From carbon emitters to carbon managers: Data-driven pathways to carbon neutrality for wastewater treatment plants

Pollution control and carbon reduction have become central to sustainable water management. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), while vital for water purification, have become a non-negligible source of carbon emissions. From this perspective, a systematic review of the composition, drivers, and mitigation potential of carbon emissions from wastewater treatment is provided, highlighting key research breakthroughs, including the application of data-driven models for accurate carbon footprint assessment and the identification of previously overlooked carbon sources from sludge treatment units. A paradigm shift toward carbon neutrality is proposed: WWTPs can achieve carbon neutrality by transitioning from passive reduction to proactive management through intelligent process upgrades, enhanced energy and resource recovery, and life-cycle carbon management.