Environmentally Just and Economically Sustainable Low-Carbon Transitions

The urgent need to address climate change and achieve sustainable development has led to increasing attention on low-carbon transitions. These transitions involve shifting away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices across various sectors. However, it is crucial to ensure that these transitions are not only environmentally beneficial but also socially just and economically sustainable. Environmental justice emphasizes fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, while economic sustainability ensures that low-carbon transitions are economically viable in the long term. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of renewable energy technologies and energy-efficient practices to reduce carbon emissions significantly. However, there remains a gap in understanding how these technologies can be equitably distributed and economically sustained over time. Current debates focus on the need for inclusive policies that address both environmental and economic disparities, yet comprehensive frameworks that integrate these aspects are still lacking.

This research topic aims to explore the intersection of environmental justice and economic sustainability in low-carbon transitions. We aim to investigate how such transitions can be designed and implemented to achieve both environmental justice and economic sustainability objectives. By examining this nexus, we seek to provide insights and recommendations that can guide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in advancing environmentally just and economically sustainable low-carbon transitions.

To gather further insights in the intersection of environmental justice and economic sustainability in low-carbon transitions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Environmental justice dimensions in low-carbon transitions: Analyzing the distributional impacts of low-carbon policies and technologies, identifying vulnerable communities, and exploring strategies to ensure equitable access to sustainable energy and resources.
• Economic sustainability of low-carbon transitions: Assessing the economic costs and benefits of transitioning to low-carbon energy systems, examining financing mechanisms, exploring the potential for job creation and economic development, and identifying strategies for mitigating economic disparities.
• Policy and governance frameworks: Examining the role of policy and governance in fostering environmentally just and economically sustainable low-carbon transitions, including the design of supportive regulatory frameworks, incentive mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Technological innovations and solutions: Investigating cutting-edge technologies, such as renewable energy systems, energy storage, and energy-efficient practices, and their potential to contribute to both environmental justice and economic sustainability.

Keywords: Energy justice, Low-Carbon Transitions, Renewable energy, Economic sustainability, Policy and governance, Techno-economic analysis

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.