This volume illustrates the relationship between environmental factors and economic development of countries from various angles. Global warming has become a problem that threatens the whole world, especially in recent years. It is known that the main reason for this is carbon emissions. On the other hand, carbon emissions generally consist of fossil fuel-based energy consumption. This situation creates very serious environmental problems. Because of this problem, the concept of carbon zero has become very popular, especially in recent years. Many countries take some actions to minimize carbon emissions. Especially in the coming years, carbon emissions will become a competitive factor for countries and businesses. In this respect, countries with low carbon emissions will be preferred more in foreign trade. In addition, businesses that do not generate carbon emissions in the production process will also gain a significant competitive advantage in international trade. The contributions take a multidimensional outlook to energy investments and offer solutions for decision-making for energy projects in risky business ecosystems.

This book fills a gap in the literature on environmental sustainability by addressing the topic from the perspective of social and economic development. Progress in understanding and achieving sustainability requires the integration of scientific, social, economic, and legal issues. Yet progress in understanding and achieving sustainability will only be achieved through integration of scientific, social, economic, and legal aspects. A treatise on environmental sustainability should raise the current state of knowledge by proposing and recommending decision-making efforts and breaking new ground with agendas aimed for the younger generation. These younger scientists will be confronted with future uncertainty related to the set of crises that characterise the 21st Century (e.g. ecological, social, food, energy, environmental, climatic, financial, etc.). Currently, there are a number of indicators that demonstrate that ecological conditions are being compromised globally. These include reduced primary productivity, reduction in biological complexity, spreading pollution such as eutrophication, ecological degradation in any continental/basin/coastal/sea ecosystem, reduction in biodiversity, lowered resilience and slow recovery of damaged ecosystems, and reduced ecological integrity. All of these problems are related to social and economic pressure. The challenge for most ecological systems is not only to establish the baseline for current ecosystem conditions, but also to explore options for recovery and sustainability. The latter involves ecological restoration where ecosystem and environmental services are maintained and enhanced. These services are essential to social integration and economic development. This book not only introduces a theoretical and conceptual framework for the topic, but also analyses the uncertainty for sustainability because of dwindling natural resources. It includes contributions providing a basis for public policies, case studies integrating concepts and tools for solutions, and a set of position papers addressing new agenda topics that will shape the 21st century. The book will be useful for researchers, professors and students alike, as well as for all stakeholders from social, economic and academic sectors.

This new book presents important research in the field of ecological economics which is a trans-disciplinary field of academic research that addresses the dynamic and spatial interdependence between human economies and natural ecosystems. Ecological economics brings together and connects different disciplines, within the natural and social sciences but especially between these broad areas. Ecological economics presents a more pluralistic approach to the study of environmental problems and policy solutions, characterised by systems perspectives, adequate physical and biological contexts, and a focus on long-term environmental sustainability.

The 2014 International Conference on Energy and Environment (ICEE 2014) was held June 26-27 in Beijing, China. The objective of ICEE 2014 was to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, academics as well as industry professionals from all over the world to present their research results and development activities in Energy and Environment res

This text reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on economic growth and the environment, giving an in-depth empirical treatment of the relationship between the two. Various hypotheses are formulated and tested for a number of indicators of environmental pressure.

Wetlands are very sensitive and valuable ecosystems that are subject to much stress from human activities. The study presented here has developed an innovative triple layer framework for analysis of wetland management. This approach provides support for spatial matching between physical planning, hydrological and ecological processes, and economic activities. The authors describe how integrated modelling at the regional scale can be achieved in practice. Following an introduction to wetlands, theoretical aspects of the contributing disciplines are discussed, as well as various aspects of integrated and spatial modelling. An applied integrated assessment of spatial wetland management for the Vecht area between Amsterdam and Utrecht is then presented. This assessment has resulted in a set of linked hydrological, ecological and economic models, formulated at the level of grids and polders, and various types of evaluations and rankings of scenarios. The results indicate the value of maintaining spatial detail for as long as possible.

Faced with intensified ecological crisis, the Chinese government has sought policy interventions to reverse its forest degradation. Among the policy instruments is the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) that aims to transform the pattern of traditional forest management and protection and to encourage forest sustainable use by financial incentive. This book provides a policy evaluation on the payment schemes for forest ecosystem services in China. It examines PES schemes with respect to ecological effectiveness, economic and livelihood impacts, participation of local people, and the interlinkages with forest tenure reform. The evaluation is based on different cases across China's main forested regions. The implementation of payment schemes in China shows improvements in forest management and protection and an incentive-based governance method is employed instead of 'command and control'. New forest use practices are also created to couple local livelihood requirements with ecological conservation. In addition, local farmers are more and more involved in the implementation of payment schemes. Providing a comprehensive assessment of payment policies for ecosystem services in China, this book will be of great interest to policy-makers and government advisers in China, international donor agencies, and academics and students with an interest in PES and forest governance.

Designing an Innovative Pedagogy for Sustainable Development in Higher Education This book develops a "green pedagogy" and an innovation mindset in higher education by using approaches based on innovative design thinking, arts-based practices, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship for sustainable development. New pedagogical methods and educational solutions are developed throughout this book to offer pedagogical support to both students and university/college-level instructors. This book leads students as well as their instructors, through an artful and experimental way of thinking and doing, to take the ownership of the co-creation process. This is the basis for increasing social responsibility, motivation and commitment, and fostering creativity and innovation. An educational toolkit, including human-centric design methods, digital tools, creative and arts-based practices, innovation-related skills, and nascent and social entrepreneurship competencies, is provided for higher education instructors. This method kit will help instructors support students in the process of creating new knowledge for addressing real-world problems and enhance their societal involvement, foster entrepreneurial spirit, and reach opportunities for a sustainable future. Features Discusses arts-based education and entrepreneurship-based skills. Presents digital transformation and innovation-related skills for sustainable development. Proposes an experimental culture of thinking and doing. Provides agile and collaborative development methodology. Leads students to be much more creative and innovative. Offers a method kit for instructors to respond to 21st-century requirements in the field of higher education.