Topic: Lifecycle-Based Sustainability Transitions for Energy, Food and Industrial Systems

Achieving carbon neutrality and climate targets requires profound sustainability transitions across energy, food, and industrial systems. Lifecycle-based approaches—such as life cycle assessment (LCA), carbon footprint accounting, and environmentally extended input-output analysis—play a critical role in quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, identifying emission hotspots, and supporting science-based decarbonization strategies.

This Special Issue aims to advance cutting-edge research on lifecycle-based sustainability transitions, with a strong emphasis on carbon emissions, carbon footprints, and net-zero pathways across interconnected systems. In line with the scope of Carbon Footprints, we particularly welcome contributions that integrate methodological innovation with real-world applications, including policy evaluation, scenario analysis, and technology-driven mitigation solutions.

By bridging energy, food, and industrial sectors, this Special Issue seeks to provide a systemic perspective on low-carbon transitions, supporting informed decision-making for climate policy and sustainable development at multiple scales.

Proposed topics include, but are not limited to:

(1) Methods and Carbon Accounting

● Life cycle assessment (LCA) and hybrid approaches;

● Environmentally extended input-output analysis;

● Carbon footprint and GHG accounting methodologies;

● Uncertainty analysis and methodological advancements.

(2) Sectoral Decarbonization Pathways

● Energy system transitions (renewables, hydrogen, electrification);

● Low-carbon transformation in food and agricultural systems;

● Industrial decarbonization and resource efficiency;

● Circular economy and material flow optimization.

(3) Emission Sources and Mitigation Strategies

● Methane emissions and waste management systems;

● Land-use change and ecosystem carbon dynamics;

● Supply chain emissions and scope 3 accounting;

● Integrated mitigation strategies across sectors.

(4) Policy, Scenarios and Emerging Tools

● Climate policy assessment and governance mechanisms;

● Scenario analysis for net-zero and carbon neutrality;

● Digital technologies (AI, big data) for carbon management;

● Urban systems, transportation emissions, and regional case studies.

Life cycle assessment, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon neutrality, net-zero pathways, sustainability transitions, energy systems, food systems, industrial systems, climate policy, scenario analysis