Issue #4 (Volume 16 2025)

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Many countries face the need for structural transformation of their economies, particularly in terms of environmental and climate aspects. Global decarbonization initiatives have forced Kazakhstan to revise its economic policy priorities as well as legal regulation in several spheres. The objective of this study was to identify the existing legal challenges confronting Kazakhstan in fulfilling its international commitments to achieve carbon neutrality. The methodological basis is presented by political and legal analysis. Persistent issues in Kazakhstan’s pursuit of carbon neutrality include the absence of clear and transparent mechanisms for allocating CO₂ emissions quotas, insufficient harmonization with international law, poor institutional coordination, and a lack of legal instruments to incentivize businesses and ensure public participation. Some decarbonization decisions conflict with other government programs and priorities, such as plans to increase hydrocarbon production. From a formal legal perspective, the key challenges for Kazakhstan include unclear mechanisms for implementing the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the absence of legal tools for abandoning fossil fuels, insufficient transparency of the NDC, and weak formalization of the consultation mechanism with stakeholders (including NGOs and the private sector). Among the challenges identified, there are an absence of an institutional basis for the functioning of a single center for managing climate policy, problems of law enforcement, as well as a lack of generalized judicial practice.

Acknowledgment
This research has been/was/is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP23490668). Project IRN AP23490668 “Legal aspects of processing and disposal of solid municipal waste in the Republic of Kazakhstan: problems and prospects”.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Food SMEs in emerging markets face increasing environmental pressures and regulatory demands, requiring them to achieve sustainable business performance within the circular economy. This paper aims to investigate the influence of green entrepreneurial orientation toward sustainable business performance as mediated by green innovation and green marketing strategies, and environmental regulation and environmental consciousness as moderators, using food industry SMEs in Riau, Indonesia, as the context of analysis. Quantitative explanatory research design was employed wherein a structured questionnaire was administered to 225 SMEs practicing circular economy in urban, mainland, and coastal regions. Data were collected in April–June 2024, and SEM-PLS were employed for analysis. Results indicate that green entrepreneurial orientation directly (β = 0.209; p < 0.001) and indirectly through green innovation (β = 0.416; p < 0.001) increases sustainable business performance significantly, while green marketing strategies have no significant impact. The effect of green entrepreneurial orientation on sustainable business performance is positively moderated by environmental regulation (β = 0.136; p < 0.001) and negatively by environmental consciousness (β = −0.042; p < 0.05). The implications of the results suggest that innovation plays a pivotal role in transforming green entrepreneurial orientation into sustainability outcomes, and regulatory support is crucial.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Green accounting has become an increasingly crucial research field due to its significance in addressing climate change. While global studies in this field have expanded extensively, contributions from Indonesia-affiliated researchers remain relatively underexplored, much to Indonesia’s detriment, given its vast natural resources and existing environmental challenges. This study employs a bibliometric analysis to explore trends, impact, and collaboration patterns in green accounting studies globally, with a specific comparison of Indonesia-affiliated publications. A comprehensive analysis utilizing the retrieved dataset from the Scopus database was conducted to identify key research clusters and to highlight relevant topics such as carbon accounting, sustainability, environmental performance, and the integration of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into corporate policies. Network visualizations using VosViewer were constructed to examine the landscape of green accounting both globally and within Indonesia-affiliated research, aiming to compare global research with that linked to Indonesia. Global research covers broader topics surrounding carbon accounting, sustainability, environmental performance, the integration of ESG factors into corporate policies, and life cycle assessment. Meanwhile, Indonesia-affiliated research is more concentrated, focusing on topics such as financial/environmental performance and forestry issues. This study suggests that Indonesia-affiliated research would benefit from diversifying its focus toward globally emerging or established topics such as sustainable practices, carbon management, and the global sustainability reporting standards to enhance its academic visibility and relevance.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of the Debt-for-Nature Swap (DFNS) literature over the period 1988–2025, highlighting its intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and global patterns of scientific collaboration. A total of 117 publications were retrieved from the Scopus database using targeted keyword searches and analyzed with the Bibliometrix package in R. The analysis included annual publication trends, productivity by authors, institutions, and countries, most cited works, keyword co-occurrence networks, thematic maps, and trend topic analyses. Results show that DFNS research initially focused on environmental protection and debt relief, but since 2015 has shifted toward climate finance, blue bonds, and sustainable development. Notable turning points include the Seychelles’ issuance of the first blue bond in 2018 and renewed interest following the COVID-19 debt surge. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China lead in research output, while most DFNS projects are implemented in developing countries. Citation and thematic analyses reveal integration with biodiversity conservation and emerging links to innovative financial instruments. By systematically mapping the field and identifying research gaps, this study offers evidence-based insights for environmental economics, guiding policy design at the intersection of sovereign debt management, biodiversity conservation, and climate finance.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Ensuring high-quality environmental disclosure has become a strategic concern for companies amid increasing public scrutiny and ongoing environmental degradation. This paper aims to examine the effect of environmental performance and corporate governance structure on the quality of environmental disclosure of manufacturing companies in Indonesia. Observations were made on 52 manufacturing companies that submitted annual and sustainability reports from 2020 to 2022. Panel data were analyzed using regression techniques. The empirical findings indicate that environmental performance, board size, board meeting frequency, multiple directorships, and the age of the youngest director have a positive and statistically significant impact on the quality of environmental disclosure. Specifically, environmental performance demonstrated a coefficient of 6.58 (p < 0.01), the age of the youngest director – 0.30 (p < 0.10), multiple directorships – 1.42 (p < 0.05), board size – 1.28 (p < 0.05), and board meeting frequency – 0.19 (p < 0.10). Conversely, director tenure exhibited a negative effect of 0.53 (p < 0.05). This study concludes that environmental performance and corporate governance are critical determinants of the quality of environmental disclosure in the context of Indonesian manufacturing companies. Overall, the study offers practical implications for regulators and corporate decision-makers seeking to improve environmental accountability and strengthen long-term stakeholder trust.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
The paper aims to develop and adapt an econometric model for assessing and forecasting the impact of household energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment on reducing energy poverty in Ukraine. Due to the lack of updated statistical data after 2022 caused by the war, the adapted model was tested using pre-war data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and the World Bank for 2002–2021. As access to some pre-war datasets was also restricted for security reasons in Ukraine, proxy indicators were applied, allowing adaptation to limited information conditions. The modeling results showed that a 1,000 USD increase in GDP per capita reduces the share of the population living below the national poverty line and, accordingly, the energy-poor population, by 3%. Conversely, a 1% increase in gross capital formation raises the energy poverty level by 0.5%, indicating no direct impact of investment in physical capital, including expenses on energy-efficiency measures, on household welfare. Household expenditures on utilities and the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption were found to be statistically insignificant. The study confirms that household income remains the dominant determinant of energy poverty, while improvements in energy efficiency and renewable energy development play supportive but not yet decisive roles. These findings highlight the need to integrate social and energy policies to raise household incomes, improve access to renewable technologies, and promote energy efficiency measures. The developed model offers a tool for enhancing state policies to alleviate energy poverty under wartime constraints and in post-war recovery.

Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine within the project “Formation of economic mechanisms to increase energy efficiency and provide sustainable development of renewable energy in Ukraine’s households” (No. 0122U001233).

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study investigates whether public investment in green maritime infrastructure and transportation projects contributes to CO₂ emission reductions in Norwegian port municipalities. Using panel data for 28 coastal municipalities from 2016 to 2023, the analysis assesses the temporal effects of maritime-supported projects, technology development (TransMar) and infrastructure (InfraMar), on local maritime emissions. A two-stage empirical strategy combines lagged panel regressions (OLS, FE, and RE) with unsupervised clustering to uncover structural heterogeneity in port activity and investment profiles. The results reveal that transport-related investments exhibit statistically significant emission-reducing effects with lags of three to five years, supporting the long-term decarbonization potential of targeted funding. In contrast, green infrastructure presence correlates positively with emissions, likely reflecting higher port activity and policy targeting in high-emission areas. Clustering analysis confirms that municipalities differ substantially in activity levels, investment patterns, and emission profiles, reinforcing the case for differentiated policy strategies. The findings contribute to environmental economics and maritime policy by offering new micro-level evidence on the effectiveness and temporal dynamics of green investments. This paper extends previous literature by integrating spatial clustering with dynamic investment modeling, providing novel insights into how policy timing and local industrial structure shape emission outcomes. The results have direct implications for designing adaptive, region-specific maritime decarbonization programs and guiding future EU-aligned infrastructure strategies.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study aims to examine the impact of blue accounting disclosures on the corporate environmental performance of 14 marine-sensitive companies operating in shipping, logistics, fishing, oil, and gas listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The study covered five years from 2019 to 2023. Data on environmental performance were collected and measured using Bloomberg environmental scores. Blue accounting disclosures were scored using a 5-point Likert scale. Various statistical and econometric techniques were employed, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, panel data analysis, and pooled ordinary least squares regression analysis. The findings show a significant positive correlation between environmental performance and firm size (coefficient: 16.07; p-value: 0.00), adherence to environmental guidelines (coefficient: 7.48; p-value: 0.02), and reporting costs (coefficient: 6.35; p-value: 0.01). Conversely, environmental obligations (coefficient: –3.92; p-value: 0.02) and firm age (coefficient: –0.18; p-value: 0.00) negatively correlated with environmental performance. The study recommends that marine-sensitive companies adopt blue accounting sustainability guidelines, like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and that policymakers develop and enforce a blue accounting framework to promote sustainable marine practices. This study presents a novel model that integrates blue accounting disclosures. Through empirical and theoretical contributions, this study provided managerial, practical, policy, and implications for the quality of blue accounting disclosures, interventions, and policies to strengthen national and global sustainability goals. It added voice to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 6 and SDG 14. This study also provided a robust research agenda for future research.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
The significance of green economic growth opens up a new space for studying cyclical development processes, raising the issue of coexistence between sustainable development and the cyclical features of economic growth. The purpose of this study is to identify statistically significant relationships between cyclical components (fluctuations) of economic growth and environmental consequences within national economic systems. The paper utilizes Hodrick–Prescott and Butterworth bandpass filters to detrend dynamic series of ecological and economic development, highlighting cyclical components (fluctuations) that are analyzed for the presence of correlation in the referenced and lag periods (to identify procyclical and lag dynamics). The analysis uses statistical data from the World Bank for Ukraine and Hungary for 1991–2022. The results prove that for Ukraine with an increase in the cyclical component of GDP per capita there is a cyclical increase in pollution indicators, according to the Butterworth filter for NOx emissions from industrial combustion (correlation coefficient 0.72), F-gases emissions from industrial processes (correlation coefficient 0.77), CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF (correlation coefficient 0.70). The situation with Hungary is different, and the business cycle is not correlated with pollution fluctuations. The paper does not find a statistically significant relationship between the business cycle and fluctuations in methane (CH4) emissions from waste (Mt CO2e). Overall, most economic and environmental components are procyclical in nature, with the strongest correlation in the reference period for a developing industrial economy (Ukraine). In contrast, there is no such link within a more developed economy (Hungary).

Acknowledgments
This research was conducted within the project “Restructuring of the national economy in the direction of digital transformations for sustainable development” (№0122U001232) funded by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
The objective of this study is to assess the potential long-term impact of continued and increasing consumption of renewable energy on Morocco’s economic growth. Employing a Cobb-Douglas production function, the study investigates the influence of renewable energy on GDP over the period from 1990 to 2023. In order to consider a possible non-linear dynamic, the squared term of renewable energy consumption is included among the explanatory variables, and the analysis is conducted using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach. The findings reveal a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between renewable energy use and economic growth. Specifically, the analysis identifies a critical consumption threshold of 9%, beyond which the effect on growth turns negative. Given that Morocco’s current energy strategy, adopted in 2009, targets a substantial increase in renewable energy use over the long term, the results suggest that unchecked expansion may hinder economic performance. Therefore, optimizing renewable energy use is essential, and a revision of 2009 energy policy appears warranted to ensure it aligns with long-term economic sustainability.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Global progress toward universal access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy has stalled, with over two billion people still lacking access to clean cooking, and affordability pressures are rising. AI is emerging as an energy-intensive technology and a potential enabler of more equitable energy systems. This paper assesses whether AI vibrancy contributes to advancing energy equity across countries while accounting for differences in economic capacity. The study employs a balanced panel of 36 countries from 2017 to 2023 (252 observations), drawing on the Global AI Vibrancy Tool, World Bank Open Data, and the World Energy Council’s Energy Trilemma Index. Box–Cox transformations were applied to address skewness, and panel econometric models (fixed and random effects) with robust standard errors were estimated. The FE model shows no significant within-country effect of AI vibrancy on energy equity (R² = 0.012). The RE model indicates a positive association: a one-unit increase in the AI vibrancy score results in an improvement of 0.00165 in the energy equity index (p < 0.01). At the same time, GDP per capita exerts a strong and highly significant effect (p < 0.001). The RE model explains 12.4% of the overall variation in energy equity. After correcting for heteroscedasticity and cross-sectional dependence, GDP per capita remains significant, whereas the effect of AI vibrancy weakens to marginal significance (p ≈ 0.09). Country-specific effects further reveal systematic over- and under-performance beyond what AI vibrancy and income predict, underscoring the critical role of governance and institutional quality in shaping energy equity outcomes.

Acknowledgment
The article was prepared as a part of the MSCA4Ukraine project 06030419, European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the European Research Executive Agency, or the MSCA4Ukraine Consortium. Neither the European Union nor the European Research Executive Agency, nor the MSCA4Ukraine Consortium as a whole, nor any individual member institutions of the MSCA4Ukraine Consortium can be held responsible for them.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Recent assessments by the IEA, IRENA, and the World Bank indicate that data- and algorithm-driven operations can enhance energy security by increasing efficiency, reducing curtailment, and stabilizing grids as the renewable share grows, while also warning of ecological trade-offs from rising digital electricity use. Against this backdrop, government AI readiness emerges as a crucial enabling condition, providing the institutional and technological capacity to translate climate and sustainability targets into day-to-day energy system performance. Framed through an environmental lens, the study examines whether government AI readiness acts as an ecological enabler that strengthens energy security by supporting the integration of renewable energy, reducing emissions, and enhancing system resilience. To test this ecological proposition, we assemble a balanced panel of 125 countries (2020–2023), combining the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index with the World Energy Council’s Energy Security Score as an operational proxy for environmentally robust energy systems. Using panel methods (fixed and random effects), with diagnostics for serial correlation, cross-sectional dependence, and heteroskedasticity, and Driscoll-Kraay standard errors for robust inference, we find that in the random-effects specification, a one-point rise in AI readiness is associated with a 0.1104-point improvement in the energy security score (p < 0.001). The effect remains statistically significant after accounting for temporal and cross-sectional dependencies, supporting the view that institutional preparedness to use AI can act as an enabling ecological instrument, facilitating the integration of renewable energy, demand-side efficiency, and system resilience, which together underpin cleaner, more secure energy.

Acknowledgment
This study was prepared as part of the project 101127491-EnergyS4UA-ERASMUS-JMO2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.