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Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects
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Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 7559

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Taoyuan Wei

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Guest Editor
CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
Interests: climate and energy policy; adaptation; climate risk; arctic; extreme weather; land use; food and agriculture; forests; renewable energy; carbon emissions; energy production and consumption
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yang Liu

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Guest Editor
World Bank, 1818 H Street, Washington, DC 20433, USA
Interests: energy economics; infrastructure finance; climate finance; energy efficiency; renewable energy
Prof. Dr. Dengjun Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Business School, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
Interests: resource economics; corporate environmental sustainability; sustainable finance; energy efficiency; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy is essential for economic activities and sustainable development. The current energy system is still dominated by fossil fuels and needs a rapid low-carbon transition to achieve the global warming target set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. A circular economy can contribute to the low-carbon transition of the energy system by reducing waste and improving resource efficiency. In a circular economy, energy can be saved by extending the life of existing resources and products; energy can be decarbonized by developing renewable energy with circular practices; and energy can be recovered from waste. The circular economy principles are also useful to design and implement sustainable low-carbon or even net-zero energy systems. Hence, this Special Issue will consist of innovative and high-quality studies on the current status and future prospects of circular economy in the low-carbon transition of the energy system.

The themes of submissions include but are not limited to the following:

  • Circular economy and low-carbon strategies and policy.
  • Socioeconomic and environmental implications of circular practices.
  • Public awareness of circular economy related to energy.
  • Waste reduction, resource efficiency, and sustainable production.
  • Challenges and opportunities of circular economy in low-carbon transition.
  • Integrated assessment of circular low-carbon practices.
  • Climate mitigation and resource efficiency.
  • Circular cities and urban planning in low-carbon transition.
  • International cooperation on circular low-carbon economy.
  • Consumer behavior analysis related to a circular low-carbon economy.
  • Circular low-carbon supply chains and materials.
  • Measurement of impact and metrics.
  • Energy recovery from waste.

Dr. Taoyuan Wei
Dr. Yang Liu
Prof. Dr. Dengjun Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • energy efficiency
  • sustainable production
  • integrated assessment
  • waste management
  • sustainable development
  • climate change
  • CO2 emissions
  • energy policy and strategy
  • mitigation and adaptation
  • carbon neutrality

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 2106 KB  
Article
Techno-Economic Assessment of Carbon-Neutral Ammonia Fuel for Ships from Renewable Wind Energy
by Yunjing Qi, Yaodong Wang and Ye Huang
Energies 2025, 18(20), 5485; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18205485 - 17 Oct 2025
Viewed by 279
Abstract
Climate change is fuelled by the continued growth of global carbon emissions, with the widespread use of fossil fuels being the main driver. To achieve a decarbonisation transition of the energy mix, the development of clean and renewable fuels has become crucial. Ammonia [...] Read more.
Climate change is fuelled by the continued growth of global carbon emissions, with the widespread use of fossil fuels being the main driver. To achieve a decarbonisation transition of the energy mix, the development of clean and renewable fuels has become crucial. Ammonia is seen as an important option for decarbonisation in the transport and energy sectors due to its zero-carbon emission potential and renewable energy compatibility. However, the high energy consumption and carbon emissions of the conventional Haber–Bosch method limit its sustainability. A green ammonia synthesis system was designed using ECLIPSE and Excel simulations in the study. Results show that at a recirculation ratio of 70%, the system’s annual total energy consumption is 426.22 GWh, with annual ammonia production reaching 8342.78 t. The optimal system configuration comprises seven 12 MW offshore wind turbines, integrated with a 460 MWh lithium battery and 240 t of hydrogen storage capacity. At this configuration, the LCOE is approximately £5956.58/t. It shows that incorporating renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but further optimisation of energy storage configurations and reaction conditions is needed to lower costs. This research provides a reference for the industrial application of green ammonia in the transportation sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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22 pages, 9624 KB  
Article
Low-Carbon Policies and Power Generation Modes: An Evolutionary Game Analysis of Vertical Governments and Power Generation Groups
by Jun Yu and Zongxian Feng
Energies 2025, 18(19), 5210; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195210 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 281
Abstract
Given the great proportion of CO2 emissions from electricity generation in total energy-related CO2 emissions, this article constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model consisting of vertical governments and power generation groups (PGGs), where the vertical governments include the central government (CG) [...] Read more.
Given the great proportion of CO2 emissions from electricity generation in total energy-related CO2 emissions, this article constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model consisting of vertical governments and power generation groups (PGGs), where the vertical governments include the central government (CG) and local governments (LGs), considering the externalities of different power generation modes on energy security and the environment. This article analyzes the stable strategies of the three players through replicator dynamics equations, draws the evolutionary phase diagrams, and analyzes the asymptotic stability of equilibrium points by using Jacobian matrices. To validate and broaden the results, this article also provides a numerical simulation. This article concludes that (1) a reduction in the supervision, enforcement, or low-carbonization costs of the CG, LGs, or PGGs motivates it or them to choose “supervision”, “enforcement”, or “low-carbonization” strategies; (2) an increase in penalty incomes or expenses encourages the CG or LGs to choose the “supervision” or “enforcement” strategies; (3) a rise in extra tax expenses motivates PGGs to choose the “low-carbonization” strategy; (4) a change in the externalities of energy security or the environment has no impact on the CG’s strategy. The above conclusions offer the CG and LGs with references for making effective low-carbon policies and provide PGGs with references for choosing an appropriate power generation mode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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19 pages, 1760 KB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment and Circular Economy Evaluation of Extraction Techniques: Energy Analysis of Antioxidant Recovery from Wine Residues
by Diego Voccia, Giuseppe Milvanni, Giulia Leni and Lucrezia Lamastra
Energies 2025, 18(18), 4851; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18184851 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 659
Abstract
Global wine production reached about 226 million hectolitres in 2024, with Europe as the largest producer. The winemaking industry generates substantial amounts of by-products, presenting both economic and environmental challenges, as approximately 30% of processed grapes are discarded as waste. This study evaluates [...] Read more.
Global wine production reached about 226 million hectolitres in 2024, with Europe as the largest producer. The winemaking industry generates substantial amounts of by-products, presenting both economic and environmental challenges, as approximately 30% of processed grapes are discarded as waste. This study evaluates various polyphenol extraction techniques from wine residues, utilising data from the literature. Techniques assessed include subcritical water extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, conventional solvent extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction, each preceded by a suitable pretreatment. Results show that the extraction method, temperature, solvent, and feedstock type have a strong influence on environmental impacts. Microwave extraction from exhausted grape marc had the highest impact due to its low yields and high energy use during freeze drying. In contrast, subcritical water extraction from red wine residues was the most sustainable, benefiting from its high efficiency, use of water as a solvent, and the rich polyphenol content of red grape residues. When included, drying was the primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change and energy demand were key impact categories, with a renewable energy scenario potentially reducing impacts by up to 90%. Results demonstrate that no single extraction method is universally best; choices must balance efficiency and energy use. This work supports optimising sustainable polyphenol recovery within circular economy and climate goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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24 pages, 1984 KB  
Article
Recent Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Benefits of Using Hermetia illucens for Bioenergy Production Within a Circular Economy Approach
by Luana Bataglia, Antonio Conversano, Daniele Di Bona, Davide Sogni, Diego Voccia, Emanuele Mazzoni and Lucrezia Lamastra
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2826; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112826 - 29 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1183
Abstract
This study proposes a novel integrated biorefinery approach that combines Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) larvae treatment, anaerobic digestion (AD), and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to enhance the valorisation of fat-rich food residues. The process was designed to improve biogas yields while mitigating the [...] Read more.
This study proposes a novel integrated biorefinery approach that combines Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) larvae treatment, anaerobic digestion (AD), and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to enhance the valorisation of fat-rich food residues. The process was designed to improve biogas yields while mitigating the inhibitory effects of lipid accumulation in AD systems. Results from larval bioconversion showed effective fat removal and a promising potential for protein and biomass valorisation. Downstream integration with AD and HTC enabled thermal self-sufficiency, enhanced energy recovery, and improved digestate dewaterability. Additionally, HTC process water recirculation to the AD unit was evaluated, considering its acidic nature and impact on biomethane production. A thermally integrated process flow was proposed, enabling efficient heat exchange and reduced external energy input. The overall system allows for multi-product recovery—including biogas, hydrochar, and larval biomass—offering a sustainable pathway for circular bioeconomy applications. This study illustrates the feasibility of a synergetic process chain that maximises energy recovery and resource efficiency from food industry waste streams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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22 pages, 3043 KB  
Article
Investigating the Future of Freight Transport Low Carbon Technologies Market Acceptance across Different Regions
by Mohamed Ali Saafi, Victor Gordillo, Omar Alharbi and Madeleine Mitschler
Energies 2024, 17(19), 4925; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17194925 - 1 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1921
Abstract
Fighting climate change has become a major task worldwide. One of the key energy sectors to emit greenhouse gases is transportation. Therefore, long term strategies all over the world have been set up to reduce on-road combustion emissions. In this context, the road [...] Read more.
Fighting climate change has become a major task worldwide. One of the key energy sectors to emit greenhouse gases is transportation. Therefore, long term strategies all over the world have been set up to reduce on-road combustion emissions. In this context, the road freight sector faces significant challenges in decarbonization, driven by its limited availability of low-emission fuels and commercialized zero-emission vehicles compared with its high energy demand. In this work, we develop the Mobility and Energy Transportation Analysis (META) Model, a python-based optimization model to quantify the impact of transportation projected policies on freight transport by projecting conventional and alternative fuel technologies market acceptance as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Along with introducing e-fuels as an alternative refueling option for conventional vehicles, META investigates the market opportunities of Mobile Carbon Capture (MCC) until 2050. To accurately assess this technology, a techno-economic analysis is essential to compare MCC abatement cost to alternative decarbonization technologies such as electric trucks. The novelty of this work comes from the detailed cost categories taken into consideration in the analysis, including intangible costs associated with heavy-duty technologies, such as recharging/refueling time, cargo capacity limitations, and consumer acceptance towards emerging technologies across different regions. Based on the study results, the competitive total cost of ownership (TCO) and marginal abatement cost (MAC) values of MCC make it an economically promising alternative option to decarbonize the freight transport sector. Both in the KSA and EU, MCC options could reach greater than 50% market shares of all ICE vehicle sales, equivalent to a combined 35% of all new sales shares by 2035. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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11 pages, 1394 KB  
Article
Unpacking the Carbon Balance: Biochar Production from Forest Residues and Its Impact on Sustainability
by Diego Voccia and Lucrezia Lamastra
Energies 2024, 17(18), 4582; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17184582 - 12 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1995
Abstract
Climate change demands urgent action to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and explore methods for atmospheric carbon removal. Forest residues, a significant biomass resource, represent a readily available solution. With the use of life cycle assessment (LCA), this study investigates the environmental advantages [...] Read more.
Climate change demands urgent action to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and explore methods for atmospheric carbon removal. Forest residues, a significant biomass resource, represent a readily available solution. With the use of life cycle assessment (LCA), this study investigates the environmental advantages of thermochemical processes utilizing forest residues to produce valuable energy-dense products, like syngas, bio-oil, and biochar, providing a carbon sink. While slow pyrolysis emphasizes biochar production for carbon sequestration, gasification focuses on bioenergy generation. This research evaluates the environmental performance of both techniques in terms of carbon sequestration and GHG emissions mitigation. This comprehensive analysis aims to identify critical factors influencing the environmental sustainability of thermochemical processes in forest management. The findings aim to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals by highlighting the environmental advantages of biochar in mitigating climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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