[Objective] In the context of the “dual carbon” goals, digitalization is the key approach for manufacturing enterprises to achieve energy-saving and carbon-reducing operations. Building upon an in-depth interpretation of the connotations of digitalization, this study tries to deconstruct the mechanism of how digital transformation drives energy saving and carbon reduction. In doing so, this study aims to enrich micro-level research perspectives and provide new insights for the research on the new integration of digitization and greening in enterprises. [Methods] Using questionnaire survey data collected from 704 manufacturing enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil, this study employed an ordered Probit model and a mediation effect model to systematically evaluate the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects, heterogeneous characteristics, and influencing pathways of digital transformation. [Results] (1) The digital transformation of enterprises had a significantly positive effect on energy saving and carbon reduction. (2) Digital transformation achieved energy saving and carbon reduction by improving enterprises' energy utilization efficiency, technological R&D capabilities, coordinated collaboration, and supply-demand matching capabilities. (3) The positive effect of digitization on energy saving and carbon reduction was more pronounced for enterprises closer to upstream sectors in the industry chain and with higher industry technology levels. Digital transformation in Chinese and German manufacturing enterprises greatly promoted energy saving and carbon reduction, whereas this effect was not significant in Brazilian manufacturing enterprises. [Conclusion] This study confirms the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation, which is realized through two influence paths: the production process and the management process. In production processes, these effects manifest as improved energy utilization and R&D capabilities driven by technological progress. In management processes, they are reflected in strengthened coordinated collaboration and supply-demand matching capabilities resulting from reduced information asymmetry.

[Objective] As an important application scenario of the low-altitude economy, drone delivery has been developing rapidly, placing higher demands on the integrated utilization of air and ground resources. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the organizational characteristics and key challenges of air-ground coordination based on practical cases, providing references for the coordination and shared use of airspace resources. [Methods] This study took Shenzhen as a case study, selecting two representative companies, S and M. Through continuous field surveys and in-depth interviews conducted from July 2024 to April 2025, it systematically analyzed their operational models, spatial layouts, and flight route planning. [Results] (1) The existing air-ground coordination operational models were shaped by business model requirements, forming two distinct models: an interconnected direct model anchored at network nodes, and an end-responsive model anchored at commercial districts. (2) The different operational models led to significant differences in air-ground coordination layouts: Company S established a multi-node, coordinated, and large-scale transport network by relying on self-operated distribution centers and delivery outlets, while Company M developed a dense, single-center service system focused on commercial districts. (3) Differences in spatial layout further influenced the interaction between flight routes and ground networks. Company S generally located its facilities in open areas such as logistics parks, resulting in higher flexibility in flight route planning. Company M operated at altitudes lower than densely built urban high-rise buildings, facing more complex spatial constraints. [Conclusion] Low-altitude delivery systems effectively leverage the flexibility and efficiency of drones, expanding service coverage and improving overall delivery efficiency through integration with ground transportation systems. In the future, it is essential to enhance the coordination and shared use of airspace resources, advance the deep integration of drone delivery with ground transportation infrastructure, and address coordination and connectivity challenges such as gaining access to communities and buildings.

With the continuous improvement of China’s highway network construction and the ongoing expansion of transportation infrastructure, traditional highway inspection methods can no longer meet the practical requirements of modern highway maintenance and management in terms of efficiency, safety, and coverage. Low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology, with its advantages of high mobility, low cost, and strong data acquisition capability, provides a novel technical solution for highway inspection. Therefore, this study first systematically reviews the current application status and development trends of low-altitude UAV remote sensing technology in highway inspection, and conducts an in-depth analysis of its application progress in four typical scenarios: intelligent detection of pavement distress, bridge distress identification and vibration monitoring, slope stability monitoring and risk early warning, and rapid emergency response and disaster assessment. Focusing on the “low-altitude flight—distress identification—real-time computing—3D visualization” technical pathway, this study primarily discusses key technical methods such as low-altitude inspection route planning, automatic pavement distress identification, edge computing for real-time processing, and 3D reconstruction with digital twin. Additionally, this study elaborates on the practical challenges faced by existing low-altitude remote sensing technology in highway inspection applications, including insufficient data stability and standardization, lack of multi-source data fusion and integrated application, mismatch between model accuracy and industry requirements, and issues related to policies, regulations, and safety management. Finally, from the three dimensions of deepening technical applications, breakthroughs in key technologies, and development of standardized regulations, this study proposes the key directions for the future development of low-altitude remote sensing technology in highway inspection, providing theoretical references and technical support for advancing highway maintenance and management toward intelligent, information-based, and refined models.

Offshore renewable energy boasts abundant potential and exhibits characteristics of synergistic development. However, it also faces challenges such as complex environmental conditions, low reliability, and spatial competition. Moreover, its interdisciplinary theoretical foundations have not yet been fully understood, and a systematic understanding of sustainable development pathways is lacking. From the perspective of energy geography, a research framework encompassing five dimensions—potential, technology, industry, space, and governance is developed. Through multidimensional integration and cross-domain analysis, the study systematically reviews the research progress in the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy, including potential assessment, technological development, industrial synergy, spatial evaluation, and impact governance. The review indicates that: (1) Offshore renewable energy is still in its early stage, characterized by “diverse energy types with great potential but technological imbalance, and abundant application scenarios but insufficient integration”. Specifically, offshore wind power technology is mature and dominates development. Energy industry development approaches are diverse with various integration scenarios, while single-mode development still prevails in the short term. Development and utilization offer significant environmental benefits, but may lead to risk transfer. (2) Scientific research, technological development, and industrial integration practices lag far behind the actual needs of offshore resources development and utilization. This is manifested in large discrepancies in assessment results due to different evaluation scales for energy potential, and inconsistent evaluation criteria within the same scale. Immature technological development and poor economic viability of industrial integration hinder efficient development and utilization of marine resources. Spatial assessments focus primarily on planar site selection and optimization, with limited research on three-dimensional marine utilization and the integration of energy and industrial production. The ecological impact mechanisms of development and utilization remain unclear. (3) To promote coordinated development across the five dimensions, offshore renewable energy development should focus on unifying potential assessment standards, enhancing techno-economic efficiency, promoting industrial integration, optimizing spatial utilization, and improving the governance framework. These efforts will support the efficient use of marine resources and the high-quality development of the marine economy. This review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and advancing offshore renewable energy development, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

[Objective] A systematic evaluation of the resilience of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals to identify weaknesses and bottlenecks that impede resilience enhancement is crucial for ensuring the security of clean energy industry and supply chains and facilitating energy transition and technological innovation in China. [Methods] Integrating strategic priorities of industry and supply chain resilience and the unique characteristics of industry and supply chains of clean energy metals, this study established an evaluation indicator system with 12 indicators across four dimensions: control capacity, competitiveness, collaborative capacity, and geopolitical cooperation capacity. Using entropy weight method and TOPSIS-grey relational analysis, this study evaluated the resilience levels of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals from 2018 to 2022, with copper, aluminum, lithium, and cobalt as examples. [Results] (1) The overall resilience level of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals remained relatively low, showing a continuous downward trend before 2021 and an upward trend in the post-pandemic recovery period since 2021. Resilience levels varied significantly among different mineral types and supply chain segments. Emerging minerals outperformed bulk minerals, and processing/manufacturing and smelting demonstrated significantly higher resilience than upstream mining. (2) Bottlenecks and weaknesses hindering resilience enhancement of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals were identified. Insufficient industry integration impeded rapid and efficient coordination with other segments. Failure to effectively control international market shares limited control capacity. R&D investments by related enterprises were declining, particularly in bulk mineral-dominated industries lacking new growth drivers, making the lack of R&D investment a more prominent barrier. The barrier caused by insufficient geopolitical cooperation capacity was increasing. Emerging minerals such as lithium and cobalt in upstream segments were more affected, while bulk minerals such as copper and aluminum in mid-to-downstream segments were more affected. [Conclusion] China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals show low resilience levels due to insufficient integration across the whole industry chain, insufficient international market shares, weak investment momentum, and declining geopolitical cooperation capacity. To enhance the resilience of industry and supply chains of clean energy metals, China should promote integrated development of industry and supply chains, leverage its ultra-large domestic market to establish first-mover advantages in market control. Enterprises, particularly those in the mid-to-downstream segments, should be incentivized to increase R&D expenditures, while a combination of centralization and diversification strategies should be adopted to develop collaborative global supply chain networks.

[Objective] In the context of “dual carbon” strategic goals and the development of new-quality productivity, this study explores how digital transformation drives the development of green productivity in manufacturing enterprises, providing an micro-level theoretical basis for developing new-quality productivity through digitalization and greening in manufacturing industry. [Methods] Using data from A-share listed manufacturing enterprises in China from 2007 to 2021, the global super-efficiency slacks-based measure (GS-SBM) model was employed to establish and calculate carbon emission efficiency indicators, so as to measure the levels of enterprise green productivity. An empirical examination was conducted to examine the effect of digital transformation on green productivity and its mechanisms. Then an analysis was carried out on the structural heterogeneity of the driving effect of digitization and the backward spillover effects in the industry and supply chains. [Results] (1) Digital transformation significantly enhanced the carbon emission efficiency in manufacturing enterprises, effectively promoting the development of green productivity. (2) The empowerment of green productivity development through digitalization in manufacturing enterprises was primarily achieved through dual mechanisms: green technological innovation and total factor productivity improvement. (3) The empowering effect of digitalization exhibited structural heterogeneity. Compared to the consumer end, digital transformation at the production end had more significant influences on improving carbon emission efficiency. Across the sub-dimensions of digital transformation, a U-shaped relationship existed between digital transformation driven by modern information system and carbon emission efficiency. This improvement effect of carbon efficiency manifested only when enterprises entered the stage of productivity transformation with data as a factor of production. (4) The backward spillover effects of digital empowerment were observed, where the digital transformation of downstream manufacturing enterprises drove improvements in carbon emission efficiency for upstream enterprises. [Conclusion] Digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises can significantly enhance green productivity development. Therefore, manufacturing firms should prioritize the development of digital capacity across production and productive service scenarios. Meanwhile, digital coordination across the industry chain should be strengthened, and staged and incremental approaches to transform data into productivity should be promoted. Governments should actively cultivate digital transformation service providers, improve innovation efficiency support mechanisms, and build data-sharing platforms to facilitate a qualitative leap in the productivity of manufacturing enterprises.

[Objective] Conducting research on the impact of land use change on the spatiotemporal pattern of carbon budget and scenario simulation is of great significance for revealing the mutual feedback mechanism between land use and regional carbon processes, and exploring strategies for optimizing and controlling the territorial spatial pattern towards achieving the dual carbon goals. [Methods] Taking Henan Province as an example, this study analyzed the impact of land use change on carbon budget from 2005 to 2020, and simulated the spatiotemporal distribution of carbon budget under different scenarios in the future. [Results] (1) During the study period, the imbalance of carbon budget in Henan Province intensified and showed significant spatial heterogeneity. The carbon emissions first increased and then decreased, while the carbon absorption showed a slight fluctuation. The net carbon emissions showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, which spatially showed a trend of clustering towards the center of each city and gradually decreasing towards the periphery. (2) With rapid urbanization, land use in Henan Province has undergone drastic changes, and there is a significant correlation between land use and the spatial distribution of carbon budget. In the study period, the cultivated land area in the province decreased by 5.5%, while the construction land area increased by 41.7%. Due to the expansion of construction land and the increase in human energy consumption intensity, the total carbon emissions in Henan Province increased from 447 million tons to 532 million tons from 2005 to 2020, with an increase rate of 19%. (3) There are significant spatial and temporal differences in the carbon budget pattern of Henan Province under different scenarios in the future. Under the scenario of construction and development, carbon emissions are rapidly increasing, the net carbon emissions in 2060 are 646.7 million tons, and the imbalance of carbon budget is worsening. Under the scenario of farmland protection, carbon emissions show a significant downward trend, the net carbon emissions in 2060 are 28 million tons, and the imbalance of carbon budget is alleviated to some extent. Under the ecological protection scenario, carbon emissions are significantly reduced, and the ecological carbon sink capacity is enhanced. The net carbon emissions in 2060 are -1.8 million tons, indicating that the province can achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2060 under the ecological protection scenario. [Conclusion] The rapid urbanization and land use changes in Henan Province have led to a significant increase in carbon emissions and agglomeration effects, exacerbating the imbalance of carbon budget. Ecological protection scenarios can help achieve carbon neutrality goals. Therefore, in the future, the territorial spatial pattern should be optimized and strictly controlled to strengthen ecological protection and governance, alleviate the risk of carbon imbalance driven by land use changes, and enhance the ability of territorial space to combat the impact of climate change.

[Objective] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) represent a key development direction in global strategic emerging technologies and one of the highly competitive high-tech products in China. Revealing the global UAV trade network and its influencing factors can provide decision-making support for optimizing the global trade pattern and helping China avoid potential trade risks. [Methods] Complex network analysis, exponential random graph model, and network vulnerability simulation model were employed to reveal the topological characteristics of the global UAV trade network from 2022 to 2024, analyze the influencing factors of the network, and simulate the network vulnerability under different impact scenarios. [Results] (1) From 2022 to 2024, global UAV trade volume increased from 4.232 billion USD to 12.665 billion USD, an increase of 1.99 times. Changes in trade volume were linked to the global geopolitical situation and trade control policies. (2) Overall, both the number of participating economies and trade connections in the global UAV trade network increased, with a significant small-world phenomenon. At present, western economies such as Ukraine and the United States have played an increasingly prominent role as importers, while the mainland of China and Hong Kong of China gradually dominated the export pattern. Malaysia’s influence on trade networks rapidly expanded. The network evolved from a single-core structure to a dual-core structure, forming a super cluster centered on the mainland of China and Hong Kong of China, covering 75% of the global economies and nearly 80% of the trade volume. (3) Reciprocal relationships served as a critical endogenous structure driving the expansion of the network. Economies with high openness, favorable institutional environment, advanced technological levels, and strong economic strength shaped the core structure of the network through their significant advantages in both imports and exports. The influence of geographical distance and geopolitical relationships on the establishment of trade connections was limited. (4) Under the influence of the transmission-based trade network motif structure, the influence of the withdrawal of different types of economies on network efficiency followed the order: intermediary type > comprehensive type > export-oriented type > import-oriented type. The influence of export restrictions by export-oriented type economies on network efficiency was greater than that of import restrictions by import-oriented type economies. [Conclusion] From 2022 to 2024, the global UAV trade scale has doubled, and changes in the network structure are linked to the international situation. China has a scale advantage and concentrated risks in the global UAV trade market.

With advancements in low-altitude technology and reforms in the airspace management, human activity is expanding from the ground into the low altitude space. This can unlock new dimensions of value in low-altitude resources and accelerate the development of the low-altitude economy. As a representative example of new quality productive forces, the low-altitude economy has become a key component of the national strategy for high-quality development. In response to the new demands and tasks of efficiently utilizing low-altitude resources and ensuring the sustainable development of the low-altitude economy, it is essential to leverage geography’s unique disciplinary strengths in analyzing spatial heterogeneity, systemic interactions, and dynamic evolution patterns. By conducting systematic research on theory, policy, industry, and application, it provides crucial support for addressing challenges such as resource allocation, industrial layout, and spatial governance in the development of the low-altitude economy.

[Objective] The digital economy is a crucial tool for achieving the “dual carbon” goals. Land use is a significant source of carbon emissions. Therefore, investigating the impact of the digital economy on the carbon emission efficiency of land use and understanding its underlying mechanisms is an urgent research topic to fulfill the “dual carbon” commitments. [Methods] Based on the panel data of 282 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2006 to 2020, this study applied the undesirable super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model, two-way fixed effects model, and mediation effect model to reveal the impact of digital economic development on the carbon emission efficiency of land use and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. [Results] (1) During the study period, the digital economy has shown a significant positive impact on the carbon emission efficiency of land use, a conclusion that has been validated through a series of robustness tests. (2) The results of the mechanism analysis indicate that the digital economy can enhance the carbon emission efficiency of land use by improving energy efficiency, promoting industrial structure upgrades, and fostering technological innovation. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the aforementioned positive effects vary significantly depending on the city's geographical location, resource endowments, administrative level, and whether it is a low-carbon pilot city. [Conclusion] The development of the digital economy, through the integration of data elements and the empowerment of intelligent technologies, has significantly optimized the efficiency of land resource allocation, providing a technological pathway for enhancing the carbon emission efficiency of land use. Against the backdrop of the thriving digital economy, cities should fully leverage the advantages of digital technology to drive innovation and low-carbon transformation in land use, thereby promoting high-quality economic development.

[Objective] The development of high-quality offshore wind power is not only an important part of China's efforts to establish a new-type power system, but also a critical safeguard for building a strong maritime nation. Exploring feasible solutions to alleviate the supply-demand mismatch in offshore wind power can enhance its consumption capacity while achieving substantial economic benefits, thereby providing strategic insights for high-quality development of offshore wind power during capacity optimization stage. [Methods] This study integrated the strategies of reducing discharge frequency of short-term energy storage and participating in peak shaving for long-term energy storage. Under the target constraint of wind curtailment rate (R^CUR) not exceeding 5%, with the objectives of optimizing loss of load probability (LOLP) and net present value ratio(NPVR), technology-energy-economy optimization evaluation model was established to optimize the configuration of short-term and long-term energy storage. A year-long simulation of energy storage charging and discharging was conducted. The impacts of two short-term storage technologies, the lithium-ion battery（LI）with high charge-discharge efficiency and the flow battery (FB) with high charge-discharge cycle life, and one long-term energy storage technology, pumped hydro storage, on system energy utilization, energy supply reliability, and economic benefits were also evaluated. [Results] The proposed optimization method yielded more economically efficient configuration schemes. The net present value (NPV) increased by a maximum of 1.897 billion yuan, with annual additional peak shaving electricity sales revenue from long-term energy storage reaching 98 million yuan. Moreover, it effectively extended the service life of short-term energy storage by 1 to 2.6 times. The optimized configuration enhanced the utilization of wind curtailment by approximately 64%. Comparative analysis revealed that the limitations of charge-discharge cycles had a greater influence on the economic efficiency of short-term energy storage system than charge-discharge efficiency. [Conclusion] Energy storage capacity design requires integrated planning. Application methods and operational policies for energy storage should fully consider system performance and the application potential for residual storage capacity. The correlation between the high-quality development of offshore wind power and the enhanced performance of long-term energy storage systems should not be overlooked.

[Objective] Guangdong is a leading province in offshore wind power development in China. By the end of 2024, its installed nearshore wind capacity ranked first nationwide, with a long-term near-shore development plan exceeding 30 GW. However, challenges such as insufficient power transmission capacity, grid stability issues caused by large-scale integration, and the ongoing reform of market-based pricing for renewable energy have posed significant obstacles to the future consumption of nearshore wind power. Hence, this study designs an integrated land-sea energy system based on electricity-hydrogen coupling, and verifies its performance through simulation. [Methods] By analyzing the actual operational data from three offshore wind farms in Guangdong Province, we identified three typical power output curves (low, medium, high) corresponding to different stages of renewable energy development through cluster analysis. An optimization model was established to simulate the integrated land-sea system, defining three dimensions to describe the system's nearshore wind power consumption efficacy: the electro-hydrogen conversion index, wind power effective utilization rate, the share of total system cost attributed to renewable energy. [Results] (1) The low, medium, and high output scenarios mainly occur in summer, spring, and winter respectively, indicating a significant correlation between nearshore wind power output and climate in the region; (2) Under different scenarios, the constructed electric power-hydrogen coupling system can essentially achieve complete absorption of nearshore wind power. Under the high-output and low-demand scenario, the total system cost is approximately 71.7% of that under the low-output and high-demand scenario; (3) The consumption efficacies of the coupled system vary with different offshore wind power penetration rates and hydrogen system capacity configurations. When both the power-to-hydrogen configuration capacity and hydrogen storage tank capacity increase, the power-to-hydrogen conversion ratio and overall system efficacy significantly improve. [Conclusion] The electricity-hydrogen coupling system can effectively improve the consumption of nearshore wind power, and increasing the configured capacity of the hydrogen energy system contributes to enhancing the overall system effectiveness.

[Objective] With the rapid development of the digital economy, rural areas are experiencing new growth opportunities, particularly in providing more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for rural women. Therefore, it is significant to explore the impact of the digital economy on women's empowerment in rural tourism destinations. [Methods] In this study, a six-dimensional analysis framework for promoting women's empowerment through the digital economy was constructed. Yudong Village in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province was selected as a case study site. Qualitative research methods, such as participatory observation and semi-structured interviews, were applied to explore the empowerment paths of rural women in the economic, political, social, psychological, educational, and technological dimensions promoted by the digital economy. [Results] The results are as follows: (1) Based on residents' perceptions, this study analyzed the influence of the digital economy on women's empowerment in six dimensions. Economic and technological empowerment were considered the core dimensions, followed by social and educational dimensions, while the impact on political empowerment was not significant. (2) Personal factors such as women's age and education level, external factors such as the way and degree of participation in the tourism industry, family support atmosphere, and community development environment all have a significant impact on the level of women's empowerment. (3) The digital economy significantly affected women's empowerment through various forms such as the rural brain and social media. The level of empowerment was affected by individual women and external environmental factors, and presented a gradual characteristic. [Conclusion] To further enhance the level of women's empowerment and promote the sustainable development of ruraltourism, the government should leverage the digital technology advantages of enterprises and improve rural women's digital participation capabilities, while promoting the construction of digital village.

[Objective] In the context of China’s “dual-carbon” goals and the ecological civilization development, the management of non-hazardous industrial solid waste (NHIW) in China faces new opportunities and challenges. This study aims to systematically review China’s policy texts on NHIW management from 2001 to 2024 and identify their evolutionary stages and main characteristics, thereby providing references for improving policies on comprehensive industrial resource utilization and enhancing environmental governance efficiency. [Methods] A total of 303 policy documents on NHIW management issued by central government from 2001 to 2024 were selected as the research samples. Through quantitative text analysis methods such as word frequency analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis, combined with punctuated equilibrium theory, this study systematically investigated the evolutionary characteristics of policy objectives, number of policies, keywords, and issuing entities. [Results] (1) China’s policies on NHIW management from 2001 to 2024 could be divided into four stages: initial prevention-oriented and system-building efforts, steady advancement toward circular economy and ecological civilization, strengthened regulation and policy innovation, and a transition toward green, low-carbon, and high-quality development. (2) Across these stages, policy objectives were dynamically adjusted, governance tools were diversified, inter-entity collaboration was strengthened, and policy themes shifted from simple pollution control to comprehensive resource utilization and green development. [Conclusion] China’s policies on NHIW management have undergone a significant evolution from end-of-pipe pollution control to source prevention, and from fragmented management to systemic governance. Future efforts should focus on refined management, multi-department coordination, and innovation-driven strategies to better address resource and environmental pressures and carbon reduction demands, thus facilitating the realization of a Beautiful China and the sustainable development goals.

[Objective] To address the technological management challenges posed by the complexity, disruptiveness, elevational characteristics, and foresight characteristics of low-altitude technological innovation, this study aims to reveal the internal and external coordination mechanisms of enterprises’ low-altitude technological innovation, providing theoretical and practical guidance for the technology layout and policy-making of emerging industries. [Methods] By integrating dynamic capabilities theory and resource dependence theory, 296 A-share listed companies in China engaged in low-altitude technological innovation in 2023 were selected as the samples. Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and machine learning methods, the multiple configuration paths of enterprises’ low-altitude technological innovation were explored. [Results] (1) Five equivalent configurations of low-altitude technological innovation were identified: policy-guided, university-enterprise dependent, university-government dependent, collaborative innovation, and independent breakthrough models. The core driving mechanism was reflected in the nonlinear synergy and dynamic transformation between dynamic capabilities and external resources. (2) Contingency analysis indicates that when enterprises exhibit higher levels of digital-intelligent transformation, organizational redundancy, and larger size, this influences the selection of innovation models by strengthening internal capabilities or restructuring external dependencies. (3) Machine learning results validated the robustness of the fsQCA results and highlighted the critical roles of innovation capability, government-enterprise relationships, and university-enterprise cooperation. [Conclusion] Enterprises’ low-altitude technology innovation requires precise alignment and effective coordination between internal capabilities and external resources, comprehensively considering contingency factors, dynamically and flexibly selecting suitable innovation models based on their resource endowments and external environment.

[Objective] Offshore renewable energy plays a crucial role in addressing global climate change. However, the limitations of the current single utilization mode in marine energy development have become apparent. As a major nation in offshore renewable energy, China needs to develop solutions for both domestic and global energy challenges. [Methods] Through a combination of literature review and case studies, this research systematically analyzes the bottlenecks and practical challenges in the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy. It summarizes integrated utilization modes and their respective advantages for offshore renewable energy. Based on the development requirements of marine new-quality productivity, it proposes trends and strategies for the integrated development and utilization of offshore renewable energy in China. [Results] (1) The current single mode for the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy fails to effectively contribute to climate goals through the ocean. (2) Key practical challenges in offshore renewable energy development include large sea area occupation, low space utilization, and insufficient industrial coordination. (3) The theoretical framework of marine new-quality productivity can better identify four major trends in the transformation of offshore renewable energy development and utilization modes: energy-energy coupling, energy-production coupling, chain coupling, and multiple coupling. These four integrated modes practically facilitate the further development of new-quality productivity. (4) Based on existing cases and data, it is roughly estimated that the integrated development and utilization modes of offshore renewable energy can achieve spatial compatibility and industrial complementarity, demonstrating strong comprehensive benefits and commercial prospects. [Conclusion] The development and utilization of offshore renewable energy in China has reached a critical transformation stage. The integration of offshore renewable energy with various marine production activities and the expansion of application scenarios should be prioritized. Qualified coastal areas should clarify the concept of integrated development and strengthen policy support and guidance. Taking energy and industrial synergy as breakthrough points, China will pioneer the establishment of globally influential new modes and industrial systems for offshore renewable energy development and utilization, providing strong support for building a thriving marine economy and a leading maritime nation.

[Objective] Under the urgent needs of global warming and energy structure transformation, the development of low-altitude economy has become an important path to promote the green and low-carbon transformation in the transportation sector. As a new solution for low-altitude traffic, the large-scale application of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) needs to systematically analyze the “demand-technology” coordination mechanism of its scene application. However, how to deconstruct the adaptation logic of scenario demand and technology supply, and accurately identify the interaction mechanism between market preference and technology bottleneck is the focus of attention. By quantifying the characteristics of market demand and the trend of technology supply, it can provide theoretical support for policy formulation and industrial layout. [Methods] This study conducted a meta-analysis of published eVTOL-related literature to examine the influence mechanisms of variables such as passenger age, gender, and attitude on eVTOL attractiveness and scenario-specific moderating effects. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling was applied to extract effective patent texts related to eVTOL from the incoPat database, identifying the evolutionary trends of technological topics. [Results] (1) On the demand side, in terms of the impact mechanism, passengers’ attitudes and family monthly income significantly positively drive eVTOL. Attractiveness, travel cost and time negatively inhibit eVTOL attractiveness ; as far as the moderating effect is concerned, the influence of passenger attitude in urban scenes is the most sensitive. In the airport scene, the most obvious is the positive impact of passenger age and family monthly income. In the scenic spot scene, the influence of passengers’ attitude and travel cost is the most significant. (2) On the supply side, the evolution of patent topics demonstrated a three-stage pattern: the technology incubation stage focused on comprehensive technological deployment in urban scenarios, the technology deepening stage shifted toward systematic breakthroughs in endurance bottlenecks, and the intelligent transformation stage prioritized in-depth expansion of intelligent capabilities. [Conclusion] (1) eVTOL attractiveness is significantly and positively driven by attitude and income, yet negatively constrained by travel cost and time. The influence mechanisms exhibit scenario heterogeneity—airport scenarios highlight time-value premium effects, while tourism scenarios are primarily driven by experience value. (2) Technological evolution follows a progressive pattern of “basic architecture construction→endurance bottleneck breakthrough→intelligent system advancement,” demonstrating coordinated co-evolution with scenario demands.

As human activities extend from surface space into the three-dimensional low-altitude space, the value of low-altitude airspace resources has been activated, thereby promoting the development of the low-altitude economy. Due to the complex interactions among low-altitude airspace, the surface, and human activities, it is imperative to leverage the disciplinary advantages of geography to investigate the low-altitude human-environment system, providing guidance for the sustainable development of the human-environment system and the scientific implementation of the low-altitude economy. Through conceptual analysis, literature review, and theoretical interpretation, this study clarified the conceptual connotation and geographical characteristics of the low-altitude economy, analyzed the elemental structure and theoretical framework of the low-altitude human-environment system, and proposed key research topics for future focus. The low-altitude airspace evolved from a simple atmospheric concept into a resource element with natural, social, and economic attributes. The complex low-altitude—surface—human activity system formed by the interaction between low-altitude human activities and low-altitude geographical environments emerged as a new subject of human-environment system research. This study constructed the concept of the low-altitude human-environment system, which was composed of low-altitude resources, low-altitude geographical environments, low-altitude human activities, and their interactions. Among them, low-altitude resources were centered on the development and utilization of low-altitude airspace and included various tangible and intangible resources formed through the interaction between the surface and human activities. Their capacity measurement served as the foundation for the development of the low-altitude economy. The low-altitude geographical environment exhibited regional, complex, dynamic, and comprehensive characteristics due to factors such as boundary-layer meteorology, underlying surface conditions, topography, surface structures, ecological environments, and human activities. Low-altitude human activities referred to a series of actions undertaken by humans for survival, development, and improvement of living standards, centered around low-altitude resources, which generated economic, social, and environmental effects. The interactions between humans and environment were critical in driving the dynamic evolution and coupled coordination of the low-altitude human-environment system.

[Objective] Improper disposal of end-of-life power batteries may lead to soil and water pollution. Scientific evaluation of the environmental impacts during the regeneration and utilization processes of these batteries and the identification of key environmental impact factors and stages are essential for improving the resource recovery efficiency and promoting the achievement of the “dual carbon” goal. [Methods] Under such circumstances, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method was employed to quantitatively analyze the environmental impacts of two recycling processes for end-of-life batteries: mechanical-physical recovery and wet recovery. This study innovatively specified five treatment stages, and three endpoint and eighteen midpoint environmental impact types were considered. [Results] (1) The environmental impact values of both recycling processes were negative, indicating that the recycling of end-of-life power batteries could effectively mitigate environmental impacts from a life cycle perspective. The mechanical-physical recovery exhibited better environmental performance compared to the wet recovery, with both processes demonstrating the greatest mitigation effects on marine ecotoxicity, accounting for 51.4% and 53.2%, respectively. (2) From the perspective of endpoint environmental impact, the recycling of end-of-life power batteries exhibited markedly higher mitigation effects on resource depletion (97.3%) than on human health (2.6%) and ecosystem (0.1%). (3) The battery crushing and sorting stage and the electrode sheet processing stage were identified as the primary contributors to the environmental impacts, each accounting for about 35.7% of the total impacts. [Conclusion] Sensitivity analysis shows that reducing material inputs and improving the recycling rate of recycled products have the most significant impacts on life cycle environmental effects, while variations in electricity input show relatively minor effects. It is recommended to further strengthen the cascading utilization of end-of-life power batteries and improve the output rate of recycled products to reduce their environmental impacts.

[Objective] How to advance digital tourism while preserving cultural resources has become a pressing issue for the sustainable development of traditional villages in the framework of Digital China and the Network Power strategy. Research on the construction of digital tourism scenarios in traditional villages is conducive to promoting the coordination between digital protection and village development. [Methods] Guided by scenario theory, methods such as induction and synthesis were employed to investigate the conceptual characteristics and implementation framework of digital tourism scenarios in traditional villages. The digital tourism scenario framework was constructed by taking Zhangguying Village as an example. [Results] (1) The digital tourism scenario of traditional villages was a virtual scenario built by collecting and storing tourism resources such as traditional village architectural landscapes, history and culture, festival activities, and folk customs, and using a virtual simulation platform. (2) The construction of digital tourism scenarios in traditional villages involved four core steps: Identification of scenario elements, collection and preservation of tourism resources, construction of digital tourism scenarios, and presentation and dissemination of tourism scenarios. The final output comprised five key digital tourism scenarios: AI-powered audio guides, virtual activity experiences, digital cultural education, village cultural IPs, and virtual tourism communities. (3) The tourism scenario elements of Zhangguying Village could be collected and stored from the aspects of space, physical structures, diverse groups of people, activities, and cultural values. The digital tourism scenarios of traditional villages in Zhangguying Village could be displayed and disseminated through PC network platforms, mobile intelligent terminals, and virtual tourism experience halls. [Conclusion] Research on the construction of digital tourism scenarios in traditional villages should actively integrate new technologies, new methodologies, and new thinking. It should address the human-land relationship in the information age, and focus on digital technical barriers and issues of authentic presence in scenario realization. Additionally, external support mechanisms require enhancement to achieve innovation through the integration of digitalization and practical applications.

[Objective] Tourism information flow plays a strong guiding role in tourist behavior. Research on the tourism information flow networks within urban agglomerations is crucial for the development of regional tourism in the era of digital economy. [Methods] Using big data analysis from Baidu Index and social network analysis (SNA) method, six urban agglomerations in the east coast of China were taken as examples. Their characteristics and patterns of tourism information flow from 2012 to 2022 were explored, and the driving factors of these networks were further analyzed. [Results] (1) Distinct spatial differentiation was observed in the field strength of tourism information flow within urban agglomerations. Cities with higher development levels exhibited greater agglomeration field strengths, while those rich in tourism resources demonstrated larger diffusion field strengths. (2) The temporal variations of tourism information flow volume within urban agglomerations generally exhibited three stages: rapid growth, slow growth, and rapid decline. The outflow of tourism information within the urban agglomerations was relatively dispersed, while the inflow of tourism information was relatively concentrated. The direction of tourism information flow primarily manifested as a large amount of tourism information flowing from cities within the agglomeration to a few core cities, including provincial capitals. (3) The tourism information flow networks within urban agglomerations mainly exhibited a dual-center axial network or a multi-center radial structure centered on provincial capitals and economically robust cities. Moreover, tourism information flows within urban agglomerations were characterized by short-distance mobility with high fluidity, demonstrating significant regional network clustering effects. (4) The structure of tourism information flow networks within urban agglomerations was greatly influenced by factors such as economic development level, population factors, degree of informatization, tourism and public service level, and psychological distance. [Conclusion] In the context of informatization and digital economy, it is imperative to facilitate the spatial flow and spillover effects of tourism information to drive the upgrading and transformation of regional tourism, thereby achieving the synergistic, complementary, and integrated development of regional tourism.

[Objective] As an important support for low-altitude flight activities, the development of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry is closely linked to the low-altitude economy. This study aims to identify the spatial distribution patterns and coordinated relationships of upstream, midstream, and downstream enterprises in the UAV industry chain, providing references for optimizing industrial spatial layout and promoting high-quality development of the low-altitude economy. [Methods] Based on enterprise big data, this study constructed a comprehensive database of operational UAV enterprises as of December 31, 2024, covering the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the UAV industry chain through keyword search and data cleaning. On this basis, spatial analysis methods were used to identify spatial distribution characteristics of UAV enterprises and coordinated relationships among upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. [Results] (1) In China’s UAV industry, the upstream sector, encompassing raw material suppliers, component manufacturers, and core system developers, accounted for the largest proportion of enterprises. This was followed by downstream service providers, while midstream UAV manufacturers constituted the smallest proportion. Spatially, the distribution exhibited a pattern of “dense in the east and sparse in the west, more in the south and fewer in the north”. The Pearl River Delta exhibited the highest density, followed by the Yangtze River Delta and the Chengdu-Chongqing regions. (2) Upstream and midstream enterprises showed strong spatial clustering, with upstream enterprises having relatively higher clustering coefficients. Downstream enterprises were market-oriented, and their regional distribution showed relatively smaller differences. (3) Based on the distribution of upstream, midstream, and downstream enterprises in each city’s industry chain, cities could be categorized into four types: coordinated, demand-driven, guided, and cultivated. Coordinated cities had relatively complete industrial chains and significant developmental advantages. Demand-driven and guided cities had advantages in certain segments of the industry chain, but also faced certain shortcomings. Most cities were still in the cultivation stage, with a relatively small number of enterprises across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. [Conclusion] The development of the UAV industry varies across cities. Coordinated cities with relatively complete industry chains should serve as the core hubs for building globally competitive industrial clusters. Demand-driven and guided cities should strengthen and supplement their industry chains, while cultivated cities with weaker foundations should leverage local characteristics and advantages to unlock industrial potential. Overall, development strategies should be tailored to local conditions.

[Objective] With the intensification of climate change, countries worldwide have committed to achieving carbon neutrality to meet the temperature control targets set by the Paris Agreement. The circular economy, as a sustainable development model, is playing an increasingly prominent role in climate change mitigation. However, studies focusing on the coupling of climate change mitigation and circular economy have not yet been systematically summarized. [Methods] Based on the literature indexed in the Web of Science database, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis to summarize the research progress, current status, and hotspots in the coupling of climate change mitigation and the circular economy from 1991 to 2024, thereby providing theoretical support and practical guidance for their integration. [Results] (1) Research on the coupling of climate change mitigation and the circular economy began in 1991 and has gone through three stages: initial exploration, steady development, and rapid growth, with research content expanding from solid waste management and recycling to more industries. (2) Globally, a total of 9520 papers have been published on the coupling of climate change mitigation and circular economy, with Chinese scholars contributing the most. Chinese research institutions serve as pivotal hubs in the international collaboration network, highlighting China’s research strength and international influence in this field. (3) The research on the coupling of climate change mitigation and circular economy focuses on four key areas: climate change, circular economy, waste management, and life cycle assessment. Future research trends are expected to focus on carbon neutrality and zero-carbon goals, renewable energy scenarios, digital and intelligent technologies, and multi-method integration. [Conclusion] In the future, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation, promote interdisciplinary exchange, and advance technological innovation, while leveraging opportunities presented by digital and intelligent development to further promote synergistic development between climate change mitigation and the circular economy.

[Objective] The rapid growth of China’s passenger vehicle ownership has imposed tremendous pressure on resource supply and environmental carrying capacity. Analyzing the development trend of end-of-life resources in the passenger vehicle industry helps reveal the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of resource flows, while providing crucial data support and policy implications for optimizing the resource recycling system and promoting the sustainable development of the new energy vehicle industry. [Methods] Using the Gompertz model and dynamic material flow analysis, this study constructed a predictive framework for passenger vehicle ownership and end-of-life volumes across China’s 4 municipalities and 333 prefecture-level administrative regions. This framework systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of different end-of-life passenger vehicle resources from 2001 to 2050. [Results] (1) China’s passenger vehicle ownership was projected to reach 450~640 million by 2050, showing significant regional disparities. Provinces such as Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and Guangdong had significantly higher ownership than other regions. (2) By 2050, the annual end-of-life passenger vehicles were estimated to reach 30.94~64.76 million, with a spatial shift observed from coastal cities to inland provincial capitals. Eastern coastal areas, the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, and southwestern regions would become concentrated end-of-life zones. (3) As new energy vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles became more prevalent, their end-of-life volumes would gradually exceed that of traditional fuel vehicles, leading to a substantial increase in the end-of-life volume of critical materials such as aluminum, copper, and power batteries. (4) Vehicle lifespan and ownership levels were identified as key driving factors affecting the end-of-life flows of passenger vehicles and automotive materials, exerting significant regulatory effects on the long-term resource metabolism trends. [Conclusion] The research findings provide a scientific basis for capacity planning in the resource recycling industry, formulation of regional differentiated policies, and construction of material recycling systems for new energy vehicles, thereby helping China achieve the “dual carbon” goals and circular economy transition.

[Objective] This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the low-altitude economy manufacturing, along with the spatiotemporal correlation patterns and influencing factors of its industry and innovation chains. The findings are expected to provide a theoretical basis and policy support for enhancing the integration of production and innovation in the low-altitude economy. [Methods] Based on the obtained enterprise data related to components and aircraft sectors of the low-altitude economy manufacturing in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration, this study employed kernel density analysis, co-location quotient analysis, and unordered multinomial logistic regression models to explore the spatial clustering characteristics of low-altitude economy manufacturing, the spatiotemporal correlation patterns between its industry and innovation chains, and their influencing factors. [Results] (1) Both production-oriented and innovation-oriented enterprises in the low-altitude economy manufacturing of the PRD urban agglomeration exhibited a pronounced Guangzhou-Shenzhen dual-core structure. These enterprises were predominantly distributed in various industrial functional zones and central urban areas. (2) The spatiotemporal correlation between production and innovation in the low-altitude economy manufacturing was characterized by production-oriented enterprises leading the spatiotemporal patterns of innovation-oriented enterprises. Meanwhile, the spatiotemporal correlation between industry and innovation chains demonstrated a pattern where component sectors followed the aircraft sectors, while the latter showed a tendency toward independent agglomeration. (3) Different spatiotemporal correlation patterns were influenced by factors such as the levels of industrial functional zones, economic vitality, land prices, distance to airports, cluster types, and enterprise scale, among which national-level industrial functional zones played a particularly prominent role. [Conclusion] The low-altitude economy manufacturing in the PRD urban agglomeration has preliminarily formed a co-agglomeration pattern of production-innovation and industry-innovation chains. However, the overall level of regional co-agglomeration still needs improvement. Building and upgrading the level of industrial functional zones is key to promoting the co-agglomeration among enterprises.

[Objective] Scientifically evaluating the spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of shrinkage and transformation of resource-based cities in China, and understanding their functional relationship and interaction mechanisms are crucial for achieving sustainable development in these cities. [Methods] Based on socioeconomic statistical data and remote sensing monitoring data, an evaluation indicator system was established for shrinkage and transformation of resource-based cities. Using the comprehensive index model, coordinated development model, and geodetector, the spatiotemporal characteristics of shrinkage and transformation from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed, their interactive relationship types were classified, and the key influencing factors were identified. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, both shrinkage and transformation in China’s resource-based cities showed increasing trends, with a spatial clustering patterns. Shrinkage was mainly reflected in the population dimension, while transformation was most evident in the industrial and innovation dimensions. Resource-based cities in Northeast China demonstrated the highest shrinkage degree, while those in the eastern coastal areas showed the highest transformation degree. (2) Most resource-based cities achieved a coordinated state between shrinkage and transformation, but a significant number showed signs of imbalance, predominantly characterized by interactive adaptation types. The effectiveness of urban transformation in alleviating shrinkage remained limited, and spatial variations existed in coordinated development types and interactions between shrinkage and transformation. (3) The interaction between shrinkage and transformation in resource-based cities intensified. Interactions among factors within each system exerted stronger effects than individual factors, with both the depth and breadth of these interactions showing increasing trends. Urban shrinkage restricted transformation through a complex mechanism centered on population outflow and economic growth slowdown, while urban transformation alleviated shrinkage through a reverse mechanism driven primarily by energy-saving and emission-reduction policies. [Conclusion] Over the past 20 years, China’ s resource-based cities have achieved remarkable progress in urban transformation, though its mitigating effects on urban shrinkage remain insufficient. The key approach to achieving sustainable development in resource-based cities lies in promoting comprehensive transformations, establishing differentiated economic and ecological compensation mechanisms, and enhancing energy efficiency and green production levels. This study not only provides an effective framework for analyzing the shrinkage-transformation relationship in resource-based cities, but also offers scientific references for achieving sustainable development in resource-based cities.

[Objective] The return migration of highly educated groups represents a new phenomenon in China’s current population mobility. Investigating its spatial and demographic characteristics helps understand new trends in China’s population migration during the transitional period. [Methods] Based on the dual sticky effects of hometown ties and educational ties on highly educated groups, this study defined return migration of highly educated groups as their relocation to either household registration location or university location. Three types of return migration were identified: Type I, returning to home province after educational migration; Type II, returning to home province after employment migration; Type III, returning to the province of their university after employment migration. Building upon this, this study utilized 2020 recruitment data for primary and secondary school teachers in Wuhan, combined with models for spatial and statistical analyses, to reveal the return migration pathways of highly educated groups targeting Wuhan as their intended destination. Then, the spatial and demographic characteristics of this migration were analyzed. [Results] (1)The return migration of highly educated groups with Wuhan as the destination exhibited a concentrated pattern in southeastern China. It formed a diamond-shaped spatial structure, with the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Beijing, and Chengdu-Chongqing regions as four key nodes, while additional nodal points included Shenyang, Kunming, and Changchun. Notably, the majority of return migrants originated from within this diamond-shaped structure. (2) Distinct regional differences were observed among return migration types. Type I migrants predominantly originated from the northeastern and southwestern parts of China, Type II migrants were more concentrated in eastern China, and Type III migration exhibited localized mobility patterns within proximate regions. (3) Samples characterized by “younger age, county-level birth origin, higher education attainment, elite academic institutions, recent graduates, and employment or study location in higher-tier cities” exhibit a higher probability of return migration. [Conclusion] Compared to international skilled migrants and China’s rural migrant workers, highly educated groups in China are more likely to gain human capital advantages in their hometowns or university locations, which strengthens local utility and fosters return migration through hometown ties and educational ties. Moreover, their return migration largely results not from aspiration failures but rather from a spatial re-selection aimed at maximum benefits, which has positive implications.

[Objective] Optimizing the carbon budget measurement and efficiency of farmland production based on the “natural-anthropogenic” dual structure, and exploring its spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and related influencing factors can provide theoretical and practical bases for the realization of carbon sink increase and emission reduction in farmland. [Methods] This study comprehensively calculated the farmland carbon budget of 30 provinces of China from 2005 to 2021 from the aspects of natural ecosystem carbon budget and anthropogenic carbon emissions. The farmland carbon efficiency was evaluated by using the super-efficiency SBM-GML model considering the input of natural factors, and the influencing factors of carbon efficiency change were analyzed through the spatial lag model. [Results] The research showed that: (1) China's farmland ecosystem carbon absorption continued to grow. Anthropogenic carbon emissions increased first and then decreased with 2017 as the turning point. The carbon emissions and absorption in the Northeast Plain, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, and the northern arid and semiarid areas were both high. (2) In 2021, the national farmland carbon efficiency value was 0.835, and the efficiency values of 16 provinces were greater than 1. The overall efficiency level of the Northeast Plain, Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, South China, and Qinghai Plateau was high, and the overall efficiency level of the Loess Plateau was low. (3) The difference in technical efficiency was the main reason for the difference in carbon efficiency. The improvement of carbon efficiency in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, South China and Qinghai Plateau was due to the dual contribution of technical efficiency improvement and technological progress. (4) Industrial agglomeration and natural hazard-related disasters had a negative impact on technical efficiency improvement, and technological progress, and then on carbon efficiency. Agricultural investment and labor culture could promote technical efficiency and technological progress, thus promoting carbon efficiency. Financial support for agriculture inhibited technological progress and then carbon efficiency improvement. [Conclusion] Under the “natural-anthropogenic” dual structure, the carbon absorption capacity and carbon efficiency of China's farmland production have been steadily improved, while the inter-regional carbon efficiency differences were still significant. We should pay attention to and standardize the management of natural resources, narrow the differences in carbon efficiency among regions, and help achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.

[Objective] Resource recycling of end-of-life battery cathode materials has carbon emission reduction potential, but existing studies show significant deviations in emission reduction calculations due to unclear accounting boundaries. This study develops an improved accounting method for carbon emission reduction from the perspective of multiple-life-cycle resource cycling. [Methods] Using virgin material substitution as the baseline scenario, the energy consumption and auxiliary material emissions during resource utilization were incorporated. The method emphasized that recycling only delayed rather than avoided carbon emissions from final disposal, thus excluding final disposal from accounting boundaries. The carbon emission reduction from recycling 1 ton of cathode materials was quantified through four recycling processes for lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium batteries. [Results] (1) Compared with scenarios of “virgin material substitution combined with incineration disposal” and “virgin material substitution combined with landfill disposal”， the carbon emission reductions from recycling processes decreased by 0.80 t CO₂ eq and 7.96 t CO₂ eq, respectively, when “virgin material substitution” was adopted as the baseline. This indicated that including final disposal (landfill or incineration) in the baseline scenario substantially overestimated carbon emission reduction benefits. (2) Both the slurry acid leaching process for lithium iron phosphate and the acid leaching-extraction process for ternary lithium batteries demonstrated carbon reduction benefits. Notably, the ternary lithium batteries achieved carbon emission reductions 10 times higher than those of lithium iron phosphate due to recoverable high-value metals like nickel and cobalt. (3) The calcination-acid leaching process resulted in a higher carbon footprint for the recycled materials than that of virgin materials owing to the substantial emissions from auxiliary material (e.g., citric acid) production. [Conclusion] In summary, the baseline scenario selected in this accounting method aligns more closely with current production realities domestically and internationally, facilitating the establishment of consistent standards for comparing resource recycling technologies within the industry. Furthermore, through analysis of the calculation results, “high-carbon” processes and the corresponding sensitive factors can be identified to guide process improvement.