Mapping the Landscape of Carbon-Neutral City Research: Dynamic Evolution and Emerging Frontiers

Carbon-neutral city research has attracted widespread attention. However, a comprehensive review of this research has not been conducted, and it is unclear how the various perspectives have evolved. In this study, CNKI and Web of Science were used as data sources. By summarizing the research results of carbon-neutral cities in recent years, the dynamics evolution trend is revealed, and the frontiers are explored. We found that: (1) the themes and contents of carbon-neutral city research were diverse and intersecting and mainly focused on energy, industrial structure, transportation, and building. (2) The knowledge map of author cooperation did not show many aggregates, which indicated that the cooperation and exchanges between relevant researchers are insufficient. (3) Chinese research on carbon-neutral cities was extensive and fruitful, taking the lead in the research in this field. Based on the current situation and trends, we provided a scientific reference for the development of carbon-neutral cities. Current research foci and cutting-edge findings will help to make cities more climate resilient, sustainable and livable. Understanding and magnifying these foci is what will help countries achieve their climate mitigation and carbon neutrality goals sooner rather than later.