Transition to Green,Low-Carbon Development

Regions across China are acting on the state’s call to shift to green development,with tangible progress made.AS climate change poses a growing threat to humanity,transitioning to a green,low-carbon economy has become the general global consensus.Thus far,193 parties to the Paris Agreement have submitted Nationally Determined Contributions(NDC),and more than 150 countries have set objectives for net-zero emissions,carbon neutrality or climate neutrality.

Carbon footprint accounting for cigar production processes: A life cycle assessment perspective

Although the tobacco industry is a significant contributor to energy consumption and carbon emissions its negative environmental impact has received inadequate attention globally.Cigarette factories are a key link in the tobacco industry’s production chain,and using data provided by a cigarette factory in China we conduct a life cycle assessment to account for the carbon footprint of cigar production in cigarette factories.The results of the assessment show that factory air conditioning is the most important contributor to the environmental load of the cigar manufacturing process,while electricity is the key factor that contributes the greatest envi‐ronmental load across all of the processes in the product life cycle.In addition,packaging,including small boxes and cigarette cartons,has a significant impact on the industry’s environmental footprint due to its use of raw materials.We find the carbon footprint of the entire production process for cigar products to be 383.59 kg CO_(2) eq.Based on our findings,we suggest ways to optimize cigar/cigarette factory processes to re‐duce carbon emissions that can help to promote sustainable development in related industries.

Plan C: China’s Development under the Scarcity of Natural Capital

The critical issue of China’s modernization is whether it can free itself from the traditional modernization plan based on the relatively abundant natural capital, and innovatively create a developmental model of a large country under the scarcity of natural capital. This is why China is so keen on circular economy and economical use of resources. Focused on this issue, this paper summarizes the theoretical elements of the development under the scarcity of natural capital, points out that Plan C is the strategic choice for China’s future development, emphasizes that China needs to enhance the new industrialization, new urbanization and new modernization based on the restriction of natural capital, and discusses the technological and mechanistic support required to realize the development under the scarcity of natural capital.

Climate capacity:the measurement for adaptation to climate change

This article proposed the concept of"climate capacity"as a way of measuring human's adaptiveness to climate change.This article also focused on the related concepts like ecological carrying capacity,water resources carrying capacity,land carrying capacity as well as population carrying capacity.The concept of climate capacity was articulated against a background of global climate and environmental change.Essentially,China's efforts to adapt to climate change was a matter of improving climate capacity,which is the ecosystem as well as the frequency,the intensity and the scale of human's social activities that the climatic resources of a particular geographic area were supposed to support.The climate capacity has two components.One is the natural climate capacity,which includes temperature,sunlight,precipitation,extreme climatic events,etc.The other is the derived climate capacity,which includes water resources,land resources,ecological systems,climatic risks,etc.The climate capacity can be developed or be transferred between regions by taking engineering,technology or regime-based adaptive measures.However,these adaptive measures must be implemented under the principle of economic rationalism,ecological integrity,climate protection,and social justice.It is expected that by combining the climate capacity and its threshold value with the assessment of climate change risks,we are able to predict the optimal population carrying capacity and the scale of socioeconomic development,and furthermore,provide policy support for the socioeconomic development strategy and adaptive planning.In the regions with high climate capacity,there is a symbiotic relationship between adaptation and socioeconomic development.But,in the regions with limited climate capacity,irrational development may further damage the environment.Taking the Yangtze River delta,a region with high climate capacity,and a region of Ningxia,a region with limited climate capacity,as illustrative examples,the authors of this article analyzed the policy implications of climate capacity and further made suggestions on the problems of capacitylimited adaptation and development-driven adaptation.This article argued that the concept of climate capacity can not only be used as an analytical instrument of climate change economics,but also it can provide research support for planning regional adaptation and development with climate change impact and risk assessments.

Conversion Margins for the Major Uses of Agricultural Land and Their Variations in Shandong Province, China

It is of practical significance for the decision-making on country food security and farmland protection to analyze the conversion margins for the major uses of agricultural land and their variations. Based on the panel data of wheat, corn, vegetable, fruit, and forests productions from 520 investigated farmer households of 13 investigated villages in Shandong Province from 2003 to 2009, and using Cobb-Douglas production function, the revenue conversion margins can be obtained separately, between different grain-crops (wheat, corn) and different non-grain crops (vegetable, fruit, forests), and the conversion relationship between growing grain( wheat, corn) and going out for non-farm work. The results show that from 2003 to 2009, growing wheat and corn are more economically and reasonably for farmers, compared with growing vegetable, but growing wheat and corn are becoming less economically and less reasonably day by day, compared with planting forests. Moreover, the conversion margin between wheat and fruit shows obvious scissors difference. Just from 2007, farmers' growing fruit became economically and reasonably, but until 2009, compared with going out to work after abandoning farm8land, growing wheat had no economic rationality. From 2003 to 2009, farmers' growing corn is more profitable than growing fruit and going out for non-farm work after abandoning farmland. The subsidies for wheat and corn have increased farmers' comparative income from food production remarkably, but the subsidies cannot change the general tendency that farmers transform food (wheat, corn) production into non-food (especially forests) production. The revenue difference between growing wheat, corn and vegetable and growing fruit and forests is being pulled ceaselessly bigger, and the tendency that farmers transform wheat, corn and vegetable growing lands into fruit and forests growing lands has become increasingly apparent.

Experimental Performance Measures of Recycled Insulation Concrete Blocks from Construction and Demolition Waste

Construction and demolition(C&D)waste has seriously affected the ecological environment.The utilization of C&D waste resources can greatly alleviate this problem,and it is an important way to help achieve the goal of zero carbon in 2050.In this study,insulation concrete blocks were developed with recycled aggregates,cement,fly ash as main raw materials,expanded polystyrene(EPS)insulation boards as block insulation filling material,and selfdeveloped construction waste composite activator,interface enhancer,surface modifier and other additives.Through experimental research and performance test analysis,the best mix ratio of the product and the mechanism of each additive were proved.The experimental results showed that the insulation concrete block prepared under the conditions of recycled aggregates sand ratio of 45%,active activator Na_(2)SO_(4)content of 0.15%and fly ash content of 30%has the best performance and meets the relevant standards.

Carbon budget proposal： a framework for an equitable and sustainable international climate regime

全球温室气体减排已有一定的科学认知和国际政治意愿。由于涉及经济代价和发展权益，全球温室气体减排的国际制度框架均难于兼顾公平与可持续性双重目标。以气候安全的允许排放量为全球碳预算总量，设为刚性约束，可以确保碳预算方案的可持续性；将有限的全球碳预算总额以人均方式初始分配到每个地球村民，满足基本需求，可以确保碳预算方案的公平性。根据历史排放和未来需求进行碳预算转移支付，设计相应的资金机制，使碳预算方案具有效率配置特征。不同于分时段、临时目标的《京都议定书》途径，这样的碳预算方案是一个全面涵盖的整体性一揽子方案。然而，由于气候变化问题已泛政治化，许多技术性问题需要国际政治与外交谈判才能解决。

Optimized operation of cascade reservoirs on Wujiang River during 2009-2010 drought in southwest China

The effects of optimized operation principles implemented at reservoirs on the Wujiang River in southwest China between September 2009 and April 2010 under drought conditions were analyzed based on operational data collected from the Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. A set of linear regression equations was developed to identify the key factors impacting the electric power generation at reservoirs. A 59% reduction in the inflow discharge at the Hongjiadu Reservoir led to a decrease of only 38% in the total electric power generation at the Hongjiadu, Dongfeng, Suofengying, and Wujiangdu reservoirs on the Wujiang River, indicating that optimized operation can play an important role in drought management. The water level and the amount of other water inputs at the Hongjiadu Reservoir and the outflow discharge at all of the reservoirs except the Wujiangdu Reservoir were key factors affecting the total electric power generation at reservoirs on the Wujiang River under optimized operation.

Optimization of energy consumption structure based on carbon emission reduction target:A case study in Shandong Province,China

It is urgent to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to actively deal with global warming.This paper investigates Shandong Province,a typical province of energy consumption,as the research object,aiming to optimize total energy consumption and consumption structure in the future planning year.This paper constructs a methodological system to optimize energy consumption structure in Shandong Province,using a scenario combination of system dynamics(SD)prediction and analysis based on the coupling of key scenario elements affecting different energy consumption from different perspectives.Structural equation modeling and SD sensitivity analysis indicate an overlap between key factors restricting energy consumption.Pairing the key scenario factors can better reflect the internal mechanism of energy consumption development.Based on this,21 scenarios based on different combinations of the key elements are constructed.Through SD prediction and analysis,the most suitable scenario mode for optimizing energy consumption structure in Shandong Province is selected.This paper provides a suitable development range for the average gross domestic product growth rate,the proportion of secondary industry,energy consumption intensity of secondary industry,and the urbanization rate for Shandong Province.This paper can provide a reference for similar research and the government in formulating the optimization scheme of energy consumption structure.

Evaluation and advancement of the integrated circular economy model of farming and stock raising

The integrated circular economy model of farming and stock raising(ICEMFSR)has attracted increased attention as an effective model for solving the current irrational allocation of agricultural resources and realizing the agricultural value-added industrial chain.This study uses emergy analysis to comprehensively examine and evaluate the economic benefits,environmental pressures,and sustainable development levels of ICEMFSR in Shucheng County,China.The results show that the ICEMFSR possesses the value of popularization with optimally allocated resources in the studied region,in which the emergy yield ratio(EYR),emergy loading ratio(ELR),and emergy sustainable index(ESI)in this model accounted for 3.59,1.25,and 2.89,respectively.This result indicates a leading position in the national agricultural system.Hence,this study constructs a new model based on the coupling of emergy evaluation and multi-objective linear programming to study ICEMFSR.Consequently,the EYR,ELR,and ESI respectively varied by +24.23%,10.40%,and +38.06%after replanning of ICEMFSR.This variation implies a significant improvement in the sustainable development level of the model.In addition,the optimized scenario design for key substances is proposed based on traceability and the reduce-reuse-recycle principle,including biogasification of crop straw and enhancement of crop scientific planting capacity.

The Relationship between Urbanization and Domestic Energy Consumption:An Empirical Study of Shandong Province,China

The rapid development of urbanization has led to a rapid increase in total energy consumption.The proportion of domestic energy consumption to total energy consumption has gradually increased and has become the major driving force for energy consumption.With the pressure from urbanization and domestic energy consumption,it is necessary to study the impact of urbanization on domestic energy consumption of the regional level and to explore the function paths of these two factors.The findings are helpful to realize sustainable development based on the actual situation analysis,horizontal survey data and statistical yearbook panel data.The current situation and changing trends in domestic energy consumption of Shandong Province are systematically examined through field investigation and survey questionnaire.The time-series econometric model is applied to analyze the relationship between urbanization rate and total domestic energy consumption.The research results show that the total domestic energy consumption and urbanization rate of Shandong are generally increasing.The urbanization rate development and domestic energy consumption have a long-term stable and balanced relationship.An increase in urbanization rate can cause an increase in domestic energy consumption.There is a slight difference between the average total energy consumption levels of urban and rural residents,but their energy consumption structures differ a lot.These findings provide basic data support and reference for local governments to formulate energy-conservation and emission-reduction policies.

Influential Issues on Energy Conservation and Consumption in Chinese Power Industry

Due to domination of coal-fired thermal power, small power units, inadequate power grid configurations, long-distance transmission, inappropriate market and policy orientation and many other influential issues, power energy efficiency is far behind world advanced level. Suggestions are put forward in this paper.

“一带一路”倡议下的次区域与城市高质量发展

Themed"Better Sub-Regional and Urban Development from the Perspective of the Belt and Road Initiative,"the 2023 Annual Conference of the International Urban Planning Branch of the Urban Planning Society of China(UPSC)was successfully held in Kunming from Jun.23 to 25,2023.The conference,organized by the International Urban Planning Branch and hosted by the School of Architecture and Planning,Yunnan University,coincided with the 1ou anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.Thus it aimed to share new insights and practices related to sub-regional cooperation,sustainable development,global industrial restructuring,urban vitality,cross-border cultural exchanges,and more,both in China and internationally.Furthermore,the conference presented in-depth research and analysis on the strategic advantages of the Belt and Road Initiative and held dialogues and case studies on high-quality sub-regional and urban development worldwide.The goal was to provide innovative perspectives for China to implement high-quality cross-border collaboration under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.The keynote speeches given at the conference have been collected by China City Planning Review and meticulously proofread by the respective speaker.

Rapid growth of industrial nitrogen fluxes in China: Driving forces and consequences

Human activities are strongly modifying the global nitrogen (N) cycle through increasing input, N species diversity, and pool size of industrial reactive N (Nr). However, the fluxes, fates and environmental consequences of industrial Nr (excluding synthesized N fertilizer) remain poorly understood and quantified. We report here that industrial Nr flux has increased 13.4-fold over the past 30 years in China, reaching 3.7Tg N (1 Tg=10 12g) in 2008, accounting for over 50% of China's food Nr flux. Socioeconomic development (per capita GDP, urbanization and household size) significantly drives the growth of industrial Nr fluxes. This leads to "hotspots" of industrial Nr, mainly in relatively developed Eastern China. Industrial Nr loss rate during production is only 5%, much lower than that of cropland (50%) and livestock (80%). However, industrial Nr loss is point source pollution, and Nr release in concentrated doses produces serious risk in small regions. The contribution of structural N to total industrial Nr with a lifespan longer than one year (e.g., synthetic fiber, plastic) increased from 20% in 1980 to 70% in 2008. There was about 2.6 Tg N structural industrial Nr accumulated in human settlements in 2008, which could be one ex- planation of an unknown Nr sink of anthropogenic Nr input (mainly Haber-Bosch N fixation). Legacy effects caused by structural N accumulation have long-term consequences for environmental and human health, although structural N delays Nr release and reduces short-term Nr pollution. Industrial Nr use generates new features of modern global N biogeochemistry, such as increasing Nr species diversity, reducing Nr turnover rate. Future dynamics simulation of the earth system should involve industrial Nr. Explicit consideration and accounting of the fluxes and environmental consequences of industrial Nr would provide decision-makers a novel view of regional sustainable development.

全球应对气候变化:中国的定位和责任(英文)

本文分析了中国在工业化发展进程中面临的能源、资源和环境挑战,强调中国走低碳发展道路不仅是应对国际压力,更是自身可持续发展的内在需求。为了促进低碳转型,本文分别从节能和提高能效、调整经济结构、调整能源结构、保持和增强森林碳汇等四个途径分析了中国已经取得的成就和受到的制约。结论是中国在全球应对气候变化进程中,应该对自身作为发展中国家的定位有清醒的认识,并积极承担相应的国际责任。

Toxic Omissions

The New York Times published five reports in July and August detailing China’s environmental pollution issues,including carbon dioxide emissions and"toxic haze."Given that Beijing will continue to suffer under heavy smog if change is not effected,we