Mapping trends and knowledge structure of energy efficiency research: what we know and where we are going

Kratom: A Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Publications

Kratom has caught the attention of governments, policymakers, and academicians due to its unique characteristics. This paper explores the scholarly works related to the different aspects of Kratom to elucidate its research progress and identify future research agendas. We reviewed existing publications on Kratom using a bibliometric methodology. By analyzing 431 scientific publications, we identified publication sources, document analysis, countries analysis, and research keywords, which helped us understand the research locus on Kratom. After reviewing the publications, we discovered significant disagreements in categorizing and defining Kratom amongst authors based on their nationalities. We also showed the knowledge structure of existing publications via thematic analysis, illustrating that the studies focused on the opioid nature of Kratom. Also, drug abuse-related issues evolved as the motor theme of research, while other aspects are prevalent as niche or emerging research themes. This paper contributes to the literature by providing a broad idea of existing literature and offering a comprehensive outlook on Kratom, which could be helpful for policy formulation in the future.

Worldwide research on the health effects of bovine milk containing A1 and A2 β-casein: Unraveling the current scenario and future trends through bibliometrics and text mining

The possible adverse effect of consuming bovine milk with A1 β-casein (but not with A2 β-casein) on health aspects due to the release of β-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) is currently under debate. The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of studies extracted from Scopus to explore the relationship between BCM-7, A1 or A2 bovine milk with different aspects of health. Over time, several research groups were formed that are no longer active and although some authors have returned to the field of study, they have focused their efforts mainly on conducting reviews that show the same imprecise conclusions due to the few original articles. Research is concentrated in Europe and Asia, where New Zealand, China and Germany are the countries with the most publications, records and citations on the subject, respectively. On the other hand, no country in Africa or South America has scientific production, which opens the possibility of building collaborations between countries and exploring areas that lack scientific studies. Based on conflicting information from primarily in vitro and animal studies, and limited clinical trials with poor designs, A1 milk presents pro-inflammatory and oxidative activity, but the evidence is insufficient to associate its consumption with negative health effects. However, A2 milk may be better tolerated by the digestive system of some individuals, suggesting its possible modulating role in the intestinal microbiota. Stronger scientific evidence is needed to reach a consensus on whether the presence of β-casein A1 can significantly negatively affect health. The information shown will allow a better understanding of the subject and consumers will be able to make their own decisions regarding A1 or A2 milk.

Environmental management through examining the technical factors of carbon emissions in South Asian economies

COP27 has provided a new direction in overcoming the issue of climate change. In the world of growing environmental degradation and climate change issues, the South Asian economies are playing a vital role in tackling these issues. Still, the literature focuses on industrialized economies while ignoring the newly emerging economies. This study evaluates the technological factors' influence on carbon emission in the four small South Asian economies (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India) from 1989 to 2021. This study found the long-run equilibrium relationship between the variables using second-generation estimating tools. Employing the non-parametric and robust parametric approach, this study found that economic performance and development are substantial emissions drivers. In contrast, energy technology and tech innovation are the region's key environmental sustainability factors. Further, the study found that trade positively yet insignificantly impacts pollution. This study suggests further investment in energy technology and technological innovation to improve the production of energy-efficient products and services in these emerging economies.

Green energy security assessment in Morocco: green finance as a step toward sustainable energy transition

Morocco is an energy-deficient country depending on almost 94% of energy imports to fuel its growing economy. Due to its fast-growing population, Morocco's energy consumption is projected to increase significantly, adding more pressure on the energy system. On the other hand, the rising tension of scarcity of resources, energy price fluctuations, and environmental issues have all made energy security one of its top priorities. Therefore, Morocco launched the National Energy Strategy (NES) in 2009 to reach 42% renewable generation by 2020, which was renewed to up to 52% by 2050. This study analyzes Morocco's energy security under the 4-As framework from 2000 to 2016.The 4-As methodology aims to assess and graphically illustrate the changes in Morocco's energy security by mapping these changes into four key dimensions: the availability of energy resources, the applicability of technology, the acceptability by the environment and society, and the affordability of energy resources. The quantitative analysis shows that Morocco's energy security performance was at its optimum during the first period of study (2000-2004) but then regressed for the remainder of the study period, as energy imports and prices increased, in addition to the low performance in applicability characterized by low energy efficiency. To improve Morocco's energy security status and move toward a sustainable energy transition, this study suggests integrating a higher share of renewable energy into the energy mix and boosting efficient technologies through a large scale of green finance and green investment projects.

A step towards green economic policy framework: role of renewable energy and climate risk for green economic recovery

According to the World Bank, energy efficiency is a critical facilitator of most Sustainable Development Goals. Its contribution to CO2 emission reduction is astounding. Environmentalists have recently emphasized the essential need to determine energy efficiency causes. This research broadens the debate's horizons by proposing additional possible energy efficiency factors using data from the Chinese economy. From 1990 to 2020, we examined the influence of investment in renewable energy resources, financial inclusion, industrial production, and trade openness on China's energy efficiency and climate risk. Additionally, this study is added to the literature by examining the causal relationships between variables while considering the temporal dimension. The findings indicate that industrial production, financial inclusion, public R&D on renewable energy, and trade openness contribute significantly to China's energy efficiency and climate risk. All other factors, except industrial production, are positively associated with energy efficiency. The path of causality is established from energy efficiency and climate risk to financial inclusion, industrial production, renewable energy, public research and development budgets, and trade openness. According to the findings, changes in energy performance have frequency-changing impacts on all variables. Policymakers believe that the financial system must be strengthened since this will significantly influence renewable energy.

Role of green financing and financial inclusion to develop the cleaner environment for macroeconomic stability: Inter-temporal analysis of ASEAN economies

The research objective is to assess the role of green financing and financial inclusion in developing a cleaner environment for macroeconomic stability in ASEAN economies. The study attempted to estimate the climate mitigation factor associated with a more sanitary environment between 2012 and 2019. Panel data analysis using the augmented Dicky–Fuller test, Phillip–Perron, and fully modified standard most minor square test provides long-term findings in panel data analysis. In addition, the vector error correction technique was also applied to infer study results. The findings indicate that climate change mitigation indicators have a significant impact on the gross domestic product of ASEAN economies. According to the data, a one percent rise in the green finance index results in a 0.321 percent increase in the amount of pollution removed from the environment. According to the research findings, environmental pollution must be decreased, and energy sources must be switched to more creative and ecologically friendly alternatives. Using study findings, several policy recommendations are offered and suggested for stakeholders for implementation. As per our best understanding, effective implementation of study findings and suggestions maximum chances are developing a cleaner environment and boosting macroeconomic stability in the ASEAN context.

Does energy efficiency improve environmental quality in BRICS countries? Empirical evidence using dynamic panels with heterogeneous slopes

In a time of climate change, critically contributed by the increased global energy consumption, energy efficiency comes out as a critical factor in achieving sustainable growth for the countries. Given the fast economic advancement in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries that have played a vital role in the global economy, energy usage, and climate governance, this study investigates the role of energy efficiency on the environmental quality of these countries. We proxy environmental quality with CO₂ emissions, incorporate renewable energy in our models, and estimate the relationship with a long-panel data of 29 years (1990-2018). Our dynamic heterogeneous panel model findings confirm that energy efficiency significantly reduces CO₂ emissions or improves environmental quality in the long run and the short run. Besides, we find that renewable energy has a crucial role in enhancing environmental quality in the long run with the negative impact of economic growth activities. Our findings contribute to the literature in a novel way facilitating the comprehension of the role of energy efficiency using a wide range of sophisticated techniques, thus providing robust results. For the policymakers, we humbly advocate strategies for the clean and sustainable economic transition based on our findings which has notable implications for the BRICS, other developing economies, and the world as a whole.