Decoupling Economic Growth from Energy Use: Transition to the Low Carbon Economy

Dear Colleagues,

Economic growth has been strongly correlated to energy use for a long time. Any increase in the energy demand has historically been associated with a positive change in economic growth. Events impacting energy markets such as the rise in energy prices, decrease in the energy demand, geopolitical concerns or changes in energy production or holding costs impact economic growth.

On the other side, it is well documented that any increase in energy use generates more carbon emissions and causes environmental quality degradation. Climate change is a global challenge and countries across the world are trying to take actions to avoid its negative effects. Mitigation and adaptation of the effects of climate change needs the implementation of strategies that rely on “decoupling”. In this matter, it should be raised the issue of how energy use can be decoupled from economic growth. The increase of energy efficiency use, the green energy sources (replacing non-renewables with renewables), the use of new technologies in the energy sector and circularization of resources can lead to decoupling the economic growth from carbon emissions. The importance of clean energies is increasing, and technological innovation can be seen as a solution for green growth.

To contribute to the ongoing debate on how to enhance sustainable and green growth, the proposed Special Issue welcomes papers on green growth and decoupling economic growth from energy use. In this matter, any proposed innovative solutions to shift toward green growth, or the ways how to decouple economic growth from carbon emissions are especially welcomed.

Potential subtopics may include, but are not limited to:

• Links between Economic Growth and Energy Consumption
• Economic Growth and Energy Efficiency
• Renewable energies and Economic Growth
• Paris Agreement, Economic Growth, and Energy consumption
• Energy sector in the National Determined Contributions
• Sustainable Energy Consumption
• Green Economic Growth and Clean Energy Demand
• Innovation and managing environmental challenges
• Energy efficiency and sustainable development goals' achievement
• Climate finance
• Green bonds
• Environmental innovation
• Others

Prof. Dr. Adel Ben Youssef
Guest Editor

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