Barriers and Opportunities in Implementing Carbon Neutrality Goals in China’s Heavy Industries

Bo Shao (), Liang Zhang and Syed Ahsan Ali Shah
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Bo Shao: School of Economics and Management, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China
Liang Zhang: Rong Cheng College, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Rongcheng 264300, China
Syed Ahsan Ali Shah: Mathematics and Experimental Sciences Department, University of Salamanca (USAL), Paseo de Canalejas, 169, 37008 Salamanca, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-25

Abstract: The transition to carbon neutrality in China’s heavy industries is essential for mitigating global climate change, given the sector’s significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This study systematically examines the multifaceted barriers and opportunities influencing decarbonization efforts in these industries. Employing expert-driven methodologies, including the Delphi method and the best-worst method (BWM), the research identifies and prioritizes critical challenges, such as the high upfront costs for renewable technologies, the technological dependency on coal, and the fragmented regulatory frameworks. It highlights transformative opportunities, emphasizing advancements in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), renewable energy integration, and strengthened carbon pricing mechanisms. The findings reveal the interaction between economic, technological, and policy dimensions, underscoring the need for coordinated interventions to overcome entrenched barriers. The study contributes to theoretical advancements by integrating expert insights with robust multi-criteria decision-making techniques and offers actionable pathways for policymakers and industry stakeholders to accelerate industrial decarbonization. These insights align with international climate objectives, providing a scalable framework for global sustainable transitions in energy-intensive sectors.

Keywords: carbon neutrality; heavy industries; decarbonization barriers; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); China climate goals; Delphi and best-worst methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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