Notes from the Editors, July-August 2025

Australia has proved to be something of an unknown quantity in the international climate change policy process. Having adopted a pro-active stand at Rio in 1992 during the Conference of the Parties process, it subsequently displayed an unwillingness to accept legally binding targets and timetables and advocated the merits of a ‘differentiated’ approach. The concept of differentiation is grounded in the belief that each nation-state should bear commensurate losses of economic welfare in the pursuit of greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Although Australia has been criticised internationally for this approach,1 it formed the basis of the agreement reached at the Kyoto Conference of the Parties in December 1997. This chapter undertakes an historical overview of the policy responses of the Federal government in Australia from 1985 – 1995 in order to shed some light upon this position. It will be argued that while grounded in the policy discourse of ecological modernisation, Australia’s policy approach has failed to overcome some of the significant contradictions that this discourse tries to address. This analysis calls into question not only the potential for Australia to act on any outcomes achieved at Kyoto, but also the ability of the ‘ecological modernisation’ approach to resolve such contradictions.

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 长三角城市群碳排放与城市用地增长及形态的关系 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201707101242 作者: 作者单位: 浙江大学公共管理学院土地科学与不动产研究所,浙江大学公共管理学院土地科学与不动产研究所,浙江大学公共管理学院土地科学与不动产研究所,浙江大学公共管理学院土地科学与不动产研究所,浙江大学环境与资源学院农业遥感与信息技术应用研究所 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金面上项目（41771244）；国家留学基金（201706320200）；中央高校基本科研业务费专项资金资助；浙江大学文科教师教学科研发展专项项目 Relationships between carbon emission, urban growth, and urban forms of urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta Author: Affiliation: Institute of Land Science and Property, School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University,,Institute of Land Science and Property, School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University,, Fund Project: National Natural Science Foundation of China（Grant No.41771244）; China Scholarship Council (Grant No.201706320200); supported by “the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities”; supported by “the Teaching and Research Development Funds for Humanities and Social Sciences of Zhejiang University” 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:城市是一种重要的碳源，城市扩张过程中的用地面积增长和空间特征变化均会影响城市碳排放。分析1995-2015年长三角城市群碳排放重心转移，查明碳排放和城市用地增长的脱钩状态时空变化，并通过构建面板数据模型探究城市形态对碳排放的影响，得出以下结论：（1）1995-2015年长三角城市群碳排放重心经历了西南向-西北向-东南向-西北向的转移过程，这种转移过程与其相应时期内部分城市的工业发展与产业结构调整有关；（2）1995-2015年，长三角城市群碳排放与城市用地增长的脱钩状态存在着显著的时空异质性。研究区由以扩张负脱钩为主变化为以弱脱钩为主，2005年以后，区域之间的脱钩差异开始缩小，总体来看研究区脱钩状态趋向于同质。至2015年，近70%的城市已达到了脱钩，其中上海等城市实现了强脱钩；（3）连续完整的地块在区域内的主导程度会对城市碳排放产生负向的影响，而城市用地斑块的破碎化程度和聚集程度对碳排放有着正向的影响，且相对而言，聚集程度的正向影响更为显著。 Abstract:Cities are one of many carbon sources. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR5, CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes contributed about 78% to the total Green House Gas (GHG) emission increase between 1970-2010. Total annual anthropogenic GHG emissions have increased by about 10GtCO2-eq between 2000-2010. The increase directly came from energy (47%), industry (30%), transport (11%), and building (3%) sectors, which mainly exist in cities. Urban expansion and urbanization can affect urban carbon emission. Studies show that there is a long-term and stable relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions. The relationships between urban carbon emissions and indicators, including urban development intensity, urban land use, and the industrial sector, are studied extensively. During urban expansion, the quantitative and spatial features of urban lands can both affect carbon emissions. Therefore, urban form was added to the possible factors influencing carbon emissions in this study, which may be different from previous research that has focused on the relationship between urban growth and carbon emissions. However, in some related research, when urban form has been added to the indicators, the objects were residents or the transport sector, and they lacked quantitative indicators to verify the conclusions. The definition of "urban form" in this study was landscape pattern which was characterized by landscape metrics, and the study area consisted of 13 cities in the Yangtze River Delta. In this study, we analysed the shift of the gravity center from 1995-2015 for carbon emissions of the study area, and defined the decoupling index as well as analysing the temporal-spatial changes of the decoupling relationships between carbon emissions and urban growth in the study area. We also built panel data models to estimate the impact of urban forms on carbon emissions. Based on that, the conclusions are as follows:(1) The shift of the gravity center from 1995-2015 for carbon emissions of the study area was southwest-northwest-southeast-northwest. The shift may be related to the development of industry and change of industrial structure in some cities during this period. (2) There was a significant temporal-spatial heterogeneity in the decoupling relationships between carbon emissions and urban growth from 1995-2015. The leading decoupling relationship between carbon emissions and urban growth of the study area changed from expansive negative decoupling to weak decoupling from 1995-2015. The difference of decoupling relationships between cities narrowed after 2005 and the overall decoupling relationship of the study area became homogeneous. In 2015, almost 70% of cities reached the decoupling state and the decoupling states of Shanghai, Shaoxing, and Taizhou were strong. (3) Urban carbon emissions can be negatively influenced by the dominance of complete patches, and positively influenced by the degree of fragmentation and aggregation of urban patches. Carbon emissions can be more sensitive to the more aggregative distribution of the urban patches. This study analysed the relationship between carbon emissions and urban growth, as well as exploring how urban form can affect carbon emissions. The conclusions could provide scientific references for the policy making of low-carbon development strategies and land use and urban planning of urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Growing global concern over greenhouse gas emissions has led to a demand for understanding and addressing carbon emissions, with China being one of the main contributors to global carbon emissions, committed to reach the carbon peak by 2030. As a result, much previous research has delved into the drivers of carbon emissions in China; however, few studies have included new energy factors in the extended STIRPAT model when analysing the data, employed more advanced visualisation techniques such as force-directed diagrams, and explored factors outside of the industrial and energy sectors in determining China’s ability to reach their environmental goals. In this study, we use the extended STIRPAT model to analyse a more diverse range of drivers for carbon emissions in China and discuss methods to reach peak carbon emissions through the implementation of environmental policies. Using data from China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and Vision 2035 to set up two simulation scenarios, we predict China’s carbon emissions, introducing ridge regression to ensure validity, and employing big data and visualisation techniques to aid in interpreting results. Our findings suggest that China needs to implement more stringent environmental policies to meet its commitment to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030, revealing that factors such as per capita arable land area, per capita GDP, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, the level of tourism development, the use of fossil fuels, and new energy technologies have a significant impact on China’s carbon emissions. As such, we can recommend more stringent policies relating to the agricultural, energy, and tourism sectors to help China achieve their goal of carbon peak by 2030.

Africa, Asia and Middle East

Ecological modernisation has evolved and shifted from a social theory to a political agenda that endeavours to tackle the environmental consequences of industrialisation. Drawing on primary information collected from interviews with provincial policy-makers, industrial managers and representatives of professional associations, the article analyses renewable energy deployment in two coastal provinces of China. Institutional configurations are also examined in order to understand whether coherent synergies between environmental and economic goals can be achieved. The article argues that the inteventionist, state-centric measures in the regional renewable energy sector represent a novel form of ecological modernisation distinguishable from the models that originated in Europe.

The energy demand in Indonesia is projected to increase in the future. Based on the tentative results of the comprehensive assessment of different energy source for electricity, the demand will grow and reach the figure of about 8,200 Peta Joules in the year 2025. With regards to the energy supply in connection with climate change resulting from increasing Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, and in line with the national energy policy which stresses on diversification, conservation, energy price and environmental awareness in energy supply development. The main objective of this study is to analyse GHG abatement by introduction various clean energy options such as renewable and nuclear energy in the Indonesian energy system by using IAEA Tool and to calculate the cost of GHG emission avoided. For the purpose of the case study, two cases were developed with some aggregations and assumptions for simplification. The first case Baseline case, which represents the current energy network (doing nothing case) and the second case defined GHG mitigation in the electric sector by replacing fossil power plants (600 MWe + 400 MWe) with various clean energy options GHG abatement technology (1000 MWe Nuclear PP). The result of the study shown that the total of CH4 reduction until the end of study period of about 1180.8 tons and 271.6 million tons for C02. The average reduction of the greenhouse gas are 4.4% per year for CH4 and 7.3% per year for C02, starting from introduction of nuclear power plant in year 2012. It is believed that, the economic competitiveness of nuclear power could significantly increase if GHG mitigation program were taken into account in the national energy planning. GHG abatement technology choice has to be made on the basis of economic aspects and its efficiency, so that the type of technology that is chosen is the most optimum as viewed from all aspects of the economy and the environment. Applying fuel diversification in the electric generation mix, nuclear and renewable energy, energy conservation as well as the demand side management can be carry out by mitigation of CH4 and C02 in the energy sector.

This paper investigates the relationship between technological progress in the energy sector and carbon emissions based on the Environment Kuznets Curve (EKC) and data from China during the period of 1995–2012. Our study confirms that the situation in China conforms to the EKC hypothesis and presents the inverted U-curve relationship between per capita income and carbon emissions. Furthermore, the inflection point will be reached in at least five years. Then, we use research and development (R & D) investment in the energy industry as the quantitative indicator of its technological progress to test its impact on carbon emissions. Our results show that technological progress in the energy sector contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions with hysteresis. Furthermore, our results show that energy efficiency improvements are also helpful in reducing carbon emissions. However, climate policy and change in industrial structure increase carbon emissions to some extent. Our conclusion demonstrates that currently, China is not achieving economic growth and pollution reduction simultaneously. To further achieve the goal of carbon reduction, the government should increase investment in the energy industry research and improve energy efficiency.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the Earth’s surface temperature to rise. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. Human activities are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations rapidly, which is causing global climate change. Global climate change is increasing environmental and public health problems. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is necessary to identify where the emissions are coming from, develop a plan to reduce them, and then implement and monitor the plan to ensure that emissions are actually reduced. Anthropogenic global climate change has large and increasingly adverse economic effects. Cities emit the most greenhouse gas due to fossil fuel burning and power usage. The four major greenhouse gas emitters are energy, transportation, waste management, and urban land use sectors. Organizations should prepare action plans to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and stop the worst consequences of climate change. These action plans require companies and local authorities to submit their greenhouse gas emissions reports on a yearly basis. A greenhouse gas emissions management system includes several processes and tools created by organizations to understand, measure, monitor, report, and validate their greenhouse gas emissions. Two of the most widely adapted frameworks for greenhouse gases inventory reporting are ISO 14064 and the greenhouse gas protocol. This review paper aims to identify some of the key points of GHG inventory preparation and mitigation strategies.

At a time when the consequences of carbon emissions are becoming increasingly apparent, the world is looking for alternative energy sources to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change. One of the most promising frontiers in the search for sustainable energy is hydrogen. Often regarded as the “fuel of the future”, hydrogen is an important solution to both our energy needs and curbing carbon emissions. As we stand at the crossroads of environmental sustainability, this article begins a journey into the world of hydrogen energy. This article examines the transition to new generation energy sources and the potential of this transition to reduce carbon emissions. We explore the wonders of hydrogen as a clean and versatile energy carrier, and methods of carbon capture. In addition, this article will highlight efforts to control carbon emissions and discuss how innovative approaches such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can be used. This can play an important role in achieving carbon emission reduction targets. In conclusion, this article will help you understand why this significant change in the energy sector is needed, how it is happening, and why it is so important for controlling carbon emissions. It serves as an introduction to our journey to reduce carbon emissions and open the door to a cleaner, more sustainable and greener energy system in the future.

Global warming continues to be an intimidating factor for environmental protection, and reducing carbon emissions is an effective way to deal with the phenomenon. However, the energy sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, investment in environmental regulations and research and development (R&D), is critical for fostering a low-carbon growth model. This study focuses on 30 provinces in China from 2004 to 2019. We used the spatial Durbin model to investigate how the spatial spillover effect of R&D and environmental regulation impacts carbon emissions. In addition, we applied the dynamic threshold panel model to mitigate potential problems of endogeneity. The results reveal that carbon emissions have a considerable spatial correlation in both temporal and spatial dimensions, exhibiting high and low-value accumulation characteristics. Furthermore, the combined effect of R&D intensity, environmental regulation, and energy consumption were found to contribute to the increase in carbon emissions across China's provinces, and they also suggest different influencing mechanisms. The spillover effects of increased carbon emissions in neighboring regions also contribute to the increase in local carbon emissions. The study also found that R&D and stringent environmental regulations measures strongly moderate the link between energy consumption and carbon emissions. In promoting carbon reduction, by breaking the dynamic equilibrium in China, the provincial investment outflow on R&D intensity could be optimized, and the regional levels should focus more on tightening environmental regulatory measures and promoting the development of energy-conserving technologies.

Carbon markets devolve governance to external institutions and displace power from sovereign states. Major producers in these markets, notably China, have expressed concern about the adverse implications for national interests and sovereignty associated with selling off the rights to emit carbon emissions abroad. This article suggests that such concern has shaped the discursive context in which emission trading schemes have gained popularity in the country. Our discourse analysis shows that notions of market power are made manifest as a powerful storyline. In the Chinese language, “power,” “sovereignty,” and “rights” all use the same character. The storyline captures all these expressions and allows for a positive view about active engagement in carbon trading as a way to protect development rights and redeem carbon sovereignty. Thus, the contested policy of emissions trading becomes embedded in the more appealing narrative of national development and made politically attractive, despite unfavorable realities against it.

This quantitative, cross‐national study is designed to test hypotheses linking the activities of international nongovernmental organizations to reductions in carbon dioxide emissions in the developing world. While many quantitative studies of variation in carbon dioxide emissions have been published, none have included a control for the presence of international nongovernmental organizations. We review the literature that discusses the many ways that international nongovernmental organizations work to reduce environmental degradation in developing nations. We then conduct a panel regression analysis in which we include a variable to estimate the effects of international nongovernmental organizations on carbon dioxide emissions while including variables suggested by other relevant theoretical perspectives. Our findings are quite clear in that nations with high levels of international nongovernmental organization presence have lower levels of carbon dioxide emissions than nations with low levels of international nongovernmental organization presence. We also find support for the ecological modernization hypothesis pertaining to the existence of an environmental Kuznet's curve between the level of economic development and level of carbon dioxide emissions.

The article investigates English borrowings in Ukrainian energy terminology as one of the key factors in the development of contemporary scientific and technical discourse. It is established that the active use of Anglicisms is driven by global transformational processes affecting the energy sector, including innovations, digitalization, the development of renewable energy sources, ecological modernization, and international integration. Borrowed terms serve as an effective means of communication among scholars, engineers, and industry specialists, facilitating the rapid exchange of knowledge and the unification of professional language in accordance with international standards. The study demonstrates that the adaptation of English terminology to the Ukrainian linguistic context is multidimensional, encompassing phonetic, morphological, and semantic aspects, as well as challenges related to standardization and coexistence with native Ukrainian lexical units.Borrowings in the energy sector perform not only a nominative function but also reflect innovative technological phenomena, consolidate new scientific approaches, expand the semantic field of terms, and enhance the pragmatic component of professional communication. At the same time, excessive reliance on Anglicisms may pose a challenge to preserving linguistic identity, highlighting the need for a balanced language policy that combines openness to international trends with the maintenance of Ukrainian term formation traditions. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of English borrowings in the contemporary Ukrainian energy terminology system, considering their linguistic form, communicative function, and sociocultural significance. The practical value of the research consists in the potential application of the findings for improving terminographic practice, teaching professional disciplines, preparing educational materials, and developing modern standards of Ukrainian scientific and technical language.

The concepts of political modernization are strongly influenced and shaped by the environmental problematic. The concept of ecological modernization goes back to a debate in the Berlin municipal parliament on 22nd January 1982, when the environmental representative of one of the opposition political parties suggested to the government four ecological modernizations: in industry, in the energy sector, in the mobility sector, and in the construction sector. The first stages of the institutionalization of environmental policy consist of add-on organizations of state environmental protection policy. In the next stage, policy making is about taking integrated, polluter-related measures directed at target groups. In this second phase, it becomes clear that the classical bureaucratic intervention mode is hardly able to mobilize willingness to change from the side of polluters and to trigger their innovation potentials. Problem-related, ad-hoc constellations of involved actors — with or without the participation of the state — here often prove to be faster and more efficient.

Enhancing the precision of carbon accounting not only improves climate policy design, but also contributes directly to sustainability goals by enabling more targeted and accountable emission reduction strategies. Therefore, accurate carbon inventories are foundational to evidence-based climate action and sustainable development planning. This study estimates the carbon emissions of Hunan Province from 2016 to 2020 using the sectoral approach and energy activity data across four major sectors—industrial production, thermal power generation, transportation, and residential life. Emission factors (EFs) were drawn from three different sources: direct measurements, IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) default values, and published literature. An improved Monte Carlo simulation method was employed to assess the uncertainty of carbon emission accounting associated with different EF sources. The experimental results indicated that carbon emissions calculated based on the literature and default EFs were systematically higher than those derived from empirical measurements, primarily due to discrepancies in the industrial and power generation sectors. In a representative year (2017), the carbon emission estimated based on measured EFs produced the narrowest confidence intervals, reflecting lower uncertainty (−5.31–8.17%), while the uncertainties of carbon emissions calculated using the literature and default EFs were −6.88–9.03% and −5.77–9.94%, respectively. The industrial carbon emissions were the dominant source of overall uncertainty, while the transportation carbon emission had a comparatively minor impact. Importantly, across all departments, the use of measured EFs significantly reduced the uncertainty of carbon inventories, reinforcing the value of locally calibrated data. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved EF measurement systems and standardized accounting practices to support the reliability of subnational carbon inventories.