Academic Journal
Q1Carbon Energy
About Carbon Energy
Carbon Energy is a scholarly journal published by John Wiley & Sons Inc.. SCImago 2025 places it in Q1 with an SJR of 4.473 and an H-index of 86.
Its listed coverage is 2019-2026 and its research categories include Energy (miscellaneous) (Q1); Materials Chemistry (Q1); Materials Science (miscellaneous) (Q1); Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment (Q1). The 2025 dataset reports 170 documents and 8075 citations across the latest three-year reporting window.
Carbon energy is a term commonly used to describe energy produced from carbon-rich fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These non-renewable energy sources have powered industrial growth, modern infrastructure, and transportation systems for over a century. However, with growing awareness of climate change and environmental damage, carbon energy is now under increased scrutiny.
Understanding Carbon Energy
Carbon energy originates from fossil fuels—natural substances formed over millions of years from decayed organic matter. When burned, these fuels release energy in the form of heat, which is then used to generate electricity, power vehicles, and fuel industrial processes. The key characteristic of carbon energy is its reliance on carbon-based compounds that emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases when combusted.
Types of Carbon-Based Fossil Fuels
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Coal – One of the oldest and most abundant fossil fuels, coal is widely used for electricity generation but is also one of the dirtiest in terms of carbon emissions.
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Oil (Petroleum) – Used primarily in transportation and manufacturing, oil is a major global energy source, though it poses serious environmental risks, including oil spills and high CO₂ output.
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Natural Gas – Often considered a cleaner fossil fuel, natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil, but it still contributes to global warming and is primarily composed of methane, another potent greenhouse gas.
The Environmental Impact of Carbon Energy
The biggest concern with carbon energy is its contribution to climate change. The combustion of fossil fuels is the leading source of carbon emissions worldwide. These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events.
Beyond carbon emissions, carbon energy also causes:
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Air pollution: Leading to respiratory illnesses and smog.
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Water contamination: Especially from oil spills and coal mining runoff.
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Land degradation: Due to mining, drilling, and infrastructure development.
Global Dependence on Carbon Energy
Despite the environmental drawbacks, carbon energy still accounts for more than 60% of global energy consumption. It is deeply integrated into the world’s economic systems, particularly in developing countries where alternatives are less accessible or affordable.
The Shift Toward Cleaner Alternatives
As concerns about climate change grow, many countries are investing in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. These sustainable energy options offer a path to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while also minimizing environmental impact.
Transitioning away from carbon energy involves major infrastructure changes, policy shifts, and financial investments. Energy efficiency, carbon capture technologies, and cleaner fuel alternatives are also part of the strategy to create a low-carbon future.
Journal Metrics
Metrics can change by reporting year. Verify time-sensitive values with the publisher or indexing service.
Aims & Scope
Carbon energy, primarily sourced from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, remains a cornerstone of global energy systems. Despite increasing investments in renewable energy, the scope of carbon energy continues to be broad and significant in powering industries, transportation, and households. This article explores the current scope of carbon energy, its benefits, challenges, and how it fits into the evolving global energy landscape.
The Dominance of Carbon Energy in Today’s World
The scope of carbon energy is vast due to its deep-rooted integration in global infrastructure and economies. Fossil fuels supply over 60% of the world’s electricity and a large majority of transportation fuels. Industries such as manufacturing, aviation, and logistics still depend heavily on carbon-based energy because of its reliability, energy density, and global availability.
Applications Across Key Sectors
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Electricity Generation: Coal and natural gas power plants contribute a significant share of global electricity. Developing countries, in particular, rely on these fuels to support growing energy demands.
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Transportation: Oil-derived fuels like diesel and gasoline continue to dominate the automotive, maritime, and aviation sectors.
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Industrial Use: Carbon energy powers large-scale industrial processes, from steel production to chemical manufacturing.
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Heating: Natural gas is widely used for residential and commercial heating, especially in colder regions.
These widespread applications show that the scope of carbon energy extends into nearly every aspect of modern life.
Economic Importance
Carbon energy plays a critical role in the global economy. Fossil fuel industries provide millions of jobs worldwide and contribute significantly to the GDP of many countries. Nations rich in oil, coal, or natural gas often rely on exports for revenue, making carbon energy a vital economic asset.
Environmental and Climatic Challenges
While the scope of carbon energy is large, it comes with major environmental drawbacks. The burning of fossil fuels is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Other issues include:
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Air pollution causing health problems in urban areas.
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Water and soil contamination due to extraction and spills.
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Habitat destruction and ecological disruption from mining and drilling operations.
These challenges have led to global calls for reducing carbon emissions and shifting toward cleaner energy alternatives.
Transition and Future Outlook
The future scope of carbon energy is likely to change as the world transitions toward low-carbon solutions. Governments and companies are investing in renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) to mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
However, carbon energy is expected to remain part of the global mix for decades, especially in regions where renewables are not yet fully viable. The focus is shifting toward using carbon energy more responsibly while scaling up sustainable alternatives.
Recent Research Articles
Latest publications matched automatically by ISSN.
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Hussein A. Younus, Asma Al Harthi, Mohammed Al Abri, Kamel Eid et al.
2026-09-08 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70309Dual‐Function Electrocatalysis: Simultaneous Wastewater Remediation and Hydrogen Evolution—A Comprehensive Review
Safa Al‐Yahyaey, Rashid Al‐Hajri, Ala'a H. Al‐Muhtaseb, Hussein A. Younus et al.
2026-08-31 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70324Polymer Molecular Interface Engineering—Enhanced Cu‐Based Catalysts for the CO 2 Electroreduction Reaction
Haoquan Peng, Xinyi Tan, Yalin Xie, Jianren Wang et al.
2026-08-31 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70333Regulating the C1 Pathway of Ethanol Electrooxidation via OH‐Mediated Surface Engineering on Ag‐Modified PdCu Catalysts
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2026-08-31 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70344Precision Synthesis of Biomass‐Derived Graphene‐Like Carbon With Tailored Crystallinity via Controlled Flash Joule Heating
Jiawen Zeng, Yichen Dong, Niyuan Zhu, Danchen Zhu et al.
2026-08-21 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70308Catholyte‐Free Composite Cathodes Break the Energy Density Barrier of All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Kai Wang, Tian Ma, Shiqing Sun, Rongcheng Zhang et al.
2026-08-14 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70331Advances in Sustainable Production of Bio‐Derived 5‐Alkoxymethylfurfural and Levulinate Esters: A Comprehensive Review
Jun Zhang, Chunxiang Yang, Yuhe Liao, Jiawei Wang et al.
2026-08-12 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70312Back Cover Image, Volume 8, Number 8, August 2026
Pan Liu, Minjie Hou, Kun Ren, Fupeng Li et al.
2026-08 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70354Cover Image, Volume 8, Number 8, August 2026
Shuai Yan, Yuting Wang, Wenhao Zhao, Jinqiang Zhang et al.
2026-08 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70353Issue Information
2026-08 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70352Graphene Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications: A Contemporary Perspective
Niraj Kumar, Seul‐Yi Lee, Roop L. Mahajan, Soo‐Jin Park et al.
2026-07-30 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70010Techno‐Economic Assessment of Biomethane and Biohydrogen Production From Victorian Wheat Straw
Shuanglong Tan, Ross Swinbourn, Rui Zhang, Yunxia Yang et al.
2026-07-28 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70298Strongly‐Anchored Ionomer‐Free Anode Catalyst Layer Fabricated via Joule Heating Achieves Efficient Electron/Mass Transfer for Acidic Water Electrolysis
Yuyang Wang, Shuheng Zhang, Haokai Xu, Xianqing Zhu et al.
2026-07-14 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70330Mass Production of Waste PVC‐Mediated Bamboo‐Derived Hard Carbon for Ultra‐Long Life Sodium Storage
Wenjing Xu, Zhangliu Tian, Meng Wang, Song Liang et al.
2026-07-11 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70285Unlocking Thermodynamic‐Kinetic Synergy via Rh/Co Dual Sites and Ordered Interfacial Hydrogen‐Bond Network for Efficient Biomass Electrooxidation
Dezhao Zhang, Haoyu Zhan, Lingling Fang, Yankun Lu et al.
2026-07-10 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70310Fluorine‐Induced Selective Doping and Phase Transition Effect for FeNi Layered Double Hydroxides Towards Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis
Fulin Yang, Jiawei Wu, Luhong Fu, Shuli Wang et al.
2026-07-10 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70297Graded Solvation‐Structure Electrolyte for Synergistic Polysulfide Confinement and Interfacial Stabilization in Potassium‐Sulfur Batteries
Zhifei Mao, Keliang Wang, Amirhossein Mirtaleb, Bahareh Tajvidi Safa et al.
2026-07-07 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70279B, N‐Co Doped Porous Carbon Nanotubes Supported Cu Single Atoms and B‐Doped Cu Nanoparticles for High‐Performance Electrocatalytic NO 3 RR and Zn‐Nitrate Batteries
Xiangding Li, Jiahui Xiang, Yilun Gao, Zhihao Liu et al.
2026-07-02 · DOI: 10.1002/cey2.70313Reviews
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April 22, 2025 at 5:57 am
April 22, 2025