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A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Carbon Footprint Tracking in Cross-Sector Industries: Emerging Tools and Technologies

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  • Nishan Adhikari

    (Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA)

  • Hailin Li

    (Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA)

  • Bhaskaran Gopalakrishnan

    (Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA)

Abstract

The Paris Agreement’s pressing global mandate to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2030 has placed immense pressure on energy-consuming industries and businesses to deploy robust, advanced, and accurate monitoring and tracking of carbon footprints. This critical issue is examined through a systematic review of English-language studies (2015–2024) retrieved from three leading databases: Scopus ( n = 1528), Web of Science ( n = 1152), and GreenFILE ( n = 271). The selected literature collectively highlights key carbon footprint tracking methods. The resulting dataset is subjected to bibliometric and scientometric analysis after refinement through deduplication and screening, based on the PRISMA framework. Methodologically, the analysis integrated the following: (1) evaluating long-term trends via the Mann–Kendall and Hurst exponent tests; (2) exploring keywords and country-based contributions using VOSviewer (v1.6.20); (3) applying Bradford’s law of scattering and Leimkuhler’s model; and (4) investigating authorship patterns and networks through Biblioshiny (v4.3.0). Further, based on eligibility criteria, 35 papers were comprehensively reviewed to investigate the emerging carbon footprint tracking technologies such as life cycle assessment (LCA), machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and data analytics. This study identified three main challenges: (a) lack of industry-wide standards and approaches; (b) real-time tracking of dynamic emissions using LCA; and (c) need for robust frameworks for interoperability of these technologies. Overall, our systematic review identifies the current state and trends of technologies and tools used in carbon emissions tracking in cross-sectors such as industries, buildings, construction, and transportation and provides valuable insights for industry practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to develop uniform, integrated, scalable, and compliant carbon tracking systems and support the global shift to a low-carbon and sustainable economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Nishan Adhikari & Hailin Li & Bhaskaran Gopalakrishnan, 2025. "A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Carbon Footprint Tracking in Cross-Sector Industries: Emerging Tools and Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-30, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:4205-:d:1650330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nahian Ismail Chowdhury & Bhaskaran Gopalakrishnan & Nishan Adhikari & Hailin Li & Zhichao Liu, 2024. "Evaluating Electrification of Fossil-Fuel-Fired Boilers for Decarbonization Using Discrete-Event Simulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, June.
    2. García, Antonio & Monsalve-Serrano, Javier & Lago Sari, Rafael & Tripathi, Shashwat, 2022. "Life cycle CO₂ footprint reduction comparison of hybrid and electric buses for bus transit networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    3. Johnsson, Filip & Karlsson, Ida & Rootzén, Johan & Ahlbäck, Anders & Gustavsson, Mathias, 2020. "The framing of a sustainable development goals assessment in decarbonizing the construction industry – Avoiding “Greenwashing”," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    4. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    5. Omer, Abdeen Mustafa, 2008. "Energy, environment and sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(9), pages 2265-2300, December.
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