Investigating the response of urban surface thermal environment to urban morphology changes in Nanjing.

The urbanization process has significantly impacted urban morphology, which in turn has led to changes in the urban surface thermal environment (USTE). A summarization of the empirical patterns of past urban morphology changes and an evaluation of the USTE effects produced by different patterns will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge regarding the response of USTE to urban morphology changes and facilitate the development of sustainable urban planning and design practices. This study investigated the response of USTE to urban morphology from the overall and local based on the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) framework during 2005-2020 in Nanjing. The results validated the rationality of the LCZ framework for describing urban morphology changes and their USTE responses. It was found that the overall USTE was continuing to deteriorate, with an increase in high temperature and sub-high temperature areas. LCZ 4, LCZ 5, and LCZ 8 were the major contributors to overall urban heat, and their growth in the amount and changes in USTE characteristics mainly caused the overall USTE deterioration. In localized areas, it was found that urban regeneration had the most potential to optimize USTE. The conversion processes of LCZ 5 to LCZ 4, LCZ 8 to LCZ 4, and LCZ 8 to LCZ 5 were considered more advantageous in improving daytime USTE, which should be advocated. The results can provide important insights into the perception of urban morphology and USTE, and support the urban regeneration policies for climate-resilient cities from the environmental performance perspective.

Sustainable development goals and green human resource management: A comprehensive review of environmental performance.

Sustainable development goals and rising sustainability concerns push stakeholders and society to demand organizations adopt innovative practices that can contribute to business sustainability. This study aims to provide a systematic review through comprehensive bibliometric analysis of almost 1st quarter of the 21st century. The main focus is on how green human resource management practices promote and have a relationship with environmental performance, which is a significant part of sustainability. The authors systematically reviewed 242 top-tier articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases by following the "preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses" methodology. A significant relationship began in 2015 and gained popularity after COVID-19. The studies suggest that management should embrace the most demanding green human resource management practices, such as green competence building, motivation enhancement, and employee involvement, for better environmental performance. So, organizations can help acquire and retain committed and eco-friendly employees whose ecological values and objectives are compatible with the organization. The study also provides insight into the role of green human resource management practices in fostering eco-friendly behaviour of employees that, in turn, influence environmental performance. Most authors used the theory of ability-motivation-opportunity, a supporting mechanism for how organizations protect the environment through adopting green human resource management practices. In the future, corporate environmental responsibility, environmental regulations intensity, pro-environmental behaviour, and green work-life balance are suggested mechanisms to enhance environmental performance through green human resource management practices.

The influence of green human resource management on university sustainability in higher education: the role of mediating environmental performance and green commitment.

The purpose of the research is to examine how green human resource management (GHRM) contributes to the sustainability of the university. This study also focuses on how environmental performance and dedication to sustainability can act as mediators. Additionally, it seeks to examine the interplay between GHRM practice and university sustainability and how green environmental success and green dedication moderate that interaction. As the primary technique of data collection, a survey questionnaire on green HRM and environmental factors was distributed to a total of 273 university staff at Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia. The results of staff environmental performance and commitment point to a beneficial impact on sustainability in higher education institutions. Our study also demonstrates that when an employee scores highly on green performance evaluation and appraisal, the impact of green HRM practices on green dedication is more significant. By connecting green HRM practices to university sustainability through sustainability impact and green commitment, the current study adds fresh theoretical insights into the field of environmental management literature. Our findings give staff members advice on how and when to use green HRM techniques to improve university sustainability in higher education institutions.

The hidden concept and the beauty of multiple "R" in the framework of waste strategies development reflecting to circular economy principles.

There are numerous unresolved research questions, along with ongoing debates, regarding how to achieve a circular economy and at what level. The forthcoming circular economy standard (ISO 59000 framework, ISO59010) as a result from the ISO/TC 323, from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) aims to offer global implementation pathways using a unified technical language. The most challenging aspect of circularity, whether viewed scientifically, technically, and/or legislatively, is how to enhance prosperity while reducing reliance on primary materials and energy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, thereby aiding the EU in achieving a successful and equitable transition towards a sustainable future. Strategies in the framework of waste management and circular economy are essential and needed to reduce the impact of several processes on the environment through product, processes, and corporate policies using green applicable sustainable resources and environmental management systems. In addition, "measuring something that is not there" is very complex and not fully comprehensible, not clear and not tangible from organizations, researchers, policy makers and citizens. The willingness and ability of individuals or organizations to take actions towards a low-carbon society involves grappling with various perspectives, such as social norms and economic viability. Circular economy is considered a tool in combating climate change and implementing climate mitigation (as well as adaptation) measures. Moreover, to date, there has been no common scientific or technical language for the application of the circular economy concept. This paper highlights the multitude of "Rs" beyond the well-known (3Rs) Reduce-Reuse-Recycle pattern, which can be applied in various contexts to assist SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), organizations and even citizens successfully adopt circular economy principles. Is also explores how these "Rs" can be utilized to measure intangible aspects (something that is not there). The results indicate that more than 55Rs exist which directly involved in the circular economy framework, also considering waste management strategies. The findings of this study reveal the existence of over 100 "Rs" beyond the well-known principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle," each playing a distinct role in the development of strategies aimed at addressing waste management issues and advancing circularity towards a low-carbon society. Furthermore, the results could be useful for any policy makers, consultants, engineers, practitioners, urban planners, academics etc., in order to develop, apply, monitor, measure and improve any strategy such as circular economy strategy, waste prevention, zero waste, reuse, reduce, energy recovery etc., in the framework of circular economy principles, solid waste management and beyond.

Effect of stakeholder pressure on environmental performance: Do virtual CSR, green credit, environmental and social reputation matter?

In today's globalized and interconnected world, businesses operate within an interconnected network with various stakeholders. Among these stakeholders, the pressure from consumers, investors, regulators, and communities for corporations to adopt environmentally responsible practices has intensified significantly. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between stakeholder pressure and environmental performance (EP) in Pakistan's manufacturing sector while examining the potential moderating roles of environmental reputation, social reputation, virtual CSR, and green credit. Data was gathered by convenience sampling and a cross-sectional research approach. A structural questionnaire was given to 376 employees of manufacturing firms that are listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE). The research hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM techniques, which examined the interactions between these variables. The results reveal that stakeholder pressure significantly influences the environmental performance of manufacturing firms. Environmental reputation and virtual CSR negatively moderate the relationship between stakeholder pressure and EP. Moreover, social reputation and green credit positively moderate the relationship between stakeholder pressure and EP. These results contribute to the existing literature by shedding light on how stakeholder pressure influences firms' environmental behavior. Practical implications include integrating virtual CSR strategies, securing green financing options, and building strong environmental and social reputations to effectively respond to stakeholder demands and improve environmental performance.

Does firm carbon risk matter to banks? Evidence from the US syndicated loan market.

Using two measures of firm carbon-risk exposure to capture convergent materiality, we examine whether the syndicated loan market considers borrowers' carbon-risk exposure in loan pricing. We find that carbon intensity does not constitute material information for banks, whereas environmental scores have a statistically significant but incidental economic effect on loan spreads. We also find inconclusive evidence that the market differentiates between firms in high and low environmentally sensitive industries. Finally, we show that green banks charge higher loan spreads to more environmentally responsible firms. Overall, we provide strong evidence that environmental scores matter in loan pricing decisions.

Materials Challenges in the Electric Vehicle Transition.

The ongoing transition toward electric vehicles (EVs) is changing materials used for vehicle production, of which the consequences for the environmental performance of EVs are not well understood and managed. We demonstrate that electrification coupled with lightweighting of automobiles will lead to significant changes in the industry's demand not only for battery materials but also for other materials used throughout the entire vehicle. Given the automotive industry's substantial consumption of raw materials, changes in its material demands are expected to trigger volatilities in material prices, consequently impacting the material composition and attractiveness of EVs. In addition, the materials recovered during end-of-life recycling of EVs as the vehicle fleet turns over will impact recycled material supplies both positively and negatively, impacting material availabilities and the economic incentive to engage in recycling. These supply chain impacts will influence material usage and the associated environmental performance of not only the automotive sector but also other metal-heavy industries such as construction. In light of these challenges, we propose the need for new research to understand the dynamic materials impacts of the EV transition that encompasses its implications on EV adoption and fleet life cycle environmental performance. Effectively coordinating the coevolution of material supply chains is crucial for making the sustainable transition to EVs a reality.

The impact of corporate climate risk perception on green outward foreign direct investment.

How to address climate risks and achieve green transformation has become a critical issue that businesses urgently need to consider. We apply growth option theory and prospect theory to examine the impact of corporate climate risk perceptions on green outward foreign direct investment (GFDI) using a research sample of heavily polluting listed companies in China from 2009 to 2022. Our findings reveal that companies with higher perceived climate risks tend to increase their inclination towards GFDI, and the informal hierarchy of boards reinforces the positive effect of both. Supplementary analyses indicate that through GFDI, corporations can exert positive effects on their own environmental performance and future green innovations. The positive impact is notably more visible in nonstate-owned companies and sample units from provinces along the Belt and Road. These findings extend the economic consequences of climate risk at the firm level from the perspective of international business research and provide empirical references for firms to promote their own green transformation from a practical perspective.

The synergistic impact of incentive and regulatory environmental policies on firms' environmental performance.

The imperative to enhance corporate environmental performance is not only pivotal for a company's growth but also crucial for fulfilling societal responsibilities and protecting global environmental interests. Recognizing the inadequacies of standalone environmental policies, our study delves into the synergistic effects of incentive-based and regulatory approaches on the environmental performance of listed firms in China. We meticulously examine the interplay between environmental punishment and subsidies over the period of 2015-2019. Our analysis reveals that a strategic combination of punishment and subsidies can substantially improve firms' environmental performance. This effect intensifies with the increasing amounts of fines and subsidies. Additionally, we explore the dynamic effects of policy implementation. Our results indicate that subsidies implemented either a year before or after the imposition of punishment might diminish the effectiveness of standalone environmental penalty policies. Furthermore, our findings suggest that diverse regulatory policies enhance firm environmental performance by promoting investments in environmental protection and fostering green innovation. This discovery highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of policy mixes and their implications for corporate environmental strategies.

Crude oil price volatility and environmental performance.

We study the relationship between crude oil price volatility and corporate environmental performance. Using an extensive dataset from 32 countries consisting of 18,464 firm-year observations, we provide strong evidence that oil price volatility significantly increases firms' environmental performance. Our main inference is robust when using alternative measures of oil price volatility and environmental performance, alternative econometric specifications and samples, and several approaches to control for endogeneity. In a set of additional analyses, we first conduct a difference-in-differences analysis that exploits the Arab Spring as an exogenous oil price volatility increase and document a stronger relationship between oil price volatility and environmental performance in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. We second identify (i) capital expenditures and (ii) alternative energy importation as two mechanisms through which oil price volatility influences environmental performance. We finally show that national culture plays a significant role in moderating the relationship between oil price volatility and environmental performance. Taken together, our empirical findings highlight the role of economic uncertainty in affecting firms' environmental performance and provide significant contributions to management and policymakers.

Modeling green energy and innovation for ecological risk management using second generation dynamic quantile panel data model.

Ecological risk management has emerged as a critical research and policy development area in energy and environmental economics. Sustained ecology is crucial for the standard of living and food security. As the adverse impacts of environmental degradation and climate change become increasingly apparent it is imperative to understand ecological risk and its interconnectedness with environmental pressure, clean energy, economic activity, globalization, and green technology. Ecological risk is assessed using the environmental performance index which is a holistic indicator of climate change, environmental pressures and human actions in which most of these indicators have spatial effects. This paper explores the multifaceted relationship between identified anthropogenic critical factors and their role in effectively managing ecological risk globally. This study has developed the second-generation dynamic panel quantile regression considering spatial effects of economic activities on ecology across borders of 55 countries between 1995 and 2022. This innovative hybrid estimation scheme that integrated theoretical and econometric aspects makes the model robust to major regression issues. Several implications ranked in decreasing order of its effectiveness are reducing environmental pressure, expediting energy transition, and embracing economic integration while there is a need to work on rejuvenating green technology and green growth.

Assessment of the environmental performance of sugarcane companies based on waste disposed of on the soil.

Purpose: This study aimed to present an index (IEP) to evaluate the environmental performance of the sugar-energy industrial process based on the waste generated in manufacturing operations. The residues considered in this study were: vinasse, filter cake, ash and soot, residual waters, and sewage sludge. Methods: The index created was developed to take into account, and to be directly proportional to the environmental impact of each residue generated by the sugar-energy production, to the relative spatial dispersion that each waste can reach, and to the environmental fragility of the hydrographic basin where the plant under evaluation is inserted and works. The lower IEP, the better the company valuation. Results: The index was tested in a real company and exhibited an IEP Total = 1,4.1013 km2.p/yr, which shows weak waste management by the enterprise. Vinasse was responsible for 50% of the IEP Total, while filter cake contributed 45% to it. Ash and soot, residual waters, and sewage sludge were together responsible for 5% of the IEP Total. Conclusion: The theoretical conception used in this study is inspiring for the development of new studies on environmental assessment measurement. The study showed that vinasse is the most problematic waste in environmental terms, a conclusion that is in line with academic studies. Nevertheless, the waste with the greatest potential impact on the environment is filter cake. Despite this, filter cake presented a lower IEP(i) than vinasse, given that its negative impact on the basin is smaller. Both wastes contributed 95% of the IEP Total, which places them among the residues to be managed with greater attention.

Regulatory distance and corporate environmental performance: From the perspective of rent-seeking distance.

This paper investigates the impact of regulatory distance on corporate environmental performance using data from Chinese A-share listed companies. The results demonstrate that staying away from regulatory agencies significantly improves corporate environmental performance. The potential impact mechanism is that the increase in regulatory distance significantly suppresses rent-seeking activities. The above impacts are particularly pronounced in companies with weak CEO political and financial connections, state-owned enterprises, and firms in regions with low levels of marketization, owing to the fact that these company characteristics influence firms' ability or inclination to participate in rent-seeking. Further evidence indicates that the effect of regulatory distance on environmental performance will be significantly enhanced by strengthening media regulation and anti-corruption efforts.

Sustainability-oriented management in the SMEs. A multilevel analysis in the European Union.

This research focuses on SMEs in the EU and their acceptance of circular economy practices, with a special attention to the structural characteristics that might be significant drivers. Eight indicators of environmentally friendly practices are studied: water saving, energy saving, renewable energy, material saving, waste reduction, sale of waste materials, waste recycling, and eco-designed products. A sample of European SMEs from EU-28 data (countries at the time of the survey) is used to test hypotheses through eight multilevel probit regression models. Company- and country-level covariates are added to the multilevel models. The results showed that the number of employees, the business sector and the type of products/services sold have an impact on environmentally friendly practices. On the other hand, at the national level, per capita GDP and greenhouse gas emissions are the most relevant factors in the eight models. These findings are relevant for the implementation of the European Green Deal, which aims to increase resource efficiency through the transition to a cleaner EU and circular economy.

Geopolitical risk and firm-level environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.

This study investigates the impact of geopolitical risk on firm-level environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Using a news-based indicator of geopolitical risk across 41 countries and a comprehensive dataset spanning from 2002 to 2021 with 65,354 firm-year observations, we uncover that geopolitical risk is negatively associated with ESG performance. Our findings remain robust even when considering alternative measures of geopolitical risk, ESG components, and sub-samples. Moreover, we address potential endogeneity concerns through two-stage least squares, propensity score matching and entropy balancing approaches. Interestingly, we find that the effect of geopolitical risk is positive for countries with lower geopolitical risk and high peace, indicating that relatively stable environments can incentivize firms to enhance their sustainability practices. We also examine the potential channel effects of cash holding, corporate investment, and cost of capital, and found significant effects. Overall, this paper underscores the significance of geopolitical risk as a macro-level shock that significantly influences ESG performance.

Assessing the impact of environmental regulations on environmental performance in Chinese cities: A spatial Stochastic Frontier Model with endogeneity analysis.

The Chinese government has implemented environmental regulations to address the deterioration of air quality associated with rapid industrialization. However, there is no consensus on whether environmental regulations are beneficial to environmental performance. The technical challenges related to endogeneity and spatial correlation may bias the estimation of the emission reduction effect of regulations. In this study, we comprehensively evaluate the environmental performance of sulfur dioxide regulations in Chinese cities using a novel stochastic frontier model that introduces the single control function to correct estimation errors caused by spatial spillovers and endogeneity. Our analysis emphasizes that insufficient resolution of endogeneity or spatial spillovers may lead to underestimation or neglect of the environmental performance improvements achieved by these regulations. On the contrary, our revised research results indicate that regulations aimed at reducing sulfur dioxide emissions not only successfully control sulfur dioxide emissions, but also have a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions. In addition, we conduct in-depth research on the mechanisms by which environmental regulations improve performance by stimulating green technology innovation and promoting industrial structure upgrading. Based on our research findings, we propose policy recommendations to establish a city cooperation mechanism of technology exchange to achieve synergistic emission reduction and strengthen regional factor circulation.

Mitigating the environmental concerns through total quality management and green manufacturing practices.

This study seeks to explore the intricate relationship between total quality management (TQM) and environmental performance (EP), incorporating the mediating role of green manufacturing practices (GMPs). Additionally, the study examines the moderating impact of environmental strategy on the connections between GMPs and EP. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to managers of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and were subjected to analysis using structural equation modeling. The results reveal a positive and significant impact of TQM on EP. Furthermore, the findings suggest that GMPs partially mediate the association between TQM and EP, while the anticipated moderating effect of environmental strategy between GMPs and EP is also supported in this study. These outcomes hold valuable implications for enhancing the environmental performance of SMEs through the integration of TQM and GMPs. It is important to note that this research exclusively focuses on manufacturing SMEs; therefore, future studies should extend their examination of this concept to other industries. Additionally, the study's findings provide a valuable roadmap for SME administrators aiming to elevate their environmental performance.

Measuring urban environmental performance in China: A Euclidean distance function approach.

Air pollution has been one of the biggest environmental challenges for cities in their pursuit of sustainability. The removal of air pollutants usually entails a cost that can negatively impact economic activities. Assessing urban environmental performance can offer valuable insights for cities to balance their economic production and environmental protection. This paper develops a novel approach to measuring environmental performance by using the Euclidean distance function. An appealing feature of this approach is its ability in endogenously allocating the optimization pathway to each emitter, thereby avoiding arbitrary estimation results and distorted managerial implications. We apply this approach to study the environmental performance of Chinese key environmental protection cities. We find the heterogeneity in performance estimates and endogenous optimization pathways. Prioritizing the reduction of a specific type of emissions while simultaneously increasing industrial output value seems to be the most appropriate objective for the majority of cities. Our study can serve as a basis for urban governments to pinpoint the underlying factors contributing to low urban environmental performance and establish diverse objectives for enhancing environmental performance.

Growing success with sustainability: The influence of green HRM, innovation, and competitive advantage on environmental performance in the manufacturing industry.

President Xi set a long-term mitigation target of carbon neutrality by 2060 in September 2020 to cut carbon emissions and improve environmental performance. As a result, the current study aims to investigate how green human resource management and green innovation affect environmental performance in pursuit of the ultimate objective of carbon neutrality. Furthermore, the research considers the potential mediating effect of a green competitive advantage to clarify the mechanisms by which GHRM and green innovation impact environmental performance. Data from 278 employees in the manufacturing industry of Heilongjiang Province were collected through a questionnaire, for which we used a quantitative random sampling technique. The study employed the Smart PLS-4 structural equation modeling technique and revealed that all three factors significantly influenced environmental performance: green HRM, innovation, and competitive advantage. Resource-based view (RBV) theory served as the theoretical foundation for the study. The study uniquely contributes to the literature on GHRM, green innovation, competitive advantage, and environmental performance.

A comprehensive analysis of key factors' impact on environmental performance: Evidence from Globe by novel super learner algorithm.

This study aims to analyze comprehensively the impact of different economic and demographic factors, which affect economic development, on environmental performance. In this context, the study considers the Environmental Performance Index as the response variable, uses GDP per capita, tariff rate, tax burden, government expenditure, inflation, unemployment, population, income tax rate, public debt, FDI inflow, and corporate tax rate as the explanatory variables, examines 181 countries, performs a novel Super Learner (SL) algorithm, which includes a total of six machine learning (ML) algorithms, and uses data for the years 2018, 2020, and 2022. The results demonstrate that (i) the SL algorithm has a superior capacity with regard to other ML algorithms; (ii) gross domestic product per capita is the most crucial factor in the environmental performance followed by tariff rates, tax burden, government expenditure, and inflation, in order; (iii) among all, the corporate tax rate has the lowest importance on the environmental performance followed by also foreign direct investment, public debt, income tax rate, population, and unemployment; (iv) there are some critical thresholds, which imply that the impact of the factors on the environmental performance change according to these barriers. Overall, the study reveals the nonlinear impact of the variables on environmental performance as well as their relative importance and critical threshold. Thus, the study provides policymakers valuable insights in re-formulating their environmental policies to increase environmental performance. Accordingly, various policy options are discussed.