Dear Colleagues,

In the contemporary era of globalization and industrialization, the economic endeavors of human society exert increasingly noteworthy influences on the environment. Challenges of substantial magnitude, including climate change, resource depletion, and ecosystem collapse, have emerged as pressing global concerns. Particularly noteworthy is the current global commitment by nations to adhere to the Sustainable Development Goals and foster the ascendance of a green economy. The intricacy inherent in these challenges necessitates profound contemplation on the concurrent attainment of environmental sustainability and economic development.

Against this backdrop, environmental economics has emerged as an interdisciplinary field of study,  seeking to investigate environmental issues and explore viable solutions by leveraging diverse economic theories and methodologies. This discipline operates at the intersection of economics and environmental science, offering valuable insights into the intricate relationship between human activities, economic progress, and environmental well-being. The fundamental premise of environmental economics lies in establishing connections between various economic activities and the natural environment, delving into their intricate interactions and influences. This field is geared towards addressing a myriad of pivotal questions, such as the impact of economic growth on environmental quality, the reciprocal effects of environmental policies on economic performance, and the identification of optimal economic models for resource utilization. Through a more profound exploration of these inquiries, we can enhance our comprehension of the repercussions of human activities on the planet, thereby furnishing more scientifically grounded guidance for steering towards sustainable development.

This Special Issue will center its attention on the intricate interplay between science, policy, and economics, offering an in-depth exploration of the pivotal role played by environmental economics in shaping the development of sustainable social policies. Our aim is to foster a holistic comprehension of environmental issues within academic discourse. We eagerly anticipate contributions from scholars across diverse disciplines so that we may pool their wisdom and insights to propel global endeavors towards the advancement of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The impact of policies related to carbon trading on climate mitigation;
• Analysis of the impact of environmental regulations on enterprise performance;
• Resource use efficiency and circular economy;
• Technological innovation and environmental sustainability;
• Economic risk management and environmental governance;
• Green finance and investment decisions;
• Government policy and environmental governance effect assessment;
• Social innovation and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals;
• Urban spatial planning and spatial distribution of carbon emissions;
• The impact of carbon neutrality on enterprise financial performance;
• The incentive effect of environmental policy on enterprise innovation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yuping Shang
Dr. Xin Zhao
Dr. Xihui Haviour Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sustainable development
• institutional arrangement
• environmental protection
• low-carbon transition
• environmental economics
• social policy
• economic activity
• climate change
• resource utilization
• interdisciplinary research