Net Zero in the Maelstrom: Professional Practice for Net Zero in a Time of Turbulent Change

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

To be honest, I enjoyed the article with a learning interest. It is a novel idea, with both new frameworks and practical policy tools, which adds to the credibility of the net zero. I consider the paper ready for publication with only a few changes to some of the formatting of the tables and figures.

Author Response

Thanks. I like it too!  I will fix any formatting issues. 

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript is interesting and well-written. However, a couple of issues must be addressed.

Firstly, references must be numbered in order of appearance in the text, and reference numbers should be placed in square brackets [ ]. Moreover, do not use direct links in text (p. 13).

Figures: Many figures are quite large, especially Figure 1. In Figure 2, do not include the original caption. If you are planning to use figures created by someone else, you must have a permission.

In page 5 and 8, bullets must be embedded into the text better

Table 1 is partly cut off (right side). The caption should be on the upper side.

Please delete extra space from page 15

Author Response

I will make all these changes.  

Reviewer 3 Report

Thank you for this well structured paper.

The viewpoint presented is well documented, pointing out future research and practices.

The viewpoint has achieved is scope stimulating in me (as a reader) a lot of socio-technical implications about new forms of energy infrastructure to achieve a low carbon society. 

I was wondering how this also impact on future scenario well buildigns will act as node of a future energy infrastructure (i.e. Positive Energy Block, Positive Energy Districs...)....But this will probably  be another paper for the author.

A couple of issues about the format:

1)      Table 1 cannot be read correctly

2)      Do not change the dimension and the alignment of the text when presenting the bullet points.

Author Response

Thanks for supportive comments. I will add something about Positive Energy Blocks as it fits the agenda I am suggesting. 

The issues on Table 1 and dot points will be easily addressed. 

Reviewer 4 Report

I appreciate the opportunity to provide a peer review of the viewpoint entitled, “Net Zero in the Maelstrom: Professional practice for net zero in a time of turbulent change.” currently in submission to Sustainability. In my opinion, this is a well-written viewpoint, offering an interesting perspective on the Net Zero in the Maelstrom. The viewpoint has been well organized and the presentation is very good. With these qualities, the viewpoint can be published as is. Kindly reminder: Please follow the journal author instructions. It would be useful for the reader to follow it.

Author Response

Thanks for comments. The author instructions will be followed. 

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript can be accepted in the current form.