Article
Thermodynamics
Boling Zhang, Qian Wang, Sixia Wang, Ruipeng Tong
Summary: This study dynamically simulates the coal power demand and CO2 emissions in China's 29 provinces and evaluates the health co-benefits and economic losses related to CO2. The results show that coal power demand and CO2 emissions are continuously increasing, with the highest emissions in the eastern region. Emission reduction brings significant health co-benefits.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hong-Dian Jiang, Li-Jing Liu, Hong-Mei Deng
Summary: This study examines the impact of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen taxes on environmental emissions and socioeconomic factors in China. The results indicate that levying sulfur/nitrogen taxes can help achieve emission reduction targets and save socioeconomic costs.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sida Feng, Xingping Zhang, Haonan Zhang
Summary: China is planning to build a new energy power system dominated by new energy sources to achieve its carbon emissions peaking targets by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. This study examines the role of coal-fired power units in providing peaking regulation ancillary services to mitigate the volatility of renewable energy. The study proposes a multi-objective optimization model that considers both economic profit and carbon reduction goals. The results show that large-capacity and new coal-fired power units are better suited for participating in the energy market, while small-capacity units are more suitable for providing flexible services in the peaking regulation ancillary service market. Balancing economic profit and carbon mitigation targets is crucial for the sustainable transition of the power system.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
He Zhang, Yuhan Xie, Lifeng Wu
Summary: Natural gas is a clean energy source that can help China achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. The government's policies to encourage natural gas development make forecasting its consumption crucial. The fractional cumulative grey model is used in this study to forecast natural gas consumption in 30 areas of China from 2022 to 2030. The results show that, except for a few areas, consumption will continue to rise in recent years, and regional characteristics in consumption patterns are observed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Fuming Lei, Yueze Yan, Yingjun Yue, Wenbei Bi, Pingan Ni
Summary: This study expands the research scope and introduces dynamic forecasting methods to provide more accurate predictions for carbon emissions in the building sector. The research findings suggest that collaborative optimization between urban and construction industries is the most effective pathway to reduce carbon emissions in Central China. Specifically, Henan Province can achieve peak emissions relatively quickly, while Hubei and Hunan provinces are likely to achieve peak emissions at a later time. This study highlights the importance of regional carbon emissions regulation in the building sector and offers guidance and approaches for achieving peak emissions.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Liang Wang, Yiwei Sun, Siwen Zheng, Longyong Shu, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: Coal is expected to remain the primary energy source in China, and effective coal mine methane (CMM) control technologies can provide multiple benefits in terms of safety, energy, and the environment. However, there have been few studies evaluating the status and benefits of CMM control. This study quantifies emissions, extraction, and utilization of CMM to assess the current status of CMM control in China.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huiqing Zhao, Jian Hu, Feng Hao, Hongyuan Zhang
Summary: This study used an extended STIRPAT model to analyze the key determinants of carbon dioxide emissions in China and forecasted the future emissions trends. The results showed that population size, economic development level, and energy intensity have significant effects on carbon dioxide emissions. Under the baseline scenario, China's carbon dioxide emissions will peak in 2029.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhongxin Ma, Fenglan Wu
Summary: The development of digital technology has provided new governance methods for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. The pilot construction of smart cities in China since 2013 has strengthened the government's digital governance capabilities and significantly influenced the reduction in carbon emissions. This paper provides empirical evidence for the driving effect of digitization on carbon emission reduction based on panel data from 353 cities in China. The results show that digital governance based on smart city construction pilots has significantly reduced regional carbon emissions, with an average reduction of 6.6%, and this effect is sustainable over the long term. The increase in digitalization level has significantly promoted carbon emission reduction, and regional green patent innovation has played a significant intermediary effect in the process of digitization-driven carbon emission reduction.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mingyue Chen, Chao Zhang, Chuanming Chen, Jinsheng Li, Wenyue Cui
Summary: This study developed a localized Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) model specifically for Nanjing and explored the key factors and carbon reduction path characteristics for Nanjing to achieve its carbon peak target by 2030. The results indicate that controlling industrial energy consumption and changing industrial structure are the most effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions in Nanjing.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xi Yang, Jun Pang, Fei Teng, Ruixin Gong, Cecilia Springer
Summary: The study found that deep decarbonization pathways can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase non-fossil energy consumption, showing excellent performance in environmental co-benefits and reductions in health issues and environmental pollutants. Additionally, through the model-linking approach, the GDP losses from deep decarbonization in 2030 were reduced.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yue Yu, Changfeng Shi, Jiarui Guo, Qinghua Pang, Menghua Deng, Xiaohong Na
Summary: Many studies have emphasized the importance of clean energy development for China's carbon peaking commitments and addressing global environmental problems. However, few studies have investigated the spatial correlation and carbon peaking process to fully understand the spatial spillover effects of carbon emissions and the urgency of emission reduction. Unexpected power cuts in 2020 have brought new requirements to comprehensively understand China's clean energy development and carbon peaking. In this study, the spatial econometric panel model and GM (1, N) are used to analyze the relationship between clean energy development, spatial carbon emissions, and the process of carbon peaking in China.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Qian Huang, Jiuping Xu
Summary: Transitioning to low-carbon, low-cost energy systems is a major challenge, and carbon tax revenue recycling is being employed to internalize carbon costs and provide incentives for biomass/coal co-firing. A bi-level carbon tax revenue recycling model is developed using a Stackelberg game, and results show that it could potentially drive carbon emission reductions and encourage the move towards cleaner energy sources.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianyi Lei, Xin Luo, Jingjing Jiang, Kai Zou
Summary: This paper investigates the relationship between digital finance and carbon emissions and explores the ecological effects of digital finance. Based on a panel data of 256 cities in China from 2011 to 2018, it finds that digital finance significantly suppresses the intensity of regional carbon emissions, and the breadth of coverage, depth of use, and degree of digital support of digital finance together curb regional carbon emissions, with the strongest suppressive effect being the breadth of coverage. Furthermore, the study reveals the potential mechanism of digital finance to curb urban carbon emissions through promoting industrial advancement, green technology innovation, and optimizing labor resource allocation. The research has implications for developing a regional green development system supported by digital finance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Feng Wang, Min Wu, Wen Zheng
Summary: The carbon peaking target (CPT) and carbon neutrality target (CNT) will drive China's economy towards low-carbon transformation. This study evaluates the economic impacts of these targets using an analytical general equilibrium model. The results show that the CPT and CNT constraints will tighten high-carbon goods production but not hinder the growth of low-carbon goods production, leading to a shift in China's industrial structure towards low-carbon direction. The constraints will also negatively affect households' consumption and result in changes in carbon emissions, labor, and energy prices.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Economics
Qiyangfan Feng, Hao Wei
Summary: This study investigates the impact of import trade on firms' coal energy intensity in China's manufacturing sector. The findings suggest that import competition significantly reduces coal energy intensity for Chinese firms, making it easier for China to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Haiyang Lin, Qiuwei Wu, Xinyu Chen, Xi Yang, Xinyang Guo, Jiajun Lv, Tianguang Lu, Shaojie Song, Michael McElroy
Summary: Using wind power to produce hydrogen can replace the coal-dominated hydrogen manufacturing system in China's Inner Mongolia region, providing a cost-competitive alternative while reducing wind curtailment and CO2 emissions. The levelized cost of hydrogen production is projected to decrease in the coming decade with increases in wind power capacity and decreases in capital costs for electrolyzers.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xi Yang, Wanqi Lin, Ruixin Gong, Mingzhe Zhu, Cecilia Springer
Summary: This study innovatively evaluates the executive policy of vehicle quota limits in big cities, using an improved method and integrated analysis model. The results show that the quota-limit policy has significant impacts on emission reduction and public health protection.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Economics
Govinda R. Timilsina, Jun Pang, Xi Yang
Summary: This study evaluates the potential macroeconomic impacts of power sector reforms in China and finds that following market-based principles to expand and operate the power system could result in a 20% reduction in electricity prices and over 1% increase in GDP in 2020.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Govind R. Timilsina, Jun Pang, Yang Xi
Summary: Macroeconomic models, when used alone, tend to overestimate economic impacts of climate change policies due to their inability to represent detailed technological characteristics. Integrating these models with bottom-up energy sector models can provide more accurate assessments. Results of this study show that the hybrid model can lead to economic impact assessments that are nearly three times smaller than those assessed by top-down models alone.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Su, Frederic Ghersi, Fei Teng, Gaelle Le Treut, Meicong Liang
Summary: The study shows that deep decarbonisation will lead to increased energy expenses for Chinese households in the mid-run, but firms will benefit from reduced coal and oil consumption. Therefore, the overall macroeconomic cost is low and energy efficiency improvements will result in a decrease in total energy costs by 2050.
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR GLOBAL CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaojie Song, Haiyang Lin, Peter Sherman, Xi Yang, Shi Chen, Xi Lu, Tianguang Lu, Xinyu Chen, Michael B. McElroy
Summary: The paper explores various options for India to achieve a carbon-free energy future by 2050. It suggests onshore wind and solar sources as the main contributors, with green hydrogen produced through electrolysis as an important supplement. The hydrogen can help manage the variability of wind and solar power, and also replace the current industrial use of gray hydrogen that emits CO2. The paper further discusses the use of green hydrogen to reduce emissions in challenging sectors like industry and transport, and identifies the least costly options for India's zero carbon future.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tian-Peng Wang, Fei Teng
Summary: This study quantifies climate damage in China by comparing estimates from different models. The costs of climate damage are approximately 1.5% and 0.7% of China's GDP and global GDP per 1 ??C temperature rise on average, respectively. Mitigation measures can significantly reduce climate risks. Further research is needed to improve estimates of damage in different sectors.
ADVANCES IN CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Fei Teng
Summary: Credibility and ambition are crucial in international climate pledges, and the flexibility of the Paris agreements encourages countries to have both ambition and credibility.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xi Yang, Chris P. Nielsen, Shaojie Song, Michael B. McElroy
Summary: Clean hydrogen has significant value in hard-to-abate sectors, serving as an energy carrier and feedstock for heavy industry, as well as fuel for the transportation sector. A realistic scenario with a production volume of 65.7 Mt by 2060 could lead to substantial cost savings compared to a no-hydrogen scenario.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Xi Yang, Yiying Gao, Mingzhe Zhu, Cecilia Springer
Summary: This paper compares methane emissions from China's natural gas industry with the USA and Canada, highlighting that methane emissions from the natural gas production phase are the largest in the entire supply chain. Measurement and estimation methods are more advanced in the USA and Canada compared to China, with significant potential for methane emission reduction in the natural gas industry through the implementation of more effective waste reduction technologies.
CURRENT CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xun-Zhang Pan, Fei Teng, Yann Robiou Du Pont, Hai-Lin Wang
Summary: This study explores the interaction between equity and efficiency in the distribution of global carbon budgets. The results demonstrate that there is potential to improve both equity and efficiency on a global scale, but further improvements will require trade-offs at the national level. Connecting national mitigation actions and potentials can facilitate synergies between equity and efficiency and contribute to the effective achievement of the Paris Agreement's goals.
ADVANCES IN CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daju Wang, Yuanqiao Li, Jiangzhou Xia, Changxin Liu, Han Chen, Fei Teng, Bin He, Weiyu Shi, Zhangcai Qin, Wenping Yuan
Summary: China's carbon neutrality goal by 2060 is challenging, but natural climate solutions (NCS) can play a crucial role. This study quantified the potential of 18 NCS pathways in China, showing higher mitigation potential in cropland ecosystems and lower potential in forest ecosystems compared to global estimates. These pathways can provide cost-effective mitigation and immediate action is crucial for achieving the national carbon neutrality goal.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianpeng Wang, Fei Teng
Summary: The social cost estimates for methane and nitrous oxide have not kept pace with the latest scientific findings, but our study suggests that policies to mitigate these greenhouse gases would bring greater benefits and calls for a re-evaluation of their social costs.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tianpeng Wang, Fei Teng, Xu Deng, Jun Xie
Summary: This study finds that the core reason for inconsistent social cost of carbon (SCC) lies in the differences in climate modules, which explain 60%-95% of the SCC variations. SCC estimates are more consistent when integrated assessment models are coupled with a reduced-complexity climate module.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiankun He, Zheng Li, Xiliang Zhang, Hailin Wang, Wenjuan Dong, Ershun Du, Shiyan Chang, Xunmin Ou, Siyue Guo, Zhiyu Tian, Alun Gu, Fei Teng, Bin Hu, Xiu Yang, Siyuan Chen, Mingtao Yao, Zhiyi Yuan, Li Zhou, Xiaofan Zhao, Ying Li, Danwei Zhang
Summary: As the world's largest carbon emitter, China must make significant efforts to peak its emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This study examines different scenarios and evaluates the pathways, energy transformation, technology, policy, and investment demands necessary for carbon neutrality. The findings highlight the challenges and investment requirements for China to achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yui Kawasaki, Sayaka Nagao-Sato, Misa Shimpo, Kahori Fujisaki, Emi Yoshii, Rie Akamatsu, Petra Warschburger
Summary: This study qualitatively describes sustainable dietary behaviors (SDBs) that Japanese and German adults can implement in their lives, and quantitatively compares the similarities and differences in understanding SDBs between the two samples. The study found that Japanese participants were more focused on food waste prevention, while German participants were more focused on solving environmental problems.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kechun Chen, Yuan Ding, Liming Yang, Zhihao Wang, Haoxuan Yu, Difan Fang, Yufa Feng, Liying Hu, Chenxi Xu, Penghui Shao, Xubiao Luo, Liang Chen
Summary: This study proposes a targeted repair scheme for the recovery of graphite anodes from spent LIBs by systematically characterizing and analyzing the structure and composition of spent graphite (SG). The results show that the repair scheme achieves effective SG repair and the repaired graphite anode displays excellent lithium storage performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Takao Ueda, Shigeki Koyanaka, Tatsuya Oki
Summary: Fires caused by accidental crushing of batteries are a serious issue in the e-waste recycling process. A new in-line sorting system that uses X-ray scanning and deep learning has been developed to accurately detect batteries. Through a validation study, the system achieved higher accuracy compared to other existing programs.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hannes Geist, Frank Balle
Summary: Research on circular economy often lacks empirical data, especially in the theory of circular process design and design for remanufacturing. This study systematically collected and analyzed engineering data on seven remanufacturing processes in the European automotive remanufacturing industry for the first time, providing empirical support for circular engineering challenges, potentials, and solutions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Li, Fan Lue, Nanlin Liao, Hua Zhang, Na Yang, Pinjing He
Summary: This study assesses and predicts the greenhouse gas emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission has reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bingchun Liu, Haoyang Wang, Xiaoqin Liang, Yibo Wang, Zijie Feng
Summary: The expansion of the photovoltaic market has resulted in a significant increase in PV waste. Therefore, conducting scientific research to determine the importance of the circular economy for sustainable growth in the PV industry is essential. The study demonstrates that accurate prediction of PV installed capacity and quantifying the importance of recycling in balancing the supply and demand of raw materials can be achieved through a multi-factor installed capacity prediction model and recovery potential prediction.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Chuanzhen Zhang, Baojing Gu, Xia Liang, Shu Kee Lam, Yi Zhou, Deli Chen
Summary: Reactive nitrogen is crucial for agriculture and human nutrition, but mismanagement can have detrimental effects on human health and ecosystem services, hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Progress towards nitrogen-related targets varies across countries, highlighting the need for integrated management to achieve overall synergies.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alessandro Gatto, Marijke Kuiper, Corina van Middelaar, Hans van Meijl
Summary: This study examines the economic and environmental effects of transitioning towards more circular food systems in the European Union (EU27) by feeding animals with low-opportunity-cost feed and better utilizing local feed resources. The results show that providing subsidies for circularity and promoting the use of low-cost feed can increase animal production, but also have negative impacts on land use and emissions. On the other hand, promoting domestic feed sourcing through import tariffs can decrease animal production and greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. However, complementary policies are needed to mitigate drawbacks and enhance benefits of a more circular agri-food system.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinbo Zhang, Liu Chen, Yulei Xie, Pingjian Yang, Zheng Li, Huaicheng Guo, Yang Zhang, Lirong Liu
Summary: This study examines the impact of carbon taxes on low-carbon development and climate change mitigation. By constructing a cross-system bi-layer model, the study finds that reasonable carbon taxes can promote the stability of the energy network, reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants, and optimize production efficiency and the structure of the energy system. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effects and implementation pathways of carbon taxes.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Konstantin Born, Mehmet Metehan Ciftci
Summary: Increasing recycling of metals is important for reducing reliance on mining, but it cannot fully meet future metal demand. Primary production of metals is expected to continue rising, highlighting the need for alternative circular economy strategies such as demand reduction and mitigating harmful impacts of primary metal production.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinqiu Ma, Lin Huang, Jiahui Li, Wei Cao, Yumei Cai
Summary: Afforestation and reforestation, such as China's Grain for Green Program, have shown to effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to carbon sink capacity. This study highlights the significant carbon potential of the program and its potential application in other countries to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Arlind Dervishaj, Kjartan Gudmundsson
Summary: This paper reviews digital tools for supporting the Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment and provides suggestions. The study identifies limitations in the functionalities of current tools, including a lack of representative data for LCA and underdeveloped circularity indicators. Further development is needed in terms of interoperability aspects, integration of more sources of data for LCA and circularity, and possibilities for a comprehensive evaluation of design choices.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamadreza Y. Azarfam, Anuj Maheshwari, Frank D. Blum, Siddhesh Chaudhari, Clinton Switzer, Ranji Vaidyanathan, Jay C. Hanan, Sudheer Bandla
Summary: This study introduces a feasible method for manufacturing recycled composites using post-consumer carpets and recycled resin. The resulting composites have impressive strength and modulus, surpassing commercial thermoplastics and making them suitable for structural applications. This research presents a promising approach to address carpet landfilling and reduce reliance on additives.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pujiang Shi, Tianle Huang, Hong Kit Lim, Chiew Kei Tan, Jong-Min Lee, Chor Yong Tay
Summary: This study developed a highly porous bioadaptive 3D sponge-like construct from plastic materials in discarded keyboards for advanced in vitro applications. The findings demonstrate the potential of using discarded keyboards as a waste-to-resource feedstock to achieve waste reduction and maximize value-capture.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kuo-Jui Wu, Hailing Qiu, Caiyan Huang, Anthony S. F. Chiu, Ming-Lang Tseng
Summary: Government resource allocation practices for achieving carbon neutrality should be guided by dynamic system theory to identify potential dynamics. Carbon intensity control dynamics have a significant influence on other dynamics.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)