Smart Industry Development: Circular, Efficient, Decarbonized

The global shift toward sustainable development has brought renewed urgency to redefining industrial growth pathways. The ambitious targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals compel policymakers across both developed and developing countries to redesign their development strategies in ways that balance economic, social, and environmental objectives. Within this context, policy-led industrial development—recognized as a key driver of growth and reflected in SDG 9, “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation”—plays a central role. Yet, industrial policies are facing mounting pressures to adapt intelligently to an evolving landscape defined by rapid technological progress, decarbonization imperatives, and circular economy transitions. While recent studies have demonstrated promising progress in improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing emissions, significant challenges remain in aligning competitiveness with sustainability, integrating emerging technologies, and scaling circular economy models beyond pilot initiatives.

This Research Topic aims to explore how modern industrial development can evolve through smart, circular, and decarbonized pathways that achieve “triple dividends”—economic, social, and environmental gains. The objective is to gather evidence and case-based insights that illuminate how industries can simultaneously improve efficiency, reduce waste, and mitigate emissions without compromising growth. By integrating the principles of circular economy and decarbonization, this Research Topic seeks to advance an understanding of industrial transformation that is both technologically enabled and socially inclusive. It encourages interdisciplinary research capable of revealing trade-offs, synergies, and policy mechanisms that can accelerate progress toward sustainable industrial systems worldwide.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses empirical, analytical, and conceptual contributions addressing different policy contexts, sectors, and regions. It welcomes both quantitative and qualitative research with a clear focus on circularity, efficiency, and decarbonization as interlinked pillars of smart industrial growth. To gather further insights into these processes, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Empirical evidence and modelling on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of circular and decarbonized manufacturing systems, including project evaluations, counterfactual analysis, and causal inference.
- Policy analysis of circular economy and decarbonization initiatives at global, regional, and national levels across diverse economic contexts.
- Case studies exploring drivers, enablers, and bottlenecks for the circular economy and decarbonization transitions in industry.
- Technological innovation trajectories supporting the uptake of circular and low-carbon industrial systems, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and digital technologies.
- Systematic literature reviews, surveys, and meta-analyses identifying research gaps and policy lessons in this evolving field.

This Research Topic is intended for decision-makers, industry stakeholders, and practitioners seeking evidence-based policy insights, as well as for scholars interested in advancing this emerging research frontier on smart, circular, and decarbonized industrial development.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Sustainable industrial development, Circular economy, Decarbonization, Smart manufacturing

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.