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Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments
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Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2023) | Viewed by 27606

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gul Jabeen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Economics and Management, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
Interests: energy–environmental economics; renewable energy adoption behavior; sustainable development
Prof. Dr. Munir Ahmad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. College of International Economics & Trade, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, Ningbo 315175, China
2. “Belt and Road” Bulk Commodity Research Center, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, Ningbo 315175, China
Interests: energy economics; environmental economics; eco-innovation and green growth; sustainable development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For a paradigm shift toward sustainability to take place, it is necessary to address numerous issues at the same time. The severity of this challenge was acknowledged by global think tanks in 2015, when they developed an ambitious agenda for enhancing human well-being within planetary constraints, which includes the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among other initiatives. Having a glance at the progress achieved toward each of these agreements five years after they were signed, it does not seem very reassuring to note how little has been accomplished. Given the short time horizon of the 2030 SDGs and the risk of not being able to meet the Paris climate targets, it is essential to evaluate how synergies between tackling climate change and maintaining high economic growth rates can be maximized through accelerated, integrated, and coherent strategies.

The recently prevailing COVID-19 pandemic-driven restrictions have not only sent the economies into an economic slump but also profoundly impacted the so-called ‘energy–environmental nexus’, altering the environmental, social, economic, technical, and political relationships existing between people and the environment. The pandemic has altered human behavior as well as the general structure of energy consumption. As a result of distant studying and working, household energy consumption is increasing while the total demand for fossil fuels and electricity has been moving downhill due to the suspension of industrial output. With a reduction in energy use, energy costs go downhill, deterring investment in the renewable energy sector. These realities obstruct advancement of innovative technologies involved in the energy transition process. Therefore, post-pandemic policies should provide an opportunity to accelerate green transitions and in moving the global economy toward a more climate-inclusive path. In this regard, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and vibrant members of the Group of Seven (G7) and Group of Twenty (G20) have integrated long-term green transition plans into their economic recovery packages in order to achieve sustained economic revival. Although these strategies are not specifically targeted at economic recovery, they do encourage investment in low-carbon industries and technology, which is consistent with the post-pandemic economic recovery. Environmentally friendly modes of transportation, the circular economy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency improvements are just a few of the ideas for green transition. In order to increase motivation for the green transition, market-based instruments, such as subsidies, loans, and tax reductions, are also being implemented in the majority of nations today.

Despite the long-standing focus of the existing literature on the energy–economy–environmental nexus, the studies coordinating the energy transition to environmental sustainability and climate-inclusive economic growth are scarce. Consideration of these troika issues would improve the understanding of policymakers, practitioners, governments, and academicians to put forward optimal and sustainable solutions for achieving net-zero emissions, low-carbon development, and other SDGs. Thus, this Special Issue provides an opportunity to understand the theoretical and empirical mechanisms explaining the links between energy transition, environmental sustainability, and climate-inclusive growth.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research themes may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Conceptualizing energy transition pathways;
  • Interlinking energy transition and climate-inclusive growth;
  • Assessment approaches, metrics, and indicators of sustainable development;
  • Environmental sustainability-economic growth trade-offs;
  • Climate inclusivity and net-zero emissions agenda;
  • Renewable and energy-efficient solutions for low-carbon economies;
  • Technological advancement and emissions mitigation strategies;
  • Energy rebound effect and environmental sustainability;
  • Climate-inclusive business models and sustainable environment;
  • Policies and incentive structure driving climate-inclusive growth.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Gul Jabeen
Prof. Dr. Munir Ahmad
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

  • energy transition
  • climate-inclusive growth
  • environmental sustainability
  • green growth
  • technological progress
  • renewable energy
  • energy efficiency
  • low-carbon development
  • net-zero emissions
  • sustainable development

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2923 KiB  
Article
Environmental Impact Assessment of Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant for Heat and Electricity Production
by María Dolores Mainar-Toledo, Maryori Díaz-Ramírez, Snorri J. Egilsson, Claudio Zuffi, Giampaolo Manfrida and Héctor Leiva
Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13943; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813943 - 20 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1139
Abstract
This work is focused on presenting the main results and discussions concerning the environmental benefits of reducing the non-condensable gases emitted from the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a life cycle evaluation to analyse the [...] Read more.
This work is focused on presenting the main results and discussions concerning the environmental benefits of reducing the non-condensable gases emitted from the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a life cycle evaluation to analyse the overall environmental benefit effects of producing 1 kWh of electricity and 1 kWh of thermal energy in the geothermal power plant at Nesjavellir, which is located in Iceland. The assessment is performed both before and after implementing an abatement system designed to reduce CO2 and H2S gases. The production of geothermal energy is increasing every year and, therefore, it is crucial to identify and quantify the key environmental factors of producing this type of energy and improvements for the future energy transition of the energy generation sector. Firstly, the results show that the environmental impact of electricity production is higher compared to heat production. More in detail, the emissions due to the nature of the geothermal fluid and the construction phase represent the most relevant environmental load for both electricity and heat production for nearly all the 18 environmental impact indicators studied. Furthermore, considering the abatement system for the non-condensable gas emissions, reductions of 78% and 60% in global warming potential is achieved for a production of 1 kWh of electricity and 1 kWh of thermal energy. In terms of external environmental costs, the implementation of an abatement system results in a reduction exceeding 95% for both electricity and thermal energy production per kilowatt-hour. The outcomes obtained from both the baseline scenario and the application of the abatement system undeniably prove that the latter results in a substantial decrease in the overall environmental impacts linked to the generation of 1 kWh of electricity and 1 kWh of heat, encompassing a notable reduction in external environmental costs (externalities). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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35 pages, 3170 KiB  
Article
R&D Expenditures on Innovation: A Panel Cointegration Study of the E.U. Countries
by Melina Dritsaki and Chaido Dritsaki
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6637; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086637 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2517
Abstract
In academic discussions about how to achieve sustainable growth in the world, it is stated that this is not possible without spending on research and development and innovative activities so that countries can maintain their competitiveness in the global environment. The EU has [...] Read more.
In academic discussions about how to achieve sustainable growth in the world, it is stated that this is not possible without spending on research and development and innovative activities so that countries can maintain their competitiveness in the global environment. The EU has defined strategies that consider innovation as a key element for stimulating growth and creatung employment. In this context, this study examines the relationship between R&D expenditures and the global innovation index in the scope of EU countries. A PVAR model and annual data from 2007 to 2020 were used for the relationship between research expenditures and growth in the innovation of EU countries. We first examined the cross-sectional and cross-country homogeneity of slopes. The second-generation unit root test was then applied using the Pesaran CIPS (2007) test, and the ARDL panel model was applied to test for cointegration. Causal analyses with the panel ARDL model and the error correction model were applied to determine the relationships of the variables and their direction. For the long-term dynamic effects between variables, an impulse response function (IRF) was used, and for the degree of the effect between R&D expenditures and the global innovation index, variance decomposition was used. The results of this paper reveal a long-term positive significant relationship between R&D spending and the global innovation index, whereas in the short-term, this relationship is negative. Furthermore, the causality results of the error correction ARDL model show unidirectional short-run and long-run causality from research and development to the global innovation index in EU countries. Finally, this paper enhances the understanding of the relationship between research and development spending and the global innovation index in EU countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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18 pages, 897 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Link between Environmental Quality, Green Finance, Health Expenditure, Renewable Energy, and Technology Innovation
by Rabab Triki, Bassem Kahouli, Kais Tissaoui and Haykel Tlili
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4286; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054286 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2065
Abstract
This study uses data from 1980 to 2020 to analyze the explanatory power of renewable energy (RE), green finance (GF), and public health expenditure (PUHE) for environmental quality (ecological footprint: EF) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In order to examine the [...] Read more.
This study uses data from 1980 to 2020 to analyze the explanatory power of renewable energy (RE), green finance (GF), and public health expenditure (PUHE) for environmental quality (ecological footprint: EF) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In order to examine the long- and short-term effects, we ran both linear autoregressive distribution (ARDL) and nonlinear autoregressive distribution (NARDL) models. The empirical results showed that, when estimating the ARDL model, all variables have an impact on the environment’s long-term quality, which has increased. Furthermore, the NARDL model supports the existence of significant positive or negative shocks that support an unbalanced relationship with the movement of variables over the short and long term. Overall, the study demonstrates the critical role of factors that can enhance the environment in the KSA setting. In light of this, we advise policymakers to encourage the use of additional renewable energy sources and to expedite their efforts to do so in order to slow down environmental damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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12 pages, 1356 KiB  
Article
Causes of Higher Ecological Footprint in Pakistan: Does Energy Consumption Contribute? Evidence from the Non-Linear ARDL Model
by Nabila Asghar, Muhammad Asif Amjad, Hafeez ur Rehman, Mubbasher Munir and Reda Alhajj
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3013; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043013 - 7 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2118
Abstract
The impact of human activities on environmental degradation has been increasing over time, and ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment. An increase in ecological footprint has created alarming situations around the globe. This study explores the causes of [...] Read more.
The impact of human activities on environmental degradation has been increasing over time, and ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment. An increase in ecological footprint has created alarming situations around the globe. This study explores the causes of Pakistan’s high ecological footprint (EFP). The asymmetric analysis of fossil fuels and renewable energy consumption on EFP has been carried out from 1990 to 2020. The results obtained from the NARDL approach revealed that the positive shocks of fossil fuel consumption increase EFP, but its negative shocks decline EFP. Meanwhile, both positive and negative shocks of renewable energy consumption decline EFP in Pakistan. This study suggests that renewable energy consumption can play a significant role in reducing the EFP in Pakistan. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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18 pages, 2209 KiB  
Article
Guideline and Strategies of Textile Industry on the Sustainable Development of Benin
by Chabi Simin Najib Dafia, Fei Chen and Peter Davis Sumo
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12762; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912762 - 7 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2858
Abstract
Benin is one of Africa’s leading authorities in cotton production. Today, Benin’s textile firms face challenges that affect their textile production efficiency level. The study employs exploratory and descriptive methods. Applying the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) [...] Read more.
Benin is one of Africa’s leading authorities in cotton production. Today, Benin’s textile firms face challenges that affect their textile production efficiency level. The study employs exploratory and descriptive methods. Applying the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) methods to make proper analysis after a wide range of surveys to provide guidance about the resilience of the textile industry in Benin. The SWOT-AHP approach was employed with secondary data sources. The analytical results highlight the need for private capital to resolve technical challenges and boost the industry’s competitiveness by examining the manufactory’s significant weaknesses, such as dated technological installations and the implementation of source energy. Overall, the results suggest that Benin state plays a regulatory role rather than a decision-making role. For the country’s textile firms to benefit economically and enhance their efficiency level, we recommend that Benin’s government switch the industrial structure from cotton processing to textile manufacturing. Moreover, the results obtained also testify that, on the one hand, there is a need to rebuild the foundations of industrial development in order to link industrial sectors with the potential of the primary and tertiary sectors, and on the other hand, it is important to set up an adequate environment that is capable of allowing industrial activity to be carried out effectively, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, hence enhancing the sustainability of Benin textile companies’ performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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Review

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33 pages, 4177 KiB  
Review
Forecasting Renewable Energy Generation with Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Current Advances and Future Prospects
by Natei Ermias Benti, Mesfin Diro Chaka and Addisu Gezahegn Semie
Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7087; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097087 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 14329
Abstract
This article presents a review of current advances and prospects in the field of forecasting renewable energy generation using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques. With the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) into the electricity grid, accurate forecasting of [...] Read more.
This article presents a review of current advances and prospects in the field of forecasting renewable energy generation using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques. With the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) into the electricity grid, accurate forecasting of their generation becomes crucial for efficient grid operation and energy management. Traditional forecasting methods have limitations, and thus ML and DL algorithms have gained popularity due to their ability to learn complex relationships from data and provide accurate predictions. This paper reviews the different approaches and models that have been used for renewable energy forecasting and discusses their strengths and limitations. It also highlights the challenges and future research directions in the field, such as dealing with uncertainty and variability in renewable energy generation, data availability, and model interpretability. Finally, this paper emphasizes the importance of developing robust and accurate renewable energy forecasting models to enable the integration of RES into the electricity grid and facilitate the transition towards a sustainable energy future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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Other

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7 pages, 239 KiB  
Opinion
The Climate Financialization Trap: Claiming for Public Action
by Federica Viganò
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4841; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064841 - 9 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1632
Abstract
This opinion paper aims to offer a critical assessment on the prevalence of solutions to the climate change problem that rely on climate finance. The paper briefly recalls the key milestones in the evolution of climate finance and highlights what is referred to [...] Read more.
This opinion paper aims to offer a critical assessment on the prevalence of solutions to the climate change problem that rely on climate finance. The paper briefly recalls the key milestones in the evolution of climate finance and highlights what is referred to as a “climate finance trap,” offering some crucial insights that might help remedy potential systemic distortions and that vehemently demand public action in the domain of climate policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition for Climate-Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Environments)
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