Low-Carbon Energy and Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, the global energy landscape is undergoing a fundamental transition, shifting from fossil-based energy sources to low-carbon alternatives. This transformation is driven by the growing awareness of the ecological and environmental consequences of traditional energy use, which has led to the degradation of ecosystems and threatens biodiversity. The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, is now a shared global objective.

In light of this, many countries across the world are pushing for system-level energy transitions from current carbon-intensive and low-efficiency energy systems to future deeply decarbonized, energy-efficient, and highly renewable solutions. Achieving global carbon neutrality demands a comprehensive transformation in energy production, distribution, and consumption, with an emphasis on the development of new energy sources and the reduction in fossil fuel dependency. The development of a green, low-carbon energy system is crucial for meeting climate targets. This transition calls for innovation in both technologies and policy frameworks to address key challenges, such as the scaling of new energy technologies, the integration of carbon pricing mechanisms, the formulation of effective energy policies, and scenario analysis of future energy systems.

This Topic offers a dedicated platform to explore cutting-edge research on low-carbon energy systems, sustainability, and the policies that will drive the transition to a new energy paradigm. We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews that address the following (but are not limited to) areas of interest:

1. Emerging Trends in Carbon Emissions and Technology Diffusion: Investigating the driving forces behind the adoption and diffusion of new, low-carbon technologies.
2. Energy Efficiency and Policy Development: Exploring policies related to energy efficiency improvements and the promotion of energy-saving behaviors at the consumer and industrial levels.
3. Regional Energy Transitions: Analyzing the challenges and opportunities of low-carbon energy development in different regions, including urban and rural contexts.
4. Innovation in Low-Carbon Energy Technologies: Focusing on breakthroughs in energy storage, renewable energy sources, and energy systems that promote decarbonization.
5. Theoretical Frameworks for Energy Transition and Sustainability: Examining new theoretical approaches to understanding the dynamics of energy transitions, their impact on economic systems, and their long-term sustainability.

Dr. Jinhua Xu
Dr. Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos
Topic Editors