Connotation,pathway and significance of carbon neutrality“super energy system”:A case study of the Ordos Basin,NW China

Super oil and gas basins provide the energy foundation for social progress and human development.In the context of climate change and carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals,constructing an integrated energy and carbon neutrality system that balances energy production and carbon reduction becomes crucial for the transformation of such basins.Under the framework of a green and intelligent energy system primarily based on“four news”,new energy,new electricity,new energy storage,and new intelligence,integrating a“super energy system”composed of a huge amount of underground resources of coal,oil,gas and heat highly overlapping with abundant wind and solar energy resources above ground,and a regional intelligent energy consumption system with coordinated development and utilization of fossil energy and new energy,with a carbon neutrality system centered around carbon cycling is essential.This paper aims to select the traditional oil and gas basins as“super energy basins”with the conditions to build world-class energy production and demonstration bases for carbon neutrality.The Ordos Basin has unique regional advantages,including abundant fossil fuel and new energy resources,as well as matching CO_(2)sources and sinks,position it as a carbon neutrality“super energy basin”which explores the path of transformation of traditional oil and gas basins.Under the integrated development concept and mode of“coal+oil+gas+new energy+carbon capture,utilization and storage(CCUS)/carbon capture and storage(CCS)”,the carbon neutrality in super energy basin is basically achieved,which enhance energy supply and contribute to the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals,establish a modern energy industry and promote regional green and sustainable development.The pioneering construction of the world-class carbon neutrality“super energy system”demonstration basin in China represented by the Ordos Basin will reshape the new concept and new mode of exploration and development of super energy basins,which is of great significance to the global energy revolution under carbon neutrality.

Enabling heterogeneous catalysis to achieve carbon neutrality: Directional catalytic conversion of CO_(2) into carboxylic acids

The increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions has exacerbated the deterioration of the global environment,which should be controlled to achieve carbon neutrality.Central to the core goal of achieving carbon neutrality is the utilization of CO_(2) under economic and sustainable conditions.Recently,the strong need for carbon neutrality has led to a proliferation of studies on the direct conversion of CO_(2) into carboxylic acids,which can effectively alleviate CO_(2) emissions and create high-value chemicals.The purpose of this review is to present the application prospects of carboxylic acids and the basic principles of CO_(2) conversion into carboxylic acids through photo-,electric-,and thermal catalysis.Special attention is focused on the regulation strategy of the activity of abundant catalysts at the molecular level,inspiring the preparation of high-performance catalysts.In addition,theoretical calculations,advanced technologies,and numerous typical examples are introduced to elaborate on the corresponding process and influencing factors of catalytic activity.Finally,challenges and prospects are provided for the future development of this field.It is hoped that this review will contribute to a deeper understanding of the conversion of CO_(2) into carboxylic acids and inspire more innovative breakthroughs.

Recent advances in nickel-based catalysts in eCO_(2)RR for carbon neutrality

The excessive use of nonrenewable energy has brought about serious greenhouse effect.Converting CO_(2) into high-value-added chemicals is undoubtedly the best choice to solve energy problems.Due to the excellent cost-effectiveness and dramatic catalytic performance,nickel-based catalysts have been considered as the most promising candidates for the electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction reaction(eCO_(2)RR).In this work,the electrocatalytic reduction mechanism of CO_(2) over Ni-based materials is reviewed.The strategies to improve the eCO_(2)RR performance are emphasized.Moreover,the research on Ni-based materials for syngas generation is briefly summarized.Finally,the prospects of nickel-based materials in the eCO_(2)RR are provided with the hope of improving transition-metal-based electrocatalysts for eCO_(2)RR in the future.

A Unifi ed View of Carbon Neutrality:Solar-Driven Selective Upcycling of Waste Plastics

With the rapid development of plastic production and consumption globally,the amount of post-consumer plastic waste has reached levels that have posed environmental threats.Considering the substantial CO_(2)emissions throughout the plastic lifecycle from material production to its disposal,photocatalysis is considered a promising strategy for eff ective plastic recycling and upcycling.It can upgrade plastics into value-added products under mild conditions using solar energy,realizing zero carbon emissions.In this paper,we explain the basics of photocatalytic plastic reformation and underscores plastic feedstock reformation pathways into high-value-added products,including both degradation into CO_(2)followed by reformation and direct reformation into high-value-added products.Finally,the current applications of transforming plastic waste into fuels,chemicals,and carbon materials and the outlook on upcycling plastic waste by photocatalysis are presented,facilitating the realization of carbon neutrality and zero plastic waste.

Emission-side drivers affecting carbon neutrality based on vegetation carbon sequestration:Evidence from China

To address climate change,the world needs deep decarbonization to achieve carbon neutrality(CN),which implies net-zero human-caused CO_(2) emissions in the atmosphere.This study used emission-side drivers,including socioeconomic and net primary productivity(NPP)-based factors,to determine the changes in CN based on vegetation carbon sequestration in the case of China during 2001-2015.Spatial exploratory analysis as well as the combined use of production-theoretical decomposition analysis(PDA)and an econometric model were also utilized.We showed that CN was significantly spatially correlated over the study period;Yunnan,Heilongjiang,and Jilin presented positive spatial autocorrelations,whereas Guizhou showed a negative spatial autocorrelation.More than half of CN declined over the period during which potential energy intensity(PEIE)and energy usage technological change were the largest negative and positive drivers for increasing CN.PEIE played a significantly negative role in increasing CN.We advise policymakers to focus more on emission-side drivers(e.g.,energy intensity)in addition to strengthening NPP management to achieve CN.

Evolution and Characteristics of "Carbon Neutrality Movies"

"Carbon neutrality movies"are movies that focus on carbon neutrality as the object of expression and dissemination.Using carbon neutrality as an element,it influences the development of the plot,reflects environmental changes,and focuses on climate change caused by carbon emissions.At the same time,it focuses on offsetting carbon emissions through carbon neutrality behavior,showcasing the impact of carbon neutrality.From the perspective of ecological movies,the evolution of carbon neutrality movies at three stages can be explored.The first stage is high-carbon movies that reflect the high conflict between humans and the natural environment.The second stage is low-carbon movies,reflecting humanity's pursuit of a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature,thus adopting green and low-carbon behaviors.The third stage is carbon neutrality movies,which awaken or guide the public to pay attention to carbon emissions,promote low-carbon living,guide life practice in a carbon neutrality way,and create a better life.There are three characteristics of"carbon neutrality movies",including scientific reflection on global warming,advocating energy conservation and emission reduction in daily life,and promoting clean energy in policies.

Carbon neutrality:China's energy transition over the past decade

China's energy transition is based on accelerating the construction of a clean,low-carbon,safe,and efficient new energy system(Fig.1),providing strong energy security for economic and social development;focusing on ecological civilization construction,and accelerating the formation of a new energy consumption model that is efficient,green,inclusive,and beneficial,while promoting carbon reduction,pollution reduction,expansion of green spaces,and economic growth.

Emerging CCER Scheme Promotes Carbon Neutrality

THE China Certified Emission Reduction(CCER)scheme is a vital channel that is helping China and its enterprises achieve carbon neutrality.At the same time,it is also promoting the development of the carbon market and low-cost emission reduction.Since an interim administrative document on voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading was issued in 2012,a relatively complete operating and management system has been established and a constant flow of trading has been carried out.

Policy and Management of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality:A Literature Review

The vision of reaching a carbon peak and achieving carbon neutrality is guiding the low-carbon transition of China’s socioeconomic system.Currently,a research gap remains in the existing literature in terms of studies that systematically identify opportunities to achieve carbon neutrality.To address this gap,this study comprehensively collates and investigates 1105 published research studies regarding carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.In doing so,the principles of development in this area are quantitively analyzed from a space–time perspective.At the same time,this study traces shifts and alterations in research hotspots.This systematic review summarizes the priorities and standpoints of key industries on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.Furthermore,with an emphasis on five key management science topics,the scientific concerns and strategic demands for these two carbon emission-reduction goals are clarified.The paper ends with theoretical insights on and practical countermeasures for actions,priority tasks,and policy measures that will enable China to achieve a carbon-neutral future.This study provides a complete picture of the research status on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality,as well as the research directions worth investigating in this field,which are crucial to the formulation of carbon peak and carbon neutrality policies.

Single-atom catalysis for carbon neutrality

Currently,more than 86%of global energy consumption is still mainly dependent on traditional fossil fuels,which causes resource scarcity and even emission of high amounts of carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),resulting in a severe“Greenhouse effect.”Considering this situation,the concept of“carbon neutrality”has been put forward by 125 countries one after another.To achieve the goals of“carbon neutrality,”two main strategies to reduce CO_(2) emissions and develop sustainable clean energy can be adopted.Notably,these are crucial for the synthesis of advanced single-atom catalysts(SACs)for energyrelated applications.In this review,we highlight unique SACs for conversion of CO_(2) into high-efficiency carbon energy,for example,through photocatalytic,electrocatalytic,and thermal catalytic hydrogenation technologies,to convert CO_(2) into hydrocarbon fuels(CO,CH_(4),HCOOH,CH_(3)OH,and multicarbon[C_(2+)]products).In addition,we introduce advanced energy conversion technologies and devices to replace traditional polluting fossil fuels,such as photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen energy and a high-efficiency oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)for fuel cells.Impressively,several representative examples of SACs(including d-,ds-,p-,and f-blocks)for CO_(2) conversion,water splitting to H2,and ORR are discussed to describe synthesis methods,characterization,and corresponding catalytic activity.Finally,this review concludes with a description of the challenges and outlooks for future applications of SACs in contributing toward carbon neutrality.

Gleaning insights from German energy transition and large-scale underground energy storage for China’s carbon neutrality

The global energy transition is a widespread phenomenon that requires international exchange of experiences and mutual learning.Germany’s success in its first phase of energy transition can be attributed to its adoption of smart energy technology and implementation of electricity futures and spot marketization,which enabled the achievement of multiple energy spatial–temporal complementarities and overall grid balance through energy conversion and reconversion technologies.While China can draw from Germany’s experience to inform its own energy transition efforts,its 11-fold higher annual electricity consumption requires a distinct approach.We recommend a clean energy system based on smart sector coupling(ENSYSCO)as a suitable pathway for achieving sustainable energy in China,given that renewable energy is expected to guarantee 85%of China’s energy production by 2060,requiring significant future electricity storage capacity.Nonetheless,renewable energy storage remains a significant challenge.We propose four large-scale underground energy storage methods based on ENSYSCO to address this challenge,while considering China’s national conditions.These proposals have culminated in pilot projects for large-scale underground energy storage in China,which we believe is a necessary choice for achieving carbon neutrality in China and enabling efficient and safe grid integration of renewable energy within the framework of ENSYSCO.

Technology strategies to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality for China's metal mines

Greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions related to human activities have significantly caused climate change since the Industrial Revolution.China aims to achieve its carbon emission peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.Accordingly,this paper reviews and discusses technical strategies to achieve the“dual carbon”targets in China’s metal mines.First,global carbon emissions and emission intensities from metal mining industries are analyzed.The metal mining status and carbon emissions in China are then examined.Furthermore,advanced technologies for carbon mitigation and carbon sequestration in metal mines are reviewed.Finally,a technical roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality in China’s metal mines is proposed.Findings show that some international mining giants have already achieved their carbon reduction targets and planned to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.Moreover,improving mining efficiency by developing advanced technologies and replacing fossil fuel with renewable energy are two key approaches in reducing GHG emissions.Green mines can significantly benefit from the carbon neutrality process for metal mines through the carbon absorption of reclamation vegetations.Geothermal energy extraction from operating and abandoned metal mines is a promising technology for providing clean energy and contributing to the carbon neutrality target of China’s metal mines.Carbon sequestration in mine backfills and tailings through mineral carbonation has the potential to permanently and safely store carbon dioxide,which can eventually make the metal mining industry carbon neutral or even carbon negative.

Near-Real-Time Carbon Emission Accounting Technology Toward Carbon Neutrality

Climate change is the greatest environmental threat to humans and the planet in the 21st century.Global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are one of the main causes of the increasing number of extreme climate events.Cumulative carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions showed a linear relationship with cumulative temperature rise since the pre-industrial stage,and this accounts for approximately 80%of the total anthropogenic greenhouse gases.Therefore,accurate and reliable carbon emission data are the foundation and scientific basis for most emission reduction policymaking and target setting.Currently,China has made clear the ambitious goal of achieving the peak of carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.The development of a finer-grained spatiotemporal carbon emission database is urgently needed to achieve more accurate carbon emission monitoring for continuous implementation and the iterative improvement of emission reduction policies.Near-real-time carbon emission monitoring is not only a major national demand but also a scientific question at the frontier of this discipline.This article reviews existing annual-based carbon accounting methods,with a focus on the newly developed real-time carbon emission technology and its current application trends.We also present a framework for the latest near-real-time carbon emission accounting technology that can be widely used.The development of relevant data and methods will provide strong database support to the policymaking for China’s“carbon neutrality”strategy.Finally,this article provides an outlook on the future of real-time carbon emission monitoring technology.

International experience of carbon neutrality and prospects of key technologies:Lessons for China

Carbon neutrality(or climate neutrality)has been a global consensus,and international experience exchange is essential.Given the differences in the degree of social development,resource endowment and technological level,each country should build a carbon-neutral plan based on its national conditions.Compared with other major developed countries(e.g.,Germany,the United States and Japan),China's carbon neutrality has much bigger challenges,including a heavy and time-pressured carbon reduction task and the current energy structure that is over-dependent on fossil fuels.Here we provide a comprehensive review of the status and prospects of the key technologies for low-carbon,near-zero carbon,and negative carbon emissions.Technological innovations associated with coal,oil-gas and hydrogen industries and their future potential in reducing carbon emissions are particularly explained and assessed.Based on integrated analysis of international experience from the world's major developed countries,in-depth knowledge of the current and future technologies,and China's energy and ecological resources potential,five lessons for the implementation of China's carbon neutrality are proposed:(1)transformation of energy production pattern from a coal-dominated pattern to a diversified renewable energy pattern;(2)renewable power-to-X and large-scale underground energy storage;(3)integration of green hydrogen production,storage,transport and utilization;(4)construction of clean energy systems based on smart sector coupling(ENSYSCO);(5)improvement of ecosystem carbon sinks both in nationwide forest land and potential desert in Northwest China.This paper provides an international perspective for a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of carbon neutrality in China,and can serve as a theoretical foundation for medium-long term carbon neutral policy formulation.

Major contribution to carbon neutrality by China’s geosciences and geological technologies

In the context of global climate change,geosciences provide an important geological solution to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality,China’s geosciences and geological technologies can play an important role in solving the problem of carbon neutrality.This paper discusses the main problems,opportunities,and challenges that can be solved by the participation of geosciences in carbon neutrality,as well as China’s response to them.The main scientific problems involved and the geological work carried out mainly fall into three categories:(1)Carbon emission reduction technology(natural gas hydrate,geothermal,hot dry rock,nuclear energy,hydropower,wind energy,solar energy,hydrogen energy);(2)carbon sequestration technology(carbon capture and storage,underground space utilization);(3)key minerals needed to support carbon neutralization(raw materials for energy transformation,carbon reduction technology).Therefore,geosciences and geological technologies are needed:First,actively participate in the development of green energy such as natural gas,geothermal energy,hydropower,hot dry rock,and key energy minerals,and develop exploration and exploitation technologies such as geothermal energy and natural gas;the second is to do a good job in geological support for new energy site selection,carry out an in-depth study on geotechnical feasibility and mitigation measures,and form the basis of relevant economic decisions to reduce costs and prevent geological disasters;the third is to develop and coordinate relevant departments of geosciences,organize and carry out strategic research on natural resources,carry out theoretical system research on global climate change and other issues under the guidance of earth system science theory,and coordinate frontier scientific information and advanced technological tools of various disciplines.The goal of carbon neutrality provides new opportunities and challenges for geosciences research.In the future,it is necessary to provide theoretical and technical support from various aspects,enhance the ability of climate adaptation,and support the realization of the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

Prospects for the transformation and development of carbon storage in abandoned mines of coal enterprises from the perspective ofcarbon neutrality

Under the carbon neutrality goal,coal enterprises must seek breakthroughs from abandoned mines,develop new resources in the new era,turn problems into countermeasures,and participate in the carbon emissions market,for contributing to the accomplishment of the national strategic goal of carbon neutrality.To this end,we investigated the relevant national policies and regulations to clarify the boundaries disclosed by the carbon information of enterprises,understood the development direction of carbon storage in abandoned mines,and clarified the transformation and development of carbon storage in aban-doned mines.We made a few suggestions:(1)China should learn from its past experience and other countries to develop the energy industry with Chinese characteristics and reform the economic system.(2)Coal enterprises must actively respond to the national carbon information disclosure policy,clarify their own responsibilities and carbon emission boundaries.(3)It is necessary to proactively obtain advanced knowledge and plan carbon storage pathways for abandoned mines.(4)Devel-opment problems of coal enterprises should be deduced using cases.The'dual carbon'goals should be achieved steadily step-by-step.(5)Three measures,i.e.improving the existing resource structure,coordinating the information of abandoned mines,and promoting the cultivation of scientific and technological talents.

Origin,discovery,exploration and development status and prospect of global natural hydrogen under the background of“carbon neutrality”

Global energy structure is experiencing the third transition from fossil energy to non-fossil energy,to solve future energy problems,cope with climate change,and achieve net-zero emissions targets by 2050.Hydrogen is considered to be the most potential clean energy in this century under the background of carbon neutrality.At present,the industrial methods for producing hydrogen are mainly by steam-hydrocarbon(such as coal and natural gas)reforming and by electrolysis of water,while the exploration and development of natural hydrogen had just started.According to this literature review:(1)Natural hydrogen can be divided into three categories,including free hydrogen,hydrogen in inclusions and dissolved hydrogen;(2)natural hydrogen could be mainly from abiotic origins such as by deep-seated hydrogen generation,water-rock reaction or water radiolysis;(3)natural hydrogen is widely distributed and presents great potential,and the potential natural hydrogen sources excluding deep source of hydrogen is about(254±91)×10^(9) m^(3)/a according to a latest estimate;(4)at present,natural hydrogen has been mined in Mali,and the exploration and development of natural hydrogen has also been carried out in Australia,Brazil,the United States and some European countries,to find many favorable areas and test some technical methods for natural hydrogen exploration.Natural hydrogen is expected to be an important part of hydrogen energy production in the future energy pattern.Based on a thorough literature review,this study introduced the origin,classification,and global discovery of natural hydrogen,as well as summarized the current global status and discussed the possibility of natural hydrogen exploration and development,aiming to provide reference for the future natural hydrogen exploration and development.

Frontiers of CO_(2)Capture and Utilization(CCU)towards Carbon Neutrality

CO_(2)capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS)technology is a rare option for the large-scale use of fossil fuels in a low-carbon way,which will definitely play a part in the journey towards carbon neutrality.Within the CCUS nexus,CCU is especially interesting because these processes will establish a new“atmosphere-to-atmosphere”carbon cycle and thus indirectly offer huge potential in carbon reduction.This study focuses on the new positioning of CCUS in the carbon neutrality scenario and aims to identify potential cutting-edge/disruptive CCU technologies that may find important application opportunities during the decarbonization of the energy and industrial system.To this end,direct air capture(DAC),flexible metal-framework materials(MOFs)for CO_(2)capture,integrated CO_(2)capture and conversion(ICCC),and electrocatalytic CO_(2)reduction(ECR)were selected,and their general introduction,the importance to carbon neutrality,and most up-to-date research progress are summarized.

Supportive Technologies and Roadmap for China’s Carbon Neutrality

The vision of carbon neutrality is a climate ambition of milestone significance for China and a key step for China’s transition from industrial civilization to ecological civilization.The realization of carbon neutrality requires profound changes in China’s technological and socioeconomic systems involving zero-carbon electric power,lowcarbon and zero-carbon end-use energy consumption,and negative emission technologies.Achievement of carbon neutrality is subject to the choice of pathways for various sectors,especially the electric power,industrial,transportation and construction sectors with significant carbon emissions and decarbonization difficulties.The goal of carbon neutrality will influence China’s economic and industry systems,resource and industrial layout,technological innovation and ecological environment in profound ways.Hence,China’s future policymaking on carbon neutrality needs to consider environmental,technological,economic and social impacts,establish a correlation between carbon peak and carbon neutrality,identify climate-friendly clean technology innovations in real earnest,and put carbon neutrality into the overall plan for ecological civilization.

Hydrogen as a carrier of renewable energies toward carbon neutrality:State-of-the-art and challenging issues

Energy storage and conversion via a hydrogen chain is a recognized vision of future energy systems based on renewables and,therefore,a key to bridging the technological gap toward a net-zero CO_(2)emission society.This paper reviews the hydrogen technological chain in the framework of renewables,including water electrolysis,hydrogen storage,and fuel cell technologies.Water electrolysis is an energy conversion technology that can be scalable in megawatts and operational in a dynamic mode to match the intermittent generation of renewable power.Material concerns include a robust diaphragm for alkaline cells,catalysts and construction materials for proton exchange membrane(PEM)cells,and validation of the long-term durability for solid oxide cells.Hydrogen storage via compressed gas up to 70 MPa is optional for automobile applications.Fuel cells favor hydrogen fuel because of its superfast electrode kinetics.PEM fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells are dominating technologies for automobile and stationary applications,respectively.Both technologies are at the threshold of their commercial markets with verified technical readiness and environmental merits;however,they still face restraints such as unavailable hydrogen fueling infrastructure,long-term durability,and costs to compete with the analog power technologies already on the market.