Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy
Addressing climate change and advancing clean energy transitions demand holistic approaches that capture complex, interconnected system behaviors. This review focuses on the application of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) as a core systems-thinking methodology to understand and manage dynamic feedback wi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4200 |
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| _version_ | 1849407373755547648 |
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| author | Hassan Qudrat-Ullah |
| author_facet | Hassan Qudrat-Ullah |
| author_sort | Hassan Qudrat-Ullah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Addressing climate change and advancing clean energy transitions demand holistic approaches that capture complex, interconnected system behaviors. This review focuses on the application of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) as a core systems-thinking methodology to understand and manage dynamic feedback within environmental, social, and technological domains. CLDs visually map the reinforcing and balancing loops that drive climate risks, clean energy adoption, and sustainable development, offering intuitive insights into system structure and behavior. Through a synthesis of empirical studies and case examples, this paper demonstrates how CLDs help identify leverage points in renewable energy policy, carbon management, and ecosystem resilience. Despite their strengths in simplifying complexity and enhancing stakeholder communication, challenges remain—including data gaps, model validation, and the integration of diverse knowledge systems. The review also examines recent innovations that improve CLD effectiveness, such as hybrid modeling approaches and digital tools that enhance transparency and decision support. By emphasizing CLDs’ unique capacity to reveal feedback mechanisms critical for climate action and energy planning, this study provides actionable recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to leverage systems thinking for transformative, sustainable solutions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4ddffb1323c4e3aa541f94e01bcd44c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4ddffb1323c4e3aa541f94e01bcd44c2025-08-20T03:36:06ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-08-011815420010.3390/en18154200Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean EnergyHassan Qudrat-Ullah0School of Administrative Studies, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, CanadaAddressing climate change and advancing clean energy transitions demand holistic approaches that capture complex, interconnected system behaviors. This review focuses on the application of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) as a core systems-thinking methodology to understand and manage dynamic feedback within environmental, social, and technological domains. CLDs visually map the reinforcing and balancing loops that drive climate risks, clean energy adoption, and sustainable development, offering intuitive insights into system structure and behavior. Through a synthesis of empirical studies and case examples, this paper demonstrates how CLDs help identify leverage points in renewable energy policy, carbon management, and ecosystem resilience. Despite their strengths in simplifying complexity and enhancing stakeholder communication, challenges remain—including data gaps, model validation, and the integration of diverse knowledge systems. The review also examines recent innovations that improve CLD effectiveness, such as hybrid modeling approaches and digital tools that enhance transparency and decision support. By emphasizing CLDs’ unique capacity to reveal feedback mechanisms critical for climate action and energy planning, this study provides actionable recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to leverage systems thinking for transformative, sustainable solutions.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4200systems thinkingcausal loop diagrams (CLDs)climate change mitigationclean energy transitionsfeedback mechanismssustainable development |
| spellingShingle | Hassan Qudrat-Ullah Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy Energies systems thinking causal loop diagrams (CLDs) climate change mitigation clean energy transitions feedback mechanisms sustainable development |
| title | Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy |
| title_full | Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy |
| title_fullStr | Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy |
| title_short | Systems Thinking for Climate Change and Clean Energy |
| title_sort | systems thinking for climate change and clean energy |
| topic | systems thinking causal loop diagrams (CLDs) climate change mitigation clean energy transitions feedback mechanisms sustainable development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4200 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hassanqudratullah systemsthinkingforclimatechangeandcleanenergy |