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Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2022) | Viewed by 38067

Special Issue Editors

Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Zielona Góra, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland
Interests: renewable energy sources; low-carbon development; green economy; energy; emission; renewable energy sources; sustainability; sustainable economic development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Economics and Organization of Food Economy, Faculty of Economy and Finance, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: sustainable economic development; green economy; renewable energy sources; sustainability; low-carbon agriculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The editors of this Special Issue invite authors studying economic dependencies and regularities and cause and effect relationships of various economic phenomena concerning a low-carbon economy. Research can cover both global and regional issues. Topics may also apply to urban and rural areas. Suggested topics include, among others, the following:

  • Clean energy production and supply;
  • Creating new markets in the field of low-carbon energy technologies;
  • Resource recycling and reuse;
  • Low-carbon research and innovation;
  • Economic aspects of limiting emissions of harmful substances and CO2 into the air;
  • Energy management system;
  • The relationship between building energy supply and demand;
  • Institutions and business strategies for a transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • Co-evolution of technical, environmental and social systems;
  • Research on low-carbon industry;
  • Low-carbon sustainable agricultural practices.

We invite you to submit your articles.

Prof. Dr. Maciej Dzikuć
Prof. Dr. Arkadiusz Piwowar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Low-carbon economy (LCE)
  • Low-fossil-fuel economy (LFFE)
  • Circular economy
  • Low-carbon technology
  • Low-carbon industry
  • Low-carbon development
  • Low-carbon agriculture
  • Innovations for low-carbon development

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 176 KiB  
Editorial
Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development
by Maciej Dzikuć and Arkadiusz Piwowar
Energies 2022, 15(14), 5228; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15145228 - 19 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 961
Abstract
Low-carbon development is a prerequisite and a fundamental element of sustainable development [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)

Research

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13 pages, 551 KiB  
Article
Bioethanol Production in Poland in the Context of Sustainable Development-Current Status and Future Prospects
by Arkadiusz Piwowar and Maria Dzikuć
Energies 2022, 15(7), 2582; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15072582 - 01 Apr 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2629
Abstract
The high dependence on imported fuels, the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the need to develop a low-carbon economy are reasons for the development of the renewable energy market in Poland. The wider use of biofuels can be a method [...] Read more.
The high dependence on imported fuels, the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the need to develop a low-carbon economy are reasons for the development of the renewable energy market in Poland. The wider use of biofuels can be a method for reducing oil dependence and reducing CO2 emission. Opportunities to reduce emissions and meet international requirements in the field of environmental protection are seen, among others, in the development of the production and greater use of biocomponents, including bioethanol. This article presents the current state of development in the area of bioethanol production in Poland. An outline of legal regulations in the examined area and statistical data, as well as the largest producers and their production capacity, are presented. The basic time range of analyses covered the years 2015–2019. According to the analyses, liquid biofuels in Poland are used on a small scale, although over 2015–2019, the production of bioethanol as a biocomponent in motor fuels increased by 43,537 tonnes. However, production potential is still underused. In recent years, there have been major changes in the structure of the use of raw materials for bioethanol production. The share of maize has significantly decreased (although it is still dominant in the consumption structure) in favour of waste raw materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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21 pages, 2827 KiB  
Article
The Role of Public Spending in CO2 Emissions Reduction in Polish Regions: An LMDI Decomposition Approach
by Katarzyna Aleksandra Wójtowicz, Jolanta Małgorzata Szołno-Koguc and Jan Braun
Energies 2022, 15(1), 103; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15010103 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
Global climate change and air pollution are critical environmental problems in the modern world. Therefore, the reduction of CO2 emissions has long been a crucial challenge for individual countries. In this area, numerous technological, legal, and economic solutions are used. The purpose [...] Read more.
Global climate change and air pollution are critical environmental problems in the modern world. Therefore, the reduction of CO2 emissions has long been a crucial challenge for individual countries. In this area, numerous technological, legal, and economic solutions are used. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of public spending on the level of CO2 emissions in Polish regions. The study uses the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method, proposing a unique proprietary set of factors that influence the level of CO2 emissions. The results of the study confirm that public expenditure contributes to reducing CO2 emissions at the regional level, while environmental expenditure is counterproductive. This tendency is observed mainly in regions with a high level of socioeconomic development, higher energy consumption, and high carbon emissions. The failure of environmental spending to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Polish regions is explained by the “green paradox” hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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45 pages, 4461 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Public Administration Digitalization on the Decarbonization of the Economy
by Aleksander Jakimowicz and Daniel Rzeczkowski
Energies 2021, 14(18), 5739; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14185739 - 12 Sep 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2634
Abstract
According to wikinomics, the decarbonization of the economy it is not possible without the involvement of people’s creativity and ingenuity under the form of prosumption channeled into the public administration. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to transform the existing [...] Read more.
According to wikinomics, the decarbonization of the economy it is not possible without the involvement of people’s creativity and ingenuity under the form of prosumption channeled into the public administration. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to transform the existing websites of municipal offices into participation platforms that would become the local growth poles concentrating the economic forces operating in a given area. As Adam Smith, the father of economics, noted, synchronization between the economic goals of people and the preferences of local authorities are the main factors of development and the lack of them can create the highest degree of chaos in the economy. Consequently, the research began with defining prosumption and determining the degree of cooperation between society and the public administration sector in the digital sphere. Correspondence analysis was used to analyze the data collected from a survey. The issue of the quality of websites of municipal public administration offices, which in the digital economy function as growth poles and development axes, was also discussed. It was observed that society is prepared to perform the role of prosumers in the public administration sector; however, the low quality of websites constrains full disclosure of society’s prosumer potential. Under these conditions, the best ways to decarbonize the local economy are: (1) acceleration of the digitization of municipal public administration; and (2) use of the already existing infrastructural growth poles and development axes. The first postulate is related to the improvement of the existing, and the construction of new, computer networks. The second point mainly concerns the achievements of molinology, which studies the existing and partially functional infrastructure of former watermills and the location of former windmills. It is a valuable clue that facilitates the location and construction of modern renewable energy sources. The subject of the research is the Warmia and Mazury Province, which includes 116 municipalities and is the fourth largest province in Poland. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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18 pages, 1578 KiB  
Article
New Circular Challenges in the Development of Take-Away Food Packaging in the COVID-19 Period
by Ewa Kochańska, Rafał M. Łukasik and Maciej Dzikuć
Energies 2021, 14(15), 4705; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14154705 - 03 Aug 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5694
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has set new challenges for the HoReCa industry. Lockdowns have coincided with and strongly impacted the industrial transformation processes that have been taking place for a decade. Among the most important HoReCa transition processes are those related to the rapid [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has set new challenges for the HoReCa industry. Lockdowns have coincided with and strongly impacted the industrial transformation processes that have been taking place for a decade. Among the most important HoReCa transition processes are those related to the rapid growth of the delivery-food market and ordering meals via internet platforms. The new delivery-food market requires not only the development of specific distribution channels, but also the introduction of appropriate, very specific food packaging. Food packaging and its functionality are defined by the administrative requirements and standards applicable to materials that have contact with food and principally through the prism of the ecological disaster caused by enormous amounts of plastic waste, mainly attributed to the food packaging. To meet environmental and administrative requirements, new technologies to produce food packaging materials are emerging, ensuring product functionality, low environmental impact, biodegradability, and potential for composting of the final product. However, predominantly, the obtained product should keep the nutritional value of food and protect it against changes in color or shape. Current social transformation has a significant impact on the food packaging sector, on one hand creating a new lifestyle for society all over the world, and on the other, a growing awareness of the negative impact of humans on the environment and increasing responsibility for the planet. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to develop a circular economy based on the paradigm of shortening distribution channels, using local raw materials, limiting the consumption of raw materials, energy, water, and above all, minimizing waste production throughout the life cycle of products, all of which are in line with the idea of low-carbon development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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17 pages, 1232 KiB  
Article
Optimum Thickness of Thermal Insulation with Both Economic and Ecological Costs of Heating and Cooling
by Robert Dylewski and Janusz Adamczyk
Energies 2021, 14(13), 3835; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14133835 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2149
Abstract
The energy efficiency of the construction sector should be determined by the cleanliness of the environment and, thus, the health of society. The scientific aim of this article was to develop a methodology for determining the optimum thickness of thermal insulation, taking into [...] Read more.
The energy efficiency of the construction sector should be determined by the cleanliness of the environment and, thus, the health of society. The scientific aim of this article was to develop a methodology for determining the optimum thickness of thermal insulation, taking into account both economic and ecological aspects and considering both heating and cooling costs. The method takes into account the number of degree days of the heating period, as well as the number of degree days of the cooling period. Variants in terms of different types of thermal insulation, various types of construction materials for building walls, climatic zones and heat sources, were taken into consideration. In order to find the optimum thicknesses of thermal insulation, both in economic and ecological terms, a metacriterion was used. The optimum thicknesses of thermal insulation with the use of the metacriterion were obtained in the range of 0.11–0.55 m. It was observed that the values of the optimum heat transfer coefficients for economic and ecological reasons do not depend on the type of construction materials used for vertical walls. The type of applied heat source is of the greatest importance for the size of the economic and ecological benefits. The proposed mathematical model for determining the optimum thickness of thermal insulation with the use of a metacriterion is a kind of generalization of earlier models from the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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12 pages, 542 KiB  
Article
Economic Determinants of Low-Carbon Development in the Visegrad Group Countries
by Maciej Dzikuć, Joanna Wyrobek and Łukasz Popławski
Energies 2021, 14(13), 3823; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14133823 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1730
Abstract
Low-carbon development is one of the more significant problems of the Visegrad Group countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary). It is related, among others, to the improvement of life quality in economic terms while taking into account activities for environmental protection. The [...] Read more.
Low-carbon development is one of the more significant problems of the Visegrad Group countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary). It is related, among others, to the improvement of life quality in economic terms while taking into account activities for environmental protection. The aim of the article is to identify and explain the problems connected with low-carbon development. The purpose of the analyses is also to prove the negative impact of the emission of greenhouse gas emission (GHG) and other harmful substances into the air on the quality of human life and the natural environment. During the research, an assessment of the eco-efficiency of the used energy resources and technologies that negatively affect the environment was carried out. Moreover, the paper also presents methods to use greener energy sources and analyses the potential of implementing solutions supporting low-carbon development. The study recommends actions that may contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These include the limitation of the use of fossil fuels for the benefit of renewable energy and the development of distributed energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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21 pages, 581 KiB  
Article
Factors for Bioeconomy Development in EU Countries with Different Overall Levels of Economic Development
by Andrzej Czyżewski, Andrzej Grzyb, Anna Matuszczak and Mariola Michałowska
Energies 2021, 14(11), 3182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14113182 - 29 May 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2307
Abstract
The aim of this article is to indicate the rationale for the development of the bioeconomy in selected EU countries depending on their overall level of economic development. The research was based on four highly developed countries, i.e., Germany, France, Finland and Denmark, [...] Read more.
The aim of this article is to indicate the rationale for the development of the bioeconomy in selected EU countries depending on their overall level of economic development. The research was based on four highly developed countries, i.e., Germany, France, Finland and Denmark, and four medium-developed countries, i.e., Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia for the period 2001–2018. Renewable energy consumption, biomass and agricultural production were analysed as determinants of the bioeconomy development. The question was also answered whether differences in terms of measures determining the level of bioeconomy development between countries with different levels of economic development during the studied period are decreasing or increasing, using sigma (σ)-convergence coefficients. It is shown that the development of the bioeconomy of the studied countries is related to their level of economic development. In the middle economically developed countries, real opportunities for the development of the bioeconomy are noted, through a high share of agriculture in national income; and in highly developed countries—high spending on research and development and the growth of eco-innovation, which contributes to maintaining a development advantage between these groups of countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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17 pages, 3022 KiB  
Article
Conditions Driving Low-Carbon Innovation in a Medium-Sized European Country That Is Catching Up–Case Study of Poland
by Arkadiusz Świadek, Jadwiga Gorączkowska and Karolina Godzisz
Energies 2021, 14(7), 1997; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14071997 - 05 Apr 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1927
Abstract
Studies on the determinants of low-carbon innovations in developed countries already exist. We test here the institutional environment in Poland (science–government–enterprise) as supporters of the technological change in industry towards a low-carbon economy. We will examine as well whether conclusions for well-developed countries [...] Read more.
Studies on the determinants of low-carbon innovations in developed countries already exist. We test here the institutional environment in Poland (science–government–enterprise) as supporters of the technological change in industry towards a low-carbon economy. We will examine as well whether conclusions for well-developed countries are relevant for those catching up. The aim of the article is to assess the systemic nature and durability of the impact of internal and external conditions on the implementation of low-carbon technologies in Polish industry. In order to achieve the goal, two surveys were carried out for the periods 2007–2012 and 2013–2018, on sample sizes of 11,493 enterprises. To verify the hypotheses, a statistical multi–factor logit modelling was used to determine the chances of low-carbon innovations under the influence of various parallel circumstances. The results of this research point to other, often abrupt (unstable) phenomena occurring in the catching-up economy, which are the consequence of a long-term technological gap. The case of Poland shows the lack of cooperation between science, enterprises and the government in stimulating the development of low-carbon technologies, although enterprises do try to implement such technologies on their own in the absence of any external cooperation. Without Research and Development (R&D) support and government subsidies, the attempt to implement low-carbon technology fails. Thus, the institutional framework should distinguish between catching-up and developed countries due to the gaps in technological knowledge, cooperation and institutional barriers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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28 pages, 3059 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Financial Problems of Wind Farms in Poland
by Joanna Wyrobek, Łukasz Popławski and Maria Dzikuć
Energies 2021, 14(5), 1239; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14051239 - 24 Feb 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2379
Abstract
Wind energy has been operating in Poland for over 20 years, but many opinions on its profitability are based on publications from other countries and simulations prepared by manufacturers. However, the truth is that the climatic specificity of various countries and price relationships, [...] Read more.
Wind energy has been operating in Poland for over 20 years, but many opinions on its profitability are based on publications from other countries and simulations prepared by manufacturers. However, the truth is that the climatic specificity of various countries and price relationships, especially energy prices and subsidies, significantly differentiate this profitability depending on the country. The publication aimed to look at the profitability of wind farms in Poland from three perspectives: financial analysis, NPV (Net Present Value) calculation for older wind farms (2006–2014), and break-even price of energy for these farms (for a non-negative NPV). The research hypothesis set out in the publication stated that wind farms from this period require higher energy prices than current market prices in Poland to achieve a return on invested capital. An element of novelty was calculating the energy price range that would provide an opportunity for at least some of the older farms operating in the green certificates scheme to achieve a positive NPV. We also attempted to demonstrate that the loss of control over the prices of green certificates, which took place in 2014–2017, led to such a decrease in energy prices that the 2006–2014 wind farms suffered a net loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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Review

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18 pages, 436 KiB  
Review
From Clothing Rations to Fast Fashion: Utilising Regenerated Protein Fibres to Alleviate Pressures on Mass Production
by Marie Stenton, Veronika Kapsali, Richard S. Blackburn and Joseph A. Houghton
Energies 2021, 14(18), 5654; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14185654 - 08 Sep 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 9152
Abstract
Sustainable methods of practice within the fashion and textile industry (FTI) often strive to employ a circular economy that aims to eliminate waste through the continual use of resources. Complex problems such as waste, consumption, and overproduction are heavily intertwined; the main aim [...] Read more.
Sustainable methods of practice within the fashion and textile industry (FTI) often strive to employ a circular economy that aims to eliminate waste through the continual use of resources. Complex problems such as waste, consumption, and overproduction are heavily intertwined; the main aim of this paper is to report on research focused on re-examining the potential of food waste streams as a commercially viable and circular source of raw materials for the FTI. Herein, regenerated protein fibres (RPFs) from food production waste streams rich in protein have been chosen as the main topic of focus. RPFs have a rich and relevant history from a local manufacturing perspective during wartime and post-war clothing rationing (1941–1949) in the UK. RPFs were used to meet civilian needs for wool-based textiles as part of a wider series of ‘make do and mend’ strategies designed to manage the consumption of new textile products. However, RPFs demonstrated inferior quality in terms of durability when compared to wool-based textiles, a significant contributing factor to the consequent commercial phasing out of RPFs. In today’s take–make–waste model, the FTI landscape can be defined by speed, from slow (high-quality materials and construction, long-lasting products) to fast (seasonal, disposable, low-quality materials and construction), the latter infamous for dire environmental impacts. A key objective of this research is to review the association of quality and longevity within the context of a local and circular fashion economy in which textile quality and lifecycle analysis are holistically matched to the longevity of the textile, garment, or product to reduce waste across the supply chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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14 pages, 293 KiB  
Review
Selected Determinants of Sustainable Transport in the Context of the Development of a Low-Carbon Economy in Poland
by Karolina Godzisz, Maciej Dzikuć, Piotr Kułyk, Arkadiusz Piwowar, Piotr Kuryło and Szymon Szufa
Energies 2021, 14(17), 5418; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14175418 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2353
Abstract
Road transport is one of the key elements of economic development that helps build social and territorial cohesion. The economic development that has taken place in Poland over the last three decades has led to an improvement in road infrastructure throughout the country. [...] Read more.
Road transport is one of the key elements of economic development that helps build social and territorial cohesion. The economic development that has taken place in Poland over the last three decades has led to an improvement in road infrastructure throughout the country. Construction of new roads and improvement of existing ones promotes economic development. However, as the number of cars increases, so does the level of air emissions. In reducing pollutant emissions, the analysis of the technological possibilities used and the improvement of their efficiency with the simultaneous minimization of generated pollution is also of particular importance. The purpose of the publication is to present development trends in road transport in Poland and the possibility of reducing emissions in this respect. The method of analysing strategic documents and statistical data was used to achieve this goal. Moreover, the article shows perspectives for reducing the level of emissions from road transport and refers to the assumptions related to the modernization of the transport sector and reducing its share in carbon emissions and its sustainable development in cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Aspects of Low Carbon Development)
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