Four stage plan for global energy shift to carbon neutrality: electrification, smart grids, hydrogen, and fusion

A new paper in Engineering outlines a four stage pathway to guide the global energy system toward carbon neutrality. The plan moves through electrification with smart grids, integration of electricity and heating networks via hydrogen and low carbon heating, ecological energy systems using biomass and negative emissions, and long term exploration of nuclear fusion. The authors argue the shift requires coordinated changes across politics, economy, industry, and society, not just technology or policy. The study also introduces the T-ESGO framework, which combines expert input, models, and data to manage energy, material, carbon, and information flows. It stresses that international cooperation must evolve through each stage, from technology alliances to green trade agreements. The paper is open access and provides a structured approach for policymakers and investors tracking how grid integration, storage, and hydrogen deployment will need to scale in practice.