“Sustainability Synergies Between Asia–Pacific and Europe: Standards, Supply Chains, and Governance Practices Across Scales”

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “Sustainability Synergies Between Asia–Pacific and Europe: Standards, Supply Chains, and Governance Practices Across Scales”

Journal: Innovation and Green Development
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission deadline: 30 June 2026

Overview

This special issue explores the collaborative relationship between Europe and the Asia–Pacific in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Europe leads in regulatory frameworks (e.g., ESG mandates, carbon pricing, and the CSDDD) and the Asia–Pacific anchors the green-innovation frontier (e.g., renewable technologies and digital finance), the issue seeks to move beyond one-way policy transfers. It focuses on the relational processes of negotiation, mutual learning, and multiscalar cooperation that connect firms, cities, provinces, and regional architectures across both regions.

Key Research Themes

The editors invite theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented submissions that examine sustainability dynamics across the following levels:

• Multiscalar Governance: Alignment between frameworks like the EU Taxonomy and ASEAN/Common Ground Taxonomies; provincial policy responses to EU CBAM; and sub-national–central compacts for industrial decarbonization.

• Strategy, Operations, & Industrial Policy: Renewable deployment, low-carbon manufacturing, supplier upgrading, and intra-/inter-firm R&D alliances that bridge European and Asia–Pacific markets.

• Finance & Market Infrastructures: Development of green/transition bonds, ESG indices, carbon markets, and the role of financial gateways such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg.

• Data, Measurement, & Verification: Scope 3 accounting, auditability, chain-of-custody solutions, and digital platforms for cross-regional verification.

• Trans-local & Sub-national Cooperation: Role of city networks, port alliances, industrial clusters, and provincial compacts in scaling sustainability pilots.

• Just Transitions: Addressing the social implications for labor, communities, and equity within cross-regional decarbonization strategies.

• Diplomatic Learning: Policy missions, executive education, and technical assistance programs that translate international norms into bankable projects.

Submission Details

• Submission Window: Closes 30 June 2026.

• Submission Platform: Innovation and Green Development Editorial Manager: https://www.editorialmanager.com/igd/default2.aspx

• Article Type: Authors must select “VSI: Europe and Asia-Pacific Cooperation” during the submission process to ensure proper routing.

• Publication Date: Expected 1 November 2026.

• Scope: Theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented manuscripts, including comparative analyses, case studies, and mixed-methods research.

Guest Editors

• Dr. Chun Kai Leung, University of Hong Kong

• Jeremy Ko, ETH Zurich

• Prof. James F. Downest, Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Prof. Anthony Chun-Yue Cheung, Friends of the Earth (HK) / University of Hamburg

• Prof. Poman Lo, Institute of Sustainability and Technology, Hong Kong / University of Hong Kong

Why This Issue Matters

As regions face the twin imperatives of rapid decarbonization and economic security, understanding how policies and standards traverse borders is critical. This special issue provides a dedicated platform for research that traces cooperation from the boardroom and ministry to city halls and port terminals, offering a comprehensive view of how Europe and the Asia–Pacific can advance sustainable development through concrete, cross-border integration.

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