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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 4708

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fang Su

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Guest Editor

School of Economics and Management, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
Interests: environmental studies; development studies; sustainability; ecological economy and regional sustainable development; anti-poverty studies; energy policy and climate change

Prof. Dr. Haiyang Shang

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Guest Editor

School of Management, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Xi'an 710122, China
Interests: ecological economy; regional sustainable development

Dr. Jiangbo Chang

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Guest Editor

School of Economics and Management, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
Interests: green economy; regional economy; industrial economy; rural economy; platform economy; technical economics and management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the urgent need to mitigate climate change, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development. The energy transition, characterized by the shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and low-carbon alternatives, is not only a technical and environmental challenge but also a critical factor influencing regional economic development.

At the same time, sustainable innovation has emerged as a key driver in achieving economic growth while minimizing negative environmental and social impacts. Innovations in energy technologies, business models, and policy frameworks are reshaping industries, creating new employment opportunities, and fostering competitive advantages for regions that embrace them.

This Special Issue aims to explore the intricate relationships between the energy transition, sustainable innovation, and regional economic development. We invite scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines to contribute original research articles, reviews, and case studies that shed light on the opportunities, challenges, and best practices associated with leveraging the energy transition and sustainable innovation for regional economic prosperity. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Renewable energy integration;
Decarbonization strategies;
Energy storage solutions;
Energy market dynamics;
Technological breakthroughs;
Circular economy models;
Innovation ecosystems;
Socio-economic impacts;
Regional policies and governance;
Urban and rural development;
Industry transformation;
Cross-border collaboration.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Fang Su
Prof. Dr. Haiyang Shang
Dr. Jiangbo Chang
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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
energy transformation
sustainable innovation
regional economy development
sustainable development

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 446 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Transformation and Enterprise Operating Costs: Evidence from Chinese A-Share Listed Firms

by Liang Jin, Xiao Cai and Jianning Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4189; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094189 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 663

Abstract

This study examines the impact of digital transformation on enterprise operating costs and elucidates its underlying transmission mechanisms. Digital transformation is measured using a text-based indicator constructed from digital-transformation-related keyword frequencies in firms’ annual reports. Using an unbalanced panel of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2007 to 2023, we employ two-way fixed effects models, mediation analysis, and instrumental-variable estimation for empirical analysis. The findings reveal: (1) Digital transformation significantly reduces enterprise operating costs, with this conclusion maintaining robustness across a comprehensive series of endogeneity treatments and alternative specifications. (2) Enterprise innovation, highly skilled talent, and corporate governance appear to be important channels through which digital transformation contributes to cost reduction. The results are consistent with a complete mediation pattern for enterprise innovation, a partial mediation pattern for highly skilled talent, and a significant mediating role for corporate governance. (3) The cost-reducing effect appears more evident in state-owned enterprises, growth-stage enterprises, and firms located in eastern regions, while the central-region results suggest possible short-term cost increases. This study helps clarify the internal mechanisms through which digital transformation affects enterprise cost control and provides empirical evidence that may inform firms’ digital strategies and related policy design. From a sustainability perspective, these findings suggest that digital transformation may help improve resource efficiency, reduce organizational waste, and strengthen long-term resilience, thereby carrying potential implications for sustainable economic development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation and Energy Transformation Toward Regional Economy Development)

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21 pages, 442 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Does the Innovative Industrial Cluster Pilot Policy Affect Corporate Carbon Performance? Evidence from China

by Xiaoqi Yu and Chuanlin Shao

Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4149; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094149 - 22 Apr 2026

Viewed by 323

Abstract

Based on panel data of Chinese A-share companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2006 to 2023, this study employs a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach to examine the impact of the Innovative Industrial Cluster (IIC) pilot policy on corporate carbon performance. The research findings indicate that the IIC pilot policy significantly enhances corporate carbon performance, a conclusion that remains robust after a series of reliability tests, including PSM-DID. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that the policy primarily operates through channels such as fostering corporate green technological innovation, increasing public environmental concern, and attracting the entry of green investors. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the policy effect is more pronounced among firms located in the eastern region, those in non-heavy-polluting industries, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This study provides micro-level evidence for understanding the green effects of industrial agglomeration and offers references for optimizing cluster policy design to facilitate the low-carbon transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation and Energy Transformation Toward Regional Economy Development)

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33 pages, 1065 KB

Open AccessArticle

Can Innovation in Novel Energy Storage Technologies Facilitate the Achievement of Dual-Control Energy Targets?—A Complex Mediation Perspective Empowered by the Industry–University–Government Integrated Innovation Ecosystem

by Xinyi Yin, Zhuyue Xie, Yuqi Bi, Yuhui Ma and Kun Lv

Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3269; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073269 - 27 Mar 2026

Viewed by 430

Abstract

To explore whether the causal chain of “Industry–University–Government Integrated Innovation Ecosystem → Novel Energy Storage Technology Innovation → Dual-Control Energy Targets” can be achieved, this study analyzes panel data from 30 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from 2010 to 2022. By employing a complex mediation effect model combining dynamic Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and the dynamic panel system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model, this study identifies five configuration pathways for driving innovation in novel energy storage technologies within an integrated innovation ecosystem. These include two industry digitalization–university innovation resource-dominant pathways: a government-light and digitally driven “university–industry” resource-sharing and knowledge-conversion synergy, and an industry leadership pathway embedded with university collaborative innovation under a digitalization framework. Two policy-driven hybrid and industry–leadership synergistic pathways are also extracted: a growth pathway for policy-supported hybrid organizations under insufficient industry digitalization and a policy-driven innovation substitution pathway compensating for the absence of university niche roles. Additionally, a multidimensional collaborative development pathway is identified, reflecting comprehensive collaboration. In the dynamic panel system GMM model, all five pathways collectively suppress total energy consumption and energy intensity, while also indirectly driving the achievement of dual-control energy targets through innovation in novel energy storage technologies. Pathways driven by government-light and digitally facilitated collaboration, industry leadership, and comprehensive collaboration show significant direct negative effects on energy consumption and intensity. However, the policy-driven innovation substitution pathway exhibits limited contribution due to the absence of university innovation components, thereby failing to significantly advance regional dual-control energy goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation and Energy Transformation Toward Regional Economy Development)

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28 pages, 919 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of ESG Ratings on Corporate Carbon Performance: From the Perspective of Internal and External Interaction

by Nana Li, Yuna Tian, Chuwei Zhang, Baojian Zhang and Jiawei Yang

Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 2079; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18042079 - 19 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 684

Abstract

Against the backdrop of global climate governance and evolving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) infrastructure, this study examines how market-based ESG ratings drive corporate carbon performance. Employing a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach based on a quasi-natural experiment with the initial release of SynTao Green Finance’s ESG ratings as an exogenous shock, we analyze Chinese A-share listed firms (2014–2022) from an internal and external interaction perspective. The results show ESG ratings significantly enhance carbon performance by improving internal control quality and analyst attention. Equity balance degree and public environmental concern strengthen these effects internally and externally, respectively. The positive impact is more pronounced in non-polluting industries, firms with low customer concentration, and those undergoing digital transformation. This study reveals the dual transmission mechanisms and boundary conditions of ESG ratings, offering theoretical and policy insights for achieving “dual carbon” goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation and Energy Transformation Toward Regional Economy Development)

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25 pages, 2529 KB

Open AccessArticle

Green Transformation of China’s Light Industry: Regulatory and Innovation Policy Scenarios, 2023–2036

by Jiangbo Chang, Fang Su and Di Cao

Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411105 - 11 Dec 2025

Viewed by 731

Abstract

Accelerating the green transformation of China’s light industry is of great significance for addressing resource and environmental issues and promoting sustainable development. Based on data from 16 light industry sectors in China from 2004 to 2023, this paper employs a system dynamics model to systematically explore the pathways for the green transformation of China’s light industry. The study finds that the green transformation of China’s light industry will exhibit a trend of first declining and then rising in the future. Simultaneously implementing measures to increase environmental regulation, strengthen independent innovation, promote imitative innovation, and reduce technology acquisition represents the optimal pathway for driving the green transformation. Based on these findings, future efforts should focus on optimizing technological innovation pathways and scientifically setting environmental regulation intensities. This paper not only fills the gap in dynamic system analysis within the field of green transformation of the light industry, but also provides valuable reference for promoting the sustainable development of manufacturing in China and globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation and Energy Transformation Toward Regional Economy Development)

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20 pages, 876 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Urban Ecological Resilience: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin, China

by Zhongjie Zhang and Yu Wu

Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7114; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157114 - 6 Aug 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

Improving the ecological resilience in the Yellow River Basin is a crucial way to achieve ecological conservation and high-quality development in the region. Based on the panel data from 2011 to 2023 of 57 cities in the Yellow River Basin, the ecological resilience of each city was measured by using the Catastrophe Progression Model, and its spatial differences and dynamic evolution characteristics were analyzed by the Dagum Gini coefficient and kernel density estimation. At the same time, the STIRPAT model was integrated with the random forest model to identify the key factors influencing urban ecological resilience. The results demonstrated the following: (1) The urban ecological resilience in the Yellow River Basin exhibited a slight upward trend during 2011–2020 and presented a gradient spatial pattern with “high in the east and low in the west”. (2) Hypervariation density is the main source of spatial difference in urban ecological resilience, with trailing and polarization phenomena across the entire basin and its three major subregions. (3) There was significant regional heterogeneity of influences in the urban ecological resilience, with upstream, midstream, and downstream regions characterized by low interference intensity, high sensitivity, and strong adaptability, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation and Energy Transformation Toward Regional Economy Development)

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