International Journal of Environment and Pollution (10 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

  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
   
  

• Open Access

  Coupling effect of rural energy low-carbon transition and pollution control under carbon neutrality background ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Ziwei Feng, Shuangzhou Chen 
  Abstract: The interplay between rural energy low-carbon transformation and pollution control is critical for carbon neutrality, yet the coupling mechanism and spatial heterogeneity of their synergistic evolution remain poorly quantified. This study builds a multi-dimensional evaluation index system and applies the entropy weight-TOPSIS method to assess both subsystems across Chinese villages, then measures their dynamic synergy via a coupling coordination degree model. Moran's I confirms spatial clustering, motivating a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) to decompose direct and spillover effects, while Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) captures the spatial nonstationarity of driving factors. Results show coupling coordination varies by rural functional type, from highest in urban-rural integration areas (mean 0.509) to lowest in remote and underdeveloped areas (mean 0.265). The SDM reveals a significant positive spatial spillover effect of per capita GDP (0.317), and driving factors show marked spatial variation, offering a quantitative basis for spatially differentiated pollution-carbon coordination policies.
  Keywords: rural energy low-carbon transition; pollution control; coupling coordination degree; SDM; spatial Durbin model; GWR; geographically weighted regression.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10081782
   
  

• Open Access

  Multi-objective optimisation design of rural landscape buffer zones for carbon neutrality and water quality protection ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Xu Chen, Chao Tang, Jialin Sang 
  Abstract: To address the shortcomings of rural buffer zones in synergistically enhancing water quality protection and carbon neutrality, this study develops a multi-objective optimisation framework that integrates water quality improvement, carbon sequestration enhancement, biodiversity maintenance, and cost control. By quantifying the capabilities of the improved InVEST model and coupling iterative spatial optimisation with the NSGA-III algorithm and geographic units, a set of Pareto solutions balancing different objectives is generated. The optimal configuration is selected using the TOPSIS method, and GIS visualisation supports decision-making. This method effectively synergistically enhances multiple ecological benefits. The optimal solution S6 improves landscape connectivity by 31.0%, reduces patch density by 47.1%, and improves the average regional habitat quality by 60.0%, achieving a good balance between ecological benefits and costs.
  Keywords: rural landscape buffer strip; multi-objective optimal design; carbon neutrality; water quality protection; spatial configuration optimisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10081922
   
  

• Open Access

  AI-assisted integrated environmental and economic assessment of high-salinity mine water resource recovery ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Guidong Liu, Yang Chen, Ping Yin, Jiangtao Feng 
  Abstract: This study addressed the challenge of inefficient process control in high-salinity mine water resource recovery by developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted integrated environmental and economic assessment framework and applying it to an 800 m?/h zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) project in a mining area of western China.Traditional treatment technologies for high-salinity mine water are characterized by lengthy process flows and high energy consumption. This study develops an AI-assisted integrated environmental and economic assessment framework for high-salinity mine water resource recovery, in which intelligent algorithms are employed to optimize process parameters and quantify multi-objective performance. These findings demonstrate that the proposed AI-assisted integrated assessment framework provides a technically feasible approach for full-process treatment and resource recovery of high-salinity mine water. It also offers a scientific decision-support tool for the development of zero-liquid-discharge systems in arid mining regions of western China.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; high-salinity mine water; water resources; selective softening; integrated environmental and economic assessment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10081923
   
  

• Open Access

  Artificial intelligence improves technical and creative outcomes in Chinese art-facilitated environment education ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Xiaohua Hu 
  Abstract: Traditional Chinese art-facilitated environment education relies on experience-based teaching, lacking real-time feedback and systematic skill evaluation. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential to enhance learning efficiency and creative development. This study develops an intelligent assistance framework integrating deep learning for Chinese painting instruction. A controlled experiment with 60 students compares AI-assisted and traditional teaching over 16 weeks. Quantitative results show the experimental group achieved significantly higher brushwork mastery scores (0.83 vs. 0.68, p<0.01), 28% faster task completion, and 18.5% higher knowledge retention. Creative quality, originality, and style diversity also improved substantially. AI benefits freehand painting most, enhancing originality by 34.6%. The framework provides real-time feature analysis and personalized feedback, balancing tradition and innovation. This study offers a scalable AI-based tool for modern Chinese art-facilitated environment education.
  Keywords: Chinese art-facilitated environment education; artificial intelligence; deep learning; intelligent assistance; creative development.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2026.10082020
   
  
• 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
   
  
• The quantification of spatial characteristics and pollution-preventing perception in kindergarten environment design by three-dimensional reconstruction
  by Xiuxian Gu, Yang Yu, Danyu Li 
  Abstract: This study develops an integrated quantitative analytical framework that combines three-dimensional semantic reconstruction, space syntax (SS), and computational aesthetics (CA) to systematically investigate the relationships among the indoor geometric configurations, topological structures, furnishing layouts of kindergarten environments, and children's aesthetic perception. The methodological framework integrates building information modelling (BIM), SS, and computer vision techniques. High- precision mesh reconstruction and pixel-level semantic annotation are conducted using the Matterport real-scene acquisition platform (https:// niessner.github.io/Matterport) together with the Structured3D synthetic indoor dataset (https://github.com/bertjiazheng/Structured3D). By integrating three- dimensional semantic reconstruction, SS, and CA into a hierarchical analytical framework, this study establishes a reproducible and quantifiable evidence- based design tool, facilitating the transition of kindergarten environmental design from experience-driven practice toward data-informed decision-making and providing robust technical support for optimising indoor environments in accordance with children's perceptual characteristics.
  Keywords: kindergarten; environmental space; aesthetic perception; three- dimensional semantics; multidimensional vision.