“Policy Modeling and Strategic Pathways for Low‑Carbon Transition”*

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “Policy Modeling and Strategic Pathways for Low‑Carbon Transition”*

Journal: Energy Strategy Reviews
Publisher: Elsevier
Journal metrics: Impact Factor 9.9, CiteScore 13.5
Submission deadline: 1 May 2026

This special issue addresses the systemic complexity of the low‑carbon transition, which requires fundamental transformation of energy systems, industrial structures, and economic development models rather than incremental change. It invites interdisciplinary, policy‑oriented research that uses modeling, scenario analysis, and strategic planning to support deep decarbonisation while balancing energy security, climate resilience, and socio‑economic development.

Why this issue matters

• The low‑carbon transition is a multi‑dimensional, cross‑sectoral challenge that involves power, industry, transport, land‑use, and macro‑economic policy; effective governance requires coordinated, evidence‑based strategies to avoid unintended consequences.

• Policy modeling and scenario exercises help governments and stakeholders assess cost‑effectiveness, manage risks, and design incentive‑constraint mechanisms for rapid decarbonisation.

• This SI positions Energy Strategy Reviews as a platform for forward‑looking, applied work that links energy‑transition modeling with national and regional development pathways.

Key themes and research topics

The special issue welcomes conceptual, empirical, and model‑based contributions, including reviews and comparative studies. Suggested topics include:

• Policy modeling and scenario analysis

  • Integrated assessment and optimization models for low‑carbon transition pathways, including multi‑sector and multi‑region linked models.

  • Studies on cost‑effectiveness, trade‑offs, and risk management in achieving climate targets (e.g., 1.5°C, net‑zero).

• System‑level interactions

  • Network interactions among climate systems, energy structures, industrial development, innovation, and socio‑economic dynamics.

  • Linkages between energy‑transition strategies, climate‑security, and broader development goals (e.g., jobs, equity, industrial competitiveness).

• Institutional and governance design

  • Design of incentive‑constraint mechanisms (carbon pricing, subsidies, regulations, standards) and multi‑level governance arrangements to ensure coordinated action across sectors and regions.

• Technology and pathway reviews

  • Comprehensive and critical reviews of energy‑transition technologies (renewables, storage, hydrogen, CCS, nuclear) and decarbonisation pathways for key sectors and regions.

• Coordinated regional and industrial development

  • Analyses of how low‑carbon transition goals can be aligned with industrial modernization, regional disparities, and inclusive growth.

Guest editors

• Prof. Xi Lu, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

• Prof. Peng Zhou, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, China

• Dr. Gang Wu, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing, China

Submission details

• Submission platform: Energy Strategy Reviews’ Editorial Manager:
  https://www.editorialmanager.com/ESR

• When submitting, select article type “VSI: Low Carbon Policy Pathways”.

• Submission deadline: 1 May 2026

• All manuscripts must follow the journal’s Guide for Authors and will undergo peer review by at least two independent experts.

This special issue is ideal for energy‑economists, climate‑policy modelers, energy‑systems analysts, and sustainability‑oriented policy researchers who wish to connect policy‑modeling and strategic‑pathway analysis with real‑world low‑carbon governance challenges.

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