Toward Net-Zero Futures: Innovations in Carbon Management and Sustainable Transitions

Dear Colleagues,

The global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century has reshaped the way societies approach sustainability and development. Effective carbon management—ranging from emissions reduction and carbon capture to nature-based solutions—will play a pivotal role in this transition. However, challenges remain regarding aligning technological innovation, policy instruments, and societal engagement to deliver transformative change at both local and global scales.

This Special Issue aims to explore interdisciplinary advances in the science, practice, and governance of carbon management for sustainable transitions. Contributions may address diverse topics such as carbon accounting and disclosure, low-carbon urban design, climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy integration, and the role of blue and green carbon ecosystems in strengthening ecological resilience. Studies on social innovation, governance frameworks, and policy pathways that facilitate equitable participation and accelerate the transition toward net-zero societies are also encouraged.

By integrating perspectives across environmental science, engineering, policy, and community-based approaches, this Special Issue seeks to generate new insights into the pathways that can simultaneously reduce carbon footprints, enhance ecosystem services, and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prof. Dr. Wei-Ta Fang
Guest Editor

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-anonymized 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.