Trends and driving forces of low-carbon energy technology innovation in China’s industrial sectors from 1998 to 2017: from a regional perspective

Low-carbon energy technology(LC)innovation contributes to both environmental protection and economic development.Using the panel data of 30 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities in China from 1998 to 2017,this paper constructs a two-layer logarithmic mean Divisia index(LMDI)model to uncover the factors influencing the variation of the innovation of LC in China’s industrial sectors,including the alternative energy production technology(AEPT)and the energy conversation technology(ECT).The results show that China’s industrial LC patent applications rapidly increased after 2005 and AEPT patent applications outweighed ECT patent applications all the time with a gradually narrowing gap.Low-carbon degree played the dominant role in promoting the increase in China’s industrial LC patent applications,followed by the economic scale,R&D(research and development)efficiency,and R&D share.Economic structure contributed to the increases in LC patent applications in the central and the western regions,while led to the decreases in the eastern region,the north-eastern region,and Chinese mainland.Low-carbon degree and economic scale were two main contributors to the growths of both industrial AEPT patent applications and ECT patent applications in Chinese mainland and the four regions.Several policy recommendations are made to further promote industrial innovation in China.

Low-carbon technology innovation responding to climate change from the perspective of spatial spillover effects

China's technological efforts to tackle climate change have lasted for many years. It is necessary to test the effect of these efforts with quantitative method. To be exact, whether and how China's low-carbon technology innovation responds to climate change should be tested. Based on the2004-2015 panel data of 30 provinces in China, we use the method of ESDA analyzing the spatial correlation of China's low-carbon innovation technology. Furthermore, we use the spatial Durbin model empirically analyzing the spatial spillover effects. The results obtained are as follows: first,supply and demand of Chinese low-carbon innovation has some deviation in the spatial distribution. The low-carbon technology innovation as the supply factor shows the characteristics of expanding from the east to the west. Innovation in eastern China has always been the most active, but innovative activities in the middle and western China are gradually decreased.However, carbon emissions have the characteristics of moving westward, implying the change of technology demand different from technology supply. Second, China's low-carbon innovation actively responds to the trend of climate change, indicating China's technological efforts have paid off. However, the spatial spillover effects are not significant, showing that the efforts in each region of China still work for himself. Third, environmental regulation and market pull are important factors for low-carbon technology innovation. Among them, both supporting policy and inhibitory policy have significant impact on the local low-carbon technology innovation, but no significant spatial spillover effects. It shows that environmental policies in different regions are competitive and lack of demonstration effects. Economic growth and export as market pull have higher level of effect on low-carbon technology innovation for both local and adjacent areas.Some policy implications are proposed based on these results finally.

Assessment of challenges and strategies for driving energy transitions in emerging markets:A socio-technological systems perspective

The pursuit of improved quality of life standards has significantly influenced the contemporary mining model in the 21st century.This era is witnessing an unprecedented transformation driven by pressing concerns related to sustainability,climate change,the just energy transition,dynamic operating environments,and complex social challenges.Such transitions present both opportunities and obstacles.The aim of this study is to provide an extensive literature review on energy transition to identify the challenges and strategies associated with navigating transformations in energy systems.Understanding these transformations is particularly critical in the face of the severe consequences of global warming,where an accelerated energy transition is viewed as a universal remedy.Adopting a socio-technological systems perspective,specifically through the application of Actor Network Theory(ANT),this research provides a theoretical foundation while categorising challenges into five distinct domains and outlining strategies across these different dimensions.These insights are specifically tailored for emerging market countries to effectively navigate energy transition while fostering the development of resilient societies.Furthermore,our findings highlight that energy transition encompasses more than a mere technological shift;it entails fundamental changes in various systemic socio-economic imperatives.Through focusing on the role of social structures in transitions,this study makes a significant and innovative contribution to ANT,which has historically been criticised for its limited acknowledgement of social structures.Consequently,we propose an emerging market energy transition framework,which not only addresses technological aspects,but also integrates social considerations.This framework paves the way for future research and exploration of energy transition dynamics.The outcomes of this study offer valuable insights to policymakers,researchers,and practitioners engaged in the mining industry,enabling them to comprehend the multifaceted challenges involved and providing practical strategies for effective resolution.Through incorporating the social dimension into the analysis,we enhance the understanding of the complex nature of energy system transformations,facilitating a more holistic approach towards achieving sustainable and resilient energy transitions in emerging markets and beyond.

What role do emission trading schemes,energy innovation,and technology transfer play in sustainable recovery?A perspective from BRICS economies

To ensure long-run sustainability,it is imperative to achieve the goal of zero-carbon emissions without compromising economic growth.Identifying whether BRICS economies,which are an attractive set of countries due to their rapid economic growth and high emissions,can shift towards sustainability with the support of policy measures,is a question which needs to be addressed.This article investigates the impact of emission trading schemes,energy innovation,technology transfer,population growth,and inflation on the economic performance of BRICS economies(2001-2020).The outcomes of the CS-ARDL and PMG estimators reveal that carbon taxes,carbon finance,energy innovation,technology transfer,population growth,and inflation have positive effects on economic performance.In light of the evidence,policy insights are recommended to achieve a win-win situation for economic and environmental performance.

Research on the Development of Low-carbon Industry Based on Technological Innovation Mechanism:A Case Study of Ethnic Regions

Technological innovation and technological innovation system were introduced firstly,and then low-carbon economy and low-carbon industry were analyzed. Finally,the SWOT analysis of development of low-carbon industry in ethnic areas of China was conducted,and the innovation mechanism and path selection for the development of low-carbon industry in ethnic areas were analyzed.

Does the transformation of energy structure promote green technological innovation?A quasi-natural experiment based on new energy demonstration city construction

New energy development is essential to achieving carbon peaks and neutrality and promoting green technological innovation.Identifying the causal relationship between new energy demonstration city construction and green technological innovation is crucial for the expansion and promotion of new energy demonstration cities.In this study,we take the construction of new energy demonstration cities as a quasi-natural experiment,study their impact on green technological innovation using difference-indifference(DID),and conduct a robustness test using DID after propensity score matching(PSM-DID).The research results indicate the following:First,energy structure optimization can significantly improve the level of urban green technological innovation(this result was shown to be valid using PSM-DID and other tests involving the effects of placebo and instrumental variables).Second,new energy demonstration city construction mainly improves the level of urban green technological innovation through technology research and development,the improvement of the industrial innovation environment,and the promotion of environmental performance.Third,the impact of energy structure optimization on green technological innovation has regional,financial,and economic development heterogeneity.Finally,new energy demonstration city policy affects the flow of capital,labor,technology,and other production factors to pilot areas according to new energy demonstration city policy,forming a“siphon effect”.The carbon reduction effect of new energy demonstration city construction is greater than its pollution reduction effect.Given the results of the study,policy recommendations to promote the expansion of new energy demonstration cities are proposed.

The role of technological innovation,carbon finance,green energy,environmental awareness and urbanization towards carbon neutrality:Evidence from novel CUP-FM CUP-BC estimations

After COP21,various economies start putting efforts to fulfill the pledge and achieve carbon neutrality.By doing so,scholars highlight several essential factors that can curb carbon emissions.In this lieu,the current study analyzes the role of technological innovation,carbon finance,environmental awareness,urbanization,and green energy like renewable energy consumption(REC)and renewable energy output(REO)on carbon neutrality in E7 countries covering the time span of 2006-2020.By employing CUP-FM and CUP-BC,it is revealed that technological innovation,carbon finance,environmental awareness,urbanization,REC,and REO have a positive connection with carbon neutrality in E7 countries.The study provides guidelines to the policymakers in developing policies regarding to obtain carbon neutrality using technological innovation,carbon finance,environmental awareness,and green energy.

Do smart city policies improve energy efficiency?Evidence from China

To address air pollution and offer a convenient and comfortable living environment,the Chinese government launched a smart city pilot(SCP)project in 2012,accompanied by a comprehensive set of environmental and energy-related laws and regulations.Although academic interest in smart cities has surged,there remains a notable gap in empirical research exploring the economic,environmental,and energy effects of such initiatives.Taking 232 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2017 as research subjects,this study measures energy effi‐ciency by using energy consumption per unit of GDP and adopts a difference-in-differences(DID)analysis to investigate the impact of SCPs on energy efficiency.The empirical results indicate that SCPs improved energy efficiency by promoting urban technological innovation capabilities and green total factor productivity,and this effect was more pronounced in cities that were more dependent on traditional fossil fuel energy sources and had more developed fiscal and financial levels.Studying the impact of smart city construction on energy utilization efficiency in developing countries,such as China,is not only significantly enlightening for China’s green and low-carbon transition but also provides reference opinions for constructing smart cities and the path to enhancing energy efficiency in other developing countries.The findings provide valuable insights into the global development of smart cities,urban sustainability,and high-quality economic growth.

Scientific and Technological Innovation Is an Important Approach to Ensuring China’s Oil Security

With the rapid and continual growth of national economy, the gap between oil demand and supply keeps widening in China, therefore China will increasingly depend on imported oil. However, the world＇s oil and gas resources are unevenly distributed; global world＇s oil prices remain high; and over 70 percent of China＇s imported oil has to be shipped through the Malacca Strait. There are various ways to ensure China＇s oil security today, and the practical and feasible strategic option is to increase the discovery and production of domestic oil, raise energy efficiency and develop petroleum substitutes. Scientific and technological innovation is crucial both in new oil reserves discovery and production, energy conservation, and in the development of petroleum substitutes, establishment of a strategic oil reserve system and for environment protection. This indicates that China should take effective measures in investment strategy, fiscal policies, financing instruments, intellectual property protection, fostering talents and professionals, so as to establish its own scientific and technological innovation system in the petroleum industry and be better able to ensure oil security.

A Discussion on the Policy of R&D Stock for China’s Energy Technology

The constraints of energy supply have been a long-term threat to the sustainable development of China. Technological progress and innovation are essential to helping solve this problem. Research and development （R＆D） stock plays a key role in technological progress and innovation. Through comparisons with some other countries, it is found that China has fallen behind in the R＆D stock for energy technology. The R＆D stock can be improved by two means： one is putting capital and human resources in those strategically key fields; the other is taking advantage of the R＆D resources from abroad. The strategically key fields include energy saving techniques, energy materials, the manufacture of key equipment and new energy resources.

Interpretation of Low-carbon City Planning and Design——A Case Study of Gaochun Zijin Science and Technology Special Community

It is an important and unique approach of achieving sustainable urban development to save and use energy intensively, reduce carbon emission, and take the low-carbon development road. Taking Gaochun Zijin Science and Technology Special Community for example, this paper introduced planning measures for building a low-carbon city, including building a green network, compound utilization of urban spaces, establishing green transportation, using renewable resources, development of green architecture, so as to provide references for the future researches on the low-carbon urban development.

Research on the Impact of Digital Finance on Energy Efficiency in China

Digital finance and green technology innovation(GTI)serve as powerful engines for promoting energy efficiency(EE)and economic development.This paper explores the mechanism by which digital finance impacts EE based on panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning from 2011 to 2019.The results demonstrate that digital finance can significantly enhance EE,with a particularly pronounced effect in the eastern region.Through mechanistic analysis,it is evident that GTI serves as the transmission pathway through which digital finance influences EE,accounting for 45.3%of the effect.The policy implication of this study suggests that China should expedite the digitization of financial markets to further harness the development of digital finance,particularly in pursuit of its technological innovation and green,lowcarbon environmental protection effects.

Reducing carbon emissions with Geoscience solutions:A look at the contributions of nuclear energy,technology,and green finance

Standards for Low-Carbon Energy Portfolios(LC-EPS)mandate that a certain percentage of a region's electricity generation originate from zero-or low-emissions sources.From 1995Q1 through 2020Q4,the study used the ARDL-Bounds testing technique to estimate coefficient parameters,Granger causality to draw causal inferences,and variance decomposition analysis to anticipate the factors that will have the greatest impact on carbon emissions in the US economy.Nuclear power significantly impacts carbon emissions,as seen by an inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve,whereas long-term impact of innovation leads to lower emissions.On the other hand,exports of sophisticated technology reduce carbon emissions.Economic growth has a discernible effect on carbon emissions,nuclear power,innovation,and environmentally friendly financing.High-tech exports will likely impact carbon emissions most,followed by a demand for nuclear power,innovation,economic expansion,and sustainable finance for the next ten years.These results give policymakers helpful insight into how the US economy may reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change via renewable energy and green finance.

Government subsidies, dual-credit policy, and enterprise performance: Empirical evidence from Chinese listed new energy vehicle companies

The development of the new energy vehicle industry has become a key force driving the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutralization.To better guide future strategies,this study investigates the dual impact of subsidy and dual-integral policies on the performance of new energy vehicle enterprises.This study first theorizes the influential mechanism according to the institutional-based approach and technical innovation theory,and then collects data from listed companies in the new energy vehicle industry from 2016 to 2020.The hypotheses are examined using a two-way fixed-effects model.The findings show that:(1)subsidy policies are can still improve enterprise performance,but not through green technology innovation;(2)the dual-credit policy can improve enterprise performance through green technology innovation;and(3)under current policy conditions,with subsidies declining annually,the interaction effects between the subsidy and dual-integral policies will also decrease.Thus,this study suggests that non-monetary industrial policy,represented by the dual credit policy is a more effective alternative to government subsidies.

Japan's experience of energy saving and business model for low-carbon economy

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the questions concerning stimulation of the innovation and the diffusion of energy saving or low-carbon.To do so,this paper explains using two cases of Japan-energy saving innovation after the Oil Shock and the eco points system.For the case after the oil shock,we explain the energy saving trend after the Oil Shock and the factors statistically.Then we put forward the business model for the low-carbon economy.Furthermore,we analyze the case of the eco points system from 2009-2011 in Japan and explain the significance of the business model for diffusion of the low-carbon products.

Evolving National Security: A Roadmap from Present to Future in Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Policies (A Technical Review)

This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricate dynamics of national security policies in the realm of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.From the present landscape characterized by the diversification of energy portfolios to the long-term vision encompassing nuclear fusion,this article navigates through the nuanced interplay of technology,resilience,and environmental responsibility.The synthesis of established nuclear fission technologies and evolving renewable sources forms the cornerstone of a strategic approach,addressing challenges and opportunities to ensure a secure,sustainable energy future.

绿色金融试点政策对新能源企业技术创新的影响研究

绿色金融试点政策作为促进我国经济绿色低碳发展的重要途径,可以有效解决新能源行业技术创新资金瓶颈问题。选取2012—2021年A股上市新能源企业为研究对象,以2017年作为绿色金融试点政策实施的时间节点,构建双重差分模型实证研究了绿色金融试点政策对新能源企业技术创新的影响。结果表明:(1)绿色金融试点政策促进了新能源企业技术创新;(2)绿色金融试点政策可以缓解新能源企业融资约束,进而促进新能源企业技术创新;(3)在企业异质性分析方面,国有产权性质、社会责任意识较好、较高金融发展水平和较高绿色金融水平地区的新能源企业技术创新受绿色金融试点政策的促进效果更明显。研究结论可以为新能源企业制定技术创新策略和融资策略提供一定的决策支持。

基于专利分析的广西新能源汽车制造技术创新现状与发展态势

运用incoPat科技创新情报平台,以2004—2023年的专利数据为依据,分析广西新能源汽车制造技术特征和发展态势。结果表明,广西新能源汽车制造业已驶入“快车道”,但核心的“三电”技术、智能网联和新能源生态等创新能力不强,全链条研发体系尚未建成。基于研究结论,从加强产业顶层设计、推动“质”“量”齐头并进,强化关键技术攻关,强链补链延链,以“小”汽车扩东盟大市场吸引下游充电建设主体,打造“桩联网”商业运营模式5个方面提出对策建议。

数字经济、绿色技术创新与能源效率提升——基于城市面板数据的实证分析

提高能源效率是我国经济绿色转型和实现双碳目标的必然要求,当下数字经济已成为能源效率提升的新动能。本文基于数字经济的“四化”框架,在理论分析的基础上,运用2011~2020年我国284个地级市的面板数据,实证检验了数字经济影响能源效率提升的机制、特征和路径。结果表明:(1)数字经济及各维度对能源效率提升的总体效应为正,其中产业数字化促进作用最强,且数字经济对能源效率的提升具有区域异质性;(2)数字经济对能源效率的提升存在双门槛,呈现中间波动但总体促进的“N”型特征;(3)数字经济可通过促进绿色技术创新进而提升能源效率,且绿色技术创新水平的提高有助于城市跨越数字经济的第二个门槛,实现数字经济发展与能源效率提升的共赢。

绿色技术创新对我国碳减排的影响——基于省级区域面板数据的实证分析

为了早日实现“碳达峰碳中和目标”,我国提出要建立健全绿色低碳循环发展的经济体系,而绿色技术创新是推动绿色高质量发展的关键核心,也是解决我国现实生态环境问题的重要支撑。为了研究绿色技术创新对地区碳减排的影响机制,文章基于我国30个省份2011-2020年的面板数据构建固定效应模型,并检验了能源利用率的中介机制和地方政府竞争的调节作用。研究发现,绿色技术创新可以显著促进碳减排,但这一促进作用在我国东部地区最显著,而在中部地区和西部地区不显著;进一步研究发现,绿色技术创新可以通过提高能源利用率促进碳减排,但地方政府竞争对绿色技术创新的促进作用起到负向调节作用。本研究为提高我国绿色技术创新能力、助力“双碳目标”的实现以及促进地方政府有序竞争提供了理论支撑和对策建议。