Design Intervention Pathways and Strategies under the Carbon Neutrality Goal

XIA Nan; LIU Xin; YANG Xiao

doi:10.19798/j.cnki.2096-6946.2026.01.004

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Industrial & Engineering Design ›› 2026, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (1) : 38-51. DOI: 10.19798/j.cnki.2096-6946.2026.01.004

Talks among Design Youth

Design Intervention Pathways and Strategies under the Carbon Neutrality Goal

XIA Nan¹, LIU Xin^2*, YANG Xiao³

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Abstract

The work aims to examine the scientific attributes and intrinsic relationships between concepts such as "climate change" and "carbon neutrality goals" and the field of "design studies", exploring the new roles and significant contributions of design within global climate governance and carbon-neutral transitions. Firstly, a bibliometric analysis is conducted to systematically review literature related to "carbon" and "design," revealing the theoretical evolution, current state, and research trends with VOSviewer. Next, a comparative multi-case analysis is performed on 60 design practice cases through three main steps: cluster mapping, case selection, and pathway extraction. From this, key design strategies supporting "carbon neutrality" goals are identified and summarized. Finally, a theoretical framework for low-carbon design is proposed, integrating both "carbon source reduction" and "carbon sink enhancement," driven by a combination of top-down policies and bottom-up actions. This research clarifies the role, perspective, and theoretical value of design within the carbon-neutral context, providing practical insights and theoretical guidance for future design practices.

Key words

carbon neutrality goals / design strategies / intervention pathways / bibliometrics / case study

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XIA Nan, LIU Xin, YANG Xiao. Design Intervention Pathways and Strategies under the Carbon Neutrality Goal[J]. Industrial & Engineering Design. 2026, 8(1): 38-51 https://doi.org/10.19798/j.cnki.2096-6946.2026.01.004

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