ARTICLE 1

Does corruption matter for the environment? Panel Evidence from China

ANALYSIS

1. Problem Statement: China has achieved rapid economic growth at an average rate
of almost 10 percent annually over the past three decades. This economic success,
however, comes at the cost of deterioration of the environment. One of the most
severe environmental problems that China is currently facing is air pollution.

2. Hypothesis: In Eq. (1), to the extent that β 1 >0 and β 2 <0, the EKC hypothesis is
predicted to hold; that is, income has a diminishing effect on SO 2 emissions after
the turning point (or maximum point of the income), achieving a parabolic
shape. It is expected that β 3 >0 due to the fact that an increase in energy
consumption mainly driven by growth is likely to push SO 2 emissions up.
Finally, it is expected that β 4 <0 because the increasing number of anti-
corruption cases is likely to result in improved environmental regulations,
thereby reducing SO 2 emissions.

3. Dependent Variable: Environment

4. Independent Variable: Corruption

5. Statistical Data:
ARTICLE 2

Key Policy Actions for Sustainable Land and Water Use to Serve People

ANALYSIS

1. Problem Statement: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires

much stronger attention to sustainable agricultural practices. Land and water use are
currently not sustainable in many regions of the world.

2. Hypothesis:

 Water quality and overuse are growing problems around the world.
 Climate change will expand the geographic extent of water-stressed areas and
increase production variability and price volatility.
 Land degradation is occurring in almost all world regions, and already affects
about 30% of the global land area where about three billion people live.

3. Dependent Variable: Land and water use

4. Independent Variable: Key policy actions

5. Statistical Data: —
ARTICLE 3

Towards a Comprehensive Approach to Climate Policy, Sustainable Infrastructure, and

Finance

ANALYSIS

1. Problem Statement: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

established the scientific foundation of a global consensus that human made climate
change poses a very severe threat to development and inclusive growth in the medium
and long term.

2. Hypothesis:

3. Dependent Variable: Climate Policy, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Finance

4. Independent Variable: Comprehensive approach

5. Statistical Data:
ARTICLE 4

Innovative green-technology SMEs as an opportunity to promote financial de-risking

ANALYSIS

1. Problem Statement: The authors recommend that the G20 target innovative
green-technology SMEs as an opportunity to promote financial de-risking while
addressing Paris Agreement commitments and UN Sustainable Development
Goals.

2. Hypothesis: G20 countries need to recognize and engage SMEs, and especially low-
carbon technology SMEs, as key economic actors in the effort toward climate
mitigation and sustainable development.

3. Dependent Variable: Promoting financial de-risking

4. Independent Variable: Green-technology SMEs

5. Statistical Data: —
ARTICLE 5

Impact of First-Year Seminar on Student Engagement, Awareness, and General

Attitudes toward Higher Education

ANALYSIS

1. Problem Statement: Due to the changes in university admissions policy, there has
been a considerable increase in student numbers from different public and
international high schools. Previously, the administration and faculty had faced many
challenges in meeting the needs of students with different academic capabilities and
backgrounds. To better accommodate these variations in student characteristics, the
university has launched an intervention, the First Year Experience Program, which
included a first-year seminar course.

2. Hypothesis:

 There is no difference between the first-year seminar group and the control
group in terms of awareness and utilization of campus resources.
 There is no difference between the first-year seminar group and control group
in interactions with key college members.
 There is no difference between the first-year seminar group and the control
group in attitudes toward higher education.

3. Dependent Variable: First-Year Seminar

4. Independent Variable: Student Engagement, Awareness, and General Attitudes

toward Higher Education

5. Statistical Data: