This study aims to assess the effects of clean energy, environmental sustainability, and inward FDI on tourism growth in Malaysia data spanning from 1990 to 2019. The study employs the Bayer-Hanck cointegration test, ARDL bound testing, nonlinear ARDL, Toda-Yamamoto causality, and Fourier TY causality test. Additionally, dynamic OLS, fully-modified OLS, and CCR are employed to ensure robust coefficient testing. The study's findings demonstrate a noteworthy and favorable correlation between the utilization of clean energy, the advancement of tourism, and the subsequent rise in inward foreign direct investment (FDI). Moreover, the NARDL model reveals the complex interplay between adopting clean energy, environmental sustainability, and tourism growth. The causality tests, such as Fourier TY, offer valuable insights into the direction and intensity of the identified causal relationships. The study's implications are diverse and complex. Firstly, it highlights the crucial significance of clean energy as a catalyst for Malaysia's sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to leverage the economic and environmental advantages of integrating clean energy. Finally, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on the interplay between clean energy, tourism, and inward foreign direct investment (FDI), establishing a solid basis for future research in comparable settings. In conclusion, this research contributes to the enhanced comprehension of the intricate relationship between clean energy, the expansion of tourism, and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia. The utilization of various methodologies provides a comprehensive viewpoint on the dynamic relationships, emphasizing the potential for promoting sustainable development while simultaneously achieving economic benefits.
Slaughterhouse and wet market wastes are pollutants that have been always neglected by society. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than three billion and nineteen million livestock were consumed worldwide in 2018, which reflects the vast amount and the broad spectrum of the biowastes generated. Slaughterhouse biowastes are a significant volume of biohazards that poses a high risk of contamination to the environment, an outbreak of diseases, and insecure food safety. This work comprehensively reviewed existing biowaste disposal practices and revealed the limitations of technological advancements to eradicate the threat of possible harmful infectious agents from these wastes. Policies, including strict supervision and uniform minimum hygienic regulations at all raw food processing factories, should therefore be tightened to ensure the protection of the food supply. The vast quantity of biowastes also offers a zero-waste potential for a circular economy, but the incorporation of biowaste recycling, including composting, anaerobic digestion, and thermal treatment, nevertheless remains challenging.
In today's corporate world, a company's long-term viability and prosperity depend on its corporate governance practices. The present study investigates the interplay between financial misrepresentation, earnings management, and corporate governance within the context of Pakistan. To estimate the financial data of enterprises obtained from non-financial organizations listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange a panel regression analysis was conducted. The analysis covered the time from 2009 to 2020 and employed quantitative data. The findings of the study show that the different aspects of corporate governance mechanisms have varying levels of influence. Specifically, remuneration paid to directors had a significant impact on financial misstatement, while the size of the board strongly impacts the earning management. The financial misstatement was also found affected by the earning management. The M score (statistical model used to predict the probability of financial misstatement) positively influenced when board diligence was incorporated in the mediation of earning management. It is important to note that this study only considers the internal governance mechanisms of firms, suggesting that future research could benefit from the inclusion of external governance mechanisms for a more holistic model. This study is aligned with the ESG's governance aspects and SDG-17, providing valuable insights for specialists, financial backers, policymakers, and experts. The results of this study catalyze further research in this area and can aid in achieving SDG 17 by raising awareness of the significance of good governance practices, ethical reporting that leads to sustainable firm performance, and ensuring long-term economic growth and development.
The current study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the Miri coast, targeting their occurrences, characterisation, and potential sources. For a periodical study, coastal sediments were collected from three different time intervals (monsoon, post-monsoon, and post-COVID) and subjected to stereomicroscope, ATR-FTIR, and SEM-EDX analyses. These results show a significant increase of MPs in post-COVID samples by approximately 218% and 148% comparatively with monsoon and post-monsoon samples, respectively. The highest concentration of MPs was detected near the river mouths and industrial areas where the waste discharge rate and anthropogenic activities dominate. Fibre-type MPs are the most abundant, with an average of nearly 64%, followed by fragments, films, microbeads, and foams. The most dominant polymer types were polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyester (PET). Overall, the current study shows a better understanding of MPs occurrence and potential sources in the Miri coastal area.
Renewable energy systems are vital for a sustainable future, where solid-state hydrogen storage can play a crucial role. Perovskite hydride materials have attracted the scientific community for hydrogen storage applications. The current work focuses on the theoretical study using density functional theory (DFT) to evaluate the characteristics of MgXH3 (X = Co, Cu, Ni) hydrides. The structural, vibrational, electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic, and hydrogen storage properties of these hydrides were investigated. The equilibrium lattice parameters were calculated using the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state-to-energy volume curves. The elastic constants (Cij) and relevant parameters, such as Born criteria, were calculated to confirm the mechanical stability of the hydrides. The Cauchy pressure (Cp) revealed brittle or ductile behavior. The outcomes of the Pugh ratio, Poisson ratio, and anisotropy were also calculated and discussed. The absence of negative lattice vibrational frequencies in phonon dispersion confirmed the lattice's dynamic stability. The heat capacity curves of thermodynamic properties revealed that hydrides can conduct thermal energy. The metallic character and ample interatomic distances of hydrides were confirmed by the band structure and population analysis, which confirmed that hydrides can conduct electrical energy and adsorb hydrogen. The density of state (DOS) and partial DOS unveiled the role of specific atoms in the DOS of the crystal. The calculated gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity of MgCoH3, MgCuH3, and MgNiH3 hydrides was 3.64, 3.32, and 3.49wt%, respectively. Our results provide a deeper understanding of its potential for hydrogen storage applications through a detailed analysis of MgXH3 (X = Co, Cu, Ni) perovskite hydride material.
The BRICS nations-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-have grown significantly in importance over the past few decades, playing a vital role in the development and growth of the global economy. This expansion has not been without cost, either, since these countries' concern over environmental deterioration has risen sharply. Both researchers and decision-makers have focused a lot of attention on the connection between economic growth and ecological sustainability. By using nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) approach, the complex relationships were analyzed between important economic indicators-such as gross domestic product (GDP), ecological innovations (EI), energy consumption (ENC), institutional performance (IP), and trade openness (TOP)-and their effect on carbon emissions and nitrous oxide emissions in the BRICS countries from 1990 to 2021, this study seeks to contribute to this important dialog. Principal component analysis is formed for technological innovations and institutional performance using six (ICT service exports as a percentage of service exports, computer communications as a percentage of commercial service exports, fixed telephone subscriptions per 100 people, internet users as a percentage of the population, number of patent applications, and R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP) and twelve (government stability, investment profile, socioeconomic conditions, internal conflict, external conflict, military in politics, control of corruption, religious tensions, ethnic tensions, law and order, bureaucracy quality, and democratic accountability) distinct indicators, respectively. The results of nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag estimation show that increase in economic growth would increase carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. The positive and negative shocks in trade openness have positive and significant impact on carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions in BRICS countries. Furthermore, the positive shock energy consumptions have positive and significant effect on Brazil and India when carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions are used. However, EKC exists in BRICS countries when carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions are used. According to long-term estimation, energy consumption and technological innovations in the BRICS countries show a strong and adverse link with nitrous oxide and a favorable relationship with carbon dioxide emissions. In the long run, environmental indicators are seen to have a major and unfavorable impact in BRICS nations. Finally, it is proposed that BRICS nations can assure environmental sustainability if they support creative activities, enhance their institutions, and support free trade policies.
The hazardous dyes on mixing with water resources are affecting many life forms. Granite stone is popular worldwide for decorating floors, making other forms of decorative materials and items. Granite stone powder waste can be obtained free of cost from marble factories as factories spend on the disposal of this waste. In the present study, novel granite stone powder waste composite has been prepared and utilized for the effective removal of Terasil dye. Two types of granite including gray granite and white granite were used in pure, calcinized, and chemically modified forms. Freundlich adsorption isotherm model best explained the adsorption mechanism of dye removal using granite composites as compared to other adsorption isothermal models. Characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used for the determination of morphological features and functional groups of granite composites. The obtained results were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) along with the post hoc Tukey test. An extraordinarily high Terasil dye uptake capacity (more than 400 mg/g) was exhibited by granite composites prepared using sodium metasilicate. The synthesized novel nano-constructed composites provided a viable strategy as compared to the pure granite stone for dye removal from wastewater water.
The impact of global warming presents an increased risk to the world's shorelines. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that the twenty-first century experienced a severe global mean sea-level rise due to human-induced climate change. Therefore, coastal planners require reasonably accurate estimates of the rate of sea-level rise and the potential impacts, including extreme sea-level changes, floods, and shoreline erosion. Also, land loss as a result of disturbance of shoreline is of interest as it damages properties and infrastructure. Using a nonlinear autoregressive network with an exogenous input (NARX) model, this study attempted to simulate (1991 to 2012) and predict (2013-2020) sea-level change along Merang kechil to Kuala Marang in Terengganu state shoreline areas. The simulation results show a rising trend with a maximum rate of 28.73 mm/year and an average of about 8.81 mm/year. In comparison, the prediction results show a rising sea level with a maximum rate of 79.26 mm/year and an average of about 25.34 mm/year. The database generated from this study can be used to inform shoreline defense strategies adapting to sea-level rise, flood, and erosion. Scientists can forecast sea-level increases beyond 2020 using simulated sea-level data up to 2020 and apply it for future research. The data also helps decision-makers choose measures for vulnerable shoreline settlements to adapt to sea-level rise. Notably, the data will provide essential information for policy development and implementation to facilitate operational decision-making processes for coastal cities.
A major challenge in renewable energy planning and integration with existing systems is the management of intermittence of the resources and customer demand uncertainties that are attributed to climates. In emerging distributed grids, state-of-the-art optimization techniques were used for cost and reliability objectives. In the existing literature, power dispatch and demand side management schemes were implemented for various techno-economic objectives. In renewable energy-based distributed grids, power dispatch is strategic to system operations. However, demand side management is preferred, as it allows more options for customer participation and active management of energy in buildings. Moreover, the demand side management can simply follow supplies. This paper investigates the implications of demand side management as it affects planning and operations in renewable energy-based distributed grids. Integration of demand side management in customer-oriented plans such as the time-of-use and real-time-pricing on residential and commercial demands is conceptualised to ensure effective customer participation which maintains the valued comforts. Moreover, the optimised tariff integrated demand side management implementations based on the utility-initiated demand response programmes are envisaged to offset conflicting objectives of the economy and customer comforts within residential and commercial demands and are also viewed as a step towards efficient management of energy in buildings.
The bi-fluid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector was introduced to provide more heating options along with improved cooling capabilities for the PV module. Since its introduction, this type of PVT system has been investigated thoroughly in various original works. In this review paper, we intend to put the concept and applications of this technology into question and revise the main achievements and discoveries through research and development with a focus on climatic and operational parameters. The paper encompasses a critical review of the discussed research and future directions for PVT collectors. The main utilized operational modes are discussed in detail, which are (i) water used in both channels, (ii) water in one channel and air in the other, and (iii) air in both channels. The modes were found to lead to different enhancement and performance effects for the utilized photovoltaic modules. The impact of mass flow rate was also taken by keeping one working fluid constant while varying the other to obtain its impact on the energy and exergy efficiency of the collector. In some cases, the fluids were run simultaneously and, in other cases, independently.
Carbon emission trading is an important environmental policy tool to promote carbon emission reduction. With the panel data of carbon emissions trading (CET) pilots, this paper used the spatial difference-in-difference model (SDID) to test whether CET can affect the enterprise environmental responsibility and the spatial spillover effect of carbon emissions trading. The study found that CET can significantly improve the environmental responsibility level of enterprises in pilot areas. The environmental responsibility level of enterprises in surrounding areas are also improved driven by CET. In the time dimension, the role of CET in improving the enterprise environmental responsibility is gradually increasing. The impact of CET on enterprise environmental responsibility has significant heterogeneity in the dimension of ownership attributes and environmental regulation. Promoting corporate environmental protection investment is the main path for CET to improve the enterprise environmental responsibility.
Global warming remains the most devastating environmental issue embattling the global economies, with significant contributions emanating from CO2 emissions. The continued rise in the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions serves as a compelling force which constitutes the core of discussion at the recent COP26 prompting nations to commit to the net-zero emission target. The current research presents the first empirical investigation on the roles of technological advancement, demographic mobility, and energy transition in G7 pathways to environmental sustainability captured by CO2 emissions per capita (PCCO2) from 2000 to 2019. The study considers the additional impacts of structural change and resource abundance. The empirical backings are subjected to pre-estimation tests consisting of cross-sectional dependence, second-generation stationarity, and panel cointegration tests. The model estimation is based on cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag, dynamic common correlated effects mean group, and augmented mean group for the main analysis and robustness checks. The findings reveal the existence of EKC based on the direct and indirect effects of the components of economic growth. The indicators of demographic mobility differ in the direction of influence on PCCO2. For instance, while rural population growth negatively influences PCCO2 in the short-run alone, urban population growth increases PCCO2 in the short-run and long-run periods. Nonrenewable energy, information computer technology (ICT) imports, and mobile cellular subscriptions serve as positive predictors of PCCO2, while ICT exports and renewable energy moderate the surge in PCCO2. Policy implications that enhance environmental sustainability are suggested following the empirical verifications.
This study aims to understand the factors and mechanisms influencing the spatio-temporal changes of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) in the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains. The MOD13Q1 product data between June and September (peak of plants growing) during the 2001-2020 period was incorporated into the pixel dichotomy model to calculate the vegetation cover changes. Then, the principal component analysis method was used to identify the primary driving factors affecting the change in vegetation cover from the natural, human, and economic perspectives. Finally, the partial correlation coefficients of FVC with temperature and precipitation were further calculated based on the pixel scale. The findings indicate that (1) FVC in the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains ranged from 0.37 to 0.47 during the 2001-2020 period, with an obvious inter-annual variation and an overall upward trend of about 0.4484/10 a. Although the vegetation cover had some changes over time, it was generally stable, and the area of strong variation only accounted for 0.58% of the total. (2) The five grades of vegetation cover were distributed spatially similarly, but the area-weighted gravity center for each vegetation class shifted significantly. The FVC under different land use/land cover types and elevations was obviously different, and as elevation increased, vegetation coverage presented a trend of a "∩"-shape change. (3) According to the results of principal component analysis, human activities, economic growth, and natural climate were the main driving factors that caused the changes in vegetation cover, and the cumulative contribution of the three reached 89.278%. In addition, when it came to climatic factors, precipitation had a greater driving force on the vegetation cover change, followed by temperature and sunshine hours. (4) Overall, precipitation and temperature were correlated positively with FVC, with the average correlation coefficient values of 0.089 and 0.135, respectively. Locally, the correlations vary greatly under different LULC and altitudes. This research can provide some scientific basis and reference for the vegetation evolution pattern and ecological civilization construction in the region.
Every day, more and more binding materials are being used in the construction industry all over the world. However, Portland cement (PC) is used as a binding material, and its production discharges a high amount of undesirable greenhouse gases into the environment. This research work is done to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases discharged during PC manufacturing and to reduce the cost and energy incurred in the cement manufacturing process by making effective consumption of industrial/agricultural wastes in the construction sector. Therefore, wheat straw ash (WSA) as an agricultural waste is utilized as cement replacement material, while used engine oil as an industrial waste is utilized as an air-entraining admixture in concrete. This study's main goal was to examine the cumulative impact of both waste materials on fresh (slump test) and hardened concrete (compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, and dry density). The cement was replaced by up to 15% and used engine oil incorporated up to 0.75% by weight of cement. Moreover, the cubical samples were cast for determining the compressive strength, dry density, and water absorption, while the cylindrical specimen was cast for evaluating the splitting tensile strength of concrete. The results confirmed that compressive and tensile strengths augmented by 19.40% and 16.67%, at 10% cement replacement by wheat straw ash at 90 days, respectively. Besides, the workability, water absorption, dry density, and embodied carbon were decreased as the quantity of WSA increased with the mass of PC, and all of these properties are increased with the incorporation of used engine oil in concrete after 28 days, respectively.
The contributions of the tourism sector and its development to economic growth are widely recognized across the economies. However, development in this sector also has its impacts on environmental quality and sustainability. In addition, elevated economic policy uncertainty also has repercussions on the environment. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of international tourism on environmental sustainability while considering EPU, renewable energy consumption (REC), and service sector output (SSO) in the model estimated based on panel data from 17 economies. Having the heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation issues in the panel data, the author used multiple econometric methods (pooled OLS with Drisk/Kraay standard errors (DKSEs), GLS, PCSE, and quantile regressions) to examine the relationship between international tourism and environmental sustainability. DKSEs address the common issue of heteroskedasticity and GLS also accounts for both heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation. PCSE method corrects these errors. Finally, quantile regression estimates the relationships between variables at different points of the distribution. The results show that international tourism and EPU adversely impact environmental quality and sustainability by increasing GHG emissions. The findings show that increased GHG emissions from international tourism and EPU harm environmental sustainability. Furthermore, SSO and REC significantly reduce GHG emissions and enhance sustainability. Nevertheless, the tourism sector should adopt sustainable practices like using eco-friendly lodging, conserving energy and water, and utilizing renewable energy (RE) to reduce negative environmental impacts. Conserving biodiversity and regional cultures while minimizing waste and resource use is also essential. Tourists should embrace eco-friendly practices such as choosing green hotels, conserving energy and water, and supporting environmental causes while adhering to regulations to reduce emissions. The study recommends establishing uniform trade laws that support green technology and RE to reduce EPU. The findings stress the need for international collaboration to promote eco-friendly tourist practices and minimize the sector's environmental impact.
Corrosion inhibitors have offered new opportunities to bring positive impacts on our society, especially when it has helped in protecting metals against corrosion in an aqueous solution. Unfortunately, the commonly known corrosion inhibitors used to protect metals or alloys against corrosion are invariably related to one or more drawbacks such as the employment of hazardous anti-corrosion agents, leakage of anti-corrosion agents in aqueous solution, and high solubility of anti-corrosion agents in water. Over the years, using food additives as anti-corrosion agents have drawn interest as it offers biocompatibility, less toxic, and promising applications. In general, food additives are considered safe for human consumption worldwide, and it was rigorously tested and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Nowadays, researchers are more interested in innovating and using green, less toxic, and economical corrosion inhibitors in metal and alloy protection. As such, we have reviewed the use of food additives to protect metals and alloys against corrosion. The current review is significant and differs from the previous review articles made on corrosion inhibitors, in which the new role of food additives is highlighted as green and environmental-friendly substances in the protection of metals and alloys against corrosion. It is anticipated that the next generation will be utilizing non-toxic and sustainable anti-corrosion agents, in which food additives might be the potential to fulfill the green chemistry goals.
Electrodialysis desalination is constructed with a number of anion exchange membranes (AEM), cation exchange membranes (CEM), anode, cathode, adjacent silicon gasket integrated membrane spacers, and inlet/outlet holes per cell. At the boundary among an ionic solution and an ion exchange membrane, concentration polarization develops. Spacers placed in between channel's walls function as stream baffles to increase turbulence, improve heat and mass transfer, diminish the laminar boundary layer, and lessen fouling problems. The current study offers a systematic review of membrane spacers, spacer-bulk attack angles, and irregular attack angles. Spacer-bulk attack angle is accountable for variations in the pattern and direction of stream which impact heat-mass transfer and concentration polarization. Irregular attack angles (e.g., 0°, 15°, 30°, 37°, 45°, 55°, 60°, 62°, 70°, 74°, 80°, 90°, 110°, 120°) in the present study were found to provide unique stream patterns due to the spacer's filaments being less or more transverse in respect to the primary solution direction, which may significantly alter heat transfer, mass transport, pressure drop, and overall flow dynamics. Spacer applies shear stress resulting by continuous stream tangent to the membrane exterior, which lessens polarization. In the end, 45° is concluded as the preferred attack angle that offers balanced rates of heat transfer, mass transport, and pressure drop throughout the feed channel while greatly lowering the rate of concentration polarization.
Under the new development model, the digital economy has become a new engine to promote the green development of the economy and achieve the goal of "double carbon." Based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces and cities from 2011 to 2021, the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions was empirically studied by constructing a panel model and a mediation model. The results show that firstly, the effect of the digital economy on carbon emissions is a non-linear inverted "U" shaped relationship, and this conclusion still holds after a series of robustness tests; secondly, the results of the benchmark regression show that economic agglomeration is an essential mechanism through which the digital economy affects carbon emissions and that the digital economy can indirectly suppress carbon emissions through economic agglomeration. Finally, the results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions varies according to the level of regional development, and its effect on carbon emissions is mainly in the eastern region, while its impact on the central and western regions is weaker, indicating that the impact effect is primarily in developed regions. Therefore, the government should accelerate the construction of new digital infrastructure and implement the development strategy of the digital economy according to local conditions to promote a more significant carbon emission reduction effect of the digital economy.
Thermal comfort is linked to our health, well-being, and productivity. The thermal environment is one of the main factors that influence thermal comfort and, consequently, the productivity of occupants inside buildings. Meanwhile, behavioural adaptation is well known to be the most critical contributor to the adaptive thermal comfort model. This systematic review aims to provide evidence regarding indoor thermal comfort temperature and related behavioural adaptation. Studies published between 2010 and 2022 examining indoor thermal comfort temperature and behavioural adaptations were considered. In this review, the indoor thermal comfort temperature ranges from 15.0 to 33.8 °C. The thermal comfort temperature range varied depending on several factors, such as climatic features, ventilation mode, type of buildings, and age of the study population. Elderly and younger children have distinctive thermal acceptability. Clothing adjustment, fan usage, AC usage, and open window were the most common adaptive behaviour performed. Evidence shows that behavioural adaptations were also influenced by climatic features, ventilation mode, type of buildings, and age of the study population. Building designs should incorporate all factors that affect the thermal comfort of the occupants. Awareness of practical behavioural adaptations is crucial to ensure occupants' optimal thermal comfort.