of integrating gender-responsive and intergenerational measures into climate adaptation strategies in flood-prone regions.Research limitations/implicationsThis research collects data about women and girls within one of the most population dense and rapidly growing, yet poor, urban districts in Sri Lanka. Such research has not been undertaken to date. The data collected is limited to women and girls in this district.Practical implicationsThe findings underscore the urgency of integrating gender-responsive measures into climate adaptation strategies in flood-prone regions. The findings also demonstrate the key roles that women and girls can play in flood mitigation and flood management. The roles that girls are expected to take on can mean that they are absent from formal education.Social implicationsThis research is part of a broader project to train the trainers for mitigating and managing increased frequency and intensity of flooding due to climate change. Women leaders are trained to then train other women within the community.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research, focusing specifically on the lived experiences of women and girls in Sri Lanka, has not been previously undertaken.
PurposeAs a critical component of the global carbon cycle, ocean carbon sinks under the “carbon neutrality” target require scientific estimation of regional capacities and exploration of their spatial correlations. These efforts serve as an essential basis for formulating differentiated carbon sink development policies. This study aims to measure China’s ocean carbon sink capacity (OCSC) in the context of carbon neutrality and to investigate its spatial spillover effects. By revealing regional disparities and cross-regional dependencies, the research provides a scientific basis for formulating differentiated and coordinated policies to enhance ocean carbon sequestration.Design/methodology/approachBased on panel data of blue carbon ecosystems in 11 coastal provinces of China from 2008 to 2022, this study measures China’s ocean carbon sink capacity and employs a spatial econometric model to analyze the spatial spillover effects of various influencing factors.FindingsLocal governments should fully consider the integrity of ocean ecosystems and regional disparities when formulating ocean carbon sink policies, further coordinating interregional factors to enhance carbon sink capacity. (1) China’s total OCSC showed a consistent upward trend from 2008 to 2022, with salt marshes becoming the dominant contributing system. Regionally, the capacity ranked Eastern Ocean Economic Circle > Southern Ocean Economic Circle > Northern Ocean Economic Circle, with significant inter-provincial heterogeneity. (2) The global Moran’s I exhibited an inverted U‑shaped pattern, indicating significant positive spatial autocorrelation. Local indicators confirmed that high‑high and low‑low clusters dominated. (3) Spatial spillover effects revealed that ocean technology innovation, environmental regulation, and economic development generated significant positive cross‑regional impacts, whereas ocean disasters and sea level rise produced negative spillovers. Ocean labor input had positive direct effects but insignificant indirect effects.Originality/valueLocal governments should fully consider the integrity of ocean ecosystems and regional disparities when formulating ocean carbon sink policies, further coordinating interregional factors to enhance carbon sink capacity.
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a modular governance framework that can support China’s climate mitigation and adaptation commitments in international climate agreements by enhancing market-based allocation and governance of blue carbon resources in China.Design/methodology/approachA multi-case comparative analysis of blue carbon regulatory pilot programs in Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan is conducted using a theory of modularity. A systematized diagnoses of institutional barriers to China’s blue carbon governance is presented, as well as pathways for improving institutional efficiency and integrating the market.FindingsPublic monitoring functions are progressively decoupled from private development rights in the market oriented under regulation model. Market mechanisms have driven significant price differentiation in blue carbon trading, alongside the emergence of financial modularity such as insurance products. In the entrusted management model, communities retain use rights, while enterprises acquire rights of exploitation, allowing compensation funds to support livelihood transitions without forced reclamations. The international connection model prioritizes alignment with the Verified Carbon Standard to facilitate cross-border blue carbon transactions. However, all models operate through local platforms rather than the national China Certified Emission Reduction mechanism, revealing a critical modular mismatch.Originality/valueThis study proposes a modular governance framework that formalizes public regulatory functions, marketizes private transaction rights and socializes community-based hybrid rights. Providing actionable governance solutions across institutional, technical and international cooperation dimensions, this study contributes to the global discourse on blue carbon resources.
PurposeExtreme weather event exposure can be associated with a range of direct and indirect health and wellbeing impacts. There is a recognised need to improve the assessment of exposure to extreme weather, beyond mainstream epidemiology techniques and psychopathology, to include the subjective and individual experience of extreme weather events. In response, this study aims to outline the development and initial validation of a quantitative measure, the Rating Evaluation - Impacts of Extreme Weather (REvIEW), designed to assess the differential impacts of extreme weather events.Design/methodology/approachThe REvIEW is a novel 29-item measure, developed in consultation with an advisory group consisting of multidisciplinary healthcare practitioners, academics and environmental scientists. An Australian mixed-method, cross-sectional study was conducted. The REvIEW assesses the extent of negative impacts from extreme weather events, with each item rated on a 6-point Likert scale.FindingsThe results supported the three domains of the REvIEW (livelihood, wellbeing and connection) and provide preliminary support for the use of this scale to quantitatively assess impacts from exposure to extreme weather events.Originality/valueThe REvIEW offers a novel approach to conceptualising and measuring the differential impacts of extreme weather event exposure, with the potential to inform multidisciplinary research and practice relating to understanding and responding to the impacts of extreme weather events.
PurposeEducation emerges as a driving force capable of shaping transformative change in a century challenged by the pressure of ensuring long-term human survival while preserving the planet. This study aims to empirically investigate the interrelationships between education, environmental performance and economic welfare within the European Union (EU).Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a structured and multidimensional methodological approach that embeds three advanced modeling techniques, namely, robust regression, modern quantile on-quantile regression and network analysis through Gaussian graphical models. The analysis is based on a balanced selection of indicators that reflect each of this study’s three pillars – education, environmental sustainability and socioeconomic well-being – across the 27 EU Member States, focusing on variables such as government spending on education, renewable energy usage and CO2 emission levels.FindingsThe main findings reveal patterns and connections that inform tailored strategies and policy decisions, contributing to a more resilient and environmentally responsible socioeconomic model. There is a strong connection between educational investment and improvements in environmental and socioeconomic indicators, emphasizing education’s strategic role in advancing sustainability.Originality/valueBy offering a comprehensive analysis, this study reinforces the value of education as a foundational element for achieving the sustainable development goals and guiding societies toward a greener, more equitable future.
PurposeAs the largest carbon reservoir on Earth, the ocean plays a vital role in addressing climate change. Market mechanisms can enhance the effectiveness of ocean carbon sinks and leverage the ocean’s potential in climate governance. To ensure a stable and effective transition of marine carbon sinks from ecological resources into ecological capital within a market framework, robust policy and legislative support is essential. This paper aims at illustrating China’s practice in enhancing ocean carbon sinks through market mechanisms from the perspective of policy, especially how to establish such market mechanisms with the guidance of policy, while proposing suggestions for future optimization and summarizing inspirations from China’s practices.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses normative, empirical and comparative analysis methods to evaluate the effectiveness of policies China has formulated for establishing market mechanisms of ocean carbon sinks. It conducts a comprehensive review of national and local normative documents, matching them with Chinese empirical examples and pilot projects and then concludes achievements and challenges of China’s policy, together with inspirations from China’s practice.FindingsChina has initially established a multilevel regulatory system guided by its dual carbon goals, encompassing accounting methods and standards of ocean carbon sink, ocean carbon sink trading mechanisms and protection and restoration of marine carbon ecosystems. These policies have contributed to the diversification of products and value realization mechanisms of ocean carbon sinks. However, several challenges remain, including ambiguous property rights over ocean carbon sinks, inconsistent accounting standards, unsound trading norms and the lack of market-oriented pricing mechanism. To enhance regulatory effectiveness, China should further advance the top-level design of ocean carbon sink management, improve the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system and integrate ocean carbon sinks into the China Certified Voluntary Emission Reduction (CCER) trading system to refine pricing mechanisms.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first systematic review of China’s both national and local policies related to market mechanisms of ocean carbon sinks. These policies can be classified into three main areas: accounting methods and standards of ocean carbon sink, trading of ocean carbon sink and protection and restoration of marine carbon ecosystems. It also identifies key characteristics of China’s approach, particularly the coordination between central and local governments under the dual carbon goals, which provides inspiration for global application of market mechanisms to enhance ocean carbon sinks.
PurposeFood security issues have been a problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the governments of SSA implementing various strategies to improve food availability and nutrition, the empirical evidence on the effects of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices on food security in SSA, as well as their heterogeneous effects across the region’s four sub-regions, is limited. Using panel data from 31 sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2021, this study aims to examine the effects of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices on food security in SSA. It further investigates the channels through which climate change mitigation and adaptation practices can affect food security in SSA.Design/methodology/approachData from the FAO, WDI, USDA and the Climate Change Knowledge Portal was used. This study used the fixed and random effects model for analyzing the effects of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices on food security in SSA and across its four sub-regions. The pooled mean group estimation technique was also applied for robustness.FindingsThe results indicate that climate change mitigation and adaptation practices (irrigation, crop diversification, forest cover area and organic fertilizer) improve food availability, measured by the average dietary energy supply adequacy and reduce stunting in SSA. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that climate change mitigation and adaptation practices impact food security in the four sub-regions of SSA. The results further demonstrate that climate change mitigation and adaptation practices positively affect channel variables prevalence of undernourishment and gross domestic product in purchasing power parity.Originality/valueThis study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to investigate the effects of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices on food security in SSA and across its four sub-regions (East, West, Middle and Southern SSA) using panel data and the different pathways through which these practices affect food security. Based on the findings, the study thus proposes that the governments in SSA should improve irrigation facilities, encourage crop diversification and promote organic fertilizers, especially livestock manure and agroforestry farming systems.
PurposeClimate change significantly increases the vulnerability of agriculture in South Asia. This has led to decreased agricultural yields, resulting in lower incomes, heightened food insecurity and increased poverty levels. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the current climate change adaptation measures used by hazard-prone farming communities in South Asia.Design/methodology/approachThe most relevant documents from the Web of Science and Scopus databases were retrieved using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.FindingsAcross the reviewed literature, South Asian smallholder farmers are reported to face recurrent climate hazards – particularly floods, drought/heat stress, riverbank erosion and pest/disease outbreaks – that shape the adaptation priorities described in empirical studies. The reported adaptation responses cluster into six domains: livelihood diversification, agricultural diversification, risk management, land and crop management, farm and income management and conservation practices. Overall, the reviewed evidence most frequently reports agronomic and risk-oriented adjustments, whereas conservation-oriented and ecosystem-based practices are less frequently reported, often in contexts constrained by credit, information, infrastructure and institutional support.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should concentrate on a specific South Asian region using primary data. In addition, adaptation strategies may vary because of demographic characteristics. This study could not highlight the influence of demographic characteristics on adaptation strategies because of its specific focus. Future studies should consider the influence of demographic attributes such as land size, household size, gender, education level and membership in farmer associations, training in agricultural production, access to extension services and the use of improved varieties of adaptation strategies by South Asian farmers. Furthermore, future studies should focus on the negative effects of technology-assisted adaptation techniques, traditional and local knowledge, livelihood variety, government and organization aid, food and water security, social and recreational activities and physical infrastructure.Originality/valuePrior systematic reviews of adaptation strategies among South Asian farmers have lacked transparency regarding their review processes. This has made it challenging for subsequent researchers to replicate studies, verify interpretations or evaluate their thoroughness. This study aims to address this gap by clearly outlining our review methodology.
PurposeThis study aims to explore how communication actors and topic attributes shape climate discourse on Chinese social media, aiming to reveal prevailing issue agendas, actor–topic preferences, misinformation patterns and their influence on public engagement.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on Second-Level Agenda-Setting Theory and the Public Engagement with Science (PES) framework, the study analyzes 24,690 climate-related posts collected from Weibo. Latent Dirichlet Allocation was used to extract thematic categories, while content coding identified communicator types. Regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to examine how thematic salience and actor identity influence engagement metrics (likes, reposts, comments) and misinformation patterns.FindingsThe findings reveal a hybrid climate agenda structured around international relations, domestic policy and technological development, reflecting the integration of climate discourse into broader national priorities. Public users dominate content production and account for the vast majority of climate misinformation. Engagement patterns vary systematically across actor–topic combinations: politically and risk-oriented themes elicit stronger public responses, while non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporations outperform traditional institutional actors in generating engagement.Originality/valueThis study advances climate communication research by explicitly integrating Second-Level Agenda-Setting Theory with the PES framework to link agenda attributes to observable engagement behaviors in a non-Western, state-regulated digital environment. Methodologically, it demonstrates the value of combining scalable computational topic modeling with engagement metrics to analyze large-scale social media discourse. Substantively, the findings offer actionable insights for communicators, platform managers and policymakers seeking to enhance public engagement and address climate misinformation in collectivist and policy-centered media systems.
PurposeThis study aims to assess farmers’ perception toward climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs), specifically, crop rotation, organic fertilizer, terracing, rainwater harvesting, crop residue management, intercropping, improved livestock breeds and improved crop varieties in Wadla District, northeast Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional household survey was conducted with 200 randomly selected households using structured interviews, supplemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Perception was measured using a three-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and a multivariate probit model was used to analyze the interdependent perception of multiple CSAPs, accounting for correlations among practices.FindingsFarmers generally held positive perceptions of most CSAPs, including improved crop varieties (mean = 2.79), crop rotation (2.97), intercropping (2.37), crop residue management (2.78), organic fertilizer (2.84), terracing (2.82) and improved livestock breeds (2.85). However, perception of rainwater harvesting was negative (1.30), indicating a critical adoption barrier. The multivariate probit model revealed significant interdependencies among perceptions of different practices (likelihood ratio test χ² (15) = 89.42, p < 0.001). Associated factors included sex, livestock size, market distance, credit access, age, labor size and extension contact. Joint probability of positive perception across all practices was extremely low (0.8%), suggesting farmers are selective in their view favorably.Originality/valueThis study makes three distinct contributions: (1) it provides empirical evidence on the perception of eight locally practiced CSAPs in an under-researched district; (2) it uses a multivariate probit model to account for interdependencies among multiple practices; and (3) it identifies context-specific perceptual barriers (particularly rainwater harvesting) that inform targeted interventions. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of perception formation and offer practical insights for designing gender-sensitive CSAP promotion strategies.
PurposeAgainst the backdrop of global digitization and accelerating climate change, this study aims to examine how government digitization affects greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting its environmental tradeoffs under different economic and political conditions.Design/methodology/approachUsing panel data from 130 countries over the period 2002–2021, a fixed-effect model examines the effect of government digitization on GHG emissions. After robustness checks, three fixed-effect models with interaction terms explore the underlying mechanisms. Group tests then investigate the moderating roles of energy security risk, economic policy uncertainty and ruling party ideology. Finally, quantile regression reveals how this effect varies by national emission levels.FindingsGovernment digitization significantly increases GHG emissions, with benchmark estimation showing a specific magnitude: each 0.1-unit increase in government digitization is associated with an average increase of 0.0023 Mt CO2e in GHG emissions. This emission-enhancing effect operates through rising electric power consumption, improved total factor productivity and promoted business digitization. This effect is further moderated by energy security risk, economic policy uncertainty and ruling party ideology. Quantile regression reveals that this effect is statistically insignificant in low-emission countries, but becomes increasingly associated with higher GHG emissions as national emission levels rise.Originality/valueThis study advances the literature by challenging the prevailing belief that government digitization is inherently emission-reducing. It reveals potential emission-enhancing mechanisms and investigates how diverse economic and political factors shape these outcomes, thereby offering a more nuanced understanding and providing theoretical and practical insights for the design of environmentally sustainable digital governance strategies.
PurposeThis study aimed to analyze the socioeconomic impact mechanism of ocean carbon sink capacity improvement from the perspective of ocean governance.Design/methodology/approachBased on panel data from 11 coastal provinces in China (2008–2022), this study introduced three types of environmental regulation tools as moderating variables. This study considered ocean governance as the mediating variable to explore the socioeconomic mechanisms of the improvement of ocean carbon sink capacity under the background of multiple environmental regulatory policies.FindingsOcean financial support was the main factor promoting ocean carbon sink capacity, and ocean governance played an intermediary role in the positive relationship between ocean financial support and carbon sink capacity. Heterogeneous environmental regulation significantly positively moderated the impact of ocean financial support on ocean carbon sink capacity and the relationship between ocean financial support and ocean governance.Originality/valueThis study utilized ocean governance and heterogeneous environmental regulation to explore the multidimensional paths for the enhancement of ocean carbon sink capacity. This study recommended establishing a dynamically balanced and coordinated environmental regulation policy system by combining different types of environmental regulations, thereby optimizing the long-term mechanism of ocean governance and promoting the stable growth of ocean carbon sink capacity.
PurposeThis study addresses a practical issue in blue carbon initiatives: carbon sequestration efforts often overlook human rights protections for impoverished coastal communities. It aims to operationalize international human rights law into a practical framework for pro-poor blue carbon governance, ensuring projects safeguard fundamental rights and livelihoods alongside climate mitigation goals.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a rights-based approach (RBA) operationalized through the PANEL principles, including Participation, Accountability, Nondiscrimination, Empowerment and Legality. Using this approach, the study undertakes a normative analysis of four ideal types of blue carbon governance: Exploitative, Top-down, Rights-recognizing and Empowering. It also assesses their compliance with human rights standards and identifies key implementation gaps.FindingsThe study identifies four core pillars for effective governance: clarifying tenure rights, designing pro-poor benefit-sharing mechanisms, establishing participatory and accountable decision-making structures and embedding mandatory human rights safeguards. It further demonstrates that integrating human rights into project design is a practicable means for achieving synergistic climate, ecological and social co-benefits.Originality/valueThis study introduces the novel Human Rights–Carbon–Pro-Poor (HCPP) framework, which translates abstract legal obligations into actionable indicators. It bridges the gap between legal theory and environmental practice, offering a practical pathway for equitable blue carbon transitions.
PurposeThe 400 mm isohyet, as the boundary between semi-humid and semi-arid regions, has severe spatiotemporal variations that inevitably generate a series of economic, social and ecological impacts. However, traditional studies primarily measured the coarse variations (latitude and longitude) of the 400 mm isohyet. Due to the complexity and variability of annual isohyet fluctuations, finescale changes (multidirection and magnitude) remain difficult to quantify. Thus, this study aims to systematically quantify the fluctuation characteristics of the 400 mm isohyet.Design/methodology/approachTo address this limitation, a high-precision long-term precipitation product was constructed and evaluated. In addition, this study introduced a boundary fluctuation detection method to quantitatively analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of the isohyet.FindingsThe 400 mm isohyet in the eastern region of China exhibited a significant westward shift (−0.036° yr−¹, p < 0.05) and a slight southward shift (−0.025° yr−¹). The most pronounced oscillations of the decadal 400 mm isohyet occurred in the border areas of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Inner Mongolia. Temporally, between the 1980s and the 2000s, the isohyet in Northeast China clearly retreated southeastward, reflecting a transition toward a warmer and drier climate. In contrast, during the 2010s, the isohyet in Northeast China region, the Inner Mongolia and the Great Wall region, the Loess Plateau region and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau advanced northwestward compared to the 2000s, indicating a shift toward a warmer and wetter climate.Practical implicationsThis study strengthens and enhances the understanding of the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and patterns of agro-pastoral boundaries in the context of climate change, providing a scientific basis for climate change modeling, mitigation and adaptation strategies.Originality/valueThis study introduced a refined method to detect the spatiotemporal characteristics of 400 mm isohyet variations, overcoming previous challenges in capturing multidirectional changes in isohyet and filling a gap in the quantitative detection of geographical boundaries with temporal and spatial fluctuation characteristics.
