Pathways to Carbon Neutrality: Circular Economy and Sustainable Innovation for Green Industry

Dear Colleagues,

The accelerating challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation have brought about an urgent need for transformative approaches to achieving carbon neutrality across various sectors. Among the most promising strategies is the implementation of circular economy principles combined with sustainable innovation as these approaches offer not only pathways for reducing carbon emissions but also enhance long-term industrial resilience and economic competitiveness through waste minimization, value chain transformation, and the optimization of resource use.

This Special Issue, entitled “Pathways to Carbon Neutrality: Circular Economy and Sustainable Innovation for Green Industry”, aims to create a global platform for interdisciplinary research and practical insights into how industries can transition toward low-carbon, circular, and sustainable models. With increasing attention from policymakers, businesses, and civil society, it is essential to examine how technological innovation, policy reform, life cycle thinking, and nature-based solutions can be integrated to design and scale carbon-neutral systems.

Despite the growing volume of literature on sustainability and environmental innovation, many studies remain sector-specific or lack integration across disciplines. Therefore, we propose a more holistic and systemic approach that links circular economy frameworks, carbon management tools, digital technologies, and green industrial practices under the umbrella of sustainable development. The aim is to stimulate dialogue and disseminate cutting-edge knowledge that supports carbon neutrality transitions in industrial sectors, with implications for both developed and developing economies.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, case studies, and review papers that contribute to the theoretical, empirical, and policy dimensions of this topic, and research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Circular economy design and policy instruments for industry;
• Carbon footprint assessment, reduction strategies, and offsetting mechanisms;
• Nature-based solutions and ecosystem services for climate mitigation;
• Applications of AI, IoT, and digital twins in resource optimization;
• Green technologies for manufacturing, construction, and supply chains;
• Industrial symbiosis, cleaner production, and zero-emission strategies;
• Corporate sustainability reporting, ESG, and regulatory compliance;
• Innovations in energy efficiency and renewable integration for carbon reduction;
• Climate-smart business models and pathways for just industrial transition.

We look forward to your contributions that advance understanding and practice in the journey toward carbon neutrality and sustainable industrial transformation.

Prof. Dr. Yao-Ming Hong
Prof. Dr. Bo-Ching Chen
Guest Editors

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