The advancement of sustainable energy solutions hinges on highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts, which are crucial for water electrolysis and metal-air batteries. Ruthenium single atoms anchored on defective nickel-iron layered double hydroxide (Ru SAs/D-NiFe LDH@NF), synthesized via hydrothermal etching, emerge as a breakthrough catalyst. It achieves a low overpotential of 206 mV at 50 mA cm^-2 and exceptional stability over 350 hours in zinc-air batteries. Density functional theory confirms Ru single atoms optimize electron distribution near defects, accelerating reaction kinetics. This innovation sets a new benchmark for next-generation catalysts, driving scalable green energy technologies.

A new study assesses how China can optimize electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking under its carbon neutrality target. Using the AIM-China/Steel model, it evaluates provincial potential by integrating scrap supply, interprovincial transport, and energy costs. The results show that EAF deployment is jointly determined by scrap availability and transport feasibility. In scrap-scarce regions, expansion is constrained, requiring cross-regional flows or alternative low-carbon technologies.

Reduction of CO₂ into fuels and chemicals by means of photocatalysis or electrocatalysis offers a sustainable route to mitigate greenhouse emissions. Hydrophobic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising photo/electro-catalysts for CO₂ reduction due to their tunable porosity, high surface areas, and ability to repel water for suppressing competing hydrogen evolution. This review summarized the recent advances of hydrophobic MOFs for photo/electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, catalogged by the principle mechanism of CO₂ reducion, design strategies of hydrophobic MOFs and the applications of hydrophobic MOFs in CO₂ reduction. The personal perspectives are also proposed to inspire more efforts in design diversified hydrophobic MOFs for efficient CO₂ utilization.

A new study examines how carbon pricing affects Japan’s transport sector and regional economies. Using a multi-regional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the research evaluates the impacts of a 10% emission reduction target. The results indicate that achieving this target requires a carbon price of approximately 4,153 JPY per ton of CO₂, with only a modest aggregate GDP loss. The policy also reshapes transport demand, shifting activity away from high-emission modes such as water and air transport toward lower-carbon alternatives like rail. The findings highlight that policy design—particularly the coverage of the transport sector and the redistribution of carbon tax revenues—plays a crucial role in balancing efficiency and regional equity.