A green method to clean copper slag and rapidly recover copper resources via reduction-sulfurizing smelting and super-gravity separation at low temperature

Massive copper slag containing heavy metals is produced in copper making and 0.5 - 8.0 wt% Cu is lost into it, deserving to be recovered. In this study, the waste coke and gypsum were employed to clean the copper slag, the lost copper was reduction-sulfurized and enriched to the matte droplets. However, the free-settling of matte droplets under normal gravity needed a higher temperature of 1350 ℃. On this basis, the matte droplets were efficiently separated from the cleaned slag via super-gravity at a low temperature of 1200 ℃ within 3 min, the recovery ratio of Cu was up to 99.56%, and the grade of Cu in the matte phase and cleaned slag was 85.84 wt% and 0.08 wt%, respectively. Moreover, the migration, distribution and leaching behavior of heavy metal elements (Pb, Zn, Ni, etc.,) were performed and analyzed, and the treatment and utilization of volatilized vapors and tailings were also discussed. This study proposed a green method to clean the copper slag and simultaneously recover copper resources via reduction-sulfurizing smelting and super-gravity separation at a low temperature, providing scientific guidance and application prospects for the synergistic treatment of hot copper slag with waste coke and gypsum.

A simple green method for in-situ selective extraction of Li from spent LiFePO4 batteries by synergistic effect of deep-eutectic solvent and ozone

Efficient and clean extraction lithium (Li) from spent LiFePO4 batteries (LIBs) still remains a challenge. In this paper, a green deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on ethylene glycol (EG) and choline chloride (CC), combined with ozone (O3) from air source, realized highly selective leaching Li from LiFePO4 in situ for the first time. The influence of experimental parameters on Li and Fe leaching efficiencies (ηLi, ηFe) were studied by orthogonal and single-factor tests, and ηLi ≥ 92.2% while ηFe ≤ 1.6% were obtained under the optimal conditions (6 h, 20 g/L, 8EG:1CC, 40 °C). The impurity Fe in the filtrate was completely precipitated as amorphous FePO4·3H2O after heating (150 °C, 0.5 h), achieving a pure Li-solution. The leaching mechanism elucidated that the synergistic effect (acidification, replacement and oxidation reaction) between the DES and O3 determined the phase transition of Li and Fe, promoting the efficient selective extraction of Li and in-situ separation of Fe (FePO4). The average ηLi and ηFe were separately 85.4% and 2.0% after ten cycles of the 8EG:1CC, indicative of its' excellent reusability. Meanwhile, LiCl was recovered from the filtrate. This process avoided the use of strong acid/alkali and discharge of waste water, providing fresh perspectives on the green recovery of spent LiFePO4 batteries.

Sustainable poverty alleviation through forests: Pathways and strategies

Forests are the most productive terrestrial ecosystems across the world. They can play both a direct and indirect role in global poverty alleviation through their social, economic and environmental functions. However, the potential of forests in poverty alleviation is underestimated to a great extent. Sustainability, the most essential advantage and characteristic of forests for poverty alleviation, has not been fully recognized. To that end, we propose the concept of sustainable poverty alleviation through forests (SPAF). This concept shifts the vision of poverty alleviation through forests from a narrow focus on subsistence and livelihood to a sustainable poverty alleviation that promotes all dimensions of human development. There is abundant evidence that forests can at least contribute to sustainable poverty alleviation through a synergy of seven pathways: subsistence materials, health, income, employment, women's empowerment, climate change mitigation and biodiversity, which are highly consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SPAF also faces enormous implementation challenges, so a sustainable global strategy is urgently needed to provide direction for worldwide poverty alleviation at the crossroads of nature and humanity.

Impact of green digital finance on green economic recovery and green agricultural development: implications for green environment

This study explores the potential of green digital finance and green agricultural growth to contribute to the green economic recovery of the BRICS economies. We examine the relationship between these variables using empirical data and various statistical techniques, including vector error correction, co-integration, unit root tests and long-run analysis. Our results suggest that well-functioning financial institutions play a crucial role in facilitating the structural transformation of green digital finance and promoting green agricultural growth to achieve green economic recovery in the BRICS region. Our findings underscore the need for pro-financial and green economic development policies and institutions to support and enhance economic recovery. Our results are robust and supported by our study. We also suggest future research directions for stakeholders interested in promoting sustainable economic growth in the BRICS countries.

Revitalizing our earth: unleashing the power of green energy in soil remediation for a sustainable future

This study investigates the feasibility of using renewable energy sources in soil remediation to advance green recovery in a way that is both sustainable and kind to the environment. The report stresses the need to reduce the adverse effects of soil pollution in China and foster economic recovery. This study aims to determine how green energy may be most effectively used in soil remediation operations. Using renewable energy sources to power remediation procedures and phytoremediation is presented in this research as two ways to achieve green recovery in soil remediation. The analysis in this work employs the unit root, auto-regressive distributive lag (ARDL), and vector error correction model (VECM) methods. Based on our research, we know that using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power may significantly lessen the environmental impact of soil remediation while simultaneously advancing the cause of sustainability. Phytoremediation is a low-cost, environmentally friendly option that utilizes plants to degrade and remove soil pollutants. The study's findings also stressed the need to consider various remediation strategies' advantages and disadvantages. The study's findings also exposed the potential advantages and disadvantages of phytoremediation, as was the method's viability for use in extensive soil remediation initiatives. The report concludes by emphasizing the need to assess soil remediation and green recovery's more enormous social and environmental implications. We can build a more sustainable future, encourage economic recovery, and combat environmental degradation using renewable energy sources and cutting-edge remediation techniques. The article suggests doing more studies to learn more about the pros and downsides of combining soil remediation and green recovery initiatives.

Role of green financing in developing sustainable business of e-commerce and green entrepreneurship: implications for green recovery

The present study examines the impact of green financing on the development of sustainable businesses operating in the e-commerce and green entrepreneurship sectors. The findings of this research have potential implications for promoting green recovery. The research primarily examines the issue of financing constraints that impede the growth and long-term viability of green businesses, with a specific focus on low-income countries and emerging economies. This study employs panel data from 2010 to 2020, encompassing multiple countries, and utilizes an econometric model to examine the association between green financing and the advancement of sustainable enterprises. The study's findings illustrate the favorable effects of green financing on the expansion and long-term viability of e-commerce and green entrepreneurship. The analysis demonstrates that the availability of green financing plays a substantial role in facilitating the advancement of business models that prioritize environmental sustainability. This, in turn, supports promoting a green recovery and facilitates sustainable economic development. The study emphasizes the significance of customized financial assistance mechanisms that cater to the distinct requirements and attributes of the e-commerce and green entrepreneurship industries. The findings emphasize the capacity of green financing to facilitate the shift toward a more sustainable and ecologically aware economy. The findings of this study hold considerable implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs operating in low-income countries and emerging economies. It offers valuable insights into the crucial role that green financing plays in fostering the development of sustainable businesses and facilitating initiatives aimed at achieving environmental recovery.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on climate change summit negotiations from the climate governance perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the world since 2020, with over 647 million confirmed cases and 6.7 million reported deaths as of January 2023. Despite its far-reaching impact, the effects of COVID-19 on the progress of global climate change negotiations have yet to be thoroughly evaluated. This discussion paper conducts an examination of COVID-19's impact on climate change actions at global, national, and local levels through a comprehensive review of existing literature. This analysis reveals that the pandemic has resulted in delays in implementing climate policies and altered priorities from climate action to the pandemic response. Despite these setbacks, the pandemic has also presented opportunities for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. The interplay between these outcomes and the different levels of governance will play a crucial role in determining the success or failure of future climate change negotiations.

Bicycle industry as a post-pandemic green recovery driver in an emerging economy: a SWOT analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed socioeconomic vulnerabilities around the world. After fighting the coronavirus for more than 1 and a half years now, the countries are recovering from the epidemic with the help of cutting-edge medical research. The policymakers are implementing stimulus packages for post-pandemic economic recovery. However, sustainable "green recovery" plans are yet to get adequate attention. Sustainable investment in green industries can create green jobs, promote a low-carbon economy, and foster long-lasting economic growth in the post-pandemic world. COVID-19 affected countries with emerging economies call for even more focus on such investments. In Bangladesh, the bicycle industry - a growing low-carbon industry - has been showing promising potential for growth since the beginning of the pandemic. Both the local and global markets of Bangladeshi bicycles have seen substantial growth during the epidemic. In this paper, we analyze the potential of the Bangladeshi bicycle industry as an effective green recovery driver. We conduct semi-structured interviews with relevant experts and professionals, analyze their opinions, and perform a "strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)" analysis. The analysis reveals valuable insights regarding post-pandemic sustainable economic and environmental recovery which will be beneficial to the policymakers of Bangladesh and similar developing countries.

Climate risk, natural resources, and climate change mitigation options in BRICS: implications for green recovery

The study tests the dynamic nexus between climate risk, natural resource exploration strategy in BRICS economies, and climate change mitigation. The study further extended the research aim and presented the recommendations for greening the globe by suggesting green recovery. Climate change protection and climate risk reduction may be efficiently funded using climate risks and natural resources. Still, it is vital to look at the carbon risk in BRICS countries as an example. The researchers used the GMM analysis technique to infer the study findings. According to the study's findings, environmental mitigation was significant at 17%, and financial strength and carbon risks were significant at 22.0%. In addition, the 20.5% association between climate risks and environmental drift in the BRICS nations highlights climate change concerns. A state's financial strength is essential to execute green economic recovery strategies, one of the most highly regarded measures to reducing climate change and guaranteeing long-term economic status at the national level. As a result of the study on green economic growth, decision-makers are provided with specific policy recommendations.

From COVID-19 to Green Recovery with natural capital accounting

The COVID-19 pandemic and related social and economic emergencies induced massive public spending and increased global debt. Economic recovery is now an opportunity to rebuild natural capital alongside financial, physical, social and human capital, for long-term societal benefit. Yet, current decision-making is dominated by economic imperatives and information systems that do not consider society's dependence on natural capital and the ecosystem services it provides. New international standards for natural capital accounting (NCA) are now available to integrate environmental information into government decision-making. By revealing the effects of policies that influence natural capital, NCA supports identification, implementation and monitoring of Green Recovery pathways, including where environment and economy are most positively interlinked.

Green Banking-Can Financial Institutions support green recovery?

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has impeded the transition to sustainability and net-zero targets. The immediate focus on health-related issues limits the progress of the pro-ecological initiatives. Financial institutions can play a pivotal role in supporting green recovery, notably in emerging markets. This paper evaluates the incentives of sustainable financing for banking firms in member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Using a comprehensive sample of banks between 2011 and 2021, we report that increasing green exposure will improve the intermediation spread. Similarly, when banks have environmental considerations for extending loans, their risk of default will reduce. The impact of green financing is more profound for smaller banks indicating that responsible lending provides them with new earning avenues while mitigating the risk. The findings are reassurance for green recovery, and because of the explicit benefits, banks can play a critical role in helping in achieving sustainable development goals. The results have important implications for regulators, monetary authorities, and the banking sector since green financing can lead to more efficient and resilient financial systems.

A multiscale integrated analysis of the COVID-19 restrictions: The energy metabolism of UK and the related socio-economic changes

The COVID-19 pandemic and the related lockdown restrictions have imposed a wide range of impacts that need to be analysed based on the specific characteristics of countries. By comparing socio-economic and energy data for the four quarters of 2020 to the same period of 2019, the MuSIASEM approach is used, for the first time, to investigate the energy metabolism of UK during a period of economic downturn. Results show that the commercial and the public administration activities have been able to achieve energy efficiency increases, and the residential sector has accounted for energy-related economies of scale. The industrial and the other activity sectors, on the contrary, have raised the energy intensity of production. Comparted to time series data, scenarios, and modelling exercises, the MuSIASEM approach integrates a wide range of intensive and extensive variables across different scales of analysis and investigate how specific socio-economic and energy structures have reacted to the COVID-19 crisis. The methodology can be easily replicated for other case studies and results can support the design of recovery and sustainable transition strategies.

Analyzing and visualizing global research trends on COVID-19 linked to sustainable development goals

This study is intended to afford a comprehensive overview of the implications of COVID-19 on progress toward achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set out in the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and the state of related research activities on COVID-19 linked to the SDGs. Bibliometric techniques and visual mapping are proposed as methodological tools to better approach the objectives of the present work. This includes: retrieving related publications from Scopus database, investigating the trends and growth trajectories of research works, and analyzing the scenarios post-COVID-19 either optimistic or pessimistic outlooks. The national and international contributions and collaboration toward this theme of research are further analyzed at countries, institutions, and sources levels. This analysis indicates that research works conducted on the impacts of COVID-19 on the achievement of the SDGs are still in the immaturity level. The global research productivity on this topic was just 160 documents (0.19% of total global research productivity in all fields of science with relevance to COVID-19). The implications of COVID-19 on good health and well-being, SDG-3, have attracted considerable attention. It is followed by SDG-13 that concerned with climate changes. The post-COVID-19 scenarios showed deep and justified worries in relation to achieving the SDGs by 2030. This study figures the major issues debated in the literature with respect to COVID-19 and its implications on the SDGs. The study, furthermore, attempts to assess the required actions to advance the SDGs post-COVID-19.

The impact of investor attention during COVID-19 on investment in clean energy versus fossil fuel firms

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant negative impacts on financial markets, including energy stock markets. However, recently proposed and implemented green recovery plans may mean that clean energy firms demonstrate better performance than fossil fuel firms after the pandemic. As more voices call for the update of clean energy, theory on investor attention suggests investors will pay more attention to the potential to invest in clean energy stocks. Using a sample period of eight weeks before and during the pandemic, we find that the negative impact of the outbreak on both clean energy and fossil fuel firms is more significant for fossil fuel firms. Our results further show that during the pandemic there have been improved returns for clean energy firms as a consequence of investor attention, but not for fossil fuel firms. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the advantages of green recovery schemes in influencing financial markets, especially for clean energy stocks. These results suggest there are benefits for further promotion and implementation of green recovery stimulus measures post-pandemic.

Forest livelihoods and a "green recovery" from the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights and emerging research priorities from India

For those concerned with the future of forests, the COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously offered cause for great concern, and renewed hope. On one hand, the pandemic is occurring at a time when forests are already under unprecedented pressures from climate change, amplifying concerns about unsustainable forest extraction in the name of economic recovery. On the other hand, however, the crisis has helped to gather momentum around the notion of a "green recovery," including setting aside additional land for forest conservation. Drawing insights from past and ongoing research in India, we highlight an issue that exemplifies the tension between these two poles: the role of forests as social safety nets for rural communities in developing countries. It is well established that forests can provide critical resources for rural livelihoods, especially in times of crisis, and preliminary reports suggest that these resources have become even more important in the context of India's COVID lockdowns, and mass return migration from urban to rural areas. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to unfold in India, we highlight some key research priorities, including: 1) understanding how and to what extent forest-dependent communities and industries are changing their use of wood- and non-wood resources in the context of return migration and economic stress; 2) tracking shifts in forest cover, structure, and composition that may result from increased extractive pressures; 3) assessing the role of institutions, whether local, national, or international, in mediating these outcomes. Drawing on these observations, we suggest some key principles for integrating forest-based livelihoods into "green recovery," founded on principles that articulate forests as complex and integrated social-ecological systems, prioritize equity, and build on past learnings of community-based forest management.

Making the COVID-19 crisis a real opportunity for environmental sustainability

An optimistic narrative has gained momentum during the first year of the pandemic: the COVID-19 crisis may have opened a window of opportunity to "rebuild better", to spur societal transitions towards environmental sustainability. In this comment, we review first evidence of individual and political changes made so far. Findings suggest that economies worldwide are not yet building back better. Against this background, we argue that a naïve opportunity narrative may even impair the progress of transitions towards environmental sustainability because it may render green recovery measures ineffective, costly, or infeasible. Based on these observations, we derive conditions for green recovery policies to succeed. They should consist of a policy mix combining well-targeted green subsidies with initiatives to price emissions and scrap environmentally harmful subsidies. Moreover, green recovery policies must be embedded into a narrative that avoids trading off environmental sustainability with other domains of sustainability-and rather highlights respective synergies that can be realized when recovering from the COVID-19 crisis.

Transition to clean household energy through an application of integrated model: Ensuring sustainability for better health, climate and environment

Sustained use and adoption of clean cooking fuels have become an important concern for developing countries due to the enormous burden of diseases attributable to household air pollution (HAP). The transition and adoption of clean household energy involve various socio-economic, behavioral, and technological barriers at different community levels. Hence, the present paper aims to scrutinize the factors, key determinants, and other interventions among rural households that limit clean cookstoves' sustained uses. The study proposes an integrated model to enhance clean cooking fuel uptake and uses based on the available evidence. The health, climate and environmental factors were identified as the key to trigger the adoption of clean cooking fuel alternatives. The model comprises the integration of components for targeted clean fuel policy interventions and promotes green recovery. The elements include Knowledge, Housing characteristics, Awareness, Interventions, Willingness to pay, Adoption, Lower emissions and Gender Equality (THE KHAIWAL model) to ascertain the intervention focus regions. Integration of model components in policy implementation will promote clean household energy to reduce emissions, leading to improve quality of life, good health, women empowerment, better air quality and climate.

The death valley of coal - Modelling COVID-19 recovery scenarios for steam coal markets

This paper examines medium and long-term perspectives for global steam coal production and trade, considering the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and plausible recovery scenarios in its aftermath. We use an interdisciplinary approach to develop a range of stylized global coal demand scenarios until 2040 depicting the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recovery stimuli. Additional insights are gained by adjusting trade restrictions of key countries within the coal sector model COALMOD-World to resemble plausible post-COVID-19 policy and market dynamics. Results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic might cause an "L" or "\" shape instead of the hoped for "V" or "U" shaped recovery of the coal industry. Regional effects vary, as the Atlantic market dries out first, causing shifts in trade patterns in the Pacific market. Moreover, announced trade restrictions could change dramatically the composition of the international steam coal trade. However, even significantly reduced coal consumption levels in low-coal post-COVID-19 scenarios would still be too high to comply with the global climate targets. This emphasizes the importance of concentrated policy efforts in the pandemic aftermath to manage a coal decline consistent with global climate targets while bringing just transitions efforts substantially forward, in particular in vulnerable coal-dependent countries and regions.

Coronavirus disease-19 in environmental fields: a bibliometric and visualization mapping analysis

A coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus has appeared in China by the end of 2019 and later recognized as a global pandemic. This pandemic has evolved as a global public health menace. It has affected every aspect of human life. In line with these concerns, governments and the scientific community react promptly to the outbreak of this pandemic. These efforts are devoted to develop vaccine and curative medicines. Further efforts are dedicated to assessing the impacts of the pandemic in relation to socioeconomic, psychological, and environmental dimensions. In this regard, it is important to follow up developments and research activities on this global issue. The present work intended to tracking the current hotspots and research trends on COVID-19 in environmental fields. Bibliometric analysis and visualization mapping were utilized with the objective of revealing and evaluating the developments in knowledge on COVID-2019 and its impacts based on a collection of environmental sources. A sum of 729 documents were collected from Scopus database limiting to environmental sources only. Of all these publications, 563 (77.2%) were articles, 56 (7.7%) were reviews, and 110 (15.0%) were others. China has the highest share of publications (163; 22.4%). It is followed by the USA (139; 19.15), and Italy (110; 15.1%). Most publications on COVID-19 were in prestigious journals. The most productive institution at global level was Chinese Academy of Sciences, China (24 documents; 3.3%). The most prevalent topics are in relation to impacts of the pandemic on air quality, mental health, psychological, and economic aspects. The development of these topics is based on cross-sectional studies, evidence-based tools, remote sensing, satellite mapping, geographic information systems, market analysis and sampling. The progress of environmental research on COVID-19 will guide the development of global environmental strategies to control future global environmental risks.

Charting a "Green Path" for Recovery from COVID-19

Should the economic recovery from the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) be green? The current crisis is so severe that we should not take the answer for granted. It requires serious thought and we start by reviewing some arguments for and against a green approach. A crucial element is of course to see how different industries fare in the current crisis. Our empirical contribution is to examine daily stock returns for firms from the STOXX Europe 600 index. We find that firms with higher carbon intensities experienced significantly large decreases in stock values particularly those within the crude petroleum extraction, air transport and coke and refined petroleum industries. Our tentative conclusion is that efforts to revitalize the economy should avoid subsidizing stranded assets and instead target the industries of the future. However, identifying these will not necessarily be easy. We find, for example, that having an official ESG "climate change policy" has no effect on firm performance during the pandemic. We suggest possible ways of designing a new form of more informative index.

A green method of respectively recovering rare earths (Ce, La, Pr, Nd) from rare-earth tailings under super-gravity

A green method was proposed for respectively recovering rare earths (REEs) under super-gravity from rare-earth tailings which are massively stockpiled in the Bayan Obo tailings dams. Firstly, the REEs (Ce, La, Pr, Nd) were discovered to be precipitated as the rare earth oxyfluoride, rare earth ferrate and britholite phases respectively at various temperature ranges of 1773-1673 K, 1673-1473 K and 1473-1373 K. However, the Re-rich phases were intimately intertwined with each other in the normal-gravity. Consequently, respective recovery of REEs (Ce, La, Pr, Nd) at their corresponding precipitation temperatures was conducted under the super-gravity. 98.38% of (Ce) were firstly enriched into the rare earth oxyfluoride and separated from the tailings as driven by the super-gravity, 97.70% of (La) were enriched into the rare earth ferrate and separated subsequently, and the residual REEs were precipitated further into britholite. Accordingly, high-purity of rare earth oxyfluoride, rare earth ferrate and britholite phases were attained respectively, achieving the green and efficient recovery of REEs (Ce, La, Pr, Nd) from the tailings with no additives, no hazardous wastes and no secondary pollution.