The development of clean energy and financial sectors have been highlighted as critical factors in tackling climate change and achieving net zero emissions goals. Hence, using a dataset for the top 20 emitter countries from 1990 to 2019, this study examines whether clean energy consumption, financial development, human capital, population, and economic growth are connected with environmental quality through a reduction in carbon emissions. The long-run estimates show that renewable energy utilization, financial development, and human capital are significant in reducing CO₂ emissions in the quest for net zero emissions. Contrarily, economic growth and population have a increases CO₂ emissions. The results of the causality test show a two-way causality between renewable energy use, financial development, economic growth, population, and CO₂ emissions. Moreover, one incidence of unidirectional causality is observed from CO₂ emissions to human capital. Based on the findings, policy implications are suggested.

As a result of the growing global climate crisis, many countries have pledged to cut carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net-zero emission goals. These goals can be successfully realized with the rollout of environmental regulations, utilization of green technology innovations, and a greater use of renewable energies. This study explores the influence of green technology innovations, renewable energy, financial development, environmental taxes, and economic growth on CO₂ emissions in the 19 highest emitting countries from 1994 to 2022. The results reveal that renewable energy use and environmental taxes negatively affect CO₂ emissions, reinforcing the essential role of these variables in the journey toward carbon neutrality. Green technological innovations, financial development, and economic growth have positive effects on CO₂ emissions, suggesting that appropriate regulations and policies are necessary to attain net zero carbon emissions. The findings also indicate that financial development positively affects environmental quality by promoting green technological innovations. The causality results indicate a bidirectional causal link between green technology innovations, renewable energy, environmental taxes, economic growth, and CO₂ emissions. Additionally, a unidirectional causal relationship exists between financial development and CO₂ emissions. Based on these results, the study offers policy suggestions.

Forest park tourism ecological security is the cornerstone of ensuring ecological tourism safety. Delineating the ecological carrying capacity within forest parks is crucial for enhancing the security of forest tourism resources. This study utilizes statistical data from China’s forest parks spanning 2004 to 2019, employing methodologies to comprehensively depict the spatiotemporal dynamic characteristics of forest park tourism ecology in China. Subsequently, this research forecasts the prospective trajectory of forest park tourism ecology in China from 2020 to 2029. The research findings reveal that China’s forest park tourism ecological footprint exhibits oscillating characteristics, while the overall touristic ecological carrying capacity shows a sustained upward trend. However, a significant portion of regions experience deficits in tourism ecology. Notably, the coldspot regions with ecological security features demonstrate relative stability, while the hotspot areas gradually transition from inland to eastern coastal regions. Spatially and temporally, the disparities in touristic ecological profit and deficit depict a “U”-shaped distribution, more pronounced along the east–west axis than the north–south orientation. The migratory shift in the touristic ecological surplus and deficit center gravitates towards the southwest, demonstrating a fluctuating trend characterized by varying migration speeds. The discernible difference between the east and west concerning touristic ecological profit and deficit amplifies the likelihood of imbalance, surpassing disparities between the north and south. Projections suggest a deepening forest park tourism ecological deficit in China from 2020 to 2029, particularly accentuating the unsustainable development of forest park resources in economically developed regions. Through this study, a more comprehensive understanding of the current status and changing trends in the ecological carrying capacity of forest park tourism can be obtained. This research provides theoretical and practical support to promote sustainable tourism development and establishes a solid foundation for the ecological security of future forest park tourism.