Decarbonizing the global economy has become a pressing concern in the context of climate change. This proposed Research Topic aims to address how we can create an economy that does not rely on fossil fuels for its growth but instead enables sustainable production and consumption of goods and services.
During 2020, global CO2 emissions saw a 5.8% decline (almost 2 GtCO2). However, as industrial activity began again following the pandemic, and the global economy attempted to recover, energy-related emissions were projected to rebound by 4.8%, in line with economic growth in 2021. This projection was an underestimation, with industrial and economic activities producing a 7.9% increase relative to 2020. 2022, saw a further 1.5% increase, bringing us to a record-breaking 36.1 GtCO2.
It is crucial that steps are being taken to deploy renewable energy, clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, and behavioural change into our industries, as we cannot afford a society that is still reliant on coal, oil, and gas for industrial processes and economic growth.
This Research Topic aims to attract submissions on the following themes, although this is not intended to be exhaustive:
1. Historical and contemporary analyses of the use of fossil fuels in the global economy, and the challenges and benefits of moving away from this energy source.
2. The political and economic obstacles to transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency - from understanding why certain countries resist change, to analysing what has enabled policies and initiatives that have stuck in others.
3. The opportunities, policies and strategies associated with the transition to a post-carbon economy, including the benefits of renewable energy sources, the potential for green jobs, and the associated policies required to facilitate these outcomes.
4. The potential social and political consequences of a shift away from the use of traditional forms of energy, and strategies for including marginalized populations in a transition to newer productive systems.
5. Comprehensive assessments of the necessary technology and infrastructure required to achieve a post-carbon economy, including the energy storage solutions, and the "green" hardware development (such as EVs, CSP, Hydro or Geothermal power, etc.).
6. Today, fossil fuels are the most common method of producing hydrogen. However, there is a need to exploit hydrogen production using renewable energies (via electrolysis) to produce green hydrogen and its derivative fuels like green ammonia.
The proposed article collection would bring together insights from different disciplinary perspectives, including ecology, economics, engineering, technology studies, sustainable energy production and policy studies.
This article collection would be of significance to policymakers, technology innovators, and energy analysts, as it would offer fresh perspectives on the shift toward a post-greenhouse gas economy. The article collection would also be relevant to academics and students, who study areas related to energy, and carbon reduction, along with social or environmental justice issues.
Keywords:
Green Tranistion, Decarbonized Economy, Green Incentives, Green Tarifs
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Decarbonizing the global economy has become a pressing concern in the context of climate change. This proposed Research Topic aims to address how we can create an economy that does not rely on fossil fuels for its growth but instead enables sustainable production and consumption of goods and services.
During 2020, global CO2 emissions saw a 5.8% decline (almost 2 GtCO2). However, as industrial activity began again following the pandemic, and the global economy attempted to recover, energy-related emissions were projected to rebound by 4.8%, in line with economic growth in 2021. This projection was an underestimation, with industrial and economic activities producing a 7.9% increase relative to 2020. 2022, saw a further 1.5% increase, bringing us to a record-breaking 36.1 GtCO2.
It is crucial that steps are being taken to deploy renewable energy, clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, and behavioural change into our industries, as we cannot afford a society that is still reliant on coal, oil, and gas for industrial processes and economic growth.
This Research Topic aims to attract submissions on the following themes, although this is not intended to be exhaustive:
1. Historical and contemporary analyses of the use of fossil fuels in the global economy, and the challenges and benefits of moving away from this energy source.
2. The political and economic obstacles to transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency - from understanding why certain countries resist change, to analysing what has enabled policies and initiatives that have stuck in others.
3. The opportunities, policies and strategies associated with the transition to a post-carbon economy, including the benefits of renewable energy sources, the potential for green jobs, and the associated policies required to facilitate these outcomes.
4. The potential social and political consequences of a shift away from the use of traditional forms of energy, and strategies for including marginalized populations in a transition to newer productive systems.
5. Comprehensive assessments of the necessary technology and infrastructure required to achieve a post-carbon economy, including the energy storage solutions, and the "green" hardware development (such as EVs, CSP, Hydro or Geothermal power, etc.).
6. Today, fossil fuels are the most common method of producing hydrogen. However, there is a need to exploit hydrogen production using renewable energies (via electrolysis) to produce green hydrogen and its derivative fuels like green ammonia.
The proposed article collection would bring together insights from different disciplinary perspectives, including ecology, economics, engineering, technology studies, sustainable energy production and policy studies.
This article collection would be of significance to policymakers, technology innovators, and energy analysts, as it would offer fresh perspectives on the shift toward a post-greenhouse gas economy. The article collection would also be relevant to academics and students, who study areas related to energy, and carbon reduction, along with social or environmental justice issues.
Keywords:
Green Tranistion, Decarbonized Economy, Green Incentives, Green Tarifs
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.