Energy, Sustainability and Society最新文献

{"title":"Youth engagement in local sustainable energy transition in the Western Balkans: lessons from the Visegrad countries","authors":"Aleksandra Jerkov,&nbsp;Zsófia Nemes,&nbsp;András Márton","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00593-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00593-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The sustainable energy transition is one of the most complex long-term transformations required to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. In the Western Balkans, this transition is shaped by coal dependence, weak institutional capacity, high levels of public distrust, youth emigration and uneven environmental awareness. Young people will be among the generations most affected by the long-term outcomes of transition policies, yet their participation in local decision-making processes remains limited, fragmented and often insufficiently institutionalized. This article examines how youth engagement in the local sustainable energy transition can be strengthened in the Western Balkans, drawing on relevant lessons from the Visegrad countries and wider European practices.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The article applies a policy-oriented critical narrative review and a best-practice analysis. It synthesizes academic literature, policy documents and institutional sources on youth participation, the sustainable energy transition, just transition, local governance and climate awareness in the Western Balkans and the Visegrad countries. The analysis is organized around four themes: institutional mechanisms for youth participation; climate and energy literacy; trust, legitimacy and public acceptance; and socio-economic conditions, including youth emigration and green employment.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The review identifies a systemic participation gap. Young people are expected to support and contribute to the sustainable energy transition, but the institutional, educational and socio-economic conditions for meaningful participation remain weak. Barriers include limited access to information, weak or symbolic youth participation mechanisms, low trust in institutions, insufficient practical skills, economic insecurity, social exclusion and the limited visibility of youth-led initiatives. Visegrad and selected European practices suggest that local-level coordination, participatory mechanisms, civic education, cross-sectoral cooperation and transparent governance can strengthen youth involvement.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Meaningful youth engagement should be treated as a core element of a just and locally legitimate energy transition, not merely as an awareness-raising activity. Local governments, youth offices, educational institutions, civil society organizations and private-sector actors should develop structured mechanisms for youth participation, link the energy transition to green skills and employment, and create transparent platforms through which young people can influence local sustainability policies. Further country-specific and municipality-level research is needed to better capture youth perspectives and design context-sensitive policy instruments for the Western Balkans.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00593-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decoupling dynamics: how pricing strategies influence growth and carbon emissions in Europe","authors":"Zhouding Liu,&nbsp;Sareer Ahmad,&nbsp;Sher Khan","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00591-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00591-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Greenhouse gas emissions are among the serious threats to the sustainability of the global economy. In an effort to curb the environmental impact of economic activities, the European Union (EU) has proposed and implemented various policies. One example is the carbon pricing policy. This study examines the impact of carbon pricing and non-carbon pricing policies on the decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions in the EU. We examine the EU because it has adopted Emissions Trading Systems and renewable energy (non-carbon pricing) policies to reduce the environmental impacts of economic activities.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The results of our decoupling analysis reveal that the EU has achieved strong and weak decoupling effects in most years where an impact of carbon pricing and non-carbon pricing policies is seen. Our modelling results suggest that carbon pricing is positively correlated with decoupling elasticity. The non-carbon pricing factor has a significant and negative correlation with the dependent variable (decoupling elasticities). This finding suggests that non-carbon pricing policies (renewable energy) have a greater effect on strengthening the decoupling of carbon emissions and economic growth than carbon pricing does. Research and development strengthen this decoupling as well. We find that fossil fuel, governance effectiveness, urbanization, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered the main variables that weaken the decoupling of carbon emissions and economic growth.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Our analysis provides input into policy/decision-making regarding the impact of carbon pricing and non-carbon pricing policies on the environmental health of the EU. They indicate that non-carbon pricing measures have a greater effect on strengthening the decoupling of carbon emissions and economic growth than carbon pricing policies do. With respect to policy recommendations, our results suggest that the EU should emphasize non-carbon pricing as well as carbon pricing policies. However, the former approach has a more prominent influence on achieving sustainable economic growth.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00591-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149034821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Managing ignorance: public perception of hydrogen technologies’ implementation in Poland","authors":"Katarzyna Iwinska,&nbsp;Sebastian Michalik","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00590-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00590-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study examines ignorance and its strategic management in the context of new energy technologies, focusing on hydrogen technologies in Poland. Given the development of the energy transition in Poland and the national Polish Hydrogen Strategy, this research investigates how laypeople perceive hydrogen technologies and address gaps in their knowledge. Ignorance management is framed as individuals’ strategies to understand new or unfamiliar technologies. We highlight how different forms of non-knowledge, ignorance, knowledge gaps, and misconceptions shape technology acceptance and opposition to the energy transition. This study draws on focus group narratives organised as part of the project on developing a hydrogen technology safety strategy for Poland and is situated in a mix-method research design.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The analysis reveals several key mechanisms of ignorance management. First, when confronted with unfamiliar technologies, individuals seek connections to everyday life, relying on analogies and associative reasoning. Second, participants construct extended “networks”/chains of associations grounded in pre-existing knowledge frameworks, which may include both optimistic narratives about hydrogen as a modern and green energy source and sceptical imaginaries concerning hidden risks and economic costs. Third, chains of associations frequently express distrust toward officially presented information about the technology. Finally, ignorance is produced at an ontological level when decisions and investments are confined to expert circles, sidelining public engagement. Despite only 38% of the respondents recognising the hydrogen technologies, the results indicate a high interest in energy-related information, especially when addressed by experts and academics.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The findings emphasise the importance of transparent communication, improved energy literacy, and broader public education on the energy transition to foster societal acceptance of hydrogen technologies and mitigate the risks of disinformation. Addressing knowledge gaps and involving the public in energy transition processes are essential to ensuring equitable and transparent energy governance. This research highlights the need for targeted informational campaigns and structural changes to promote informed public engagement with hydrogen technologies as part of a just energy transition.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00590-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149034609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolving roles and shared futures: challenges and visions for Switzerland’s electricity sector transition","authors":"Vanja Djinlev,&nbsp;BinBin J. Pearce,&nbsp;Michael Stauffacher","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00592-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00592-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>As energy systems undergo rapid decarbonization and decentralization, coordination between electricity sector actors becomes increasingly complex. In Switzerland, the federal structure, regional diversity, and emerging forms of distributed energy resources and actors present unique challenges for aligning stakeholder roles and responsibilities. This study investigates how stakeholders across the Swiss electricity sector envision the future of the electricity grid, their roles within it, and the coordination mechanisms needed to support the transition, with particular attention to the evolving role of distribution system operators (DSOs).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Drawing on interviews with stakeholders from across the Swiss electricity sector, the application of the socio-technical imaginaries framework reveals a broad consensus on the aspiration for a highly decentralized and flexible electricity grid with a large share of renewable energy, united by the ultimate goal of national decarbonization while maintaining grid stability. However, diverging visions exist regarding the role of local electricity communities, as some stakeholders are optimistic about their potential for decentralization and public engagement, while others express skepticism regarding their viability, limited financial incentives, and the administrative complexity they impose on DSOs.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The Swiss electricity sector’s transition is not solely a technical undertaking but also a deeply institutional and social challenge. Coordinating system actors requires attention to differing expectations, governance structures, and resource capabilities. This study highlights the importance of fostering shared visions through structured dialogue, intermediary platforms, and capacity-building measures, especially for local actors and smaller DSOs. While grounded in the Swiss context, the insights are relevant to other decentralized energy systems, particularly considering the ongoing European efforts to support energy communities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00592-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148986138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How are the winds of climate risk shaping the EU’s regional sustainable development?","authors":"Cristina Criste,&nbsp;Anastasia Doraș Lisnic,&nbsp;Petru Marin Ştefea,&nbsp;Oana Ramona Lobonț","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00589-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00589-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This article proposes an integrative approach to assess the relationship between climate risk exposure and performance of sustainable development within the regional framework of the European Union (EU27), offering a novel economic and geopolitical perspective on the green transition. The research primarily aims to classify European regions according to their climate vulnerability and macroeconomic responsiveness, with a focus on the impact of green finance on socioeconomic convergence and long-term sustainability between 2010 and 2023.</p><p>The analysis is structured around two significant timeframes: 2010, which is representative of the period following the global economic crisis, and 2023, which is marked by the consolidation of the European Green Deal and the recent challenges faced in the energy sector, as well as the pressures exerted by the global geo-economic landscape.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Using advanced analytical techniques, such as heat maps, correlation analysis and cluster analysis, the study identifies distinct patterns and clusters of countries regarding climate resilience and socioeconomic performance for the period from 2010 to 2023. The results highlight clear differences between Western/Northern Europe and Eastern/Southern Europe. In the west and north, the green infrastructure is well developed, climate policies are robust, and sustainability is firmly embedded in economic plans. In contrast, the south and east face greater climate risks, rely heavily on polluting industries, and struggle with weak infrastructure and limited access to green funds.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This research study emphasizes the need for targeted public policies and fair distribution of resources to support the green transition, taking regional differences into account. It highlights the fact that green finance benefits not only the environment, but also strengthens economic and social ties within the EU. It is crucial to ensure that everyone has equal access to technology, innovation and green knowledge in order to make the transition fair and effective across all regions of Europe. These findings suggest that bridging the gap between regional capacities and sustainability objectives is essential for the long-term success of the European Green Deal.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00589-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148613790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Generation of electricity through thermal and pressure-driven airflows in road tunnels and ventilation shafts","authors":"Peter Sturm,&nbsp;Dietmar Harbauer,&nbsp;Roland Seebacher,&nbsp;Daniel Fruhwirt,&nbsp;Klaus Krischan","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00586-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00586-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Tunnels are an important part of an efficient transport network in mountain regions as well as in densely populated urban areas. However, tunnel operation requires considerable amounts of energy. This results in high operating costs and in a significant CO₂ footprint. Owing to the high energy costs and the need to reduce the CO₂ footprint, alternative options for providing electricity need to be considered. This paper assesses the possibility of operating existing tunnel ventilation systems in reverse to generate electricity when thermal or pressure-driven air flows are present. In order to put such considerations on a sound basis, the Austrian Science Funds initiated a research project. The work presented here is a feasibility study designed to provide basic information for future, more detailed, assessments of the idea.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>An analysis was carried out for standard 2-lane road tunnels with various lengths and meteorological pressure differences. As a first step in evaluating the potential of the, pressure differences between portals, or between the foot and the top of ventilation shafts, were recorded in 28 Austrian road tunnels. Tunnels that exhibited a relatively high meteorologically-induced pressure difference were then selected for further consideration. After taking account of relevant aerodynamic conditions and expected efficiencies in the production chain, the annual potential for electricity generation was estimated. It is found that the direct use of existing fans as turbines for generating electricity is not suitable. This is mainly due to the different requirements in these two operating modes. The powers that could be generated by using the fans as turbines in pressure-driven or buoyancy-driven mode are orders of magnitude smaller than those required for handling fires in ventilation mode. However, if the effort required to install additional turbines in parallel with the ventilation fans would be acceptable, there could be useful potential in tunnels with tall shafts.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>If this idea is to be pursued further, a detailed study tailored to the specific application will be required, taking into account not only technical feasibility, but also cost-benefit aspects.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00586-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Home heating transition in Finland, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom through the combined lens of energy democracy, energy citizenship and energy justice","authors":"Jenny Palm,&nbsp;Aimee Ambrose,&nbsp;Kathy Davies,&nbsp;Sarah Kilpeläinen,&nbsp;Jenny von Platten,&nbsp;George Jiglau,&nbsp;Sofie Pelsmakers,&nbsp;Raúl Castaño-Rosa,&nbsp;Anca Sinea","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00587-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00587-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Heating is a key challenge for Europe’s decarbonisation goals, accounting for a large share of energy use and emissions while shaping everyday life, comfort, and vulnerability. This article compares home heating transitions in Finland, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom through an integrated framework combining energy democracy, energy citizenship, and energy justice. The study examines how ownership, everyday practices, and inequality intersect to shape citizen roles in heating transitions across diverse political and infrastructural contexts.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Based on archival and secondary material, the analysis reveals strong contextual variation in how citizens engage with heating systems. In Finland and Sweden, municipally owned district heating offers collective stability but limited direct agency. In Romania, the collapse of state-controlled networks has left households dependent on individual and often inefficient systems. In the United Kingdom, liberalised markets promise consumer choice but deepen vulnerability through cost pressures and weak accountability. Across all cases, household participation is structured by infrastructures, welfare regimes, and historical legacies rather than by individual choice. Integrating democracy, citizenship, and justice highlights how governance models, daily practices, and inequalities interact in shaping heating transitions.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Citizen-centred heating transitions require policy approaches sensitive to national contexts and social realities. Empowerment must go beyond rhetoric to include participatory governance in collective systems, equitable regulation in liberalised markets, and targeted support for vulnerable households. The study contributes an analytical framework that captures the social depth of decarbonisation and supports the design of heating transitions that are democratic, participatory, and just.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00587-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148236731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of mutant strains of Rhizopus oligosporus lipases for sustainable biodiesel production and other eco-friendly industrial applications using non-edible oils as substrates","authors":"Amna Waseem,&nbsp;Sikander Ali,&nbsp;Qaiser Farid Khan,&nbsp;Tawaf Ali Shah,&nbsp;Syeda Wajiha Khalid,&nbsp; Rukhma,&nbsp;Bassam Oudh Al Johny,&nbsp;Yasir Anwar,&nbsp;Amira Ali Mohammed Al-Harethi","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00588-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00588-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Lipases from <i>Rhizopus oligosporus</i> and their mutant variants have significant potential for industrial applications, particularly in biodiesel production and biotechnology. This study has focused on optimizing lipase production and evaluating its performance in biodiesel synthesis, as well as on investigating the effects of fermentation methods, mutagenesis, and enzyme applications.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>A comparative analysis of solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) revealed that SmF, at 30 °C, pH 6.5, with 1% oil and 1.5 mL inoculum, yielded maximum lipase production, making it the preferred method. Using ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS), chemical mutagen, a mutant strain of <i>R. oligosporus</i> was developed, resulting in a 79% increase in lipase production when almond meal was used as the substrate. The enzyme was partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation, with SDS-PAGE confirming a molecular weight of 35 kDa. Lipase was applied in biodiesel production through transesterification of pre-treated waste cooking oil with methanol, achieving optimal conditions at 160 rpm and 40 °C for 48 h. Biodiesel yield was confirmed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography (GC).</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study demonstrates the potential of <i>R. oligosporus</i> lipases as efficient biocatalysts for biodiesel production and other industrial applications. The successful optimization of fermentation conditions, development of high-yield mutant strains, and application in biodiesel synthesis demonstrate the enzyme’s versatility. These findings contribute to the advancement of green biotechnology and the promotion of sustainable industrial processes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00588-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148236588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Land use in onshore wind power-based hydrogen production scenarios: the case of Finland","authors":"Hanna Paulomäki,&nbsp;Mika Järvinen,&nbsp;Eeva-Lotta Apajalahti","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00585-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00585-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The transition to low-carbon energy systems is essential for climate change mitigation, but it involves new land use pressures, posing potential risks to biodiversity and local communities. This study estimates the land area required for six onshore wind power-based hydrogen production scenarios in Finland, using empirical data from existing wind power plants. By doing so, it contributes to broader discussions on the socio-ecological impacts of energy transitions. It emphasizes the importance of better understanding and addressing land use pressures affecting ecosystems and communities in decision-making, in an effort to build sustainable, low-carbon societies.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The analysis is based on 24 wind power areas in Finland, with capacities ranging from 90 to 416 MW. Their direct land use (km²), turbine spacing area (km²), installed capacity density (MW/km²), length of the edge between industrial production sites and their surroundings (km and m/MW), and annual energy production potentials (TWh) were calculated. Using the calculated installed capacity densities and comparing them with the capacity density values obtained from literature, we analyzed the hydrogen value chain from variable wind power production to pressurized hydrogen. Since there are losses at each conversion step, much more wind power, and thus land area, is needed than what the hydrogen output alone indicates. When scaling these findings to fit hydrogen economy scenarios, the land area required for wind power and the infrastructure associated with hydrogen production becomes substantial. To achieve the hydrogen production targets set by the Finnish government using onshore wind power, it might be necessary to install wind power plants covering more than 8% of Finland’s total land area, including the spacing area, a figure comparable to the country’s arable land area.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>These findings highlight the scale of land use change associated with hydrogen production powered by onshore wind energy. Standardized, transparent land use assessments, distinguishing between direct, spacing, and total land use, are needed to understand socio-ecological impacts across scales. Expanding assessments beyond techno-economic considerations and individual projects to landscape scales, along with prioritizing energy efficiency, is essential to aligning renewable energy expansion with socio-ecological sustainability and broader sustainable development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00585-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148008817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Economic impacts of industrial energy transition: an evaluation of Austrian climate neutrality pathways","authors":"Hans Böhm,&nbsp;Christian Schützenhofer,&nbsp;Verena Alton,&nbsp;Simon Moser,&nbsp;Martin Baumann","doi":"10.1186/s13705-026-00578-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-026-00578-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>In the effort to limit global warming to below 2 °C and implement EU climate targets, Austria has set itself the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040. The Austrian manufacturing industry is a major contributor, currently emitting 23 Mt of CO₂-eq emissions per year (34% of the total). Its transition to climate neutrality can be achieved in various ways, all of which are associated with specific costs and macroeconomic impacts. Rather than modeling the most likely scenarios, we worked with four extreme scenarios, spanning a range of possible pathways. These four scenarios are: ‘<i>Renewable Gases’</i>, in which the transition is enabled by greening the upstream energy supply sector; ‘<i>Circular Economy’</i>, in which we project the effects of maximal recycling and material efficiencies; ‘<i>Innovation’</i>, in which electrification of manufacturing industries is in focus; and ‘<i>Sector Coupling’</i>, in which synergies between companies are used. From these extreme scenarios, we derived the most likely pathways, while emphasizing economic no-regret options and macroeconomic advantages.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>We present technology-centric pathways for all industry sectors and derive their respective energy demands. These are given as trajectories in terms of the energy carrier mix, total energy, and import demands. We elaborate on the investment and running costs of each scenario. In 2040, electric demand will almost double to 35–47 TWh, the use of (renewable) gases will increase to 45–73 TWh, and biomass and industrial heat recovery will remain at 10–20 and 5–21 TWh, respectively. The total capital expenditure of companies is 17–24 billion EUR, of which one-third is accounted for by actual production facilities/equipment and two-thirds by construction costs. All scenarios positively affect the gross domestic product, whereas impact is maximized by effectively employing domestic energy resources and reducing primary energy demand via electrification, waste-heat utilization, and secondary production.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Similar to the present, future resource demand will not be met domestically. Today’s fossil fuel imports will shift to expensive hydrogen and renewable hydrocarbon imports. As the imported inputs will have higher value (having the same energy content but being renewable) and therefore higher prices, maximizing domestic resource efficiency is an important factor for maintaining competitiveness.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13705-026-00578-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148380509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}