Cited by 1,330Carbon Dioxide Capture TechnologiesClimate Change Policy and EconomicsRenewable energy and sustainable power systems

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 331 of the 331 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 6 of the 300 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Technologies and perspectives for achieving carbon neutrality

Open access

Abstract

from the atmosphere. Herein, we review innovative technologies that offer solutions achieving carbon (C) neutrality and sustainable development, including those for renewable energy production, food system transformation, waste valorization, C sink conservation, and C-negative manufacturing. The wealth of knowledge disseminated in this review could inspire the global community and drive the further development of innovative technologies to mitigate climate change and sustainably support human activities.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review surveys technologies and perspectives for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, covering renewable energy, food system transformation, waste valorization, carbon sink conservation, CCUS, and satellite/Digital Earth monitoring. It argues that no single technology is sufficient and that integrated technological, policy, and behavioral changes are needed to reduce GHG emissions and enhance carbon sequestration.

Key findings

  • Renewable energy technologies include solar, wind, ocean, bioenergy, H2, nuclear, geothermal, and energy storage. The share of renewables in global electricity production grew from 27% in 2019 to 29% in 2020; nuclear accounts for 40% of low-C electricity generation worldwide and avoids about 1.7 Gt CO2 emissions per year; geothermal energy provided 62% of Iceland’s energy production in 2020 and achieved about 300 million tons of annual CO2 emission reduction globally in 2020.
  • Food systems account for more than one-third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions, with 71% from agricultural crop-livestock production systems and land-use change. Forests absorb 45% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, the ocean sequesters 22.7% of annual human CO2 emissions, and the global forest net C sink is estimated at 10.7 Gt CO2-eq year−1; grasslands store about 343 Gt C and act as a sink for about 1.83 Gt CO2-eq year−1.
  • Biochar can reduce soil CH4 emissions by 39.5% and soil N2O emissions by 30.92%, and biochar in cement composites can improve flexural strength by 66%, toughness by 103%, and compressive strength by 40%–50%. For CCUS, the IEA forecasts that 19% of CO2 emissions must be captured and stored to keep global temperature rise below 2°C by 2050, and without CCUS the total cost of CO2 reduction will rise by 70% by 2050.
  • Satellite observation for carbon neutrality includes GOSAT launched by Japan in 2009, OCO-2 by the United States in 2014, and TANSAT by China in 2016; Europe’s Sentinel-5P has achieved inversions for CH4, NO2, CO, O3, and other gases, and a new ESA satellite combining CO2 and NO2 observations is expected in 2025.

Methods

  • Design: This is a narrative review, not primary research; it synthesizes published literature and technologies for carbon neutrality across energy, food, ecosystems, waste, CCUS, and satellite/Digital Earth domains.
  • Data or sample: Not stated in the paper; no primary dataset, sample, or systematic search protocol is described.
  • Main analysis: Qualitative synthesis of technologies, current status, challenges, and future perspectives, with selected quantitative estimates drawn from cited literature.

Limitations

  • Paper-stated: Many technologies remain at early R&D or demonstration stages, with high cost and energy consumption, scalability constraints, intermittency and storage challenges, uncertain long-term safety for CO2 storage, and unresolved scientific principles for ocean negative emissions.
  • Paper-stated: Biochar effectiveness depends on feedstock, production conditions, and post-production processes, and unsuitable biochar may negatively impact plants and beneficial soil microorganisms.
  • Evident from the text: As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic review protocol, inclusion criteria, quantitative meta-analysis, and primary data collection, so the strength of evidence varies across the technologies discussed.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100180

Cites

331 of 331 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Graphical abstract
Graphical abstract CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 1 Core technologies for renewable energy production
Figure 1 Core technologies for renewable energy productionCC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 2 Overview of global GHG influx (Gt CO2-eq year−1), and strategies to promote GHG reduction and absorption in global ecosystems
Figure 2 Overview of global GHG influx (Gt CO2-eq year−1), and strategies to promote GHG reduction and absorption in global ecosystemsCC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Zero waste biochar as a carbon-neutral tool for sustainable development
Figure 3 Zero waste biochar as a carbon-neutral tool for sustainable developmentCC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 4 The roadmap for CO2 capture technology development in the industry
Figure 4 The roadmap for CO2 capture technology development in the industryCC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

187 Not checked yet · 55 Own interpretation · 45 No basis given · 1 Supported so far · 1 Partly supported · accuracy not yet measured

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Show all 120 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 113
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 83
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
169 of 169
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No prior review has compared the strengths and challenges of all available new technologies toward carbon neutrality or highlighted uncertainties associated with those new technologies in climate change mitigation.

    “However, to the best of our knowledge, no review has compared the strengths and challenges of all available new technologies toward C neutrality or highlighted uncertainties associated with those new technologies in climate change mitigation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Zinc-based flow batteries have low cost and high energy density.

    “zinc-based flow batteries have attracted great attention in distributed energy storage due to their advantages of low cost and high energy density.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some zinc-based flow batteries are currently at the demonstration stage.

    “Some zinc-based flow batteries are currently at the demonstration stage.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Zinc-based flow batteries face issues of zinc dendrite/accumulation, limited areal capacity, and reliability that must be overcome for commercialization.

    “However, the issues of zinc dendrite/accumulation, limited areal capacity, and reliability need to be overcome to realize their commercialization and industrialization.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Breeding crop varieties with high NUE can reduce N fertilizer application rate and nitrogen oxide emissions.

    “Breeding crop varieties with a high N use efficiency (NUE) can reduce the N fertilizer application rate and reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Manipulation of enteric fermentation is a key strategy to mitigate CH4 emissions in ruminant livestock production systems.

    “Manipulation of enteric fermentation is one of the key strategies to mitigate CH4 emissions in ruminant livestock production systems.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Methane is a natural by-product disposal of hydrogen during enteric fermentation and is released by methanogenic archaea.

    “Methane is natural by-product disposal of hydrogen during enteric fermentation and released by methanogenic archaea.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Plant-based meat and cell-based meat can be produced artificially from non-animal sources.

    “Plant-based meat and cell-based meat can be produced artificially from non-animal sources.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Obstacles to commercializing cell-based meat include scaling up, regulatory approval, and high production cost.

    “However, obstacles to commercializing cell-based meat still exist, such as how to scale up, regulatory approval, and the high production cost.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Soils of grasslands store about 343 Gt C, about 50% more than forest soils, and act as a sink for about 1.83 Gt CO2-eq year−1.

    “Soils of these grasslands store about 343 Gt C, which is about 50% more than the amount stored in forest soils and acts as a sink for about 1.83 Gt CO2-eq year−1.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mariculture has a huge potential for development of negative C emissions in the ocean.

    “mariculture has a huge potential for the development of negative C emissions in the ocean.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Marine ecosystems, including coastal wetlands and open waters, are considered the largest C sink on Earth.

    “marine ecosystems, including coastal wetlands and open waters, are considered the largest C sink on Earth.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Coastal ecosystems producing blue C are some of the most efficient natural ecosystems to bury C into sediments.

    “Coastal ecosystems producing blue C are also some of the most efficient natural ecosystems to bury C into sediments.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Billions of tons of solid waste are generated globally every year.

    “Driven by the extensive expansion of food, urban, and industrial systems, billions of tons of solid waste are generated globally every year.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    High-income countries produce 34% of the world's waste despite having only 16% of the world's population.

    “Despite having only 16% of the world's population, high-income countries produce 34% of the world's waste.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Addressing problems associated with waste landfills and open waste burning is far more expensive than creating and running safe waste management systems.

    “Addressing these problems associated with waste landfills and open waste burning is far more expensive than creating and running safe waste management systems.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Renewable power is not stable and cannot meet the requirement of energy safety.

    “this hope seems to be impracticable as renewable power is not stable and cannot meet the requirement of energy safety.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Although large-scale energy storage can enforce the stability of renewable powers, its total cost and environmental impacts need to be reconsidered.

    “Although large-scale energy storage can enforce the stability of renewable powers, its total cost and environmental impacts need to be reconsidered.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The transition to renewable energies may mean a complete reconstruction or retrofit of current fossil fuel-based energy production, transmission, and supply systems, and this cost is huge.

    “the transition to renewable energies may mean that there needs to be a complete reconstruction or retrofit of current fossil fuel-based energy production, transmission, and supply systems, and this cost is huge.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Innovative CCUS technologies can be cost-competitive to renewable powers.

    “Also, innovative CCUS technologies can be cost-competitive to renewable powers.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Principle of Common and Separate Responsibilities was clearly stated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 and adopted in the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

    “The Principle of Common and Separate Responsibilities was clearly stated in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992. It was adopted in the Kyoto Protocol in 1997”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The potential of global renewable energy resources surpasses global energy demand.

    “Given that the potential of global renewable energy resources surpasses global energy demand”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Terrestrial and marine ecosystems are the largest carbon reservoirs on Earth.

    “Since terrestrial and marine ecosystems are the largest C reservoirs on Earth”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The CCUS approach has a pivotal role to play in our pursuit of carbon neutrality.

    “Even though the CCUS approach has a pivotal role to play in our pursuit of carbon neutrality”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Monitoring GHG emissions from space is of utmost relevance to ensure the world is on track to meet its climate change mitigation goals.

    “Given the utmost relevance of monitoring GHG emissions from space to ensure the world is on track to meet its climate change mitigation goals”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Unsustainable management practices in food systems account for a significant portion of GHG emissions.

    “unsustainable management practices in food systems, spanning from the production and application of chemical fertilizers to waste landfilling and burning, continue to account for a significant portion of GHG emissions”
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Citations

Cites

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Show all 331 references

Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Wang, 2019, Current status and prospects of research on comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy, Bull. Chin. Acad. Sci., 34, 460
  2. Ali, 2020, Effect of water saving irrigation management practices on rice productivity and methane emission during rice cultivation, J. Geosci. Environ. Prot., 8, 182
  3. Fang, 2018, Climate change, human impacts, and carbon sequestration in China, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A, 115, 4015, 10.1073/pnas.1700304115 · DOI · Paper page
  4. Chen, 2018, Plant diversity enhances productivity and soil carbon storage, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A, 115, 4027, 10.1073/pnas.1700298114 · DOI · Paper page
  5. Shi, 2021, Coral reefs: potential blue carbon sinks for climate change mitigation, Bull. Chin. Acade. Sci., 36, 270
  6. Zhang, 2021, Strategic approach for mariculture to practice ocean negative carbon emission, Bull. Chin. Acade. Sci., 36, 252
  7. Gao, 2017, Direct conversion of CO2 into liquid fuels with high selectivity over a bifunctional catalyst, Nat. Chem., 9, 1019, 10.1038/nchem.2794 · DOI · Paper page
  8. He, 2016, Water-enhanced synthesis of higher alcohols from CO2 hydrogenation over a Pt/Co3O4 catalyst under milder conditions, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 55, 737, 10.1002/anie.201507585 · DOI · Paper page
  9. Lu, 2017, Efficient photoelectrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid: a functionalized ionic liquid as an absorbent and elecrolyte, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 56, 11851, 10.1002/anie.201703977 · DOI · Paper page

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Metadata

Authors
Wang, F., Harindintwali, J. D., Yuan, Z., Wang, M., Wang, F., Li, S., Yin, Z., Huang, L., Fu, Y., Li, L., Chang, S. X., Zhang, L., Rinklebe, J., Yuan, Z., Zhu, Q., Xiang, L., Tsang, D. C. W., Xu, L., Jiang, X., Liu, J., Wei, N., Kästner, M., Zou, Y., Ok, Y. S., Shen, J., Peng, D., Zhang, W., Barceló, D., Zhou, Y., Bai, Z., Li, B., Zhang, B., Wei, K., Cao, H., Tan, Z., Zhao, L.-B., He, X., Zheng, J., Bolan, N., Liu, X., Huang, C., Dietmann, S., Luo, M., Sun, N., Gong, J., Gong, Y., Brahushi, F., Zhang, T., Xiao, C., Li, X., Chen, W., Jiao, N., Lehmann, J., Zhu, Y.-G., Jin, H., Schäffer, A., Tiedje, J. M., & Chen, J. M.
Affiliations
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
  • Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CN)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • University of Wuppertal (DE)
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
  • Dalhousie University (CA)
  • Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (DE)
  • Korea University (KR)
  • Catalan Institute for Water Research (ES)
  • Southwest University (CN)
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Beijing Normal University (CN)
  • Agricultural University of Tirana (AL)
  • Shenyang Agricultural University (CN)
  • Cornell University (US)
  • RWTH Aachen University (DE)
  • Michigan State University (US)
  • University of Toronto (CA)
Corresponding author
  • Wang, Fang
  • Li, Xianfeng
  • Jiao, Nianzhi
  • Zhu, Yong-Guan
  • Jin, Hongguang
  • Tiedje, James M.
  • Chen, Jing M.
Venue
The Innovation
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-11
Volume
2
Issue
4
Pages
100180
ISSN
2666-6758 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3208259726
Cited by
1,330
References
331
Citations by year
2026: 125 · 2025: 314 · 2024: 401 · 2023: 312 · 2022: 175 · 2021: 3
FWCI
18.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Innovation (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen)
Funders
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (QYZDJ-SSW-DQC035)
  • Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (WG-46)
  • Michigan State University
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (160523647, 214367779, 272843, 40956283, 5245626, 5422173, 5471428)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21677149, 21773267, 21776294, 21872160, 31922080, 32171581, 41977137, 41991333, 51776197, 52173241)
  • Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Hunan Province (2019J06023)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (BK20150050)
  • Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2011225, 2016275, 2017241, 2019170, 2019182, 2019189, 2021347, Y202042, Y202078)
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2020YFC1807000)
  • Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy (2021005)
  • Yulin University
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Filtration and Separation › Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Climate Change Policy and Economics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Renewable energy and sustainable power systems
Keywords
carbon neutrality, climate change mitigation, renewable energy generation, food system transformation, waste valorization, sustainable development, CO2 capture

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