Green investment in sustainable energy can overcome the dependence on fossil fuels worldwide. Renewable energy policies have become the key issue in both developing and developed countries; there is a need to focus on energy-related policies by regulatory authorities of these countries. The current study critically analyzes the performance of the existing renewable energy policy instruments to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) for solar energy development in Pakistan. We evaluate the moderating role of good governance and financial support between the nexus of renewable energy policy instruments and green FDI for the sustainable development of solar energy in the country. The present study used non-probability (purposive) sampling to collect data from 43 respondents (private investors, government officials, energy experts, and policymakers) by conveying an energy policy-related questionnaire survey. The response rate was 82.69%. The study has used partial least squares structural equation modeling to assess formulated hypotheses. The results indicate that the feed-in tariffs is the most effective policy instrument to attract FDI in the country’s solar energy sector. The fiscal measures positively impact the green FDI for solar energy. The results further reveal that good governance and financial support positively and significantly moderate the nexus of renewable energy policy instruments and green FDI for solar energy. The main barriers have been identified over the whole solar energy spectrum. The study findings provide essential policy recommendations and a considerable manual for energy-related regulators, policymakers, and government institutions to adopt advanced renewable energy policy instruments to attract FDI in Pakistan.

To attain renewable energy goals, many developing countries, including Malaysia, acknowledge the adoption of waste-to-renewable energy (WTRE) technologies being the best means. The conversion of animal dung into biogas is one of the similar techniques. For a considerable amount of time, Malaysia has witnessed an increase in animal husbandry to generate massive feedstock, which can serve as the raw material for the generation of biogas. With the implementation of WTRE technologies, Malaysia is starting to use a suitable method of power generation from the conversion of animal dung to biogas. The application of an alternative method of power generation by Malaysia is converting animal dung to biogas. Use of animal dung conversion to biogas is considered as a suitable method for power generation. For the application of WTRE technologies, this phenomenon is examined by the current article. As a further step, a thorough analysis of Malaysia’s waste management issues and the energy mix has been done. The current issue at hand regarding the power generation in Malaysia is optimizing new and suitable energy sources. In this regard, WTRE transition has been identified as the primary and inevitable source of the energy transition. The article consists of an explanation of various technologies of power generation utilizing municipal waste. Malaysia’s massive potential capacity to produce biogas energy through waste has been analytically identified. Malaysian animal dung can yield biogas up to 1,317.20 mm³/annum, which can eventually result in power generation of 2.1 × 10⁴ kWh/annum. Relevant policies are discussed for Malaysia to implement long-term biogas generation. This study did not include the obstacles to WTRE in Malaysia and other developing countries, providing an opportunity for future works to consider this research dimension.

Climate change mitigation is the prime priority of businesses in the modern world, making them inclined to opt for clean energy acceptance. From the end-user perspective, acceptance of novel technologies is inevitably vital in promoting such technologies, and certain factors could play an influential role in shaping the acceptance behavior of businesses in embracing those technologies. Against this background, the purpose of this study is to determine the factors that influence the acceptance of solar panel systems (SPS) by small and medium businesses (SMBs) in Pakistan. A questionnaire survey was conducted in seven districts of Pakistan’s Punjab province from December 2021 to February 2022. The data were collected using a Five-point Likert scale. Based on the questionnaire survey, the variance-based structural equation model technique is utilized. The outcomes are: 1) size of the business, ease of using SPS, and credibility of SPS are the top three driving forces. 2) The cost of SPS, and the pressure of competitors are the bottlenecks to the acceptance of SPS, while the absence of technical skills is a neutral factor. 3) According to the effect size and path coefficients, the cost of SPS, and the size of the business are found to be the most significant factors, while the absence of technical skills is found to have less significance. As it is found that economic incentives majorly affect the acceptance of SPS thus, it is concluded that lowering the cost of SPS will increase its acceptance. Based on empirical results, it is suggested to promote public awareness about the environmentally-friendly nature of solar power systems to improve its acceptability at the individual as well as firm levels.

On the one hand, the twin perspectives of the construction industry and urban agglomeration proliferate economic prosperity. However, on the other hand, construction activities and increased population density give rise to environmental challenges. This study is an initial attempt to explore links between the construction industry, urban agglomeration, non-renewable energy utilization, carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂e), and economic output within a system of simultaneous equation modeling. This study develops modeling specifications to include the construction industry as a shifting factor and CO₂e as a determinant of technical efficiency. A heterogeneous fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) technique, capable of providing concrete empirical outcomes even in the presence of modern panel-data econometric issues, is utilized for the data of China’s 30 provincial/ city divisions during the 2003–2019 period. It has been revealed that: (i) the influence of urban agglomeration on the economic output was heterogeneous, with an adverse link for China’s western part, neutrality connection for the central part, and favorable for China’s eastern part; and (ii) shifting from China’s western to eastern parts, the expansion of the construction industry has a significant impact on economic output, and, hence, has been described as “the Economic Effects of Urban agglomeration” for the Chinese economy. The policies of this study have crucial lessons for global economies.

In recent years, Chinese international contractors (CICs) have been expanding their presence in the African market rapidly with the support of the Chinese government. Previously focused in traditional friendship countries such as Angola, Ethiopia, Sudan and Zambia, the CICs have rapidly established an increasing market presence in many African countries and become competitors to other overseas contractors. Taking the Nigerian market as a case study, this paper analyses the market share between CICs and contractors from other countries, the construction projects demand in African countries, the financing sources and the policies regulating the projects financing. Data used in this study are from multiple sources including literature review, statistical reports, regulations, policies and a case study of Nigeria. These findings should provide a valuable reference to evaluate the opportunities in the African market as well as to assist the decision making process for CICs who are interested in developing business in Africa.