The dissertation study focuses on disclosing the content and priorities for the formation of national energy strategies of countries in the context of the actualisation of global environmental problems and the establishment of priorities for sustainable development and decarbonisation, intensification of interstate economic competition for access to strategically important energy resources, aggravation of the security and geopolitical nature of the issue of import dependence of countries on external energy supplies as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The author's own interpretation of the content of the national energy strategy is proposed, under which it is proposed to define a comprehensive, long-term plan that outlines the goals of ensuring the energy balance in the state and the relevant mechanism for achieving them, is based on the principles of protecting national interests and compliance with security criteria, corresponds to the established national model (practice) of using traditional and alternative sources of energy generation and consumption, and also determines the priorities of the state policy in the areas related to the national energy strategy.
The paper improves the conceptual and categorical apparatus of the topic by distinguishing between the terms ‘decarbonisation’, ‘decarbonisation of production’, ‘decarbonisation of consumption’, ‘low-carbon development’, ‘low-carbon transition’, and reveals their common features and characteristics. The development of a clear conceptual framework is critically important both in terms of theory and regulatory practice, as it creates the basis for improving the quality of management decisions at different levels of their implementation regarding the tools for promoting the decarbonisation goals.
The author has systematised theoretical approaches to disclosing the essence and signs of decarbonisation of the world economy, identifying the stages of their evolution by the following criteria: dominant factors that actualise the need for changes in the existing models of energy generation and mechanisms that can accelerate these processes.
The study resulted in a generalisation of the determinants that have a decisive impact on the decarbonisation processes, identification of both positive synergistic and contradictory nature of their interaction, which confirms the thesis that the course of decarbonisation processes and achievement of its goals in the economies of different countries of the world are contradictory: economic, technological, institutional, market, political, socio-cultural, security, sectoral, infrastructural, civilisational groups of factors; understanding the mechanisms of their influence is important for the development of effective energy strategies and successful implementation of the transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy.
The author proposes a methodological approach to substantiate the design of an econometric model to identify factors influencing the dynamics of decarbonisation processes, and tests it on statistical data from individual countries with different approaches to energy sector management (France, Sweden, China, Ukraine). The obtained results of building multivariate regression models based on the use of the JavaScript software product confirmed the previous hypothesis regarding the variability in the priority of key determinants that drive transformational changes in the energy sector for different countries; at the same time, it was found across the entire sample of countries that the most significant feedback between the increase in the share of renewable energy is demonstrated by the carbon intensity factor, and the most obvious positive impact is exerted by the dynamics of RES consumption by different sectors of the economy.
The study introduces a theoretical and methodological approach to energy sector governance, accounting for the complex interaction of key system elements—objectives, principles, actors, spatial coverage, methods, and functions. This approach deepens the understanding of multi-level governance and justifies the need for systemic transformation.
Three governance models are identified based on generation structure: monocentric, polycentric, and combined. A comparative analysis of national energy strategies (EU, USA, Middle East, China) was conducted using criteria such as objectives, tools, incentives, and effectiveness.
The EU shows strong alignment of environmental, economic, and security goals, with integrated markets and high green performance; the USA prioritizes energy efficiency and self-sufficiency; the Middle East emphasizes gradual transition; China focuses on demand and reducing import dependency.
The research outlines priorities for modernizing Ukraine’s energy strategy—decarbonization, energy efficiency, decentralization, EU integration, and international support for rebuilding the energy system.
