Achieving net-zero energy systems requires combining technological deployment with governance innovations that secure public legitimacy, equity and international credibility. Nuclear energy – including large reactors and emerging small modular reactors (SMRs) – offers firm, low-carbon power that can complement variable renewables, but expansion is constrained by public distrust, governance fragmentation, workforce challenges and concerns about cost and waste. This article advances the Qudrat-Ullah Nuclear Peace and Trust (Q-NPT) framework as a systemic governance approach that explicitly embeds trust, equity and institutional learning into nuclear energy deployment strategies, aligning nuclear investments with energy transition objectives. Using Canada as a detailed case, we map Q-NPT elements onto Canadian governance structures, energy infrastructure and nascent SMR programs. Empirical material (national generation shares, regulatory milestones, SMR licensing progress and workforce trends) shows both the opportunity and the governance barriers Canada faces.

This study introduces measurable governance metrics – covering trust, equity, transparency, participation and institutional capacity – to evaluate nuclear social legitimacy and transition readiness. Quantitative thresholds include targeted increases of ≥20 percentage points in public trust; ≥25% Indigenous participation in decision processes; ≥80–90% transparency in project documentation and a workforce pipeline of 75,000–90,000 skilled workers by 2040. These thresholds provide a predictive, results-oriented basis for evaluating governance progress, addressing a key gap in existing nuclear policy frameworks.

We propose actionable institutional reforms (independent trust panels, stakeholder engagement protocols, workforce pipelines and international integration strategies) and an operational roadmap for Q-NPT implementation. Results indicate that applying Q-NPT measurably improves governance performance compared to conventional models by elevating trust, reducing procedural conflict, strengthening equity outcomes and accelerating regulatory acceptance. Without such deliberate trust-building and equity mechanisms, nuclear energy’s technical potential will remain underutilized; conversely, Q-NPT provides a structured pathway for achieving just, credible and scalable decarbonization.

Digital twins (DT) have the potential to transform the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) industry by improving project efficiency, decision-making and long-term asset management, yet their adoption remains fragmented due to the absence of a structured framework aligned with industry-standard workflows. Existing methodologies, such as the Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work and associated Overlays, provide guidance for project delivery but do not explicitly integrate DT considerations. The role of collaborative procurement (CP) in enabling DT uptake remains underexplored despite its recognised contributions to improving project outcomes. This paper establishes the rationale for a dedicated DT framework tailored to the built environment by synthesising cross-industry insights, evaluating current methodologies and identifying key characteristics that support early-stage DT integration, data continuity and long-term stakeholder collaboration. A proactive approach, anchored in CP principles, ensures DT adoption is embedded from project inception, preventing fragmented implementation and unlocking its full potential. As climate resilience and net-zero targets become fundamental industry drivers, a structured DT framework ensures that digital innovation actively contributes to improved energy performance, life cycle efficiency and broader sustainability goals. This paper reinforces the need for a scalable and adaptable framework that supports coherent DT adoption and enhances efficiency, resilience and sustainability across the AECO sector.

This study examines the effectiveness of economic instruments in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The focus is on renewable energy consumption and environmental taxation. Previous studies often report that both instruments reduce emissions. However, much of the literature relies on single econometric methods. This may overlook cross-country heterogeneity, cross-sectional dependence and dynamic adjustment effects. To address these limitations, this study applies a multi-model panel econometric framework using balanced OECD data from 2000 to 2022. Fixed effects, mean group, pooled mean group and common correlated effects estimators are employed. These methods allow the identification of both short-run and long-run relationships while accounting for unobserved common factors. The results show that renewable energy consumption consistently and significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions across all model specifications. The effect is stronger in the long run. In contrast, environmental tax revenue shows weak and unstable effects that depend on model choice. Economic growth does not have a significant long-run impact on emissions. This suggests that efficiency gains and technological progress dominate scale effects in advanced economies. The findings highlight the importance of methodological robustness and support prioritizing renewable energy expansion over environmental taxation alone.