Article

Carbon Neutrality Pathways for Industrial Parks and Reduction

Potential Based on Text Analysis and Empirical Research
Yuheng Sun 1,2 , Zhengyuan Feng 1,3 , Fangtao Liu 1 , Yuanhang Li 2 , Jun Ning 1,3 , Hang Fu 1,2 , Shoujuan Tang 1,2 ,
Guangxin Liu 3 , Yang Li 1,2, * and Lei Shi 1,2, *

1 School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China;

[email protected] (Y.S.); [email protected] (Z.F.); [email protected] (F.L.);
[email protected] (J.N.); [email protected] (H.F.)
2 Engineering Research Center of Watershed Carbon Neutralization of Ministry of Education,
Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; [email protected]
3 Yangtze Delta Region Institute, Tsinghua University, Jiaxing 314000, China
* Correspondence: [email protected] (Y.L.); [email protected] (L.S.)

Abstract: Climate change is seriously threatening ecological environments essential for human
survival. Achieving the carbon neutrality goals of industrial parks (IPs), the gathering places of
industrial activity, plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation and in promoting sustainable
industrial development. In this study, we use an AI-facilitated literature review and empirical research
to analyze and classify the 12 pathways for carbon neutrality for IPs based on the development nature
and carbon flow framework. In addition, the carbon emission reduction potentials of various
pathways are quantified using a case study. The results of the literature analysis show that, in terms
of IP carbon emission reductions, most research has focused on the energy infrastructure related to
energy management and utilization, as well as the service infrastructure related to the carbon footprint
and industrial symbiosis. Among the 148 studies, “industrial symbiosis” and “carbon footprint”
appeared with frequencies of 1278 and 474, respectively. Additionally, 102 of these studies mentioned
decarbonization of energy infrastructure. In total, 11 of the carbon neutrality pathways existed in the
empirical research, with the exception of carbon storage, and among them, 7 pathways are applied
across all 104 IPs. Case studies indicate that the pathways with greater reduction potentials were
Citation: Sun, Y.; Feng, Z.; Liu, F.; Li,
the energy infrastructure, carbon capture, and the product and waste infrastructure, with potential
Y.; Ning, J.; Fu, H.; Tang, S.; Liu, G.; Li,
reductions of 250,000 tons, 200,000 tons, and 145,080 tons of CO2 emissions, respectively. This study
Y.; Shi, L. Carbon Neutrality Pathways
provides valuable references for IPs to achieve their carbon neutrality goals.
for Industrial Parks and Reduction
Potential Based on Text Analysis and
Empirical Research. Sustainability
Keywords: carbon neutrality pathways; emission reduction potential; industrial parks; low-carbon
2024, 16, 10771. https://doi.org/ development
10.3390/su162310771

Academic Editor: Manuela Almeida

Received: 23 October 2024 1. Introduction

Revised: 22 November 2024 Climate change has become increasingly severe since the beginning of the 21st century,
Accepted: 4 December 2024 with the global average temperature rising annually due to the continuous increase in green-
Published: 9 December 2024
house gas concentrations. This has led to frequent extreme weather events that have posed
significant threats to ecological safety, social development, and human health [1,2]. Carbon
dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, accounts for approximately
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.
two-thirds of the total atmospheric gas content and is primarily generated from fossil fuel
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. combustion [3]. According to the websites of the real-time global carbon monitor, in 2023,
This article is an open access article the total global carbon emissions were approximately 35.83 Gt, of which industrial sector
distributed under the terms and emissions were approximately 10.38 Gt. And from January to August 2024, the total global
conditions of the Creative Commons carbon emission was 24.1 Gt, of which industrial sector emissions were 6.85 Gt, accounting
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// for 29% of the total. Comprising 80% of all industrial enterprises, industrial parks (IPs), which
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ refer to industrial agglomeration areas composed of a large number of related specialized
4.0/). enterprises, are an important functional platform for driving area economic development

Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310771 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability

Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 2 of 15

and achieving area-strategic goals [4]. Notably, IPs contain highly concentrated resource
and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, IPs play a key role in
industrial transformation, energy conservation, carbon reduction, and carbon neutrality in
the industrial field [5,6]. Therefore, the promotion of green low-carbon development and the
achievement of IP carbon neutrality goals are of great significance for the entire country and
even the world.
IPs have been undergoing green and low-carbon development for several decades.
The industrial symbiosis model of Kalundborg, the most typical case of an EIP, and the
environmental-economic-social benefits have been research hotspots in academic circles
over the past twenty years [7,8]. As early as 1989, after the Kalundborg Eco-industrial
Park (EIP) was discovered, IPs began to organize and plan low-carbon development [9].
The first academic account regarding the Kalundborg EIP was published in 1993, and
since then, an increasing number of scholars have begun to pay attention to industrial
ecology [10], and the construction of EIPs began all over the world. To promote the
rapid development of EIPs, many countries have introduced corresponding development
strategies and plans, such as the EIP master plan in Republic of Korea [11], the Eco-town
project in Japan [12], the Eco-industrial demonstration park policy in China [13,14], and
the EIP task force established in the United States [15]. The development of EIPs, which
can bring great economic, environmental, and social benefits, can not only improve the
utilization efficiency of resources, but also reduce the emissions of pollutants and carbon
dioxide [16,17]. In addition to EIPs, various types of IPs, such as green industrial parks,
circular economy industrial parks, and carbon peaking pilot industrial parks, have also
greatly promoted low-carbon and sustainable development [18,19].
With an increase in global attention to climate change, industrial park greenhouse gas
emission reduction measures, represented by carbon dioxide and the associated carbon
reduction potential, have gradually become new research hotspots [20–23], which primarily
include carbon accounting, energy management, carbon emission predictions, new energy
development and utilization, analysis of the carbon emission reduction potential of in-
frastructure, low-carbon development pathways of IPs, carbon footprints, and the carbon
trading market. Among these, carbon reduction measures, such as energy exchange, water
exchange, and product and waste exchange, are part of this industrial symbiosis [24]. How-
ever, industrial symbiosis is a macroscopic conceptual model, while these carbon reduction
measures are more specific, and the contribution of the carbon emission reduction potential
is clearer [25].
In terms of IP carbon reductions, most existing studies have proposed low-carbon
development measures and pathways based on the results of carbon accounting and pre-
diction using different models. For example, Feng et al. [26] calculated and predicted
the carbon emission inventory of an economic development zone in Yancheng and pro-
posed that increasing the proportion of clean energy, improving the energy efficiency
of equipment, conducting carbon capture, and optimizing process flows are crucial for
IPs to achieve carbon neutrality. Lyu et al. [4] predicted land availability, land produc-
tivity, industrial structure, carbon dioxide emissions, and carbon productivity using a
land–industry–carbon integrated model. They finally proposed two synergistic pathways
of carbon peaking for IPs. Gao et al. [27] calculated the carbon dioxide emissions related to
the energy infrastructure in a case IP and assessed the carbon reduction potential under
different design scenarios. It was shown that the application of end-of-pipe technology,
energy-saving technologies, and clean energy have great potential for carbon reduction
from the energy infrastructure. In addition, other carbon reduction measures, such as car-
bon capture and carbon sinks, also have been shown to be effective for IPs to achieve carbon
neutrality [28,29]. Although there have been related studies on carbon sequestration [30],
there have been few applications at the IP level.
Although there exist many studies regarding carbon emission reduction pathways for
IPs, they have performed basic analyses based on a specific IP case, and the carbon emission
reduction measures and pathways they proposed lacked systematization and universality.
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 3 of 15

In previous studies, we proposed 12 pathways of carbon neutrality for IPs based on the
development nature of IPs [31]; however, this was simply a conceptual framework that
was limited to theory and qualitative analysis. Therefore, based on the previous work, in
this study, we summarize the existing carbon neutrality pathways in an actual situation
based on a literature analysis, as well as AI-facilitated and field research methods. We
also quantitatively calculate the carbon emission reduction potential of different carbon
neutrality pathways using a case study. Our results provide technical support for different
types of IPs around the world, especially in China, to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality,
and this will greatly promote green and low-carbon transformation and development
for IPs.
The rest of this paper is structured as follows. Section 2 introduces the methods
and data sources. Section 3 contains the results and analysis. Section 4 provides an in-
depth discussion of the research results and recommendations for low-carbon and green
development for IPs. Finally, Section 5 provides the conclusions.

2. Data and Methods

2.1. Methods
To validate the application scenarios and emission reduction potential of 12 pathways
of carbon neutrality for IPs, in this study, based on experience, as well as by using a
case analysis, we summarized the carbon neutrality pathways in an actual situation and
quantified the emission reduction potential of 12 carbon neutrality pathways proposed
in previous studies (Table 1). Firstly, the carbon emission reduction measures—that is,
the carbon neutrality pathways mentioned in the literature related to carbon emission
reductions in Ips—were summarized using a bibliometric approach based on Citespace
6.3.R1. Secondly, the word frequency of the given specific keywords that were derived from
12 carbon neutrality pathways for IPs was analyzed. Thirdly, the selected literature was
questioned using ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to further supplement the
analysis in the first two steps. Fourthly, the existing carbon neutrality pathways of 104 IPs in
China were classified through a field study. Finally, the Huaxian Energy and New Material
Recycling Industrial Park (HXIP) was selected as the research case to quantitatively analyze
the emission reduction potential of different carbon neutrality pathways. Figure 1 is the
flowchart of this study.

Table 1. Twelve pathways of carbon neutrality for IPs.

Pathway 1 Carbon Capture and Utilization Pathway 7 Water Infrastructure

Pathway 2 Substitution of raw materials Pathway 8 Waste–water–energy nexus
Pathway 3 Cleaner production Pathway 9 Buildings and transportation
Pathway 4 Consumption waste recycling Pathway 10 Service infrastructure
Pathway 5 Product and waste infrastructure Pathway 11 Land use change
Pathway 6 Energy infrastructure Pathway 12 Carbon storage

2.2. Data Sources

In this study, we chose the Web of Science (WoS) as the data source, which is a
widely accessible bibliographic data source. To search as comprehensively as possible,
we adopted various terms related to carbon emission reductions in IPs. The retrieval
date was 21 May 2024, and the given topics were (“industrial park” or “eco-industrial
park”) and (“carbon reduction” or “carbon dioxide reduction” or “carbon emission” or
“carbon dioxide emission” or “carbon emission reduction” or “carbon dioxide emission
reduction”). The article type was restricted to “article” or “review article”, and the language
selected was English. After the retrieval and manual screening, a total of 148 articles were
finally obtained.
 tioned using ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to further supplement the anal-
ysis in the first two steps. Fourthly, the existing carbon neutrality pathways of 104 IPs in
China were classified through a field study. Finally, the Huaxian Energy and New Mate-
rial Recycling Industrial Park (HXIP) was selected as the research case to quantitatively
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 4 of 15
analyze the emission reduction potential of different carbon neutrality pathways. Figure
1 is the flowchart of this study.

Literature selection IPs selection

Field visits and

surveys
CiteSpace Word frequency AI-facilitated
analysis analysis analysis
Carbon neutral pathways Emission reduction
classified and summarized potential calculation

Research situation of 12 pathways Empirical application and potential of 12

of carbon neutrality for IPs pathways of carbon neutrality for IPs

Application scenarios and potential of 12

pathways of carbon neutrality for IPs

Challenges and recommendations

Figure
Figure 1.
1. Flowchart
Flowchart of
of this
this paper.
paper.

The actual carbon neutrality pathways of 104 IPs in China were obtained from field
visits and surveys. The authors already had a great foundation for cooperation with the
HXIP, which has formed a complete material and energy exchange network and complete
carbon neutrality pathways. Furthermore, given the authenticity of the data, in this study,
we chose the HXIP as the research object. The carbon emission reduction potential was
derived from calculations or consultations with managers and enterprises of HXIP.

3. Results and Analysis

3.1. Literature Research and Analysis
3.1.1. Keyword Co-Occurrence Analysis Based on CiteSpace
From the keywords of an article, we can clearly understand the research topic and
direction of the article. In addition, based on high-frequency keywords, we can also know
the current research hotspots and important issues in a certain field. In this study, the
selected 148 articles were analyzed to create a keyword co-occurrence network based on
CiteSpace, and the results are shown in Figure 2. The top 20 high-frequency keywords
in the keyword co-occurrence network are illustrated in Table S1. The top five keyword
frequencies related to carbon emission reduction in IPs were China, industrial symbiosis,
design, energy, and life cycle assessment. These high-frequency keywords showed that
many studies related to carbon emission reduction in IPs were conducted using case studies
of IPs in China. In addition, this was primarily accomplished using measures of industrial
symbiosis to achieve the carbon emission reduction targets of IPs.
Figure 3 shows the timeline view of keywords in the co-occurrence analysis. A majority
of keywords were primarily proposed between 2010 and 2020. This indicates that, after
entering the 21st century, to combat climate change and mitigate the greenhouse effect, an
increasing amount of scholars began to focus on carbon emission reduction research in IPs.

3.1.2. Word Frequency Analysis of Carbon Neutrality Pathways

Word frequency of the given search terms extracted from the selected 148 publicly
published articles were analyzed, and the results are shown in Figure 4. Among these given
search terms, “industrial symbiosis” had the highest frequency, and it appeared 1278 times
in total. The second was “carbon footprint”, appearing 474 times. There were five search
terms, including “building insulation”, “low-carbon transportation”, “reclaimed water
reuse”, “resource comprehensive utilization”, and “centralized heating and cooling”, that
appeared only once. The search term, “substitution of raw materials”, was not extracted
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 5 of 15

from the selected 148 articles, but when combined with the ChatGPT analysis (detailed in
Section 3.2), the carbon neutral pathway of “substitution of raw materials” does exist in the
literature. From an overall perspective, there were many studies that contained “Service
infrastructure” and “Energy infrastructure”, which are two pathways of carbon neutrality
for IPs. However, there were few studies that contained “Water infrastructure” and the
“Waste–water–energy nexus”. The formulation of carbon emission reduction policies and
development plans in IPs are the basis for the implementation of all emission reduction
measures. In addition, energy consumption is the primary source of carbon emissions in
IPs and also the field with the greatest potential for carbon emission reductions [32,33]. This
Sustainability 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW
may have been the reason why there were many studies related to “Service infrastructure”5 of 15
Sustainability 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 15
and “Energy infrastructure” that were found.

Figure 2. Keyword co-occurrence network analysis.

Figure2.2.Keyword
Figure Keywordco-occurrence
co-occurrencenetwork
networkanalysis.
analysis.

Figure 3. Timeline view of keyword co-occurrence analysis.

Figure3.3.Timeline
Figure Timelineview
viewofofkeyword
keywordco-occurrence
co-occurrenceanalysis.
analysis.
3.1.2. Word Frequency Analysis of Carbon Neutrality Pathways
3.1.2. Word Frequency Analysis of Carbon Neutrality Pathways
Word frequency of the given search terms extracted from the selected 148 publicly
Wordarticles
published frequency
wereofanalyzed,
the givenand
search
theterms
resultsextracted from
are shown inthe selected
Figure 148 publicly
4. Among these
published articles were analyzed, and the results are shown in Figure 4.
given search terms, “industrial symbiosis” had the highest frequency, and it appeared Among these
given search terms, “industrial symbiosis” had the highest frequency, and
1278 times in total. The second was “carbon footprint”, appearing 474 times. There were it appeared
1278search
five times in total.including
terms, The second was “carbon
“building footprint”,
insulation”, appearing 474
“low-carbon times. There were
transportation”, “re-
five search terms, including “building insulation”, “low-carbon transportation”,
claimed water reuse”, “resource comprehensive utilization”, and “centralized heating and “re-
 structure” and the “Waste–water–energy nexus”. The formulation of carbon emission re-
duction policies and development plans in IPs are the basis for the implementation of all
emission reduction measures. In addition, energy consumption is the primary source of
carbon emissions in IPs and also the field with the greatest potential for carbon emission
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 reductions [32,33]. This may have been the reason why there were many studies related
6 of 15
to “Service infrastructure” and “Energy infrastructure” that were found.

carbon sequestration 76
Pathway 12
carbon storage 46
land use planning 19
Pathway 11
carbon sinks 31
carbon trade 2
carbon offset 11
carbon quotas 28
carbon tax 269
carbon emission monitoring 4
carbon auditing 4
Pathway 10
carbon market 47
carbon emission accounting 11
carbon management 24
energy management 85
industrial symbiosis 1278
carbon footprint 474
building insulation 1
zero carbon buildings 2
low-carbon transportation 1 Pathway 9
transportation infrastructure 2
green buildings 10
water-energy nexus 4 Pathway 8
reclaimed water reuse 1
Pathway 7
exchange of water 2
centralized heating and cooling 1
use of renewable energy 25
energy transformation 8
improve the energy efficiency 6
integrated energy systems 35
energy cascade utilization 16
photovoltaic power generation 16
optimize the energy structure 10
biomass energy 20 Pathway 6
waste heat recovery 145
water source heat pump 3
energy storage 251
low-carbon energy 18
exchange of energy 7
geothermal energy 17
energy recovery 69
combined heat and power 103
exchange of product 4
Pathway 5
exchange of material 20
resource comprehensive utilization 1
resource recycling 30
Pathway 4
recycled materials 4
waste recycling 61
low-carbon technologies 20
energy-saving technologie 10 Pathway 3
cleaner production 107
substitution of raw materials Pathway 2
carbon capture and utilization 10
Pathway 1
carbon capture 360

Figure 4. Search term frequency analysis.

Figure 4. Search term frequency analysis.

3.2.3.2. Text
Text AnalysisBased
Analysis Basedon
on ChatGPT
ChatGPT
InIn thisstudy,
this study,we
we analyzed
analyzed thetheselected
selected148
148articles by by
articles establishing special
establishing questions
special questions
based on 12 carbon neutrality pathways for IPs using ChatGPT, and the results are shown
based on 12 carbon neutrality pathways for IPs using ChatGPT, and the results are shown
in Figure 5. All of the 12 carbon neutrality pathways were involved in the selected 148 arti-
in cles.
Figure 5. All of the 12 carbon neutrality pathways were involved in the selected 148
The two pathways mentioned most often were “Energy infrastructure” and “Service
articles. The two pathways
infrastructure”, which werementioned
mentioned mostby 102often
and 63were “Energy
articles, infrastructure”
respectively. and “Ser-
These results
vice infrastructure”, which were mentioned by 102 and 63 articles, respectively.
were consistent with an analysis of the search term frequencies presented in Section 3.1.2. These re-
sults
Thewere consistentmentioned
less frequently with an analysis
pathways of the
weresearch
“Landterm frequencies
use change” presented in of
and “Substitution Section
3.1.2.
rawThe less frequently
materials”. In Sectionmentioned pathwaysofwere
3.1.2, “Substitution raw “Land usewas
materials” change” and “Substitution
not extracted from
the selected
of raw 148 articles,
materials”. while
In Section in the
3.1.2, text analysis based
“Substitution of rawonmaterials”
ChatGPT, awas totalnot
of extracted
20 articles from
the selected 148 articles, while in the text analysis based on ChatGPT, a total offound
mentioned “Substitution of raw materials”, and this compensated for the deficiency 20 articles
in Section 3.1.2.
mentioned “Substitution of raw materials”, and this compensated for the deficiency found
in Section 3.1.2.
Sustainability 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 15

Sustainability 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 15

Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 7 of 15

Figure 5. Text analysis based on ChatGPT. Note: The data in Figure 5 are from the results provided
by ChatGPT.
Figure 5. Text analysis based on ChatGPT. Note: The data in Figure 5 are from the results provided
Figure
3.3. 5. Text analysis
byEmpirical
ChatGPT. Researchbased on ChatGPT. Note: The data in Figure 5 are from the results provided
by ChatGPT.
3.3.Both Sections
Empirical 3.1 and 3.2 are based on an analysis of the published literature, and
Research
although they
3.3. Empirical Research3.1 and to
are empirical some extent, they still cannot represent the actual carbon
Both Sections 3.2 are based on an analysis of the published literature, and
emission reduction pathways of IPs. Therefore, in this study, we investigated 104 IPs in
although they are3.1
Both Sections empirical
and 3.2toare
some extent,
based on anthey still cannot
analysis of therepresent
publishedthe actual carbon
literature, and
China (Figure S1), and the results are shown in Figure 6. Except for “Carbon storage”, the
emissionthey
although reduction pathways
are empirical of IPs.extent,
to some Therefore, in this
they still study,
cannot we investigated
represent the actual104 IPs in
carbon
other 11 carbon neutrality pathways had different degrees of application in practical in-
China (Figure
emission S1), pathways
reduction and the results
of IPs.are shown in
Therefore, in Figure 6. Except
this study, for “Carbon
we investigated 104storage”,
IPs in
dustrial
the activities.
other 11 carbonIn addition, the
neutrality seven pathways
pathways had of “Cleaner
different degrees production”,
of application“Consump-
in practical
China (Figure S1), and the results are shown in Figure 6. Except for “Carbon storage”, the
tion waste recycling”,
industrial activities. “Product
In and
addition, thewaste
seven infrastructure”,
pathways “Energyproduction”,
of “Cleaner infrastructure”, “Wa-
“Consump-
other 11 carbon neutrality pathways had different degrees of application in practical in-
tertion
infrastructure”,
waste “Service
recycling”, infrastructure”,
“Product and waste and “Land use“Energy
infrastructure”, change”infrastructure”,
were discovered in
“Water
dustrial activities. In addition, the seven pathways of “Cleaner production”, “Consump-
allinfrastructure”,
of the 104 IPs. “Service infrastructure”, and “Land use change” were discovered in all of
tion waste recycling”, “Product and waste infrastructure”, “Energy infrastructure”, “Wa-
the 104 IPs.
ter infrastructure”, “Service infrastructure”, and “Land use change” were discovered in
all of the 104 IPs.

Figure 6. Practical carbon neutrality pathways in 104 IPs.

Figure 6. Practical carbon neutrality pathways in 104 IPs.
Currently, many scholars have established carbon emission inventories of IPs, and
their results show that the primary sources of carbon emissions are fossil energy combus-
Figure 6. Practical
tion (Scope carbon
1) and neutrality
electricity pathways in(Scope
consumption 104 IPs.2) [22,34,35]. Therefore, carbon emission
reduction measures related to energy consumption are important for IPs to achieve carbon
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 8 of 15

neutrality. During actual IP production activities, carbon reduction in the energy infrastruc-
ture is primarily achieved through a cascading utilization of energy, waste heat recovery
and utilization, and central cooling and heating [36]. With the development of renewable
energy utilization technology, the proportion of solar and wind energy at IPs is rapidly
increasing. However, it mainly has a distributed application and accounts for a small
proportion in the comprehensive energy consumption of IPs. As one of the most basic
facility units of an IP, the service infrastructure, including the management department, the
energy online monitoring platform, and the policy and planning department, is an indis-
pensable part of industrial production activities and also the basis for the implementation
of all other carbon emission reduction measures [37,38]. Although the carbon emission
reduction effect provided by service infrastructure is not very direct, the carbon reduction
potential cannot be ignored. Compared with the service infrastructure, the carbon emission
reduction effect caused by the CCU is undoubtedly the most direct, but due to influences of
input cost and the technology of carbon dioxide capture and purification, CCU remains less
frequently applied in IPs [39]. Among the 104 IPs investigated, CCU was discovered only
in 35. Currently, carbon dioxide utilization is primarily used for the production of food
grade liquid carbon dioxide, calcium carbonate, hydrogenation to methanol, calcium-based
nanomaterials, and degradable plastics.
Water infrastructure (e.g., reclaimed water reuse and water cascade utilization), prod-
uct and waste infrastructure (e.g., product and by-product exchange, fly ash, and other
industrial waste utilization), consumption waste recycling (e.g., waste clothing, plastic
bottles, and other recycling), and water–energy–waste nexus were all discovered in the
104 IPs investigated. These four measures cannot only reduce production costs and car-
bon emissions, but also improve the efficiency of resource utilization, which are of great
importance to promote the realization of carbon neutrality goals for IPs. Under the legal
requirements of China, nearly all industrial enterprises will prepare clean production audit
reports. Clean production measures primarily include the adoption of advanced production
technologies, the elimination of backward production equipment, and the optimization
of process flows. The application of new technology and equipment can not only reduce
energy consumption, but also reduce pollutant emissions. This can achieve the synergistic
effect of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation [40–42].
In terms of raw material substitution, the use of rainwater and seawater instead of
freshwater have been the primary existing measures, and this carbon neutrality pathway
was only discovered in 31 IPs. Limited by technology and cost, there were few cases of
the use of cleaner and durable raw materials instead of traditional raw materials. The
green and low-carbon development of buildings and transportation is an assessment
indicator of Green Industrial Parks, EIPs, and Carbon Peaking Pilot Industrial Parks. The
existing carbon reduction measures of buildings and transportation consist primarily
of the construction of green and zero-carbon buildings, the utilization of new energy
transportation vehicles, and rail and water transport replaced by road transport. Land use
change primarily refers to a change in the nature of land use. Carbon reduction by land use
change was primarily achieved by planting plants (e.g., green belts, wetland parks, and
green corridors) on vacant land in the 104 investigated parks.

3.4. Carbon Reduction Potential of the Carbon Neutrality Pathways in HXIP

HXIP is located in the northeast of Henan Province, China (Figure S2). Although the
HXIP is small, its infrastructure is very well-developed, and its industrial development is
quite distinctive. There are six leading enterprises in the HXIP, including a thermal power
plant, three chemical new material enterprises, and two solid waste utilization enterprises.
A good material and energy exchange network has been formed in the HXIP (Figure 7),
which has successively been recognized as a circular industrial park and green industrial
park at the provincial level and as the first batch of pollution and carbon reduction synergy
pilot industrial park at the national level.
Sustainability 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 15

which has successively been recognized as a circular industrial park and green industrial
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771
park at the provincial level and as the first batch of pollution and carbon reduction9syn-
of 15
ergy pilot industrial park at the national level.

Atmosphere

Agriculture carbon
neutrality

CO2
CO2

Air Air products

Urea, ammonia
Urea solution
Power
N2 Chemical fertilizer Steam Thermal power
Gas plant plant plant Steam
Coal Sewage treatment Sewage treatment Steam
station Sulphur station
Municipal heat
Dilute sulphuric acid supply
Fly Waste
Steam
ash gypsum
Fly ash

Water
Solid waste Solid waste Construction
Chemical plant
recycling plant A recycling plant B materials
Condensate water

Brick，
insulation board
Raw material Waste
water Rubber additive

Waste water Reclaimed water

treatment plant
Drain
Water water
River

River
River

Figure 7. The materials and energy exchange network in HXIP.

Figure 7. The materials and energy exchange network in HXIP.
Centralized steam supply and material (waste and by-products) exchange are the most
Centralized
distinctive resourcesteam supplymeasures
recycling and material in the (waste
HXIP.and Theby-products)
thermal power exchange are the
plant supplies
most distinctive
electricity to theresource
enterprises recycling
in themeasures
park andin the HXIP.
urban area andThe steam
thermal topower plant sup-
the surrounding
plies electricity
enterprises. Solidto waste
the enterprises
exchangein the park
includes and urban
sulfur area andfrom
that originates steam thetochemical
the surrounding
fertilizer
enterprises.
plant and arrivesSolidat waste exchangeplant
the chemical includes
for usesulfur that material
as a raw originates forfrom the chemical
production, and fly ferti-
ash
lizer
that isplant and arrives
supplied from the at the chemical
chemical plant plant
fertilizer for use as thermal
and a raw material
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that arrives and
at
fly
theash
solidthat
wasteis supplied
recyclingfrom plantthe chemical
A for fertilizerofplant
the production brick.and
Solidthermal
wastepowerrecycling plant
plantthat
B
uses waste
arrives at thegypsum from recycling
solid waste the thermal power
plant A forplant to produce of
the production construction
brick. Solidmaterials.
waste recy- In
termsplant
cling of water
B usescirculation,
waste gypsumthe condensed
from thewaterthermalgenerated
power during
plant tothe production
produce process
construction
of solid waste
materials. recycling
In terms plant circulation,
of water B is utilizedthe by solid waste recycling
condensed plant A, during
water generated and thethe thermal
pro-
power plant
duction processreuses the reclaimed
of solid water from
waste recycling planttheB iswaste water
utilized treatment
by solid wasteplant as recycled
recycling plant
water.
A, and Gas
the recycling
thermal power includes nitrogen
plant reusesfrom the gas plant
the reclaimed to the
water from chemical
the waste fertilizer plant,
water treat-
and the gas plant captures and uses carbon dioxide for the production
ment plant as recycled water. Gas recycling includes nitrogen from the gas plant to the of food grade liquid
carbon dioxide.
chemical fertilizerOther
plant,material
and theexchanges include diluted
gas plant captures and usessulfuric
carbonacid dioxidethat for
is supplied
the pro-
from theofchemical
duction food grade plant that arrives
liquid carbon at the chemical
dioxide. fertilizerexchanges
Other material plant for production,
include diluted and
a fine residue
sulfuric acid thaturea solution from
is supplied from thethe chemical
chemical plantfertilizer
thatplant
arrives that
at arrives at thefertilizer
the chemical thermal
powerfor
plant plant. In the future
production, and adevelopment
fine residue urea plan,solution
the carbon fromdioxide generated
the chemical in thisplant
fertilizer park
will be absorbed and utilized in a nearby agriculture system facility.
that arrives at the thermal power plant. In the future development plan, the carbon diox-
Carbon storage
ide generated in thiswas park notwill
found in the HXIP;
be absorbed andtherefore,
utilized the
in aemission reduction potential
nearby agriculture system
of this
facility.carbon neutrality pathway was not calculated. The reduction potential of the other
11 carbon
Carbon neutrality
storage was pathways
not foundare inshown in Figure
the HXIP; 8. Taken
therefore, the together, in 2023, the
emission reduction total
poten-
carbon
tial emissions
of this carbon of the HXIPpathway
neutrality were 3,215,400
was nottons, and theThe
calculated. carbon emission
reduction reductions
potential in
of the
the 11 pathways were 764,162.3 tons, accounting for 23.77% of
other 11 carbon neutrality pathways are shown in Figure 8. Taken together, in 2023, the the total carbon emissions,
which
total indicated
carbon significant
emissions of theemission
HXIP were reduction
3,215,400benefits. Among
tons, and these 11
the carbon pathways,
emission the
reduc-
pathway with the largest carbon emission reduction was the energy
tions in the 11 pathways were 764,162.3 tons, accounting for 23.77% of the total carbon infrastructure, which
reduced a total of 250,000 tons, accounting for 32.7% of the total emission reductions. This
was followed by carbon capture and utilization and product and waste infrastructure, with
emission reductions of 200,000 tons and 145,080 tons, respectively, accounting for 26.2%
and 19.0% of the total emission reductions, respectively. The pathway with least carbon
emission reduction was land use change at only 2.3 tons.
 ways, the pathway with the largest carbon emission reduction was the energy infrastruc-
ture, which reduced a total of 250,000 tons, accounting for 32.7% of the total emission re-
ductions. This was followed by carbon capture and utilization and product and waste in-
frastructure, with emission reductions of 200,000 tons and 145,080 tons, respectively, ac-
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 counting for 26.2% and 19.0% of the total emission reductions, respectively. The pathway
10 of 15
with least carbon emission reduction was land use change at only 2.3 tons.

Theemission
Figure8.8.The
Figure emission reduction
reduction potential
potentialofofcarbon
carbonneutrality
neutralitypathways.
pathways.Note:
Note: CCU—carbon
CCU—carbon capture
and utilization,
capture SRM—substitution
and utilization, of raw materials,
SRM—substitution CP—cleaner
of raw materials, production,
CP—cleaner CWR—consumption
production, CWR—
waste recycling,
consumption PWI—product
waste and waste infrastructure,
recycling, PWI—product EI—energy infrastructure,
and waste infrastructure, EI—energy WI—water infras-
infrastructure,
WI—water infrastructure, WWEN—waste–water–energy
tructure, WWEN—waste–water–energy nexus, BT—building nexus, BT—building and
and transportation, transportation,
SI—service infrastruc-
SI—service infrastructure,
ture, LUC—land LUC—land
use change, CS—carbon usestorage.
change, CS—carbon storage.

4.4.Discussion
Discussion
4.1. The Basic and Empirical Research of 12 Pathways
4.1. The Basic and Empirical Research of 12 Pathways
From the results in Section 3, it is evident that the carbon neutrality pathways in
From the results in Section 3, it is evident that the carbon neutrality pathways in the
the existing literature are slightly different from those in actual IPs. All 12 pathways are
existing literature are slightly different from those in actual IPs. All 12 pathways are men-
mentioned in the literature, with the most focus being on reducing emissions from energy
tioned in the literature, with the most focus being on reducing emissions from energy
infrastructure. However, carbon storage has yet to be discovered in practice. Most carbon
infrastructure. However, carbon storage has yet to be discovered in practice. Most carbon
neutrality pathways discussed in the literature are based on carbon accounting results of
neutrality pathways discussed in the literature are based on carbon accounting results of
a given case park. For IPs, the complexity and incompleteness of accounting methods
a given case park. For IPs, the complexity and incompleteness of accounting methods and
and systems often lead to a focus primarily on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This may
systems often lead to a focus primarily on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This may ex-
explain the emphasis on energy infrastructure in the literature. In practice, due to relevant
plain the emphasis on energy infrastructure in the literature. In practice, due to relevant
legal and regulatory requirements, costs and benefits, and applications of technology, park
legal and regulatory requirements, costs and benefits, and applications of technology,
management departments and enterprises have to adopt more measures to reduce pollution
park management departments and enterprises have to adopt more measures to reduce
and carbon emission.
pollution and carbon emission.
4.2. Policies Promote IP Carbon Neutrality
4.2. Policies Promote IP Carbon Neutrality
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the climate change problem has become
Since
increasinglytheserious.
beginningTheof the 21st
rising century,
global averagethetemperature
climate change problem extreme
and frequent has become in-
weather
creasingly serious. The rising global average temperature and frequent extreme
events pose a serious threat to ecological and environmental security, social-economic weather
events pose a serious
development, threatsurvival.
and human to ecological and environmental
To combat security,
climate change, social-economic
many countries all overde-
the
velopment,
world haveand human
actively survival.policies,
formulated To combat climatecarbon
including change, many countries
neutrality allDecember
[43,44]. By over the
world have actively
2023, more than 150formulated policies,
countries and regionsincluding
had made carbon neutralityand
commitments [43,44]. By December
formulated policies
2023, more carbon
to achieve than 150 countries and regions had made commitments and formulated poli-
neutrality.
cies toAs
achieve carbon
early as neutrality.
November 2018, the European Union first proposed its vision for carbon
neutrality by 2050 and subsequently launched the European Green Deal that proposed
seven pathways for Europe to achieve carbon neutrality and adopted the Proposal of the
European Climate Law to ensure carbon neutrality by 2050 from the legal level [45]. In
September 2020, China promised to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality
by 2060. To achieve this goal, the Chinese government has formulated a series of policies,
including the establishment of carbon peaking pilot cities and IPs [46]. As of June 2024,
there are ten national-level carbon peaking pilot IPs and over a hundred provincial-level
entities in China. In August 2021, the National Assembly of Republic of Korea passed the
Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Framework Act that indicates that Republic of Korea
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 11 of 15

will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Additionally, Republic of Korea plans to establish a
climate response fund to support the green and low-carbon transformation of industrial
structures and processes [47]. In November 2021, the Long-Term Strategy of the United
States Pathway to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 was officially released,
and it announced the goals and technology pathways for the United States to achieve
carbon neutrality by 2050. These pathways include complete decarbonization of electricity,
electrification, and clean energy alternatives in end uses, energy efficiency improvements,
and carbon removal that primarily include carbon sinks and carbon capture [48]. In
addition, Australia, Japan, and many other countries have also established carbon neutrality
policies [49,50].
IPs, as the clusters of industrial production, are the gathering place of energy consump-
tion, and the carbon emissions of IPs contribute approximately 30% of the global emissions.
Climate change mitigation measures and carbon neutrality policies of various countries
require IPs to achieve carbon peaking and neutrality as soon as possible. Industrial parks
of different types and at different development stages should explore carbon neutrality
pathways according to their own development, and this can promote the achievement of
carbon neutrality goals of countries and region all over the world at an early date.

4.3. Technology Promotes IP Carbon Neutrality

In the context of global carbon neutrality, technological progress is a key factor to
promote the achievement of IP carbon neutrality. Technological innovation and systematic
reforms can help IPs achieve sustainable development by simultaneously reducing carbon
emissions and maintaining stable economic growth [51,52]. Energy transition and efficient
utilization are the foundations to achieve IP carbon neutrality. IP carbon emissions can be
reduced by improving energy efficiency, increasing the proportion of renewable energy, and
adopting clean energy technologies [27,36]. For example, the introduction of advanced solar
and wind power generation technologies and the utilization of geothermal and biomass can
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security, and reduce energy costs [53].
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology are powerful pathways for IPs to
achieve carbon neutrality goals, and they can use or store carbon dioxide and prevent car-
bon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. By establishing and optimizing carbon capture
facilities and pipeline networks, carbon emissions from IPs can be effectively reduced, and
ultimately zero or even negative carbon emissions can be achieved [54]. Intelligent and
digital technologies also play crucial roles in achieving IP carbon neutrality goals. Energy
structure, production processes, and logistics management can be optimized through smart
monitoring systems and big data analysis, thus minimizing resource wastage and carbon
emissions to the fullest extent in IPs. For example, improving the equipment operation
efficiency by real-time monitoring and adjustment using IoT devices and AI algorithms
and reducing energy consumption during transportation by optimizing supply chains
can significantly reduce product carbon footprints [55]. Overall, advanced technology to
promote IP carbon neutrality is not only an urgent requirement, but also a critical step
toward sustainable development.

4.4. Challenges and Recommendations for Achieving Carbon Neutrality for IPs
As an indispensable part of industrial production activities, energy consumption is
the primary source of carbon dioxide emissions in IPs. Currently, the energy used in most
IPs remains high-carbon fossil energy and electricity, and clean energy accounts for a very
small proportion. To achieve the goal of IP carbon neutrality, it is urgent to develop clean
energy and low-carbon energy to replace traditional fossil energy. However, to promote the
green and low-carbon transformation of the energy structure, it is necessary to establish
a multi-energy complementary production system and an interconnected consumption
system [56]. In addition, it is also necessary to coordinate the relationship between energy
and industry, employment, social management, and other multi-sectors that will cause
great challenges for the rapid transformation of energy structures. Current research on IP
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 12 of 15

carbon reduction strategies has primarily focused on proposing strategies of green and
low-carbon development based on the carbon emission inventory of Scope 1 and Scope 2,
but these have ignored the carbon emissions of Scope 3. However, the carbon emissions of
Scope 3 are obviously different among different types of IPs [57,58]. In future research, the
carbon emissions of Scope 3 should be explored.
In terms of carbon dioxide capture and utilization, the primary applications are
currently used to produce food-grade liquid carbon dioxide, and they impose strict require-
ments on the CO2 purity. However, carbon dioxide emitted by industrial activities is often
mixed with toxic pollutants that are difficult to purify for food production. Although other
applications, including the production of calcium carbonate, calcium-based nanomaterials,
and methanol, have low requirements for sources of CO2 , effective purification techniques
are still required. Additionally, many studies have shown that the technology of carbon
sequestration by microalgae has a good effect on absorbing carbon dioxide from flue gas of
coal-fired power plants. This technology uses the photosynthesis of microalgae to absorb
carbon dioxide from flue gas, which can not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but
also has good economic benefits [59]. However, due to the toxicity of sulfur compounds
in flue gas that will affect the healthy growth of microalgae and reduce the utilization
value, this technology has not been widely used. Similar to carbon capture and utilization,
carbon storage is also a direct method to reduce carbon. Carbon storage primarily includes
ocean storage, gas reservoir storage, and coal seams storage [60,61]. Due to the technical
limitations, it may not be widely used in inland areas in a short period of time, but IPs
around coastal areas and oil fields can explore it.
Overall, achieving carbon neutrality in IPs is a complex, multidimensional challenge
involving the transformation of energy structures, technological innovation, financial in-
vestment, and policy support. While various technologies and policies can promote carbon
reduction, limitations across strategic, financial, technological, and market dimensions may
hinder the attainment of carbon neutrality goals. Overcoming these challenges requires
multi-stakeholder collaboration, resource integration, and the continuous development of
industry, technology, and policy.

4.5. Limitations
Due to the limitation of data sources, only the HXIP was used as a case in this study,
and the size of the HXIP was small. Although the park has established a good material and
energy exchange network, it is not entirely representative. In addition, different IPs have
different dominant industries and development characteristics, leading to differences in the
primary carbon neutrality pathways in different IPs, thereby resulting in large differences in
the carbon emission reduction potentials. Although these results can provide reference for
the low-carbon development of IPs, different types of IPs should consider their individual
characteristics and formulate applicable low-carbon development plans.

5. Conclusions
Based on the 12 carbon neutrality pathways for IPs that were proposed based on the
concepts and logic of IP development, we analyzed the existing literature using Citespace
and ChatGpt. We also determined the practical application of the 12 pathways using a
field investigation of 104 IPs in China. Finally, we quantified the carbon emission reduction
potentials of the different pathways using the HXIP as the research object. The main
conclusions were as follows:
1. The research hotpots of the carbon neutrality pathways for IPs were primarily found
to be the service infrastructure (e.g., industrial symbiosis and the carbon footprint) and
the energy infrastructure (e.g., energy management and renewable energy utilization).
2. Except for carbon storage, the other 11 carbon neutrality pathways were all discovered
to exist during the actual industrial production process.
Sustainability 2024, 16, 10771 13 of 15

3. The 12 carbon neutrality pathways had great emission reduction potentials. However,
energy infrastructure, carbon capture and utilization, and industrial product and
waste exchange showed greater emission reduction potentials.

Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https:
//www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/su162310771/s1, Figure S1: Location of 104IPs in China; Figure
S2: Location of the case IP; Table S1: Top 20 high—frequency keywords.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, Y.S.; methodology, Y.S. and Y.L. (Yang Li); validation, Y.S.,
Y.L. (Yang Li) and L.S.; formal analysis, Y.S., Z.F. and L.S.; investigation, Y.S., Y.L. (Yang Li), F.L. and
Y.L. (Yuanhang Li); resources, Y.S., H.F. and S.T.; data curation, Y.S. and Z.F.; writing—original draft
preparation, Y.S., Z.F., F.L. and J.N.; writing—review and editing, Y.S., J.N., S.T. and G.L.; visualization,
Y.S. and Y.L. (Yuanhang Li); supervision, G.L.; funding acquisition, L.S. All authors have read and
agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of the
Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. 2022YFE020850002), the National Natural
Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52270182), and Key Research and Development Program of
Jiangxi Province (Grant No. 2021060308).
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available on request from the first
author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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