Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 15206

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yi Liang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Management, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
Interests: low carbon energy management; artificial intelligence applications; power load forecasting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Wei-Chiang Hong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Information Management, Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology, Taipei 22064, Taiwan
Interests: short-term load forecasting; intelligent forecasting technologies (e.g., neural networks, knowledge–based expert systems, fuzzy inference systems, evolutionary computation, etc.); hybrid forecasting models (e.g., hybridizing traditional models with intelligent technologies, or hybridizing two or more different models to form a novel forecasting model); novel intelligent methodologies (chaos theory; cloud theory; quantum theory)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, U.P., India
Interests: wireless sensor networks; meta-heuristic algorithms; deep learning approaches
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Keke Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Management Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Interests: Energy and power forecasting, power market management, electricity price forecasting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing carbon dioxide emissions with removal. It is critical for achieving the global climate change targets. At present, tackling climate change has become the biggest challenge facing human development, and taking active measures to cope with climate change has become the consensus of all mankind. Under such circumstances, more and more countries and regions have joined the carbon reduction camp, issued carbon neutral targets one after another, actively challenged climate policies, and spawned a new round of energy technology and industrial revolution.

The IEA says there is a huge gap between 1.5 and 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide that forests can absorb each year, compared with about 33 billion tonnes a year. In other words, forest absorption alone cannot achieve carbon neutrality. The key to achieving carbon neutrality is low emissions, or even zero emissions, based on planting trees to offset carbon dioxide emissions for specific reasons, or using advanced technologies to absorb and treat the extra emissions.

The focus for this Special Issue will be on how those countries with stated carbon neutrality or net zero goals might achieve their aims, and what cross-cutting insights might be gained from energy transition dynamics observed around the world. This Special Issue seeks to deepen our understanding of enabling and accelerating the green transition of such large economies as China, EU, Japan, UK, and South Korea, and understanding how to accommodate potentially disruptive, non-marginal options for climate change mitigation, and any adverse outcomes they may bring.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

Carbon capture and storage; carbon capture, utilization and storage; bio-energy with carbon capture and storage;
Clean energy technologies: wind, hydrogen, solar, biomass, distributed energy storage;
Low carbon industry: green manufacturing, 5G industry, AI digitalization;
Energy-efficient buildings: Intelligent buildings, energy saving equipment and technology, integrated energy systems;
A new type of agriculture: green agriculture, digital empowerment, platform economy.

Prof. Dr. Yi Liang
Prof. Dr. Wei-Chiang Hong
Prof. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh
Dr. Keke Wang
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

carbon capture and storage
clean energy technologies
low carbon industry
energy-efficient buildings
green agriculture

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can the Digitalization Reduce Carbon Emission Intensity?—The Moderating Effects of the Fiscal Decentralization

by Zhao Yang

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 9006; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15119006 - 02 Jun 2023

Viewed by 856

Abstract

Carbon emission reduction is the top priority in improving green production efficiency and achieving sustainable development, while digitalization (Digi) is an important engine that drives efficient carbon emission reduction. However, in China, the government and the market jointly influence economic and social development, and the effectiveness of Digi in promoting carbon emission reduction is also influenced by the external fiscal system. In this study, we first establish a theoretical framework for digitalization that can reduce carbon emission intensity (CEI) and reveal the important role of fiscal decentralization (FD) on the impact of Digi on CEI and is based on the typical features of the Chinese FD system. Second, we investigate the relationship between Digi and CEI and the moderating effect of FD based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2019, and we utilize a fixed-effects panel model that introduces moderating variables and a panel threshold model. By testing the econometric model, we observe that increasing the level of Digi significantly reduces CEI. FD reinforces this reduction effect, and Digi has a significant dampening effect on CEI only when the level of FD is higher than 0.84. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of Digi and positive moderating effect of FD are higher in the central and western regions of China. Finally, we suggest countermeasures to promote low-carbon development for accelerating digital transformation, thereby deepening the reform of “delegating power, improving regulation, and optimizing service” systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 12092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serial Dynamics, Spatial Spillover and Common Factors of Carbon Emission Intensity in China’s Bohai Economic Rim

by Yan Gao, Xin Wang and Liyan Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7182; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097182 - 25 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1216

Abstract

The Bohai Economic Rim (BER) is an important economic Rim in north China. Since the implementation of the Beijing−Tianjin−Hebei Coordinated Strategy in 2014, the provinces have become more closely connected in economic development and environmental governance. This paper investigates the dynamics and spillover effects of carbon emission intensity in the BER before and after removing the common factors, and analyzes the reasons for the difference. In this study, the serial dynamics characteristics and spatial spillover effects of the carbon emission intensity of provinces were analyzed in the BER provinces between 2000 and 2019. Based on the Moran index and the spatial Durbin model, the provincial carbon emission intensity and influence factors were examined. CD (Correlation Dependence) tests were then applied, with the test results indicating that the carbon intensities had strong spatial correlation. Therefore, the dynamic spatial Durbin common factor model was introduced, characterizing the dynamic characteristics of the carbon emission intensity and the spatial spillover effect in the BER. The consequences obtained are as follows: (1) The carbon emission intensities in the BER were influenced by the energy intensity, urbanization level, economic growth, and population density. There was a significant spatial spillover effect between a province and its neighboring provinces. (2) The carbon emission intensities of the provinces exhibited a strong correlation. (3) The reason for the strong carbon emission intensity correlation is associated with environmental protection policies that are similar and the common external development environment. Combining the above findings and study conclusions, the authors offer the following policy suggestions: (1) optimize the energy structure; (2) improve the industrial structure; (3) construct a regional collaborative governance mechanism for carbon emissions; and (4) formulate a precise policy. This study is crucial for reducing regional carbon emissions, promoting the transition to a green economy and society, and achieving the “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality” targets in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Wind Power Project Risk Management Based on Structural Equation and Catastrophe Theory

by Suyan Zhao, Xiaopai Su, Jiahui Li, Guibin Suo and Xiaoxuan Meng

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6622; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086622 - 13 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1475

Abstract

Wind power projects are a crucial step towards achieving the objectives of “carbon neutrality” and “carbon peak” because they can improve the energy crisis and contribute towards environmental pollution reduction. However, the risks of wind power projects cannot be ignored, and the success of the design phase can affect the risks and benefits of wind power projects throughout their life cycle. This paper first proposes causality hypotheses for four types of risk factors in wind power projects: policy, economy, technology, and construction. It constructs a structural equation model for wind power project risk factors and then tests and modifies the model. Then, based on the latent variables of policy, economy, technology, and construction, and the relevant explicit variables, the risk index evaluation system of the wind power project design phase is constructed. The risk assessment catastrophe model of wind power projects is further established, and it is used to evaluate the risk of the K wind power project in the design phase. The risk assessment can identify the overall risk and main risk sources in wind power projects in the design phase and provide countermeasures for effectively controlling risks in wind power projects in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Visual Communication and Development of Green Design: A Cross-Database Prediction Analysis from 1972 to 2022

by Yixuan Du and Hailan Ma

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6359; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086359 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1895

Abstract

This paper resulted from 1775 pieces of literature from the WoS database and 1923 from the CNKI database. The research framework, development process, internal relations, and key hot topics of green design were explored through the tool of CiteSpace metrology. Four main research results were presented: (1) Green design began to grow explosively around 2015. The design revolved around energy saving, material selection, and other aspects, with a high rate of cooperation, high reference, a large number of publications, and other upsurge phenomena in each branch of the formation. (2) There is the highest volume and popularity of research in the CNKI database. At the same time, in WoS, the United States still has the most disciplinary influence and academic exchange freedom. (3) WoS focuses on solving practical problems of branch disciplines, mainly chemical engineering, experiments, and case analyses. The hot topics in CNKI tend to be design subjects, mainly design technology, management, and theory. (4) There are few basic types of research on the WoS database; CNKI pays more attention to design theoretical research. The two databases form complementary solutions to ensure the future development of green design. The results indicate that green design should be envisioned as an eco-friendly approach, emphasizing optimizing human and management practices, innovative design principles, sustainable processes, and consideration of sociocultural impacts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 3096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Carbon Emission and Carbon Contribution Capacity Based on the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region of China

by Junling Wang, Lihong Qin and Hanfang Chu

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5824; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075824 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1664

Abstract

In 2020, during the 75th United Nations General Assembly, China proposed the goal of “achieving a carbon peak by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060”. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region is the largest carbon emission metropolitan area in China. Its energy consumption and carbon emission status means the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region shoulders the important task of low-carbon transformation. Only by achieving a “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality” can the economy of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region be sustainable. Based on this, we analyzed and comprehensively evaluated the complete ability of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region to achieve carbon neutrality in 2008–2020, that is, carbon achievement ability, status, and intensity of energy consumption and carbon emissions based on the CRITIC weighting method. The results show that the energy consumption and carbon emission capacity of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region have basically formed a step difference. On this basis, the evaluation of carbon contribution capacity also shows that Hebei Province, as a weak link in the coordinated development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, bears the main responsibility of improving carbon contribution capacity and thus achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. This research study suggests that intra-regional cooperation should be strengthened to achieve coordinated development. At the end of the paper, policy suggestions for regional cooperation are given from four aspects: government, industry, low-carbon technology, and regional carbon sinks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent Risk Assessment of Ecological Agriculture Projects from a Vision of Low Carbon

by Yanhua Chang and Yi Liang

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5765; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075765 - 26 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1202

Abstract

Ecological agriculture projects have achieved a growing development in the context of low carbon. However, because of the great difference in these issues from traditional types, there exist risks in progression quality and sustainability. To better identify the risk, this paper proposes a novel hybrid approach that integrates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), as well as an improved support vector machine (SVM) based on the brainstorming algorithm (BSO). First, a risk evaluation index framework is developed and elaborated in terms of the natural environment, society, market economy, management, technology, and finance. Then the traditional assessment can be derived from AHP with TOPSIS. In addition, BSO is applied to improve SVM for rapid computation. Finally, a case study is implemented to verify the accuracy of the proposed technique. In this research, based on the low-carbon perspective, artificial intelligence algorithm and risk assessment are introduced into the field of ecological agriculture project management, which is conducive to the rapid and effective evaluation of ecological agriculture project risk. It can improve managers’ risk awareness and risk management ability, reduce investment blindness, and help ecological agriculture projects achieve healthy and sustainable development under the background of low carbon, thus contributing to the development of a low-carbon economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Forest Carbon Sink Potential in China

by Xiaoxuan Meng, Jiahui Li, Man Jin, Xiaopai Su and Guibin Suo

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3589; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043589 - 15 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1486

Abstract

The original variables were 14 statistics in 31 provinces and cities in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) in 2019, including forest area, forest tending area, afforestation area and timber production. Factor analysis was used to study the factors affecting development potential of forest carbon sinks in mainland China. The results show that the total forest resources factor extracted from the variables related to forest stock and forest land use area was the most important affecting this potential, followed by the forest climate and output value factor extracted from variables related to climate and output. Third was the forest ecological construction factor, which was extracted from forestry afforestation area related variables and fire-damaged areas. In last place was the forest disaster prevention factor extracted from forest nurturing and pest and rodent control area variables. According to systematic clustering of the comprehensive score, development potential of forest carbon sinks in 31 provinces and municipalities across the country was divided into five categories and, based on this, targeted suggestions were put forward for improvement of the above potential in various regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electric Vehicle Participation in Regional Grid Demand Response: Potential Analysis Model and Architecture Planning

by Qian Wang, Xiaolong Yang, Xiaoyu Yu, Jingwen Yun and Jinbo Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2763; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032763 - 03 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1639

Abstract

When a large-scale random charging load is connected to the regional power grid, it can negatively affect the safe and stable operation of the power grid. Therefore, we need to study its charging load and response potential in advance so that electric vehicles can interact well with the grid after being connected to the regional grid. Firstly, after analyzing the influencing factors of regional electric vehicle ownership, an electric vehicle ownership prediction model based on the sparrow search algorithm-improved BP neural network (SSA-BPNN) is established. On this basis, an electric vehicle charging load prediction model is established based on the sparrow search algorithm-improved BP neural network and Monte Carlo algorithm (SSA-BPNN-MC). Secondly, the charging behavior of different types of electric vehicles is analyzed and modeled, and the data from a certain area are taken as an example for the prediction. Then, according to the load forecasting results, the potential of electric vehicles participating in demand response in the region in the future is deeply analyzed using the scenario analysis method. Finally, with the aim of resolving the problems of massive multi-source heterogeneous data processing and the management of electric vehicles participating in the regional power grid demand response, a basic framework of electric vehicles participating in the regional power grid demand response is developed, which provides effective support for promoting electric vehicles to participate in regional grid demand response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Evaluation of Sustainability of Photovoltaic Projects in the Context of Carbon Neutrality Target

by Wei Ding, Xuguang Zhao, Weigao Meng and Haichao Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14925; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214925 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1040

Abstract

To support the sustainable development of photovoltaic (PV) projects in the context of the carbon neutrality aim, a scientific and reliable evaluation technique is crucial. In this research, an AdaBoost-LS-WSVM intelligent evaluation model built on the Spark platform is suggested to increase evaluation accuracy and timeliness. Firstly, the sustainability evaluation index system of PV projects is constructed from five levels: geographic resource sustainability, technical sustainability, economic sustainability, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability in the context of the carbon neutrality target. Then, the AdaBoost-LS-WSVM intelligent evaluation model with Spark as the platform is constructed, and the wavelet kernel function is applied to the LSSVM model to form the LS-WSVM regression model with stronger nonlinear fitting ability. The learning and training of training samples are completed by the AdaBoost model, and multiple weak LS-WSVM regressors are weighted to get a strong LS-WSVM regressor. The regression model is used for assessing the sustainability of PV projects on Spark Big Data runtime platform. Lastly, the scientific accuracy and reliability of the proposed model is confirmed by a case study, which facilitates a timely and effective assessment of the sustainability of PV projects in the context of carbon neutrality target and can provide scientific and reasonable decision support for the construction of a sustainable development model of PV projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation Analysis of Factors Affecting Energy Carbon Emissions in Fujian Province

by Xianjin Lin, Xiaoyan Lin, Jun Zhang, Qionge He and Pengyu Yan

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13757; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113757 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1241

Abstract

China’s goal of reaching peak carbon by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 has been a popular research topic in recent years. Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals are solemn commitments made by the Chinese government to the international community. As a national ecological civilization demonstration area, Fujian province has incorporated peak carbon and carbon neutrality into its overall ecological construction plans. This paper uses the scalable stochastic environmental impact assessment model STIRPAT to quantitatively analyze the relationship between carbon emission intensity and economy, population, energy intensity, energy structure, and industrial structure in Fujian Province from 2001 to 2020, and it uses a Markov transition matrix to predict the ratio of energy structure in the next four years. On the basis of the above-mentioned research, combined with the provincial ecological planning outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan of Fujian Province, three development modes (i.e., the general mode, the energy-saving mode, and the energy consumption mode) are proposed. Finally, according to the model, this paper predicts that the carbon intensity goal of 2025 can be achieved under the general and energy saving modes, while the carbon intensity goal cannot be reached under the energy consumption mode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Carbon Neutrality: National Strategic Action Programmes and Technologies

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI