Against the backdrop of the global transportation green transition, charging station layout is a critical link in promoting new energy vehicles. Existing research has paid little attention to cities with severe cold climates and significant pollution, and overlooked the geographical perspective. This study focuses on the four districts in the city of Hohhot (Saihan, Xincheng, Huimin, Yuquan), filling the research gap on spatial patterns of charging infrastructure in this region. Based on POI data and 1 km-resolution population raster data, ArcGIS spatial analysis methods were used to analyze charging station distribution characteristics, combined with GeoDetector to quantify nine contributing factors. The findings are as follows. 1. Spatial pattern: Charging stations exhibit northeast-southwest directional clustering (ellipse rotation angle: [Formula: see text]), showing high coupling with transportation corridors and gentle slope terrain; 2. Spatial structure: An uneven “four-core with peripheral zones” pattern emerges, where high kernel density zones coincide with densely populated areas; 3. Layout association: Significant spatial coincidence exists between charging stations and gas stations (Ripley’s K test: Observed K [Formula: see text] HiConfEnv); 4. Driving mechanism: Business/office space ([Formula: see text]) and economic factors ([Formula: see text]) are key contributing factors, while leisure space ([Formula: see text]) has weak influence. Charging station layout in Hohhot is jointly constrained by topography, transportation orientation, and economic activity intensity. We recommend prioritizing upgrades to integrated energy stations along the northeast-southwest axis in commercial zones and optimizing peripheral coverage based on population density gradients, providing a scientific paradigm for charging infrastructure planning in cold-region cities.
The European Union’s (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its full implementation phase on January 1, 2026. Rules, such as the default emissions values, will increase the compliance costs for products entering the EU, thereby creating additional trade constraints. This paper creates a coupled model integrating the Global Trade Analysis Project-E (GTAP-E) and China’s Multi-Regional Input–Output (MRIO) model that converts carbon costs under different emissions accounting rules into Ad Valorem Equivalent (AVE) tariff shocks. The model is then used to assess the direct and indirect impacts of the CBAM on China’s related industries and provincial economies systematically. The study finds that, compared to accounting methods based on sectoral average emission levels, the current Default Value (DV) rules will significantly raise the AVE tariff levels for China’s steel and aluminum products, amplifying export and output losses. The impact of the CBAM spreads through the domestic industrial chain via intermediate input channels, with indirect effects accounting for a significant proportion in most provinces. This indicates that its impact will extend from the sectoral level to the regional level. The magnitude of the impact and the scale of the losses vary from province to province, primarily due to variations in industrial structure, degree of dependence on exports to the EU, and position within the industrial chain. The research indicates that the impact of the CBAM on trade is significantly rule-driven, and its economic consequences should not be understood merely through changes in carbon prices. This paper provides empirical evidence for identifying the regulatory impact of the CBAM and for formulating China’s response strategies within the multilateral trade and climate governance framework.
In the context of global climate governance, the just transition has become a core issue, yet existing research on its funding mechanisms remains wanting. There is a lack of systematic analysis of domestic funding mobilization and the role of public finance. To address this gap, this paper defines the concept of just transition funding mechanisms and focuses on the design of these mechanisms at the national level. This study finds that as of June 2025, among the 65 countries that have committed to a just transition, developed countries have generally established corresponding funding mechanisms, while developing countries have made only limited progress, reflecting a gap in funding actions between the two. Comparative analysis indicates that in terms of funding objectives, developed countries tend to focus on regional balance, whereas developing countries tend to prioritize energy security and economic development. Regarding funding allocation, developing countries tend to concentrate on the energy sector, with inadequate support for social and economic diversification. In terms of funding sources, public sector funds dominate in all countries, but a combination of public and private funding can significantly boost financing scale. Concerning investment instruments, developed countries predominantly use fiscal allocations and concessional loans, while developing countries rely on non-concessional loans, and as such bear high financing costs and face debt sustainability challenges. Drawing on these findings, this paper provides a source of reference for policymakers seeking to establish just transition funding systems in different countries.
China’s agriculture is characterized by “Big Country and Small Farmers”, and different agricultural operating entities face significant climate risks. Exploring climate change adaptation practices centered on agricultural operating entities is crucial for identifying equitable and sustainable climate change response strategies in the agricultural sector. This study conducts a comparative case analysis focusing on traditional small-scale farmers, large-scale agricultural cooperatives, and moderately scaled agricultural enterprises under the framework of just transition. The findings reveal that traditional smallholders actively adapt to climate change by transforming their livelihoods while adhering to the “moral economy” of land. Large-scale agricultural cooperatives can play a leading role in promoting planned adaptation technologies. Moderately scaled agricultural enterprises employ market-oriented approaches to implementing refined and incremental climate adaptation, demonstrating advantages in investing in climate-smart agricultural technologies, albeit at high adaptation costs. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the underlying logic behind the climate adaptation behaviors of different agricultural production and management entities, offering scientific support for enhancing the climate change adaptation capacity of agricultural operators and strengthening agricultural climate resilience from the perspective of just transition.
The global transition to a low-carbon economy presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges, particularly for countries in the Global South. While existing just transition (JT) frameworks provide important guidance, they often reflect priorities and pathways from the perspective of developed economies or the interests of donor countries. Against this background, comparative research of existing JT practices and text analysis of 66 developing countries’ updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) were conducted; findings indicate that existing JT frameworks differ greatly in scope, goals, and implementation methods between the Global North and Global South. This study then suggests a paradigm shift for the Global South’s JT, which requires comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable development alongside climate goals, with green economic opportunities as the main pathway forward, consistent with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An evaluation framework is proposed and applied using public data, which offers a comprehensive yet flexible structure for countries to assess progress, identify gaps, and design targeted interventions across the three pillars of Goals, Pathways, and Readiness and Capacity. It enables countries to integrate JT into NDCs actions and make changes possible.
Faced with the rigid constraints of the “Dual Carbon” goals and the intensifying global technological competition, the transformation of Hubei’s automotive industry is no longer merely technological improvements but even more of a social experiment concerning the livelihood of millions and regional economic restructuring. Based on the case study of Hubei’s “Wuhan–Xiangyang–Shiyan–Suizhou” industrial cluster, this paper analyzes the logic of Just Transition of the automotive industry as it experiences capacity contraction of the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and explosive growth of new energy vehicles (NEVs) at the same time. The study finds that, leveraging the advantages of a new national system, Hubei province has built a four-dimensional just transition pathway that consists of “Institutional Guidance, Market Empowerment, Social Inclusion, and Regional Synergy”. Through forward-looking mechanisms such as “Skill Retraining Hubs” and “Skills Training On Demand” collaboration between enterprises and educational institutions, Hubei has successfully transformed employment pressure into incentives for industrial upgrading, achieving a paradigm leap from “meeting basic needs of laid-off workers” to “creating high-quality jobs”. Data show that in 2024, Hubei’s NEV production surged by 109%, confirming the practical efficacy of the “Development-Oriented Just Transition”. This paper aims to provide empirical support for national industrial transition policies and offer a replicable “Hubei Solution” for Global South nations trying to balance green growth with social justice.
Systematic assessments of the multidimensional risks of a just transition in major coal-producing regions under China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets are essential to understanding the transition’s complexity, anticipating systemic crises, and designing effective policy interventions. Such assessments also provide critical scientific support for a smooth transition in similar regions. This study uses Shanxi Province, China’s largest coal producer, which contributes approximately one-quarter of the nation’s coal output and 59.85% of the nation’s fiscal revenue, as a case study. A multidimensional analytical framework was developed and multiple methods, including scenario simulation and factor analysis, were employed for a quantitative evaluation of the risk dynamics from 2025 to 2060. The results show that Shanxi’s just transition faces significant multidimensional risks: (1) economic and fiscal risks, with projected fiscal gaps exceeding 650 billion yuanby 2060; (2) severe employment and social stability risks, with cumulative job losses of 43.02% by 2060; (3) ecological resilience risks, with water and land resource losses exacerbating environmental damage; and (4) regional collaborative governance challenges, heightened by arduous coal supply guarantee tasks, low labor productivity in the coal sector, and divergent provincial transition policies. These risks interact and reinforce one another, forming a complex systemic risk that requires early intervention. This study refines the risk assessment framework for just transition, providing valuable decision-making support for major coal-producing regions.
Despite the growing prominence of just transition in international climate discourse, little is known about how countries translate this concept into national policies. This paper addresses that gap by analysing how Parties to the Paris Agreement interpret just transition in their latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). We find that 127 of 196 Parties explicitly refer to just transition in their NDCs. Combining keyword-assisted quantitative text analysis with close reading, we examine the design of national just transition policies and map their presence across climate actions. The results show that just transition has been widely used across mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation, but substantial cross-national variation persists in the development objectives, policy applications, sectoral priorities, and narrative framings associated with the concept. Based on these findings, we argue that (1) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) could strengthen international just transition governance by providing guidance to promote greater policy coherence across Parties, (2) energy transition and finance may serve as practical entry points for building a consensus-based international governance agenda under the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), and (3) fostering peer learning and cooperation among countries with similar transition conditions could further strengthen international policy alignment.
With their commitments to carbon neutrality (net-zero emissions) goals, countries around the world are facing profound economic and social transformations, and interest in just transition (JT) has rapidly increased. In 2025, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached a consensus on establishing a JT mechanism (JTM) under the Convention and the Paris Agreement, marking a shift in global JT governance from international negotiations toward cooperative action. However, understanding of how different countries and regions conceptualize JT and what policy measures they adopt to pursue it remains limited. Due to differences in development levels across regions, cities, and industries, the challenges associated with JT also vary considerably. Therefore, accurate identification of the challenges and implementation pathways of JT under different conditions and needs is necessary for systematic promotion of both JT towards carbon neutrality and broader economic and social transformation. Drawing on international experiences in addressing climate change through JT measures, this paper reviews policy responses and develops a policy toolkit for JT under climate governance. The toolkit encompasses eight dimensions: overall planning, economic (financial) policies, industrial development, spatial planning, support for workers, gender equality, social governance, and international cooperation. This paper aims to provide policy options for implementing JT around the world at the national, urban, and industrial levels.
Drawing on a market competition framework, this study develops a game-theoretic model of inter-firm environmental protection behavior, emphasizing transition processes and firm outcomes in the current and subsequent periods. The study reveals the catalytic role of peer competition in green innovation and analyzes the strategic interactions for firm growth under innovation diffusion, in which peer pressure can generate an environmentally driven dilemma and induce an innovation race. Using empirical data from the 13th Chinese Private Enterprise Survey (CPES), this paper finds pronounced peer effects in green technology (GT) creation by corporations: increased environmental peer competition (PC) spurs subsequent improvement by innovators, while incentivizing imitators toward original innovation. Second, the strength of the peer effects is moderated by financial factors and knowledge diffusion. Third, environment-related competitive behavior drives the differentiation of green innovation between imitators and innovators via a profit-squeeze mediation channel, and further analysis shows that such competition and green innovation are associated with technological advantage, enhanced risk management, and broader transitional gains. This dynamic process links current-period peer pressure to subsequent-period upgrading and firm-type transformation. By integrating theoretical insights and empirical evidence, the paper argues that corporate behavior intended to protect the environment, far from hindering corporate innovation, serves as a source of core competitiveness and a driving force for sustainable growth. Ultimately, environment-related competitive behavior facilitates capability development, offering critical policy implications to advance green industrial transitions.
This study applies Evolutionary Game Theory (EGT) to analyze transportation mode choices in Jakarta, a city grappling with severe traffic congestion and diverse mobility options. Four modes are modeled: public transportation, private vehicles, ride-hailing services, and a combination of public transportation and ride-hailing. The research incorporates Jakarta-specific variables, including traffic congestion, odd/even zoning policies, and cost constraints, to simulate how commuters adapt their strategies over time. By estimating payoffs based on travel time, cost, and policy impacts, the EGT framework reveals the evolutionary stability of mode choices. Results indicate that cost and travel time dominate decision-making, with odd/even zoning significantly reducing private vehicle use. These insights offer a foundation for designing sustainable urban mobility policies tailored to Jakarta’s unique context.
The coastal belt of Bangladesh, home to over 35 million people, is highly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards, including cyclones, sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, and ecosystem degradation. This article examines the current state and prospects of Integrated Climate-Resilient Coastal Zone Management (ICRCZM) in Bangladesh, considering the existing policies, practices, and implementation issues it raises. Drawing on a review of scientific literature and empirical data, this paper assesses the efficacy of governance and institutions, community-based adaptation, and ecosystem-based approaches in building resilience. The paper highlights significant progress in disaster preparedness, legislative formulation, and organizational shifts, while underscoring persistent deficiencies in governance, substandard integration, and marginal stakeholder engagement as formidable challenges. Additionally, it explores the potential of the blue economy for alternative livelihoods and sustainable economic development, serving as a further diversified approach to responding to hazards. An inclusive conceptual framework is presented that incorporates nature-based solutions, adaptive governance, socio-economic inclusion, and scientific renewal. The findings emphasize the necessity of ecosystem-based, integrative, and proactive coastal management to ensure the sustainable viability and adaptability of coastal areas in the face of escalating climate threats. This research provides policymakers, developers, and professionals with real-world information to enhance climate resilience in coastal Bangladesh.
This study employs the Location Quotient (LQ) to quantify the extent of manufacturing agglomeration within the Chinese manufacturing sector. Building on this metric, an analytical framework encompassing three key dimensions — economic, technological, and environmental — is established to systematically examine the LQ’s direct and spatial spillover effects on manufacturing performance. Utilizing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Xizang) spanning 2008 to 2022, an empirical analysis is conducted using the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). The findings reveal several key insights: Regarding economic performance, the LQ exerts a significant positive impact on both local and neighboring regions, with a total effect of approximately 9.77. However, for technological performance, the LQ’s direct effect is negative, resulting in a total effect of [Formula: see text]2.78, suggesting that excessive agglomeration may inhibit technological diffusion. Conversely, concerning environmental performance, the LQ exhibits a significant positive influence locally, yet its spatial spillover effect proves insignificant. Further analysis clarifies that while economic factors play a promotional role in both direct and spillover effects, technological factors contribute more prominently to the spillover effects, and environmental factors display stage-specific differences in their spatial effects. This study ultimately elucidates the multi-dimensional spatial mechanisms through which the LQ influences manufacturing performance, offering important policy implications for optimizing the spatial layout of manufacturing industries, promoting regional coordinated development, and facilitating green transformation.
Against the backdrop of China’s new carbon neutrality work plan for 2024 and a new phase in the country’s urban development, this study applies a comprehensive evaluation indicator system we have created to evaluate and analyze green and low-carbon development in major Chinese cities. The evaluation system covers five sectors: progress toward carbon neutrality, energy transition, industrial upgrade, green development, and governance effectiveness. It also includes such innovative indicators as comparative advantage in carbon emissions, which reflects fairness and combines scoring by experts and equal weighting. The results show: (1) In 2024, the green and low-carbon development composite index for 337 cities reached an average of 80 points, a significant increase from 2023 (76.7 points), and a noteworthy achievement. (2) Regional disparities in the green and low-carbon development composite index persist. The eastern region led with 83.6 points, followed by the central region (81.6 points), western region (79.0 points), and northeastern region (75.0 points); southern cities (83.3 points) consistently outperformed northern cities (77.4 points), though the gap has slightly narrowed. (3) Pilot cities outperformed non-participating cities significantly. Beijing, Shenzhen, and other pilot cities scored higher, confirming the effectiveness of the pilot initiatives; other cities saw serious unevenness in their green and low-carbon development. (4) The core weaknesses varied from region to region. Northern cities scored notably lower (15.3 points) on progress toward carbon neutrality than southern cities (22.3 points). (5) Transition risks followed certain patterns. Economic scale was positively correlated with the level of green and low-carbon development. Economically underdeveloped cities were trapped in a vicious cycle in which low GDP led to high transition risks, which led to low green and low-carbon development level, which made growing GDP and green and low-carbon development even more difficult.
Climate change is affecting global rainfall patterns and soil moisture, leading to droughts and unpredictable weather. Southeast Asia, particularly Laos, is experiencing increased droughts due to climate change. This study examines the dynamics of the water balance in southern Laos between 2018 and 2022 and assesses the impact of deep drainage, runoff, and evapotranspiration. It provides observations on water retention, vulnerability to floods, and sensitivity to droughts in the region. The results show that 63.5% of the water balance highlights the region’s significant infiltration capacity due to sandy loam soils and limited surface sealing. Runoff makes up 30% and has sudden increases during the monsoon rains. Evapotranspiration is very low at 6.4% and is possibly regulated by the dense vegetation and tropical monsoon environment. The model evaluation metrics ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm) indicate a robust simulation performance, especially during the runoff peaks. A further investigation of drought indices (SPI-6), vegetation responses (MSAVI), and runoff coefficients clarifies the relationships between precipitation, infiltration, and surface runoff. This research can help with planning water management and improving farming in areas with heavy monsoon rains.
Green vegetation in urban areas is affordable and environmentally friendly because it can help reduce air pollution. The selection of appropriate plant species for a green belt is essential. This study assessed nine plant species in four distinct locations of urban areas of the Siddharthanagar municipality, i.e. industrial, roadside, residential, and garden areas in winter and monsoon seasons. The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) was computed based on the biochemical characteristics that are significant to each plant species. Additionally, for these plant species, the dust load and anticipated performance index (API) were computed by integrating APTI values with additional biological and socioeconomic factors. Dust content of Tectona grandis was higher in polluted (industrial and roadside areas) and moderately polluted areas (residential areas) than in less polluted areas (garden areas) in both winter and monsoon seasons. Among all plant species, the most tolerant to air pollution were Azadirachta indica (winter), Dalbergia sissoo (winter and monsoon), and Magnifera indica (winter). Ficus benghalensis, Ficus religiosa, Magnifera indica, and Dalbergia sissoo were found to be tolerant of air pollution based on API and APTI. Hence, plants with higher APTI and API values, such as Ficus benghalensis, Ficus religiosa, and Magnifera indica, can be used for minimizing the air pollution in urban areas of Nepal, while plants with lower APTI and API values (Saraca asoca) can be used as bioindicators. This study will provide valuable recommendations for selecting plant species for shelterbelt development in urban industrial areas of tropical countries, considering factors such as plant composition, climatic conditions, and air pollution levels.
As demands for data storage and processing grow, selecting suitable sites for these centers has become increasingly important. This study aims to identify criteria for such selection and proposes using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) analysis. A comprehensive literature review with content analysis was conducted to determine key criteria from previous data center site selection studies. These criteria, nine in total, were categorized into those based on physical and social factors. The study conducted an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) after the questionnaire interviews with experts, revealing the high weights compared to others, which are infrastructure and utilities (0.14), disaster avoidance (0.13), and telecom network availability (0.13). Subsequently, weighted overlay analysis was conducted through the raster calculator in ArcGIS to produce the final map of suitable data center locations. The findings indicate that areas most suitable for data centers are predominantly in the northern part of the administrative area of Iskandar Puteri City Council (IPCC), including Pulai Utama, Sri Skudai, Taman Universiti, Lima Kedai, Perling, and Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park. This research highlights the importance of these criteria in selecting data center sites. Additionally, the suitability map provides valuable guidance for authorities and stakeholders, helping to streamline the site selection process and plan future developments. In conclusion, this study offers recommendations based on the identified criteria for future data center investments or developments in Iskandar Puteri.
This study examines the strategic role of green finance in improving the financial performance of Chinese commercial banks after 2020. Using a cross-sectional dataset of 128 banks that were actively engaged in green lending, green bond issuance, and environmental innovation between 2020 and 2025, we employed multivariate regression models that controlled for size, leverage, and portfolio-related CO2 emissions. The results show that green credit allocation and environmental innovation have a strong, positive, and statistically significant effect on return on equity (ROE), while higher environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure scores consistently improve profitability by reducing perceived risk and attracting responsible investment. In contrast, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives display a negative short-term effect, reflecting their delayed financial payoffs. Surprisingly, ESG controversies demonstrate a positive association with ROE, highlighting the potential value of proactive crisis management, and market expectations. By integrating environmental innovation and ESG controversies into the green finance–performance nexus, this research advances existing literature and provides policymakers and banking executives with actionable insights. Our findings emphasize that green finance is a strategic tool that can be used to reconcile profitability with sustainability, thereby reinforcing the alignment between financial and climate objectives in emerging economies.
This study assesses how economic growth and institutional quality influence carbon emissions in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries between 2003 and 2022. The results of dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) models reveal a U-shaped relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth in both the short and long run. Institutional quality, measured by control of corruption and government effectiveness, reduces emissions in the long run but has a contrary effect in the short term. Surprisingly, the interaction terms are positively associated with emissions in the long run, challenging the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis in the GCC context. These outcomes suggest that economic growth could drive emissions reduction independently of institutional strength. The findings, validated by MMQR, underscore the need for institutional reforms and digital transformation to align environmental and economic objectives in the region.
The need to reduce carbon emissions in the face of rising climate risk and environmental degradation remains crucial to achieving environmental sustainability. This study investigates the relationship between urbanization, renewable energy, governance, and carbon emissions in West Africa, with a focus on four key questions: (1) Do renewable energy and governance reduce carbon emissions? (2) Does urbanization increase emissions? (3) Does urbanization moderate the effects of renewable energy and governance on emissions? (4) Are the Urban Environmental Transition (UET) theory and Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis applicable in the West African context? Using unbalanced panel data from 16 West African countries covering the period 2002–2023, the study employs two econometric approaches — the instrumental variable fixed effects model and the Driscoll and Kraay fixed effects estimator with instrumented variables. The latter serves as the main estimator due to its robustness to cross-sectional dependence. Findings confirm both the UET theory and the EKC hypothesis in the region. Urbanization significantly increases carbon emissions, while renewable energy consumption and various governance indicators — including control of corruption, regulatory quality, and political stability — significantly reduce emissions. However, urbanization weakens the beneficial impact of renewable energy and governance on environmental quality. These findings highlight the need for integrated policy strategies that manage urban growth while strengthening renewable energy adoption and institutional quality to foster environmental sustainability in West Africa.
