Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies

Data and information exchange plays a crucial role in fostering water cooperation between the riparian nations of a shared watercourse. Taking an integrated approach combining Discourse Analysis and Document Analysis, this research aims at elucidating the challenges and the potential opportunities of data and information exchange on the Helmand River, a drought-stricken river basin shared between upstream Afghanistan and downstream Iran. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), we offer nuanced perspectives on the data exchange model developed by Wehn. We argue that there are other underlying and essential elements that hinder the meaningful engagement of the riparian nations of the Helmand River Basin in data and information exchange. As water is perceived as a critical national interest for both riparians, decisions regarding water allocation in the basin are deeply embedded in their emotional attachments to the flow of the Helmand River, thereby hindering their effective engagement in data and information exchange. Finally, we discuss the steps and procedures for successful data and information exchange and how commitment to reliable data and information exchange contributes to the re-establishment and enhancement of trust between the two riparian nations.

Introducing a causal model to study the drought disaster around the world is the need of the planet today. There are many causes and effects of drought disasters around the world. These parameters, by affecting and being influenced by each other, cause the formation of processes that can make the experience of this event unpleasant. By planning and formulating appropriate strategies based on the results of this model, this event can be properly treated. For this purpose, in this research, the causal model of drought disasters is introduced. First, effective criteria or parameters in the occurrence of drought are identified. The tool used in this research is the modified fuzzy DEMATEL model. After responding to the direct relations matrix and defuzzification of this matrix, the causes and effects of the drought disaster are finally realized. The results of this study indicate that the criteria of global warming, mismanagement, and war are causal parameters or causes and the criteria of climate change, deforestation and soil degradation, dam construction, agriculture and livestock, and additional water needs are the parameters of the effect. Therefore, by establishing the conditions of each of the causal parameters, drought occurs or intensifies, and with the occurrence of drought, the effect parameters are created and show their effect on the causal parameters in the occurrence of drought.

Based on a follow-up study of Xizang Autonomous Region’s ecological civilization construction and its clean energy development, this paper takes Chamdo as a case study and uses the SWOT matrix to analyze the basic conditions, challenges, and possible pathways for clean energy development. The purpose is to discuss whether Xizang can play a prominent role in the green and low-carbon transition. It demonstrates that, under the framework of nationwide planning, starting from Xizang’s resource endowments and the practical demands of sustainable development, Xizang can capitalize on external opportunities, such as policy advantages and power assistance, to build a diversified clean energy system that integrates hydropower, wind, solar, and energy storage. By strengthening the coordination between the clean energy sector and other industries, Xizang can promote both local consumption of clean energy and its transmission to other regions. This not only enables Xizang to play a prominent role in the nation’s green and low-carbon transition, but also uses clean energy as a bridge to reinforce collaborative efforts among eastern, central, and western regions in achieving dual carbon goals, while fostering common prosperity, and enhancing national unity.

In a sustainable economy, each company’s level of carbon risk can change from period to period, but few studies have examined the association among a company’s carbon risk awareness and its level of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This article studies the effect of corporate-level carbon risk awareness on the ESG performance of China’s A-share listed companies during the period of 2013–2022. The results show a positive effect of carbon risk awareness on the level of companies’ ESG performance. The results also show that media coverage has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between carbon risk awareness and ESG performance. The authors present three factors through which carbon risk awareness affects ESG performance: (i) recognizing high carbon risks allows companies to decrease pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase environmental (E) scores; (ii) high carbon risk awareness encourages companies to take responsibility for social employment and improve social (S) outcomes; (iii) higher carbon risk awareness leads to better established sustainable management and higher governance (G) scores. This study plays a significant guiding role in improving corporate ESG practices.

Increasing environmental degradation and its impact on long-term economic prosperity have become major global concerns, particularly in developing economies like Nigeria. Environmental quality is crucial for Sustainable Development (SD), affecting economic growth, resource availability, and societal well-being. However, balancing economic growth and environmental preservation remains a challenge for policymakers. Therefore, this study uses an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation approach to examine the relationship between environmental quality and SD in Nigeria using quarterly data from 2000 to 2021. The research examines the impacts of CO₂ emissions, forest area, Natural Resource Depletion (NRD), capital, and labor on SD from both short- and long-term perspectives. The findings demonstrate that CO₂ emissions negatively affect SD, emphasizing the importance of strong environmental legislation. In contrast, forest areas have a beneficial impact on SD, emphasizing the necessity of environmental preservation. Lagged and contemporary NRDs show trade-offs between resource use and long-term prosperity. Capital emerges as a key engine of SD. However, this study finds that factors like labor lack statistical significance in explaining variations in SD. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers aiming to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. The study recommends the implementation of stringent environmental policies to curb CO₂ emissions and emphasizes the need for responsible resource management practices to mitigate the adverse effects of NRD.

The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights that Climate Resilient Development (CRD) can support sustainable development for all by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering adaptation options, while also contributing to innovation and transformation in urban areas. Based on China’s national pilot projects for low-carbon cities, sponge cities, and climate-resilient cities, this paper analyzes the potential and feasibility of Chinese cities in exploring the construction of “low-carbon-resilient cities”. First, referring to the relevant studies, the “Climate-Resilient Index” and “Low-Carbon Development Index” are constructed for 178 cities at or above the prefecture level in China. Second, by comparing the climate resilience index and the level of low-carbon development, this paper categorizes 178 Chinese cities into four groups with the potential to the co-benefits of synergy actions in mitigation and adaptation. Third, this paper showcases the potential and progress from some pilot model cities of the “climate-adaptive cities” in achieving the goal of “climate resilient development”. This paper will help advance China’s synergistic implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation policies, and provide examples and insights for cities in other developing countries to promote climate resilient development.