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Drawing on various empirical examples (e.g. lithium, green hydrogen, REDD+), several studies point out that the global energy transition continues to be based on the geographic externalization of labour, natural resources, and sinks. The energy transition thus increases the pressure on natural resources in Latin America and reproduces the continent’s position as the world’s raw material supplier. This is increasingly referred to as ‘green colonialism’ by (scholar) activists. Moving past a merely provocative catchphrase, in this paper, I discuss the analytical implications and value of the term green colonialism for normative politicalecological research. In so doing, it becomes evident that the coloniality of the energy transition has to be understood as a political-epistemological project. This is of particular relevance for Latin America. Embedded in the hegemonic Euro-North American-centered modernity, the energy transition advances techno-optimist solutions and reproduces patterns of thought, knowledge and action. However, it soon becomes evident that the geographies of decarbonization are significantly more complex and shaped by multiple actors, policies, and strategies. Therefore, further research is needed on the geopolitics and geopolitical economy of the energy transition, going beyond the North-South dichotomy. A partir de diversos ejemplos empíricos (litio, hidrógeno verde, REDD+), varios estudios señalan que la transición energética global sigue basándose en la externalización geográfica de mano de obra, recursos naturales y sumideros. La transición energética aumenta así la presión sobre los recursos naturales en Latinoamérica y reproduce la posición del continente como proveedor mundial de materias primas. Los activistas (académicos) se refieren cada vez más a este fenómeno como “colonialismo verde”. Más allá de un eslogan meramente provocador, en este artículo discuto las implicaciones analíticas y el valor del término colonialismo verde para la investigación político-ecológica normativa. Al hacerlo, se hace evidente que la colonialidad de la transición energética debe entenderse como un proyecto político-epistemológico. Esto es de particular relevancia para Latinoamérica. Inserta en la modernidad hegemónica euro-norteamericana, la transición energética avanza soluciones tecnooptimistas y reproduce patrones de pensamiento, conocimiento y acción. Sin embargo, pronto se hace evidente que las geografías de la descarbonización son significativamente más complejas y están conformadas por múltiples actores, políticas y estrategias. Por lo tanto, es necesario seguir investigando sobre la geopolítica y la economía geopolítica de la transición energética, más allá de la dicotomía norte-sur.

Photo-reduction of O2 to water mediated by flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) represents a safety valve for the photosynthetic electron transport chain in fluctuating light. So far, the FDPmediated O2 photo-reduction has been evidenced only in cyanobacteria and the moss Physcomitrella; however, a recent phylogenetic analysis of transcriptomes of photosynthetic organisms has also revealed the presence of FDP genes in several nonflowering plant groups. What remains to be clarified is whether the FDP-dependent O2 photo-reduction is actually operational in these organisms. We have established a simple method for the monitoring of FDP-mediated O2 photoreduction, based on the measurement of redox kinetics of P700 (the electron donor of photosystem I) upon dark-to-light transition. The O2 photo-reduction is manifested as a fast reoxidation of P700. The validity of the method was verified by experiments with transgenic organisms, namely FDP knock-out mutants of Synechocystis and Physcomitrella and transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing FDPs from Physcomitrella. We observed the fast P700 re-oxidation in representatives of all green plant groups excluding angiosperms. Our results provide strong evidence that the FDP-mediated O2 photo-reduction is functional in all nonflowering green plant groups. This finding suggests a major change in the strategy of photosynthetic regulation during the evolution of angiosperms.

Using data from 2009 to 2020 of A-share listed firms in China, this study investigates how ESG (Environmental, social, and governance) impacts corporate green transition (GT) from two perspectives: carbon emission intensity and total factor productivity. Results show that ESG significantly enhances corporate GT. Channel analysis shows that ESG improves the financing environment, optimizes environmental governance strategies, and improves the information environment, thereby promoting corporate GT. After the implementation of the new Environmental Protection Law (EPL) and the Environmental Protection Tax Law (EPTL), the GT with ESG advantages is significantly enhanced compared to those without ESG advantages. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive effects of ESG are more pronounced in firms with low availability of green credit and high levels of greenwashing. In addition, social responsibility of ESG has the greatest effect in enhancing GT, and ESG uncertainty can weaken the promotion effect of ESG on GT. The industry spillover effect test found that ESG has an industry emission reduction governance effect, and there is a peer effect of mutual influence on carbon emissions decisions among enterprises. Overall, our results reveal that ESG can promote GT to achieve sustainable development. First published online 26 March 2026

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate how the areas of the green transition that promote sustainability relate to perceived levels of corruption.   Theoretical Framework: The variables of corruption, economic growth, renewable energies and carbon dioxide emissions are integrated together in the long run. There is a causal relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, corruption, economic growth and renewable energies. The corruption index and economic growth have a statistically significant relationship with carbon dioxide emissions. However, the impact of renewable energies and international trade slows climate change and improves the quality of the environment.   Method: We based our research on publicly available internet databases. The data available here can be freely used. This means that no matter what questionnaire they are based on, their analysis does not require a research permit. Another advantage of such databases is that the research conducted using them can be reproduced and continued in the future. We modeled the level of corruption using the time series of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. We examined the countries that are included in both databases. After cleaning and coding data the first step was to create descriptive statistics. At the same time, the normality of the sample was tested and the homoscedasticity condition was checked, because these two latter tests determine which statistical methods can be used for the purpose of further investigations. This was followed by the examination of the question, to what extent and in what direction environmental indices influence Corruption perception. For this purpose, we made a correlation matrix. Based on it we created a regression model in which the CPI was the dependent (explanatory) variable and the environmental indices were included as independent (explanatory) variables.   Results and Discussion: Corruption prevention is significantly influenced by Environmental policy, Particulate matter and Gross greenhouse gas emissions - the latter has a negative effect. The increase in waste generation also reduces the CPI, thus increasing the feeling of corruption, but this effect did not prove to be significant. In addition, recycling is an important marketing factor of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy. Therefore, in some ways, it is more valuable than money. There is a correlation between the perceived level of corruption and environmental indicators. These indicators explain the perception of corruption in 49.4%. Two types of causal relationships are possible: reduced corruption leads to better environmental performance; better environmental indicators reduce the perceived level of corruption.   Research Implications: Compliance with the Environmental policy can help a lot in making Corruption prevention effective, primarily by preventing legal loopholes.   Originality/Value: Our study contributes to the sustainability areas of the green transition and to the reduction of corruption and provides tools. Anti-corruption action exposes companies to a stricter regulatory environment, which increases the costs of violations and the risks of profiteering. As anti-corruption becomes more effective, privileges based on political connections are lost. Therefore, firms may prioritize social activities to gain reputation and resources, or to forget past violations. The fight against corruption improves external oversight and increases stakeholder attention, which requires companies to deliver higher corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. In addition, anti-corruption measures free up previously seized resources, which is a prerequisite for companies' participation in social activities.

The European Union is implementing an ambitious strategy to carry out a just green transition. Evidence shows, however, deep inter-regional differences in vulnerability to the green transition, which pose a risk for this strategy. This paper analyses intra-regional differences in vulnerability to the green transition, using data for the municipalities of a Spanish region: Cantabria. The results show a deep intra-regional divide, where deprived, rural and depopulated municipalities are the most vulnerable to the green transition. These results complement the existent evidence on inter-regional differences in vulnerability to the green transition in the European Union, extending it to the analysis of intra-regional differences. This shows that the green transition may increase polarisation not only between regions, but also within regions.

Background The aim of this paper is to reconsider the necessity for the green transition and the key preconditions for the implementation of a circular economy in Western Balkan countries. With the objective of the research in mind, the method of analysis and synthesis was applied to determine (1) regulatory and institutional prerequisites for the green transition; (2) the need for the Western Balkan countries to redefine the model of sustainable economic growth towards the green transition; (3) the development opportunities for recovery defined in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans; and (4) the possibility of implementing the circular economy in the Western Balkans. Main text The main findings of the research indicate that: (1) the countries of the Western Balkan region, following the example of the EU, should define a national strategic approach to the green transition with an accompanying action plan and regulatory framework; (2) the biggest challenge of the green transition is the reform of the energy sector and the restructuring of the energy-intensive economy; (3) the countries have untapped potential in renewable energy sources and report the improvement of energy efficiency; (4) the circular economy can boost the green transition, because the countries of the region have a five-time lower value of resource productivity than the average of the EU, while the generation of waste (excluding major mineral wastes) per GDP unit is lower compared to the EU; (5) cross-sectoral governance should be more coordinated. Conclusions The green transition might be a development opportunity for the Western Balkans, which should enable sustainable economic growth as well as energy security and environmental protection. However, the implementation of the Green Agenda is not easy, because the region faces the problem of underdeveloped regulatory and institutional capacities that might provide not only the base for long-term planning but also financial resources for the efficient implementation of projects. In addition, it is essential to understand the principles of the Green Agenda and the interaction of all activities that should enable the achievement of defined goals.

Regulation in the EU makes banks responsible for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their borrowers and thus tries to use them as leverage to nudge polluting industries into the carbon-free transition. For lack of better alternatives, this occurs based on metrics that are neither reliable nor robust. While welcomed by the industry, the European Commission’s recent omnibus packages aimed at simplifying sustainability legislation will also probably not change that situation materially. Although it is perhaps well-intended, this approach assigns banks a task which they are not qualified for. It is unsurprising that the entire initiative has resulted in bureaucratic formalities in banks’ reports rather than substantive progress. It is not the best way to get credit institutions engaged in the green transition. Instead, banks should focus on what they are best at: lending, and more specifically, on lending for projects that advance the carbon-neutral transformation of the economy.

PurposeInterest in battery energy storage systems (BESS) is high, and technologies such as Li-ion (and other advanced chemistry) batteries in specific use cases are already economically viable. In this paper, the authors build further on the authors' previously published paper1 to estimate the potential positive impact that accelerated adoption of Li-ion batteries for stationary storage per the authors' identified already economically viable use cases, can have both on India's macro-economy and current account deficit as well as in helping meaningfully accelerate circular economy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) benefits of green economy transition.Design/methodology/approachThe authors identified key challenges for development of BESS ecosystem and applied quantitative and qualitative assessment methodology for rapid adoption of BESS in India. The authors' study was validated through interviews with stakeholders and the authors summarize applicable findings for emerging countries such as India to encourage faster, wider adoption of energy storage.FindingsThe authors' study provides key policy recommendations to achieve a better balance in policy focus—not only for electronic vehicles (EVs) and utility-scale storage, but also for stationary behind-the-meter storage through key policy measures including placing a CESS on diesel generators (DGs), differential tariffs, encouraging advanced battery imports as a way to reduce crude oil imports, green financing and investments in de-carbonized energy breakthrough technologies (e.g. gravity-based energy storage systems). The authors recommend key technology priorities and strategic business rationale for private sector efforts by developing competitive advantages for non-battery hardware and software and expanding into emerging markets, with potential US$15–20+bn enterprise value.Originality/valueWhile the dominant discourse focuses on EVs and utility scale applications of storage, the authors' paper shows the larger near term opportunity for impact is in stationary storage that too in end-user adoption use cases.

The European Union is pursuing a re-industrialisation strategy aimed at enhancing economic resilience and accelerating digital and green transitions. Accordingly, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) initiatives are poised to reshape the European industrial landscape. However, there is no empirical evidence on where these technologies are located. This paper addresses this gap by systematically mapping STEP- and NZIA-related technology adoption among Italian firms. Using a web scraping analysis of over 6.5 million company webpages, we identify firms engaging with these two programmes and visualise their distribution at the municipal level. The results reveal 25,084 firms involved in the digital and net-zero transitions, with key hubs in Milan, Rome, Turin, Naples, Genoa and Bologna. We provide new insights into the geography of these transitions, highlight the distinctive traits of Italy’s industrial dynamics, and underscore the need for differentiated, place-sensitive policies to support a convergent trajectory toward Europe’s strategic development objectives.

The world order is undergoing significant changes, while the Russian invasion marks the end of the post-Cold War era and the resurgence of geopolitics. Parallelly, the European Union (EU) is facing challenges in establishing its autonomy and addressing security risks. The conflict in Ukraine has disrupted the equilibrium of the international order and highlighted (also) the importance of energy security. The EU’s dependence on Russian energy has been a vulnerability, leading to efforts to diversify energy sources and promote green transition. However, this transition also presents challenges such as the need for strategic autonomy and energy efficiency. The EU must navigate these complexities and strengthen its energy security while building new alliances and addressing geopolitical shifts.