International Journal of Environment and Pollution (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Open Access

  Emission-reduction technology licensing in supply chains under carbon trading: the role of consumer perception ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Licheng Sun, Bowen Shi 
  Abstract: The licensing of emission-reduction technology among supply chain members promotes collaborative abatement. This study builds a differential game model led by a manufacturer with advanced abatement technology. It examines the impact of consumers low-carbon perception on licensing decisions and how carbon trading prices influence them, and identifies the determinants of optimal licensing. Findings indicate that: 1) higher consumer low-carbon awareness strengthens licensing incentives, especially when the licensees emission-reduction rate is high; 2) rising carbon prices weaken consumers low-carbon perception, especially if the licensees reduction rate is relatively low; and 3) the weakening of consumer low-carbon awareness caused by rising carbon prices exerts a restraining effect on technology licensing decisions. Furthermore, this suppression effect is associated with factors such as the substitution rate of the manufacturers products, unit carbon emissions, and the emission reduction rate of licensed products.
  Keywords: cap-and-trade; emission reduction technology licensing; consumers’ perception; low-carbon supply chain; duopoly market; differential game.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10079230
   
  

• Open Access

  Impact of environmental accounting information disclosure on socially responsible investment decisions ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Xin Sun, Sai Qiu 
  Abstract: This study mainly focuses on the three limitations of environmental accounting information exposure (EAIE) in influencing socially responsible investment (SRI) decisions (unquantified transmission mechanism; insufficient corporate disclosure motivation; and unclear industry and regional heterogeneity). This study uses panel data from A-share listed companies from 2018 to 2022. The method is as follows: (1) establishing an environmental information disclosure evaluation system; (2) extracting environmental commitment keywords from corporate social responsibility reports using text analysis and potential Dirichlet allocation topic models to quantify investors attention to disclosed information; (3) building a three-dimensional investment decision evaluation model that integrates environmental, economic, and social performance. The results showed that for every one standard deviation increase in EAIE quality, SRI decision-making efficiency improved by 0.37 units (p < 0.01), of which 42.3% was mediated by environmental risk premium.
  Keywords: environmental accounting information disclosure; SRI; socially responsible investment; environmental risk premium; differences-in-differences model; industry heterogeneity.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10080468
   
  

• Open Access

  Study on detection method for harmful chemical residues in regenerated cellulose food packaging materials ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Xiaomeng Wang, Xi Chen, Dongyue Liu, Haibo Geng 
  Abstract: In order to accurately evaluate the migration risk of harmful elements in regenerated cellulose food packaging materials, a new method for detecting harmful chemical residues in regenerated cellulose food packaging materials was studied. By optimizing the ratio of digestion reagents and procedures, complete digestion of the sample was achieved, and the optimal analytical spectral lines for Ti, Pb, Cr, and Cd were screened. The method validation results showed a good linear relationship (r>0.9989) among the four elements, with a detection limit between 1.96~12.94gkg-1 and a quantification limit between 6.53~43.19gkg-1. The recovery rates ranged from 83.19% to 108.32%, with a relative standard deviation of 2.12% to 7.41%. The accuracy and repeatability were good. The results of testing 5 types of commercially available samples are all below the national standard limit. This method can provide technical support for the rapid screening and safety evaluation of harmful elements in regenerated cellulose packaging materials.
  Keywords: regenerated cellulose; food packaging; harmful chemical residues; detection; safety evaluation; digestion pretreatment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10080805
   
  

• Open Access

  Spatial boundary attributes and enterprise environmental protection investment: evidence from Chinese A-share listed companies ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Yingbo Gu, Chang Liu 
  Abstract: This study examines the effect of spatial geographic positioning on enterprise environmental protection investment (EEPI), using Chinese A-share listed firms as the research sample. Focusing on inter-provincial border areas, the empirical results show that firms located near provincial boundaries tend to invest less in environmental protection. This negative effect is more evident among non-state-owned enterprises, smaller firms, and firms in lightly polluting industries. Mechanism analysis identifies two spatial effects: regulatory distance decay and rent-seeking distance decay. Greater distance from regulatory centers weakens environmental supervision and reduces EEPI, whereas greater rent-seeking distance may enhance compliance incentives by increasing the cost of informal influence. The results indicate that the regulatory distance decay effect is dominant, resulting in lower EEPI among firms located in border regions. This study extends research on corporate environmental governance by incorporating inter-provincial boundary effects and provides policy implications for improving environmental regulation in geographically peripheral regions.
  Keywords: inter-provincial boundary; enterprise environmental protection investment; corporate environmental governance; spatial heterogeneity; regulatory distance decay.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10080857
   
  
• Exploring the association between air pollutants and meteorological parameters using canonical correlation analysis  
  by M.R. Sindhumol, S. Suresh, M. Sangeetha, D. Kalvinithi 
  Abstract: Meteorological parameters play a significant role in exacerbating air pollution, as proved by the existing literature work. This research primarily attempts to identify the pivotal air and meteorological parameters that influence the air quality within the Chennai region. It also entails a comprehensive assessment of the strength and direction of the relationship between air pollutants and meteorological parameters by employing a Canonical Correlation Analysis. From squared correlation estimates, three canonical functions are identified as significant. Notably, the outcome of this study reveals that the variations in natural conditions such as Atmospheric Temperature, Solar Radiation, and Relative Humidity are associated with the presence of particulate matter and gaseous emissions, including Ammonia, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide. The conclusions drawn from this study will assist in framing policies and regulations that can be implemented to control the alarming levels of air pollution in Chennai.
  Keywords: CCA; canonical correlation analysis; particulate matter; ammonia; nitrogen dioxide; atmospheric temperature; relative humidity; wind speed.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10079197
   
  
• Does income inequality affect regional carbon emission? Empirical evidence from 30 provinces in China  
  by Yang Lu, Jingxuan Zuo, Xiaofeng Zhong, Zhangqi Zhong 
  Abstract: This study examines the impact of income inequality on regional carbon emissions across 30 Chinese provinces, revealing three key findings. First, an N-shaped relationship exists between income inequality and carbon emissions, with higher inequality exacerbating emissions. Second, population aging and environmental regulation significantly mediate this relationship. Third, regional heterogeneity exists: northern regions show an N-shaped curve, while central and western regions follow an inverted U-shaped pattern, with stronger effects in less developed areas. Policy recommendations include (1) strengthening pension security and environmental regulations to mitigate inequality-driven emissions and (2) implementing region-specific redistribution policies aligned with local inequality levels and developmental stages to support carbon reduction. The findings highlight the need for tailored governance to address inequality-emission linkages.
  Keywords: income distribution; carbon reduction; population ageing; environmental regulation; income inequality; carbon emission; N-shaped relationship; regional heterogeneity.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10080910