Abstract:The industrial sector is a major contributor to resource consumption and environmental pollution in China. The energy-intensive industrial development and energy structure are dominated by coal, which has produced an enormous amount of industrial pollutants in China, and put great pressure on the ecological environment. Hence, improving the performance of industrial green development (PIGD) has become an urgent task of utmost importance. This study applies a global non-radial directional distance function to estimate the PIGD for Jiangxi Province during [2003][2004][2005][2006][2007][2008][2009][2010][2011][2012][2013][2014][2015], and provides targeted policy suggestions. The empirical results show a rising trend in the PIGD in Jiangxi Province. At the city level, Nanchang and Fuzhou performed considerably better than other cities in regards to their PIGD. However, the poor environmental performance caused by the excessive discharge of industrial pollutants has also hindered its PIGD. Most cities in Jiangxi Province failed to efficiently use resources, especially energy and labor, in industrial production. The results of the influencing factor analysis show that the performance of industrial green development in Jiangxi could be improved through increasing per capita GDP, decreasing the share of coal consumption in the total industrial energy consumption, and decreasing the share of industrial GDP in the total GDP. Furthermore, a more efficient use of environmental management investment funds and timely transfer of the surplus industrial labor are needed.

Recent trends prove that energy production is shifting from traditional fossil fuel combustion technologies to renewable energy-based technologies. To estimate the economic efficiency of renewable energy technology implementation, the data for the EU-27 member states during the 2012–2021 period were collected; additionally, technological efficiency was analyzed based on a critical literature review. Breusch and Pagan Lagrangian multiplier tests were employed to select the most suitable econometric model. The results suggest that an increase in the share of renewable energy sources by one percentage point (1) decreased CO2 emissions by 0.137 metric tons per capita (technological efficiency) and (2) decreased greenhouse gases by 13 g per EUR, in terms of GDP (economic efficiency). Regarding the Kyoto Protocol implementation, it was found for EU-27 that an increase in the share of renewable energy sources by one percentage point was related to a decrease of one percentage point in the greenhouse gases index. GDP per capita appeared to be an insignificant driver for reductions in per capita CO2 emissions, while it proved to be important for economic efficiency models. Thus, increasing GDP per capita by 1000 USD reduces greenhouse gases by 7.1 g per EUR of GDP in EU-27. This paper also confirmed that a unit of electricity (1 kWh) generated by traditional energy plants is seven to nineteen times more environmentally costly than renewable energy generation. This paper thus concludes that digital transformations and additive manufacturing brought about the significant dematerialization of industrial production and the promotion of renewable energy on industrial and household levels.

In this study, the factors affecting economic growth in developed countries within the context of their sustainability transition are explored. By analyzing both traditional and novel factors, we aim to expand the scientific knowledge of the drivers behind sustainable economic development. To achieve this purpose, some factors that have demonstrated the potential to positively impact economic growth while simultaneously promoting environmental sustainability are included. Research results demonstrate that a 1% increase in energy consumption is associated with a 0.314% increase in real GDP, indicating a positive relationship between energy usage and economic growth. Additionally, the consumption of renewable energy boosts a positive impact on sustainable economic growth: When it grows by 1%, the real GDP increases by 0.12%. The empirical findings further reveal that scientific progress and economic freedom are significant drivers of economic growth, as a 1% increase in both factors leads to an increase in economic output by 0.349% and 0.323%, respectively. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, we provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between economic growth and sustainability in developed countries. Based on these findings, the study offers specific policy recommendations, which include the diversification of the energy mix, the promotion of education and scientific advancement, and the digitalization of public services.