ENGINEERING - Global Energy Transition Through the Lens of Metacoupling
DOWNLOADJanuary 28, 2026 - Canbing Li, Kang Xiong, Jianguo Liu
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Emailhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.015
Introduction
The global energy transition refers to the process of transitioning from traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, to renewable energy sources [1]. It is crucial for mitigating climate change, enhancing energy security, and promoting sustainable development. However, the global energy transition faces several challenges. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and energy storage, may have difficulties in terms of scalability and accessibility. Additionally, geopolitical tensions may undermine regional energy security and hinder energy trade.
Moreover, the process of global energy transition is heavily influenced by social justice concerns [2]. A core challenge is ensuring a “just energy transition,” which entails a fair distribution of its associated costs and benefits [3]. This is particularly acute in developing nations, where approximately 1 billion people lack reliable access to electricity, and many depend on traditional biomass for cooking [4].
In the energy transition, technology, trade, policy, and other factors are linked together. While funding for energy innovation can accelerate technological advancement and the energy transition, suboptimal energy policies can undermine these gains [5]. The development of energy technologies promoted international energy trade. At the same time, the demand for trade has accelerated the application of emerging technologies, facilitating the process of global energy transition [6]. Governments and policymakers can support energy transition through policies such as setting renewable energy targets, supporting energy technology development, and providing subsidies [7].
To address problems in the energy transition, comprehensive analytical tools are necessary. The metacoupling framework emerges as a relevant tool in this context. By focusing on human–nature interactions within as well as between adjacent and distant systems, it provides a comprehensive perspective to analyze these interactions during the energy transition [8]. The metacoupling framework allows researchers and policymakers to move beyond isolated perspectives on the energy transition and adopt a more integrated approach to address economic and social issues as well as environmental issues across multiple systems and scales, from local to global.
This paper first provides an overview of the metacoupling framework, as shown in Fig. 1 [8], illustrates how each of its three dimensions works for the energy transition with examples, then discusses challenges of the energy transition, and finally offers policy recommendations to overcome those challenges. Through a systematic analysis of the interdependencies involved in the global energy transition under the metacoupling framework, this paper aims to offer insights into policies that align local needs with global sustainability goals, ultimately achieving a just and resilient global energy transition.
