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Economics of Energy in the Context of Carbon Emissions and Environmental Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 2706

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Taimoor Hassan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Macroeconomics, University of Lodz, Narutowicza 65, 90-131 Łódź, Poland
Interests: energy economics; energy transition; carbon emission reduction strategies; sustainable development; environmental conservation
Dr. Syed Anees Haider Zaidi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: energy economics; environmental economics; globalization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite researchers and scholars to contribute original research articles to this Special Issue, titled "Economics of Energy in the Context of Carbon Emissions and Environmental Sustainability". The aim of this Special Issue is to investigate the multifaceted connections between energy economics, carbon emissions, and environmental sustainability.

Energy, a key aspect in daily life, is mostly produced and utilized to power the economic engine of a country. However, despite the fact that energy performs a key role in economic activities, its generation and consumption from nonrenewable resources restrain nations from attaining long-term environmental sustainability. According to the statistics of the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change (UNFCCCs), the energy sector emits the most greenhouse gases, with CO2 accounting for 80.96% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in high-income economies.

Therefore, the research papers in this Issue should aim to explore the economic mechanisms governing energy production, consumption, and their associated carbon emissions. This Special Issue will cover a wide range of topics, including the following: disaggregated energy generation/consumption (renewable/non-renewable) and its impact on carbon emissions or environmental sustainability, sectoral energy generation/consumption (industrial/transport/agricultural/service) and its impact on carbon emissions or environmental sustainability, and sources of energy generation/consumption (coal/wind/solar hydro/nuclear/LNG) and their impact on carbon emissions or environmental sustainability. In addition, empirical studies focusing on direct or indirect determinants of energy and environmental sustainability and studies exploring factors expediting energy transition to renewables or clean sources of energy are also highly encouraged. We look forward to your contributions to this important topic that address the critical intersection of energy economics and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Taimoor Hassan
Dr. Syed Anees Haider Zaidi
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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 consumption and production
  • renewable energy
  • non-renewable energy
  • environmental sustainability
  • carbon emissions
  • energy transition

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 2203 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Industrial Structure Upgrading, Energy Consumption Transition, and Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China
by Shuang Guo and Xiaodong Yan
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4383; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104383 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 646
Abstract
The Yangtze River Economic Belt, a key growth driver in China, faces energy-carbon challenges. Analyzing the impact of industrial restructuring on energy transition and emission reduction is crucial for its low-carbon transformation. This study first analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of carbon emissions, energy [...] Read more.
The Yangtze River Economic Belt, a key growth driver in China, faces energy-carbon challenges. Analyzing the impact of industrial restructuring on energy transition and emission reduction is crucial for its low-carbon transformation. This study first analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of carbon emissions, energy intensity, and energy structure decarbonization across YREB provinces from 2005 to 2021, then quantified the impacts of industrial upgrading on these dimensions by using a spatial Durbin model with panel data, revealing spatial heterogeneity and mechanisms. Results show that: (1) a U-shaped relationship exists between industrial upgrading and both energy intensity and energy structure decarbonization, while it significantly lowers regional emissions; (2) heterogeneity analysis indicates the emission reduction effects of industrial upgrading intensify toward downstream regions, with energy transition being pivotal for mid-upstream mitigation. Accordingly, region-specific strategies are proposed: upstream areas should prioritize high-carbon energy substitution, ecological compensation, and technological support; midstream regions should adopt targeted policies for green industrial relocation and energy efficiency enhancements to accelerate upgrading; downstream areas should leverage innovation incentives and service-driven industrial restructuring. This study provides theoretical foundations for tailored regional strategies and actionable insights for achieving the YREB’s low-carbon development goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics of Energy in the Context of Carbon Emissions and Environmental Sustainability)
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25 pages, 3000 KiB  
Article
The Characteristics of Carbon Emissions Embodied in China’s International Economic Circulation Based on Global Value Chains
by Jiangbai Liu, Yadong Ning, Shukuan Bai and Boya Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3054; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073054 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Economic growth and environmental sustainability represent two critical components of sustainable development. This study analyzed the impacts of China’s international economic circulation (IC) on value added and carbon emissions, using a global value chain accounting framework, seeking to answer how to achieve the [...] Read more.
Economic growth and environmental sustainability represent two critical components of sustainable development. This study analyzed the impacts of China’s international economic circulation (IC) on value added and carbon emissions, using a global value chain accounting framework, seeking to answer how to achieve the dual goals of economic growth and carbon emissions reductions through IC routes: traditional, simple, and complex international economic circulations (TIC, SIC, CIC). The major findings are as follows: (1) The contribution of China’s IC to the domestic economy has decreased since 2008, while its contribution to foreign economies continues to increase. Exports mainly promote domestic economic growth through TIC, while imports mainly promote foreign economic growth through SIC. (2) The carbon emissions embodied in China’s IC through exports are 2.1–4.5 times higher than those in imports. The impact of SIC on the embodied carbon emissions in exports is higher than that in imports, while the impact of CIC in exports is equivalent to that in imports. (3) Although China is a net exporter of carbon emissions, through certain routes, China’s bilateral trade with countries such as Korea, Australia, Malaysia, and Russia are conducive to China’s carbon emissions reductions. These findings provide scientific evidence for the design of trade and carbon emissions mitigation policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics of Energy in the Context of Carbon Emissions and Environmental Sustainability)
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23 pages, 5133 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Environmental and Economic Impacts of Industrial Restructuring and Identification of Key Sectors Based on an Industrial Correlation Perspective
by Genglin Dong, Ying Huang, Cuiping Liao, Daiqing Zhao, Peng Wang and Changlong Sun
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030817 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Systematically assessing the impact of industrial restructuring on carbon emissions and economic growth from the industrial correlation perspective holds great significance for realizing sustainable economic development. By extending the input–output analysis, this study developed a comprehensive assessment framework to evaluate the impacts of [...] Read more.
Systematically assessing the impact of industrial restructuring on carbon emissions and economic growth from the industrial correlation perspective holds great significance for realizing sustainable economic development. By extending the input–output analysis, this study developed a comprehensive assessment framework to evaluate the impacts of industrial restructuring on energy-related carbon emissions and economic growth within a multi-sectoral system from the industrial correlation perspective. An indicator system was established to identify key sectors for different industrial restructuring strategies. Taking Guangdong as a case, the results show that (1) the indirect impact of industrial restructuring in sectors such as equipment manufacturing and services on carbon emissions is more significant than that on economic growth, and the carbon intensity of its indirect impact is much larger than that of its direct impact; (2) industrial restructuring indirectly affects energy-related carbon emissions or economic growth mainly through a limited number of linked sectors, whereas the main linked pathways through which sector-specific industrial restructuring indirectly affects carbon emissions and economic growth are not consistent; (3) from the industrial correlation perspective, environmental benefits are higher for the service sector and lower for the construction sector; and (4) in industrial restructuring, the metal-processing sector is identified as a key sector for pursuing low-carbon transition, while the non-metallic mineral products sector is identified as a key sector for controlling production scale. The findings and framework can inform regional decisions on industrial restructuring and carbon reduction from the industrial correlation perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics of Energy in the Context of Carbon Emissions and Environmental Sustainability)
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