There are many advantages of geothermal energy, as an environmentally friendly resource, with some other problems to be addressed before the full potential of this sustainable and renewable resource, which is natural, could be harnessed. This research will aim to examine what effect ICT, that is, information and communication technology factors with sustainability in the economy, has on geothermal energy output among the considered 27 EU nations within the time frame 1990 to 2021. The novelty of this research is the ability to clarify the role of ICT toward geothermal power sustainability in the EU27 region. As well as the magnitude of effects of ICT on the geothermal power sustainability in EU13 developing countries and EU14 developed countries using the ARDL estimator. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) was adopted, and the findings show that a significant increase in the geothermal energy industry sustainability can occur in EU14 emerged economies using ICT factors than among the 13 emerging economies. Among additional factors, human capital, economic sustainability, and institutional quality contribute more positively to geothermal energy sustainability in EU14 emerging economies than in EU13 emerging economies. Similarly, further results show that a remarkable decrease in carbon dioxide emissions can occur in EU13 emerging economies using geothermal energy output than in EU14 emerged economies. All these results outputs are an indication that geothermal power sustainability among the European Union countries could be remarkably boosted by increasing the level of ICT determinants to attain the 2030 energy union goals. This study recommends that the considered European countries should prioritize the good functionality of ICT indicators in attaining societal objectives and that of the environment as well.

As a substantially capital-intensive venture, the distribution network of the geothermal business is disproportionately clustered around the project designing phase. The profound geothermal industry is broad, and consequently the geothermal economy differs substantially from one place to another. The primary goal of this study is to analyze the effect of factors relating to global competitiveness along with economic growth on the sustainability of geothermal energy among European 27 countries. Employing auto regressive distributing lag (ARDL), the major findings suggest that a significant rise in the geothermal power production sustainable development can occur in the 14 European Union emerged economies applying global competitiveness criteria than in EU13 developing economies. Among additional criteria, a conducive environment, intellectual capital, market shares, as well as an innovation ecosystem contributes more significantly to the sustainability of geothermal energy among the 14 classed as established in this research than the 13 emerging economies. The results suggest that geothermal power sustainability among the European countries regions could attain a sustainable increased level of geothermal energy generation by putting in place the necessary global competitiveness determinants for the EU 2030 Energy Union goals to be achieved. The attainment of these Energy Union goals will assist in combating climate change and fighting environmental pollution. Three estimators were adopted to confirm that all calculated projections made in the study are said to be valid. The global competitiveness measures should be made better effective by the EU nations and this will help in achieving a pollution-free society and environment. Authorities in charge of policy and law-making in the EU regions should participate more in global competitiveness for geothermal energy production to become sustainable. Cointegrated strategies that will promote sustainability should be stressed by policymakers in the EU. This will go a long way in reducing the level of carbon dioxide emissions and also in promoting sustainability in the area of geothermal power generation.

In order to balance the relationship between economics, society and environment, the Chinese government has stated that China’s economy should shift from high-speed growth to high-quality development. Since agriculture is the foundation of the national economy, high-quality development of agriculture plays significant roles in the achievement of food security, social stability and environmental sustainability in China. In practice, the expansion of digital financial inclusion (DFI) seems to provide valuable opportunities for the development of high-quality agriculture. Nevertheless, in theory, the extant literature ignores exploration of the close relationships between DFI and high-quality agricultural development (HQAD). Hence, using Chinese provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020 and structural equation model (SEM) in STATA 16.0, this paper attempts to investigate whether and how DFI can enhance HQAD. Analysis reveals that (1) DFI can directly promote HQAD; (2) DFI can indirectly facilitate HQAD through the mediator of farmland transfer (FLT); (3) DFI can indirectly promote HQAD through the mediator of farmland mechanization level (FML); (4) compared with the benefits brought by “high-mechanization”, the benefits brought by “large-scale” farmland transfer policies are much greater. To our knowledge, our research is one of the first to investigate the direct and indirect effecting mechanisms of DFI’s influence on HQAD from the perspectives of farmland scale and farmland technology.

Research background: The effect of the green economy on green bond market development with the moderating role of institutional quality receives no attention in empirical studies. The cognizance of this effect is necessary for the investors and government as it helps them gain advantages from investing in green bonds. The institutional quality creates a strong relationship between the green economy and green bond market development as the higher institutional quality promotes the green bond market. Purpose of the article: This research mainly aims to estimate the effect of the green economy on green bond market development with the moderating role of institutional quality using data from the USA from 2009Q1 to 2021Q2. Methods: The data are analyzed using an appropriate and comprehensive econometric method: the “Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model.” Findings & value added: The study found a significant moderating effect of institutional quality on the relationship between the green economy and green bond market development. This research outlines the benefits of the green economy in relation to the green bond market development and its determining factors for the USA. By doing this, the key concerns that must be considered for the issuance of future green bonds are emphasized. The influential factors of green bond market development are green economic growth, green innovation, green trade, environmental tax, and institutional quality. Institutional quality is emphasized as the most crucial determinant. Thus, the results in the USA context add up to the available knowledge on the green bond market development. The insights of this study are fruitful for green bond market development and further development of the literature on green bonds within the state and across the world.