Donghui Li, Yingdong Liu, Minxing Sun, Xinjie Wang and Weike Xu
This paper aims to answer three questions: (1) Which countries invest more capital in green firms? (2) What kind of industries do venture capitals (VCs) invest in? (3) Do VCs…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to answer three questions: (1) Which countries invest more capital in green firms? (2) What kind of industries do venture capitals (VCs) invest in? (3) Do VCs invest more capital in green firms?
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors provide summary statistics of the key variables for green and non-green firms. Then the authors use figures to plot the growth of green firms over time. Next, the authors use descriptive data to study VC-invested firms for the top 10 countries and industries for all firms, green firms and non-green firms. Finally, the authors compare the VC investors' characteristics and investment behavior between green and non-green firms.
Findings
This study documents that venture-backed investments in clean technologies have increased dramatically in the number of deals and in the total amount of dollar volume over time. This paper provides evidence that VC firms invest more in green firms in each deal than in non-green firms. The United States and European countries play an important role in funding clean technologies across countries, and this study’s results suggest that VC investors play a considerable role in shaping the development of green finance.
Originality/value
This paper makes the first attempt to investigate the role of VCs in clean technologies to support carbon neutrality, providing initial evidence on venture capitalists' investment efforts towards carbon neutrality. The paper also has practical implications for start-up firms that raise capital and venture capitalists who finance green start-ups.
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Noreen Kanwal, Chong Soon Meng, Motoki Watabe, Nasaruddin Zainal and Jolyne Khor Kuan Siew
The thriving global tourism industry is a pivotal player in the global economy. It significantly contributes to a substantial carbon footprint through emissions from…
Abstract
The thriving global tourism industry is a pivotal player in the global economy. It significantly contributes to a substantial carbon footprint through emissions from transportation, lodging, and infrastructure. In this study we have conducted a critical analysis of carbon emissions within the tourism industry using previous academic literature and institutional databases. Addressing the importance of measuring carbon footprints, the study delves into the definition of the carbon footprint in this sector, emphasizing the urgent need to comprehend and address its effects. This investigation also centers on the aspect of transportation, which is contributing to carbon emissions in the tourism industry. It explores variations based on transportation modes and discusses mitigation strategies, such as green transit. It also concentrates on accommodation, scrutinizing its environmental impact by evaluating carbon emissions from energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation in hotels and resorts. Emphasis is placed on promoting sustainable and green lodging facilities. Furthermore, this study examines the environmental impact of the tourism industry. Specifically, it examines the carbon footprint associated with infrastructure development. The analysis includes the impact of construction and development, resource consumption, and the role of communities and stakeholders in sustainable tourism planning. Furthermore, an assessment is conducted to examine the obstacles associated with adopting sustainable practices and assess the effectiveness of implemented mitigation strategies within the tourism industry. The concluding section outlines future perspectives and recommendations for research.
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Climate change and carbon footprints are among the most urgent concerns facing society and are key issues of corporate responsibility. The purpose of this study is to assess…
Abstract
Purpose
Climate change and carbon footprints are among the most urgent concerns facing society and are key issues of corporate responsibility. The purpose of this study is to assess whether Australian companies have adjusted their footprint‐related disclosure responses. Adopting a legitimacy perspective, a key aim is to assess whether pragmatic or moral legitimation approaches dominate by determining whether disclosure tends to be more reflective of symbolism or of apparent behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis of the sustainability and annual reports of the ASX's Top 50 companies is undertaken to compare carbon footprint‐related disclosures in 2008 and 2005. Their extent and nature (action or symbolism) and the use of attention‐attracting devices are reported for the more carbon intensive and less carbon intensive sectors.
Findings
Footprint‐related disclosure rates are increasing, and disclosure is being signalled more prominently. However, while carbon‐intensive sectors appear to be pursuing a moral legitimation strategy underpinned by substantive action, the less intensive sectors are relying more heavily on symbolic disclosure.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small and comprises only large listed Australian companies.
Practical implications
While the carbon‐intensive sectors appear to be taking encouraging actions, a regulatory response may be required for the less carbon‐intensive sectors to take advantage of their market power to facilitate cooperative carbon reduction with broader constituent groups. Further, incentives for the carbon‐intensive sectors may be needed to encourage ongoing efforts to bridge the carbon chasm that is emerging.
Originality/value
This study appears to be the first to provide direct Australian evidence on favoured legitimation tactics by assessing the symbolic versus behavioural management implicit in carbon footprint‐related disclosures.
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Nikolas Thomopoulos, Maria Attard, Yoram Shiftan and Lena Zeisel
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) has reinvigorated the policy focus on sustainable transport. Automated and Connected Transport (ACT) has…
Abstract
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) has reinvigorated the policy focus on sustainable transport. Automated and Connected Transport (ACT) has been featured as a promising technology-based option to aid in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite progress in certain areas of sustainability, there are still a lot of SDGs where limited progress has been observed since the 2015 Paris Agreement, particularly regarding the social pillar of sustainability which is reflected from the user perspective. This chapter will set the scene for this edited volume first by contrasting ACT potential with the SDGs and then by highlighting the requirement to focus more on addressing user needs through ACT. Remarkably, scholars have been increasingly sceptical about the transition to fully automated and connected vehicles, thus it is pertinent to highlight relevant opportunities and risks. Chapter recommendations foster the promotion of a Quadruple Helix approach to operationalise the inclusion of social concerns (e.g. gender balance and equity) in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) across the world.
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Margarita-Eleni Manola and George Tribonias
Climate change can affect public and individual health through many causal pathways. Climate impacts such as meteorological phenomena, extreme weather, disturbances of air…
Abstract
Climate change can affect public and individual health through many causal pathways. Climate impacts such as meteorological phenomena, extreme weather, disturbances of air quality, impact of environmental contaminants and other risk factors such as sanitation and access to clean water can affect health both directly and indirectly. Notable findings of health outcomes include infectious diseases, mortality through extreme environmental patterns as well as respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Temperature and humidity are most often related etiologically with outcomes as mentioned above. Nevertheless, temperature is associated with adverse nutritional outcomes, skin diseases and allergies. A thorough overview of the research already conducted with regard to health impacts of climate change is crucial in order to move human behaviours towards sustainability in energy, mitigation and adaptation responses that support climate and consequently health.
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THERE was a rather remarkable statement made at the Royal Institute of British Architects by Mr. Berwick Sayers last month. He affirmed that so far as the recorded issues of the…
Abstract
THERE was a rather remarkable statement made at the Royal Institute of British Architects by Mr. Berwick Sayers last month. He affirmed that so far as the recorded issues of the reference libraries in the municipal libraries of London were concerned, only 8,880 books were consulted daily. This, as the statistical account of twenty‐nine public libraries, shows an average of a fraction over 302 books daily. To some this may seem not an inadequate issue, if all the books recorded are books which the student and the searcher for information have used. The point of the meeting at which the remark was made was that the reference libraries of London should do more in co‐operation with industry, and it was argued by the representatives of ASLIB who took part in the conference that our London reference libraries should be strengthened in the science and technology departments, even at the expense of the lending libraries. The experience of the public librarian seemed to be that few people lived in London near their work; and that they had command of the special libraries in London in a way that provincial industrialists had not, and therefore they did not make any use that mattered of London reference libraries. The Chambers of Commerce in the various boroughs of London consist of small traders as a rule whose main purpose is “to keep down the rates,” and who have very little connection with industry on the scale in the minds of the ASLIB representatives. In short, the chief function of the London public libraries is mainly that of home reading. Ultimately the solution of the reference problem may be the establishment of one or two great regional reference libraries supported by the co‐operation of the boroughs. Co‐operation, however, is in its initial stages yet, and it will probably be some time before such an ideal, if it be an ideal, is achieved.
Sorana Vătavu, Cristian Tudorescu, Oana-Ramona Lobonţ, Nicoleta-Claudia Moldovan and Florin Costea
Purpose/Objective: The shadow economy problem comes from the need for governments to increase their revenues, while citizens expect better social protection schemes such as…
Abstract
Purpose/Objective: The shadow economy problem comes from the need for governments to increase their revenues, while citizens expect better social protection schemes such as universal basic income, increased spending for social security, and better living standards, including a sustainable and green environment. Our study analyses a complex and multifaced relationship between the shadow economy and the environment.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The analysis refers to the shadow economy (% in GDP) and three environmental proxies (Agriculture Methane Emissions, Methane Emissions for the Energy Sector, and Tax on Pollution) for the EU countries over the 2009–2019 period. Firstly, we describe the evolution of the indicators, and then we observe the correlation between the indicators. The last stage considers simple linear regression models, with shadow economy as the independent variable and environmental proxies as dependent variables.
Significance/Implications/Conclusions: Our research found that the evolution of the shadow economy is on a downtrend, considering that the fight against corruption developed after the 2009 financial crisis and especially after the Euro crisis 2014. Countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, and Spain have the highest shadow economy due to their political electorate’s constant mismanagement and low credibility. On the contrary, countries such as Hungary, Estonia, and Lithuania have a low shadow economy.
Limitations: The reliance on limited data and the models applied.
Future Research: Future studies could expand the analysis by incorporating additional indicators, considering other econometric models, and incorporating more comprehensive and up-to-date data.
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A consistent pattern that emerged out of the consequences of COVID-19 is that public transport was hit particularly hard compared to private cars and other modes. This raises…
Abstract
A consistent pattern that emerged out of the consequences of COVID-19 is that public transport was hit particularly hard compared to private cars and other modes. This raises concern regarding the future of public transport and the sustainability of urban transport. While the current clash of challenges, trends and disruptions makes the future more difficult to forecast than ever, this chapter highlights both long-term and emerging trends that are likely to influence public transport beyond the pandemic. As a foundation for the discussion, the chapter first briefly outlines the state and development of public transport before COVID-19, as well as the immediate effects of the pandemic. Before COVID-19, strong trends included initiatives towards sustainable urban transport, digitalisation and automation, and increasingly personalised services. The pandemic induced lockdowns, restrictions to use public transport and anxiety towards crowding, which influenced people to travel less and shift to other modes. There were clear socioeconomic inequalities in the ability to do so and a loss of accessibility. Many agencies and operators suffered financially as a result of lost fare revenues and limited governmental support. Emerging trends such as less commuting and financial struggles are likely to influence public transport for many years to come. However, the pandemic, and the induced behaviour and exposed problems that have followed, can serve as a call for substantial changes in urban transport planning. A continued development and integration of sustainable mobility services, with public transport as a central actor, is widely seen as key in this ambition.
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Marco Tieman, Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst and Maznah Che Ghazali
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new framework to optimise the design of halal food supply chains, called the “Halal Supply Chain Model”. In this research the main…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new framework to optimise the design of halal food supply chains, called the “Halal Supply Chain Model”. In this research the main logistics business processes are defined, which are the determinants for the halal supply chain performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Next to an extensive literature review, a large discussion group and various focus group sessions conducted in Malaysia, The Netherlands and China have been used to identify halal control activities and assurance activities in logistics business processes, with a focus on transportation, warehousing and terminal operations.
Findings
The findings show that product characteristics (bulk versus unitised, ambient versus cool chain) and market requirements (Muslim or non‐Muslim country) determine the supply chain vulnerability to halal contamination, for which halal control activities and assurance activities are put in place to reduce supply chain vulnerability. More empirical research is needed to further refine the Halal Supply Chain Model for different product–market combinations. Second, qualitative research is recommended for halal cosmetics and pharmaceutical supply chains.
Practical implications
This study shows that halal supply chain management is different from conventional supply chain management, which requires a halal policy and specific design parameters for supply chain objectives, logistics control, supply chain network structure, supply chain business processes, supply chain resources and supply chain performance metrics.
Originality/value
The Halal Supply Chain Model can be an important instrument to design and manage halal food supply chains in extending halal integrity from source to point of consumer purchase. As there is an evident lack of academic research in the field of halal supply chain management, it provides an important reference for halal logistics and supply chain management. The large discussion group and focus group sessions resulted in the publication of the International Halal Logistics Standard (IHIAS 0100:2010) by IHI Alliance in 2010.
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Massimiliano Apolloni, Michael Volgger and Christof Pforr
As net-zero pledges gain momentum globally, more and more accommodation businesses seek to quantify their carbon emissions. Building on Chan (2021), this study aims to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
As net-zero pledges gain momentum globally, more and more accommodation businesses seek to quantify their carbon emissions. Building on Chan (2021), this study aims to explore what drives Australian accommodation providers to measure the carbon footprint of their businesses and what barriers hinder them from doing so.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical data were collected by conducting ten semi-structured interviews with owners, senior executives, consultants, certification bodies and hotel management companies. The set of interviews represented different segments of the hotel industry and various accommodation types. Data were analysed with thematic analysis.
Findings
The major drivers for adopting carbon footprint analysis are as follows: the analysis being perceived as an important contribution to a company's corporate responsibility, the owner or manager's environmental concern, the assessment being a requirement for obtaining an eco-certification and the business benefits associated with implementing the initiative. The major barriers hindering adoption include the following: difficulties with data gathering, the lack of a standard methodology, a lengthy decision-making process and a lack of resources.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the empirical findings and three theories on ecological responsiveness, this study develops a conceptual framework for implementing carbon footprint analysis in the accommodation context and recommends strategies to increase the adoption of carbon footprint analysis.
Originality/value
This study responds to Chan and Hsu's (2016) call for further research on carbon footprint in the hotel context and represents the first attempt to explore the drivers and barriers specifically associated with implementing carbon footprint analysis in the accommodation sector.