Showing papers in "Chinese journal of population, resources and environment in 2016"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore some of the ethical presumptions that the issue of population growth is excluded from the sustainability discussion and explore the ethical assumptions that these assumptions are false.
Abstract: Due to a number of factors outlined in this article, the issue of population growth is excluded from the sustainability discussion. In this article, we explore some of the ethical presumptions that...
48 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed that the development of future climate negotiations and rule-making process be based on global climate justice as a standard for measuring value and a holistic view of climate justice be established.
Abstract: Adverse consequences to the ecological system and human health caused by impacts potentially attributable to climate change have already drawn great and widespread concern of many scientists and international organizations. However, we still have a hard time determining exactly the impact of climate change on the environment or the damage that climate change inflicts on countries comprising small islands or low-lying lands in light of today’s science and technology. The progress for dealing with the issue of loss and damage has been struggling for a long time from the beginning to the present. In this paper, the author begins by summarizing talks on the concept and the positions of commentators. The author is proposing that the development of future climate negotiations and rule-making process be based on global climate justice as a standard for measuring value. Also, the author proposes that a holistic view of climate justice be established. Generally, three aspects of climate justice can be deri...
27 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of investment on energy intensity by applying a unique panel data of China's 27 provinces between 2004 and 2013 was explored by applying four econometric regression model results, based on which, in general, the indigenous investment on research and development is a more powerful tool to decrease China's energy intensity regardless of region disparity.
Abstract: This article explores the effects of investment upon energy intensity by applying a unique panel data of China’s 27 provinces between 2004 and 2013. In addition, it also particularly studies other factors, such as energy price, economic structure, and urbanization. The results, based on four econometric regression model results, suggest that in general, the indigenous investment on research and development is a more powerful tool to decrease China’s energy intensity regardless of region disparity. The foreign direct investment (FDI) has a prominent but not persistent effect on energy intensity. However, the outward direct investment has not shown its significant impact on energy intensity. At the level of an aggregate economy and China’s eastern region, the results demonstrate that FDI improves energy efficiency significantly. For the central and western provinces, FDI does not support the similar conclusion. Based on these analyses, we present the corresponding regional policies for policymakers.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors constructed a system to evaluate the innovation efficiency of industrial companies within Mainland China, and a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to these indicato...
Abstract: This paper first constructed a system to evaluate the innovation efficiency of industrial companies within Mainland China. Then, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to these indicato...
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of technological development, affluence, and population on environmental performance index was analyzed and it was shown that technological development and population size have a negative impact on the environmental performance, whereas measures to improve affluence have a positive impact.
Abstract: Population growth and development patterns have a significant impact on the environmental performance. The issue of concern is whether population growth or the consumption/production patterns are responsible for environmental deterioration. This paper is an attempt to capture the impact of technological development, affluence, and population on environmental performance index, while previous studies had captured the impact of these three factors on environment only through CO2 emissions. The analysis reveals that technological development and population size have a negative impact on environmental performance, whereas measures to improve affluence have a positive impact. Technological development has increased the production of energy efficient products but at the same time consumption of these products has increased manifold leading to environmental deterioration. Demographic attributes need specific attention to improve environmental performance. This paper concludes on some policy reflections o...
16 citations
TL;DR: This article presents an application of Adaptive Genetic Algorithm Energy Demand Estimation (AGAEDE) optimal model to improve the efficiency of energy demand prediction and discusses the spurious regression phenomenon for a wide range of time series analysis in econometrics.
Abstract: In this article, we present an application of Adaptive Genetic Algorithm Energy Demand Estimation (AGAEDE) optimal model to improve the efficiency of energy demand prediction. The coefficients of the two forms of the model (both linear and quadratic) are optimized by AGA using factors, such as GDP, population, urbanization rate, and R&D inputs together with energy consumption structure, that affect demand. Since the spurious regression phenomenon occurs for a wide range of time series analysis in econometrics, we also discuss this problem for the current artificial intelligence model. The simulation results show that the proposed model is more accurate and reliable compared with other existing methods and the China’s energy demand will be 5.23 billion TCE in 2020 according to the average results of the AGAEDE optimal model. Further discussion illustrates that there will be great pressure for China to fulfill the planned goal of controlling energy demand set in the National Energy Demand Project (2014–2020).
16 citations
TL;DR: Li et al. as discussed by the authors adopted the trinomial tree model of real options to estimate the net present value (NPV) and real option value (ROV) of renewable power projects subject to the fluctuation of carbon price.
Abstract: China has promised to start the national carbon trading system in 2017. In the carbon trading system, the renewable energy projects may obtain additional benefits through the Certified Carbon Emission Reduction (CCER) trade. As the carbon price fluctuates along with the market conditions, such fluctuation enables the renewable power projects to acquire the rights of an option, i.e. it may contain an even higher value due to the uncertainties in the future. While making an investment decision, the renewable power companies may choose to make the investment immediately, or postpone the investment and accumulate more information to increase the return of investment; and for immediate investments, the return must be sufficient to exceed the potential value of a waiting option. To study the investment in renewable power projects subject to the fluctuation of carbon price, this paper adopts the trinomial tree model of real options to estimate the net present value (NPV) and real option value (ROV) of th...
15 citations
TL;DR: Based on an analysis of major recent social events in China, this paper found that command and control measures play a significant role in protecting air quality, while the law and economic and voluntary environmental safeguard measures do not during major social events.
Abstract: Based on an analysis of major recent social events in China, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 Shanghai World Expo, 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, and 2014 Beijing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference, mandatory, temporary, and indemnificatory quantitative policies aimed at protecting air quality, which were carried out by both central and local governments, made substantial contributions to changes and improvements in air quality. To some extent, the findings show that command and control measures play a significant role in protecting air quality, while the law and economic and voluntary environmental safeguard measures do not during major social events. Therefore, it reminds us the air quality could and will improve not only during major social events but also in the regular days if we implement appropriate environmental policies and safeguard measures.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors estimate the elasticity of substitution for Chinese energy-intensive sectors by incorporating technical and allocative inefficiencies, and show that most of the sectors are low substitutes between input factors and stress important differences among energy intensive sectors.
Abstract: Elasticity of substitution is traditionally estimated while ignoring technical and allocative inefficiencies, which could bias the estimates. We estimate elasticity of substitution for Chinese energy-intensive sectors by incorporating these inefficiencies. The results show most of the sectors are low substitutes between input factors and stress important differences among energy-intensive sectors. Concerning the cross-price elasticity for energy, with respect to capital (labor), the sectors are mainly characterized by weak substitutability or complementary. These imply the production structure is quite rigid and capital cannot be so readily used as a substitute for energy.
12 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors used China's regions as the object to analyze the high-level sustainability of the natural capital from the view of "ecology - efficiency - fairness" multidimensional framework.
Abstract: The three-dimension (3D) ecological footprint makes the analysis of the relationships between the demand and supply of natural capital more credible by importing footprint depth and footprint size. This article used China’s regions as the object to analyze the high-level sustainability of the natural capital from the view of “ecology – efficiency – fairness” multidimensional framework. Research showed that China’s ecological footprint has risen while bio-capacity per capita has descended in recent 20 years. This paper also discusses the spatial distribution of China’s natural capital ecological sustainability, efficiency sustainability and fairness sustainability. Finally, it builds multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) models to get multidimensional sustainability framework taking ecological sustainability, efficiency sustainability, and fairness sustainability into consideration.
11 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors proposed a welfare index system including eight functional areas based on different age groups of affected farmers, taking four districts of Wuhan City as case study area.
Abstract: Rural-urban land conversion is a universal phenomenon in the rapid process of economic development and urban growth. The welfare of farmers who lost their farmland attracted a widespread concern within the society and academia. However, further research about differentiated policies according to the characteristics of different farmer groups is still need to be conducted. This article divides the land-lost farmers into three age groups: younger than 45, 45–65, and more than 65. It proposes a welfare index system including eight functional areas based on different age groups of affected farmers, taking four districts of Wuhan City as case study area. Fuzzy mathematics method is used to derive the aggregated welfare effect index. Our analysis show that the overall welfare levels of land-lost farmers of all age groups declined, but with a varying degree, with the level of welfare in those farmers who are 45–65 years old, younger than 45 years old, and older than 65 years old decreased by 18.7%, 16.6%, and 12...
TL;DR: The only joint effort area of provincial and municipal governments resides in Guangdong Province and Shenzhen City in China's carbon emission trading system (ETS) pilots, which characterize the nat...
Abstract: The only joint effort area of provincial and municipal governments resides in Guangdong Province and Shenzhen City in China’s carbon emission trading system (ETS) pilots, which characterize the nat...
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors examined the potential impacts of climate changes on human conflicts in China and found a strong linkage between the deviation of monthly mean temperature from the historical mean and the number of mass events in a province.
Abstract: There is an increasing number of “mass events” in mainland China. My study extends the current studies to the context of China and tries to examine the potential impacts of climate changes on human conflicts in China. The results suggest a strong linkage between the deviation of monthly mean temperature from the historical mean and the number of mass events in a province. If the current trend of warming persists, in the next 6–8 decades, the number of mass events in China will increase by over 8.8%.
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper proposed a risk management tool for the international carbon market, which is relatively immature with uncertain life expectancy and volatility during its short history, and there is a lack of quantitative data on the long-term record, the market could provide few risk management tools.
Abstract: Currently, the global carbon trading systems are fragmented and belong to different governments or are under the jurisdiction of different regions, resulting in a series of new problems, such as how to link dispersed trading systems, how to compare the emission reduction of various markets and other issues. Since the development of the international carbon market is relatively immature with uncertain life expectancy and volatility during its short history, and there is a lack of quantitative data on the long-term record, the market could provide few risk management tools. Meanwhile, with the launches of China’s regional carbon trading pilots in seven provinces since 2013 and combined with the national voluntary emission trading system, carbon trading will become an important mechanism for China in achieving its emission reduction target. In the first stage, the carbon finance market is at least faced with mechanism design risks, market supply risks and compliance risks. Therefore, to secure the de...
TL;DR: In this paper, the Delphi method was used to select sustainability indicators and then a method of an analytical hierarchy process was applied to prioritize sustainable solutions in Binh Thuan experts to elicit the causes and effects of desertification.
Abstract: The link between climate change and desertification is an important global problem for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The coastal provinces in Southern Centre Vietnam are strongly influenced by desertification, which is further exacerbated by climate change. The Delphi method was used to select sustainability indicators and then a method of an analytical hierarchy process was applied to prioritize sustainable solutions in Binh Thuan experts to elicit the causes and effects of desertification. According to the panel of 23 experts, 27 cause (e.g. rainfall and sunshine duration) and 22 effect (e.g. rice and agriculture) indicators were of particular importance to desertification and drought in the province. The highest priorities for cause are given to emigration, followed by income from industry and water supply for household use. The highest priorities for effect in the area are given to socioec...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the rebound effect of the energy composite level and neither distinguish nor co-co-exist with the energy efficiency improvement at the composite level, while most of the studies focus on energy composite levels.
Abstract: Rebound effect derived from energy efficiency improvement has been widely invested. However, most of studies focus on the rebound effect of the energy composite level and neither distinguish nor co...
TL;DR: Based on Carroll's pyramid mode of CSR, the authors explores the systematic feature of Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) from a systematic perspective, it sorts out its elements, structure, function, and principles.
Abstract: Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) is the subsystem of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which continues to increase prominence in the global economy. Nowadays, CER becomes more important in corporate sustainable development. Based on Carroll’s pyramid mode of CSR, this article explores the systematic feature of CER. From a systematic perspective, it sorts out its elements, structure, function, and principles of CER. And the four levels of economic, legal, ethical, and charitable structure are emphasized. With these considerations interpreted into practice, success will be achieved in potential cost savings, technological innovation, increased public acceptance, and better relations with governments.
TL;DR: The connotation and principles of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas are the basis and guarantee for establishing and improving the ecological compensation mechanism as mentioned in this paper, which is the basis of our work.
Abstract: Understanding the connotation and principles of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas is the basis and guarantee for establishing and improving the ecological compensation mechanism...
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper studied the relationship between carbon tariff policy and industry structure of export trade and built up a relation between climate change and international trade, by applying geometric analysis and mathematical analysis to compute the impact on China's manufacturing export trade.
Abstract: In recent years, carbon emissions have gradually evolved from an environment issue into a political and economic one. Carbon tariff has brought about new trade barriers of developed countries, and in order to enhance the industrial competitiveness of developed countries, it will produce unfavorable impact on developing countries. Concentrated on the manufacturing industry, which is the most intensive high-carbon industry in China’s export structure, this article studies the relationship between carbon tariff policy and industry structure of export trade and builds up a relation between climate change and international trade. First, by means of establishing a partial equilibrium model, it applies geometric analysis and mathematical analysis to compute the impact on China’s manufacturing export trade and the consequences of the introduction of the US carbon tariff to China’s manufacturing industry that has already imposed a domestic shipping carbon tax. Furthermore, with the application of the GTAP model, i...
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors examined how college students are aware of low carbon and carbon labels, whether they are more willing to communicate low carbon ideas, and also the determinants affecting their interpersonal communication of carbon labels.
Abstract: Carbon labels are innovative medium and tools for climate change communication and low-carbon marketing. This study aims at examining how college students are aware of low-carbon and carbon labels, whether they are more willing to communicate low-carbon ideas, and also the determinants affecting their interpersonal communication of carbon labels. The multiple regression analysis shows that Chinese college students’ willingness of interpersonal communication of carbon labels are significantly influenced by their awareness of climate change crisis, the perceived value of carbon labels, the consideration of product environmental attributes, the preferences of carbon labels, the household background, and their educational background. In response to these factors, this paper proposes, in a public perspective, the strategies to enhance the dissemination of carbon labels.
TL;DR: In this article, comparable estimates of their probable effect on enterprise pollution reduction will be developed for concentration-based effluent standards, effluent taxes, and a combination of both, with one detailed application to the paper industry, some enlightenment and conclusions, as well as the general applicability of these principles are then provided.
Abstract: There are numerous studies comparing different kinds of environmental taxes and standards. However, forms of environmental standards focused by former researchers are usually quantity-based limits/standards (e.g. pounds per day or pounds per unit of output). Concentration-based emission standard (e.g. milligrams per liter of wastewater) as one important form of environmental standard has not been given much attention. In this article, comparable estimates of their probable effect on enterprise pollution reduction will be developed for concentration-based effluent standards, effluent taxes, and a combination of both. A linear simulation model is used to clearly and obviously compare the effects of effluent taxes and concentration-based standards within the same figure. With one detailed application to the paper industry, some enlightenment and conclusions – as well as the general applicability of these principles – are then provided: Under the same effluent tax rate, enterprises, groups, and indust...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the changing dynamics of urban and rural population, and forecasted the urban population from 2016 to 2030 at national and provincial scale using a double log linear regression model.
Abstract: Universal two-child policy has been implemented since the end of 2015 in China. This policy is anticipated to bring a significant increase in the total population, with profound influences on the resources and environment in the future. This paper analyzes the changing dynamics of urban and rural population, and forecasts urban and rural population from 2016 to 2030 at national and provincial scale using a double log linear regression model. Drawing upon the results of these two predictions, the impact of the population policy change on Chinese resources consumption and environmental pollution are predicted quantitatively. Given the future total population maintains current levels on resources consumption and environmental emission, the additional demand of resources and environment demand for the new population is forecasted and compared against the capacity on supply side. The findings are as follows: after implementing the universal two-child policy, China’s grain, energy consumption, domestic ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present results of the assessment on benefit sharing and payment mechanisms tested by six non-governmental organizations (NGOs)-piloted REDD+ initiatives in Tanzania.
Abstract: This paper presents results of the assessment on benefit sharing and payment mechanisms tested by six non-governmental organizations (NGOs)-piloted Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives in Tanzania. Results from the assessment indicate that models applied by most of the REDD+ pilot projects have provided most of decisions for the distribution of benefits to the communities through village general assemblies. Based on requirements of the tested models, national benefit-sharing mechanism models are proposed. Major attributes to be considered in the development of national benefit-sharing models should include: (i) ensuring that the existing government structure is not excluded to ensure sustainability; (ii) village general assembly is involved in determining the distribution of the benefits accrued; and (iii) transparency in handling the carbon finance is ensured. Models that are proposed for the national REDD+ benefit sharing apply to two forest management...
TL;DR: In this article, an empirical analysis was conducted on farmers' attitudes to income inequality based on a questionnaire survey of 308 farmers in four villages in Yingshan, Hubei Province.
Abstract: The attitude of the least advantaged people to income inequality is important in regard to social stability, which is also a major concern of the government and researchers in China. This paper aimed to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of the least advantaged people toward income inequality in China. An empirical analysis was conducted on farmers’ attitudes to income inequality based on a questionnaire survey of 308 farmers in four villages in Yingshan, Hubei Province. Our results show that the respondents consider the income inequality as severe, and ability, hard work, and individual choices are the major determinant factors of income. It is shown that farmers in less developed areas are more likely to accept income inequality, and they ascribe this to their own failure rather than to social injustice. However, it is not the case that people living in poverty-stricken areas are satisfied with anti-poverty policies; and these policies are expected to be further improved to increase the i...
TL;DR: In this paper, case studies of cycle tracks and bicycle boulevards implemented in American cities, and how these facility improvements have changed how safe cyclists feel on the road and overall bicycle usage.
Abstract: Smart growth policies advocate for economically viable, environmentally conscientious, and socially equitable solutions for urban development. These policies were developed largely in response to issues rooted in the automobile-oriented culture: air pollution, high greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, and sedentary lifestyles. In urban settings, a good transportation alternative is cycling, since it is able to serve the travel needs of nearly half of city dwellers’ daily trips. Many European and Canadian cities have successfully increased cycling rates by creating safer bicycle environments and restricting or discouraging automobile use. To evaluate the potential effects of the above measures on American urban areas, this paper examines case studies of cycle tracks and bicycle boulevards implemented in American cities, and how these facility improvements have changed how safe cyclists feel on the road and overall bicycle usage. Results show the two methods are indeed effective in increasi...
TL;DR: The measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of climate finance was originated from discussions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and has been one of the most widely used metrics for climate finance.
Abstract: The measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of climate finance was originated from discussions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It has been one of th...
TL;DR: In this article, the Shapley value of the total amount of social capital and the social capital structure was analyzed using the survey data of typical villages in Shaanxi Province, China.
Abstract: Based on the survey data of typical villages in Shaanxi Province, China, the effect of social capital on the income gap of farmers’ households was analyzed using the Shapley value of the total amount of social capital and the social capital structure. The results show the following: first, social capital can expand the household income gap, and the effect of this index on the household income gap is 7.54%. Second, the indexes of the social capital dimension can expand the household income gap, and the structural effects of the household income gap on social networks, social trust, and social participation are 3.17%, 3.64%, and 0.65%, respectively. Third, no dimension of the path is the same as the effect on the household income gap.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the effectiveness of VOC reduction policies, namely pollution charges and environmental taxes at the national and industrial sector levels, using a computable general equilibrium model, which connects macroeconomic variables with VOC emissions inventory, to simulate the effects of policy scenarios.
Abstract: The public health and ecological impacts of volatile organic compound (VOCs) pollution have become a serious problem in China, arousing increasing attention to emissions control. In this context, this paper analyses the effectiveness of VOC reduction policies, namely pollution charges and environmental taxes at the national and industrial sector levels. It uses a computable general equilibrium model, which connects macroeconomic variables with VOC emissions inventory, to simulate the effects of policy scenarios (with 2007 as the reference year). This paper shows that VOC emissions are reduced by 2.2% when a pollution charge equal to the average cost of engineering reduction methods – the traditional approach to regulation in China – is applied. In order to achieve a similar reduction, an 8.9% indirect tax would have to be imposed. It concludes that an environmental tax should be the preferred method of VOC regulation due to its smaller footprint on the macroeconomy. Other policies, such as subsidi...
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors built a water supply reliability econometric model to analyze climate changes and adaptation impact factors on water flow reliability of irrigation wells by using 100 villages' three-year (2010-2012) field survey data of five middle and eastern provinces of China.
Abstract: This paper builds a water supply reliability econometric model to analyze climate changes and adaptation impact factors on water supply reliability of irrigation wells by using 100 villages’ three-year (2010–2012) field survey data of five middle and eastern provinces of China. The results show that long-run climate change factors, adaptation measures, village-level organizations of irrigation management, as well as extreme climate factors affect the water supply reliability of irrigation wells significantly. Meanwhile, there are significant differences impacting different crops and provinces. This paper suggests that agriculture meteorological disaster monitoring and warning systems should be strengthened by increasing irrigation facilities construction and maintenance, promoting reform of agricultural irrigation water management system, and developing various forms of peasant cooperation organization in order to improve agricultural production capacity to adapt to climate change.
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper analyzed spatial and temporal variation of carbon emissions in Yantai based on energy consumption statistics for a variety of energy sorts together with industrial sectors from 2001 to 2011.
Abstract: In order to understand the characteristics of spatial and temporal variation, as well as provide effective ideas on carbon emissions and regulatory policy in Yantai, this article analyzed spatial and temporal variation of carbon emissions in Yantai based on energy consumption statistics for a variety of energy sorts together with industrial sectors from 2001 to 2011. The results were as following: First of all, Yantai’s carbon emissions grew by an average of 5.5% per year during the last 10 years, and there was a peak of 10.48 million carbon in the year of 2011. Second, compared with the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, the figures for energy carbon emissions growth rate were smaller; however the problem of carbon emissions were still more obvious. Furthermore, carbon emissions in Yantai increased rapidly before 2008; while after 2008, it increased more slowly and gradually become stable. Third, the energy consumption was different among regions in Yantai. For instance, the energy consump...