Abstract: A method is presented for studying the influence of disjunctive geological faults on the formation of conditions that lead to gas-dynamic phenomena (GDP) during the ex-traction of outburst-prone coal seams. The methodology is based on numerical model-ing of the stress–strain state of the rock mass using the finite element method (FEM) to determine the magnitudes of principal stresses in the zone between the excavation and the fault. Based on the adopted coal–rock strength theory, areas of disturbed rock in-tegrity are identified, which are considered potentially hazardous in terms of sudden coal and gas outbursts. The results of modeling a real gas-dynamic event that occurred in an operating mine confirmed the applicability of the proposed approach for pre-dicting outburst-prone zones during excavations within disjunctive tectonic faults. The scientific novelty of this research lies in identifying the specific features of stress-field formation resulting from the interaction between natural geological faults and tech-nological disturbances induced by mining operations. On this basis, a method has been developed to detect potential zones of gas-dynamic manifestations. After validation under mine conditions, the proposed method can be recommended for practical im-plementation in the design and planning of mining operations to forecast and prevent GDP.

Abstract:

Reliable upscaling of peatland carbon stocks is fundamentally challenged by fine-scale microrelief heterogeneity, which remains unresolved by conventional field or satellite methods. We demonstrate the critical advantage of Unmanned Aerial System LiDAR (UAS-LiDAR) for mapping the hierarchical microrelief (ridges/hollows, hummocks/depressions) of a Western Siberian ombrotrophic bog to enhance ground-layer phytomass estimation. We developed and validated a straightforward, rule-based method to classify microforms from a normalized digital terrain model using optimized elevation thresholds. The resulting map was used to upscale field-measured phytomass and compared against estimates from satellite imagery (SuperView-2) and traditional field-visual extrapolation. While total landscape-level phytomass stocks were similar across methods (~93–97 t ha⁻¹), their spatial allocation among microtopographic elements differed fundamentally. Crucially, the satellite-based method exhibited a predictable, landscape-dependent systematic bias (overestimation in ryam with hollows, underestimation in ryam), which remained hidden when using only aggregate accuracy metrics. Only the LiDAR-based approach accurately resolved the biomass of critical small microforms (e.g., hummocks within hollows), which were missed or misaggregated by traditional techniques. We conclude that objective, high-resolution microrelief mapping via UAS-LiDAR is essential for spatially explicit and ecologically coherent phytomass upscaling, providing an indispensable structural template for accurate carbon accounting in heterogeneous peatlands.

Abstract: Urban green infrastructure is increasingly recognized as a critical buffer against ecological degradation, yet empirical evidence on the long-term stability of ecosystem services (ES) in rapidly urbanizing cities remains limited. Despite widespread assumptions that urbanization inevitably leads to irreversible ecological decline, few studies have quantitatively examined whether ES can persist, or even recover, over multi-decadal time horizons. This study investigates the long-term trajectories of eight urban ES in Seoul, South Korea, across nearly five decades (1978–2025) and eight congressional districts, providing one of the longest temporal assessments of urban ES in East Asia. Using i-Tree Canopy and high-resolution aerial imagery across four benchmark years (1978, 1989, 2010, 2025), this study quantified standardized indicators for carbon sequestration (CSeq), avoided runoff (AVRO), and removal of six atmospheric pollutants (O₃, NO₂, SO₂, CO, PM₁₀, PM₂.₅). Paired-sample t-tests and Cohen’s dz (effect size) were used to assess within-district temporal shifts and the magnitude of ecological change. Results reveal a pronounced period of early ecological stress during rapid industrialization (1978–1989), with negative standardized effect sizes across all services (dz between −0.65 and −0.72). However, these early losses were not sustained. Structural services such as CSeq and AVRO exhibited long-term functional stability, with effect sizes converging toward zero and the 1978–2025 change in CSeq showing no statistical difference (p = 0.784). Pollutant removal services followed an early-decline–followed-by-recovery trajectory, exemplified by CO removal shifting from a large early decline (dz= −0.72) to a modest positive effect in later decades dz = 0.31). These findings indicate that Seoul’s sustained urban greening and environmental policies were effective in preventing further deterioration and maintaining core ecological functions, even if they produced stabilization rather than significant long-term gains in ES delivery.

Abstract: The degradation of vegetation cover and the vulnerability of urban market gardening systems to climate risks are a major challenge for food security in peri−urban areas. This study analyzes the spatio−temporal dynamics of vegetation using the NDVI index and assesses its correspondence with producers' perceptions of hydroclimatic impacts. NDVIs were extracted from the MODIS MOD13Q1 product via Google Earth Engine, with a spatial resolution of 250 m × 250 m and a temporal resolution of 16 days, then processed in Python using the xarray library. Additionally, 369 producers in Grand Nokoué were surveyed about the risks of flooding, drought, and heat waves, as well as the adaptation strategies they implement. The results reveal a decline in areas with a moderate to high NDVI index (between 0.41 and 0.81) and an expansion of areas with a low or very low NDVI index (below 0.41), reflecting increased fragmentation and degradation of vegetation cover. Producers' perceptions confirm this vulnerability and reveal different strategies depending on the type of crop and risk, including irrigation, temporary abandonment of plots, agroforestry, and the adoption of resilient crops. These observations highlight the need to implement targeted policies and appropriate agroecological practices in order to strengthen the resilience of urban market gardening systems to extreme climate risks.

Abstract: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential for preserving marine biodiversity, yet they face challenges from various human pressures, including vessel activities. This study applies a cumulative, normalized vessel density approach across multiple habitat types to examine the impact of maritime activities on the Southwest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Malta, known as MT101. Vessel activities, including anchoring, mooring, and discharge, pose significant threats to benthic habitats such as sandbanks and seagrass meadows. Despite protective measures, vessels continue to frequent these MPAs, raising concerns about habitat degradation. Using data spanning from 2017 to 2022, this research analyses vessel density distribution and its implications for marine habitats within MPA MT101. The results show the cumulative vessel presence, with passenger and fishing vessels showing consistent high presence along bay areas, and on sensitive habitats such as Posidonia meadows and reefs. While the ecological effects have not been directly measured here, the analysis highlights spatial and temporal hotspots where pressures are likely to be most pronounced, offering a basis for targeted management and monitoring. Proposed mitigation measures include enhanced enforcement of MPA regulations and habitat-specific management strategies. By integrating vessel activity patterns with habitat distribution, this methodological framework provides a transferable tool for assessing cumulative pressures and has direct policy relevance for marine spatial planning and targeted MPA management. The findings emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems within MPA MT101. This study contributes valuable insights into the understanding of vessel impacts on MPAs and provides guidance for conservation and management strategies in similar marine environments globally.

Abstract:

The development of new chemicals and materials that are inherently safe and sustainable throughout their entire life cycle has become a critical objective in the context of the green transition. This challenge is especially significant for plastics, which often contain complex mixtures of chemicals that may be released during various stages of their life cycle, from manufacturing to use and end-of-life management. Such releases can pose risks to human health and the environment. Within this context, the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework was followed to support the design of an innovative epoxy-vitrimer composite that integrates non-releasable fire-retardant functionalities, aiming to produce a safer, recyclable materials suitable for railway applications. This study presents the identification and quantification of potential releases as part of Steps 2 and 3 of the SSbD framework. A dedicated methodology was established to evaluate the potential release of materials such as flame retardants, non-intentionally added substances, and microplastics throughout the product’s life cycle. A systematic template was developed to identify release hotspots potentially affecting workers, consumers, and environmental species and organisms. Based on these findings, experimental simulations were conducted to compare release profiles between a benchmark and the SSbD alternative.

Abstract: Frequent monitoring of fresh soil and plant properties in the same location and timepoint is now possible using real-time near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of vegetation cover and height on soil and plant nutrients across managed and unmanaged agricultural land in a temperate climate. A total of 803 soil and 803 fresh vegetation samples were collected between the years 2023 and 2024 from 125 different land parcels in the southwest of the UK, which were either managed for grazing and/or feed production or not managed for agricultural use. The land had a range of grass, crops, legume, herb and flower species, across temporary grass, arable and permanent grass areas. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of vegetation height (in cm) and cover (tonnes dry matter per hectare) on soil and plant nutrients. The results showed that the ratio of soil to plant organic matter (OM) reduced with increased vegetation height and cover. Plant dry matter (DM) digestibility, acid detergent fibre (ADF), water soluble carbohydrate and oil contents increased with vegetation height, and DM and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased with vegetation height. Ratio of soil to plant OM reduced and ADF increased with increasing vegetation cover. Interactions between vegetation height and cover (i.e. density) were found for ratio of soil to plant OM, ADF, NDF, DM, DM digestibility, oil, and crude protein nutrients. The real-time measurement of soil and plant nutrients with NIRS allowed changes in vegetation cover across the agricultural landscape to be investigated.

Abstract: Urban parks are essential to sustainable cities, providing climate regulation, support-ing biodiversity, and offering vital spaces for recreation and overall well-being. How-ever, their soils also act as long-term reservoirs for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), resulting from decades of atmospheric deposition, diffuse urban emissions, and the inherent heterogeneity of urban soils. This review brings together current knowledge on the occurrence, sources, and environmental behaviour of priority POPs, such as OCPs, PCBs, PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, PFAS, and PAHs, in the soils of parks and gar-dens. We examine how the physicochemical properties of these compounds interact with urban soil features to influence sorption, mobility, degradation, and air–soil ex-change. Evidence from cities worldwide reveals consistent patterns: urban parks ac-cumulate mixtures of legacy and emerging pollutants, reflecting both historical inputs and ongoing urban activities. These contaminants contribute to chronic low-level ex-posure through soil ingestion, dust inhalation, and dermal contact, as well as through dietary intake when food is grown in parks. Such pathways have been linked to endo-crine, immune, neurodevelopmental, metabolic, and carcinogenic effects. Despite growing research, significant gaps remain. Mixture toxicity, temporal trends, harmo-nised monitoring, and exposure scenarios specific to recreational soils are still insuffi-ciently understood. Recognising urban parks as both essential green infrastructures and active repositories of persistent pollution is crucial for improving urban environ-mental management. By integrating ecological, toxicological, and urban-planning perspectives, this review highlights the need for proactive monitoring and policy de-velopment to ensure that parks remain healthy and equitable spaces within increas-ingly complex urban landscapes.

Abstract:

Wildfires pose an escalating threat to the oak-dominated forests of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a biodiverse Zagros Mountains hotspot where long-term fire trends and drivers have remained poorly quantified. This study assessed interannual variability and long-term trends in total and forest-specific burned area from 2001 to 2024, examined spatial differences across Duhok, Erbil, Halabja, and Sulaymaniyah governorates, and identified primary climatic drivers of fire extent using MODIS MCD64A1 Version 6.1 burned-area data (500 m resolution) masked to a conservative ~2,000 km² oak forest layer derived from high-resolution 2024 NDVI classification. Across the entire Kurdistan Region, burned area averaged 687 km² year⁻¹ (SD = 640 km²), totalled 16,486 km² over the 24-year period, and exhibited a statistically significant upward trend of 31 km² year⁻¹ (Theil–Sen slope; Mann–Kendall p = 0.024). Forest burned area averaged 356 km² year⁻¹, displayed a significant increasing trend of 17 km² year⁻¹ (Mann–Kendall p = 0.016), and reached a cumulative 8,542 km²—more than four times the current ~2,000 km² forest cover—with Duhok and Sulaymaniyah together accounting for 77 % of cumulative forest loss and showing the strongest upward trends. Maximum temperature and drought severity were the dominant climatic drivers: each 1 °C rise in monthly maximum temperature increased expected burned area by 12.8 % (incidence-rate ratio = 1.128, p < 0.001), and a one-unit worsening of PDSI increased it by 22.5 % (incidence-rate ratio = 1.225, p < 0.001), with marked non-linear escalation above ~32 °C and PDSI < –2. These findings demonstrate that climate warming and drying are rapidly intensifying fire regimes across the Kurdistan Region and its forests, pushing oak ecosystems toward potential irreversible degradation, and underscore the urgent need for governorate-specific fire-management strategies and enhanced regional monitoring to protect this critical ecological and cultural resource under ongoing climate change.

Abstract: The assessment of lake environments is crucial in tropical regions to ensure clean water access, while local lake sediments may serve as indicators of the local geology and environmental hazards. In this study, a multivariate approach was used to explore the sediment geochemistry of ten small lakes in Dak Lak province in Vietnam, which are characterized by contrasting elemental abundances. Specifically, multivariate analyses (CA and PCA) were applied to three datasets (bulk content, EFAl, and EFFe) of 57 elements and further combined with geochemical indicators and normalized rare earth element distribution patterns. The results enabled the identification of different groups of lakes with distinct geochemical fingerprints related to the major geochemical formations. The applied method can be effectively utilized to discriminate the provenance of surface sediment in water reservoirs, maintaining good coherence even with limited geochemical data. This study provides a foundation for sustainable land use and optimized irrigation in the Dak Lak region, which is under climate change stresses, such as longer and harder droughts.

Abstract: An in-depth analysis of the drivers of agricultural emissions at the primary crop output and farm-gate levels is crucial to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This study examines the short- and long-run effects of crop production on farm-gate emissions in the regional trading bloc (RTB) member states in Africa. We proxy crop production by cereals, roots and tubers, vegetables, and fruits production, and split emissions into methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Furthermore, we collected data on these variables from 30 member states of the selected RTBs in Africa from 1990 to 2022, which we analyzed using the cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributive lag approach that controls for endogeneity and heterogeneous slopes. We also employed the pooled mean group and sub-sample analyses as robustness checks to ensure the reliability of study findings. Our results revealed that cereal production increases farm-gate methane and nitrous oxide emissions in Africa’s RTB member states in the short and long run. The increase is between the range of 1.0021 to 1.0033 kilotons CO2–eq yr-1 for methane and 1.0024 to 1.0035 kilotons CO2–eq yr-1 for nitrous oxide on average. Thus, cereal production has a more adverse effect on nitrous oxide than methane emissions. In addition, fruit production increases farm gate methane emissions in Africa’s RTB member states by 1.0023 kiloton CO2–eq yr-1 on average in the long run. We recommend promoting climate-smart agriculture, investing in agricultural emissions monitoring, surveillance, and reporting systems, and targeting cereal and fruit production systems in RTB emission control plans.

Abstract: Abundant plastic waste is projected to exacerbate climate change due to the substantial greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the plastic life cycle—including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. As micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly detected across environmental compartments, they are contributing to significant ecological impacts, such as disrupting ecosystems and diminishing the ocean’s carbon sequestration capacity. Growing evidence has also intensified concerns about public health, as plastics-driven climate change and microplastic pollution facilitate the transport of contaminants, including emerging pollutants of concern such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study aims to identify the key issues linking plastics-driven climate change to environmental and public health effects. The specific objectives are to: (a) review the role of microplastics (MPs) in influencing climate change; (b) examine how transformed plastic polymers interact with recalcitrant contaminants, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and PFAS; and (c) propose remediation strategies and recommend future research directions to address the escalating challenges associated with increasing global plastic production. Additionally, the paper presents a recent case study on the influence of MPs on antibiotic resistance and discusses persistent challenges in mitigating emerging public health risks posed by microplastic (MP) pollution and associated contaminants.

Abstract: The aim of the study was the silvicultural assessment of the species composition, structure, sanitary condition, productivity, and carbon content of three modal 120-140-year-old Scots pine forests in the East European forest-steppe of the Russian Plain. Silvicultural, forest inventory and mensuration methods were used to analyze the characteristics of these stands. The distribution models of trees by diameter and growth were analyzed, and the reserves of aboveground and underground phytomass for each forest stand were assessed. All surveyed forest stands are highly productive and in excellent sanitary condition. The forest stand on moist moderately fertile soils was characterized by higher forest mensuration characteristics on average. Allometric relationships between the diameter of forest stands and their height have been established, which will allow mathematical modeling and forecasting of the dynamics of forest stand characteristics in forestry practice. The surveyed forest stands on moderately moist moderately fertile soils store 112.9-122.6 tons of carbon per hectare (tC/ha) in their phytomass, on moist moderately fertile soils - 182.8 tC/ha. About 73% of carbon reserves are concentrated in the above-ground phytomass, and about 27% in the underground phytomass, respectively. Trunk wood accumulates the main part (58-60%) of the aboveground phytomass of the studied pine stands.

Abstract: The present review focuses on the peculiar environmental and health implications of fibrous am-phibole 'fluoro-edenite', a new mineral first reported in Biancavilla (Etna Mount, Sicily, Italy). Its presence has been linked to an unusually high incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma during 1988–1997 national surveys, marking the first case study of natural occurrence of fibrous am-phibole in a volcanic context. Despite remediation effort since the cessation of quarrying activities at the “Il Calvario” quarry, the risk of fiber exposure may extend beyond urban areas to surrounding soils and volcanic formation, not fully characterized yet. This review synthesizes relevant existing literature on mineralogical and chemical features of fluoro-edenite, while also enriching current understanding with new observations from optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Our analyses reveal the presence of fluoro-edenite amphibole not only in the altered samples but, significantly, within the massive rock samples. This findings expands its known distribution and offers initial consideration on public health implication related to massive lava rock, which crop out. This study highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring, detailed geological surveys, and further research into fiber occurrences and distribution in the volcanic systems, of which Mt Etna represents the first case of natural occurrences, in to fully assess their impact on public health.

Abstract: In this study, we present the main phases of the reconstruction of the town of Bisaccia after natural disasters. Bisaccia is a small town in the hinterland of the southern Apen-nines (southern Italy), most recently hit by the earthquake of 23 November 1980. However, the urban and socio-economic development of the town was determined not only by the earthquakes of the past centuries, such as those of 1694, 1732, 1930 and 1962, but also and above all by the fragility of the terrain deposits on which it stands, that caused complex landslide phenomena on the territory. The earthquake of 1980 made it possible to rebuild the village on a different site, not far from the old settle-ment, resulting in the de facto coexistence of two villages, with all the problems that this entails. This article examines how Bisaccia town has historically adapted and re-sponded to seismic and hydrogeological crises with the aim of point up the sustainable development of Bisaccia inland areas. We collected a photographic documentation of the actual urban reality of Bisaccia reporting in detail modern 'atypical and utopian' new assessment of the town as desired by its creator, the architect Aldo Loris Rossi.

Abstract: Urban lakes, as critical components of urban ecosystems, provide essential ecological services but face water quality deterioration due to rapid urbanization and associated land use changes. This study investigated the temporal and spatial characteristics and evolution mechanisms of water quality in Wuhan city lakes, with a focus on the Great East Lake basin (GELB), a typical urban lake cluster in the middle Yangtze River basin, encompassing six key lakes: East Lake (EL), Sha Lake (SL), Yangchun Lake (YCL), North Lake (NL), Yan East Lake (YEL), and Yan West Lake (YWL). The spa-tio-temporal variation of water quality was studied by analyzing monthly water en-vironment data from 2017 to 2023. The surrounding land use data of 2020 and the corresponding year's water quality data were integrated and examined to assess the impact of land use on major pollutants. The results showed that SL had the best water quality, EL, YEL, and YWL exhibited similar water quality evaluation results, while YCL and NL had the worst water quality. Seasonal variations in water quality were observed, influenced by the ecological functions of lakes and surrounding land use. Notably, understanding these seasonal dynamics provides insights into nutrient cycle operations and their effective management under varying climatic conditions. In ad-dition, the correlation between chlorophyll-a concentration and nutrient elements in urban lakes was not consistent, with some lakes showing significant negative correla-tions. The water quality of urban lakes is influenced by both land use and human management. Land use analysis indicated high impervious surfaces in EL, SL, and YCL exacerbated runoff-driven nutrient loads, YEL's nitrogen elevation from agricultural runoff, and NL's pollution from historical industrial discharge. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted water management strategies to mitigate the impact of urbanization on water quality and provide a scientific basis for effective governance and ecological restoration in rapidly urbanizing areas around the world. By adopting an integrated approach combining water quality assessments with land use data, this research offers valuable insights for sustainable urban lake management.

Abstract: This study investigates the environmental and economic dynamics of sustainable aviation through the perspectives of senior executives in Türkiye’s civil aviation sector. As global aviation continues to face increasing pressure to decarbonize, understanding how industry leaders perceive and respond to carbon emission challenges is critical. The research employs a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with ten executives across airlines, airports, and aviation authorities. Using Python-based data mining techniques and thematic analysis, three core themes emerged: (1) sustainable aviation experience and economic dimensions, (2) carbon emissions reduction and efficient aviation systems, and (3) sustainable energy and alternative fuel technologies. Findings reveal that while environmental sustainability is a growing concern, operational costs, technological constraints, and regulatory uncertainties significantly influence implementation. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of coordinated action among governments, industry, and international organizations, especially in scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and enhancing infrastructure for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The study concludes that achieving net-zero aviation by 2050 requires an integrated approach that balances technological innovation, policy incentives, and stakeholder engagement. This multidimensional insight contributes to the ongoing discourse on low-carbon transition strategies in aviation, offering policy-relevant implications for developing countries.

Abstract: Sulfur is an important constant element in the crust, with a mass abundance of approximately 0.03%, is mainly obtained as a by-product of hydrodesulfurization in petroleum refining. Although China produces over ten million tons of sulfur annually, its applications remain limited, and while sulfur is not flammable under normal conditions, its oxidizability and potential to catch fire under extreme conditions pose safety and environmental risks during storage. To address these issues, we developed a multicomponent polymerization (MCP) strategy using elemental sulfur, dicarboxylic acids, and diamines to synthesize functional polythioamides. This metal-free approach utilizes readily available raw materials and enables the efficient construction of structurally diverse polymers. Unlike previously reported MCP systems relying on aromatic monomers, our work employed aliphatic diamines and diacids, yielding polythioamides with rigid structures and excellent properties. Characterization by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Adsorption studies demonstrated a strong affinity for Hg(II), with a maximum capacity of 187 mg·g⁻¹. SEM, XPS revealed clear morphological and compositional changes after Hg(II) uptake, confirming efficient adsorption. This work highlights MCP as a promising route for converting sulfur into functional polymers with high potential in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Abstract: Conducting carbon footprint studies on bamboo scrimber products based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can quantitatively declare its environmental performance and further the cleaner-production improvement. This study established a life cycle model and inventory data set for bamboo scrimber flooring from "cradle to gate," accurately quantifying carbon emissions during raw material transportation and product production stages. Two types of bamboo scrimber flooring processes (deep carbon and shallow carbon). In addition, this study compared the carbon footprints of products processed using bamboo scrimber flooring and bamboo plywood template production methods. Results showed that the carbon emissions during the processing of 1m³ of deep carbon and shallow carbon bamboo scrimber flooring were 1845.99 kg CO2 e and 1570.85 kg CO2 e respectively. When coupling the carbon storage of raw material supply and product usage stages, the life-cycle carbon footprints for 1m³ of deep carbon and shallow carbon bamboo scrimber flooring were 962.23 kg CO2 e and 677.86 kg CO2 e, respectively. The carbon emissions and life cycle carbon footprint for the processing of bamboo plywood templates were 1435.55 kg CO2 e and 640.23 kg CO2 e, respectively. Analysis of different these processes and effects that found adhesives had the greatest impact on the carbon footprint.

Abstract: Alberta’s adoption of the federal carbon pricing backstop in 2019 provides a natural ex- 2 periment to disentangle whether firms respond to policy certainty (credible long-term 3 commitments) or price-level effects (actual carbon costs). Using a within-firm difference- 4 in-differences approach combined with nine alternative identification strategies on 1,381 5 firms over 2004–2023, we test responses to three distinct policy events across a unified 6 segmented specification. Our core findings: (1) green patenting is modest at announcement 7 (2.38, not significant), peaks at legislative clarification (5.50, p = 0.026), and is small at 8 implementation (1.03, not significant), totaling about nine additional patents by 2019+, 9 implying that policy detail—not initial news or price imposition—drives innovation; (2) 10 emission intensity improvements emerge early at announcement and strengthen through 11 implementation; (3) within-firm DiD shows green patent applications increase by 14.11 12 units (17% relative to baseline) post-2019; (4) emission intensity decreases by 185.24 units 13 (28% reduction); but (5) absolute emissions do not decline significantly due to 28.6% output 14 expansion offsetting efficiency gains. We conclude that policy design matters: firms respond 15 to specific policy milestones, but carbon pricing alone cannot achieve absolute emission 16 reductions without output restrictions.