Economic Consequences Research Articles

Planned expansion of transportation infrastructure in Brazil has implications for the pattern of agricultural production and carbon emissions

High transportation costs have been a barrier to the expansion of agriculture in the interior of Brazil. To reduce transportation costs, Brazil launched the National Logistics Plan, aiming to expand its railway network by up to 91 % by 2035. Such a large-scale infrastructure investment raises concerns about its economic and environmental consequences. By combining geospatial estimation of transportation cost with a grid-resolving, multi-scale economic model that bridges fine-scale crop production with its trade and demand from national and global perspectives, we explore impacts of transportation infrastructure expansion on agricultural production, land use changes, and carbon emissions both locally and nationally in Brazil. We find that globally, the impacts on output and land use changes are small. However, within Brazil, the plan's primary impacts are impressive. PNL2035 results in the reduction of transportation costs by 8–23 % across states (depending on expansion's extent) in the interior Cerrado biome. This results in cropland expansion and increases in terrestrial carbon emissions in the Cerrado region. However, the increase in terrestrial carbon emissions in the Cerrado is offset by spillover effects elsewhere in Brazil, as crop production shifts away from the Southeast-South regions and accompanying change in the mix of transportation mode for farm products from roadway to more emission-efficient railway. Furthermore, we argue that the transportation infrastructure's impact on the enhanced mobility of labor and other agricultural inputs would further accentuate the regional shift in agricultural production and contribute to carbon emission mitigation. Upon its completion, PNL2035 is expected to result in the reduction of net national emissions by 1.8–30.7 million metric ton of CO2-equivalent, depending on the impacts on labor and purchased input mobility. We conclude that the omission of spillover effects due to infrastructure expansion can lead to misleading assessments of transport policies.

An extreme gradient boost based classification and regression tree for network intrusion detection in IoT

Nowadays, modern technology includes various devices, networks, and apps from the internet of things (IoT), which consist of both positive and negative impacts on social, economic, and industrial effects. To address these issues, IoT applications and networks require lightweight, quick, and adaptable security solutions. In this sense, solutions based on artificial intelligence and big data analytics can yield positive outcomes in the realm of cyber security. This study presents a method called extreme gradient boost (XGBoost) based classification and regression tree to identify network intrusions in the IoT. This model is ideally suited for application in IoT networks with restricted resource availability because of its distributed structure and builtin higher generalization capabilities. This approach is thoroughly tested using botnet internet of things (BoT-IoT) new-generation IoT security datasets. All trials are conducted in a range of different settings, and a number of performance indicators are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The suggested study's findings provide recommendations and insights for situations involving binary classes and numerous classes. The suggested XGBoost model achieved 99.53% of accuracy in attack detection and 99.51% in precision for binary class and multiclass classifications, respectively.

Business value of IT for small and medium enterprises during COVID-19: a systematic literature review

The article addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), focusing on the Information Technology (IT) investments made by these companies between 2020 and 2023. The health crisis generated significant economic effects, particularly in emerging economies, exacerbating pre-existing economic fragility and inequality. The study seeks to identify, through a systematic review of the literature, the investments, contributions, and uses of IT by SMEs located in Latin American, Asian, and European countries during the aforementioned period. It is concluded that, during COVID-19, IT investments in SMEs were not only a response to crises, but also a strategic source of resilience and financial stability. IT investment was highlighted as essential for innovation, digital transformation, and business continuity. Although low employee digital skills persist, the trend towards IT investment is positive, allowing SMEs to take advantage of technological and governmental opportunities to face the challenging economic context.

Pandemic distress and anti‐immigration sentiments

AbstractWe investigate the causal nexus between pandemic distress and anti‐immigration sentiments. We exploit the disruption brought about by the Covid‐19 outbreak to randomly provide survey respondents with information on the economic or health consequences of the pandemic. Overall, we find that pessimistic information about the economic outlook reinforces overall adversity to immigration and the wish to exclude immigrants from access to healthcare. This effect is less pronounced in areas with larger immigrant populations. Our theoretical model pins down two possible mechanisms explaining these results: a zero‐sum game to split scarce public resources between residents and immigrants on the one hand, and on the other, fear of contagion.

Self-Defense Training to Reduce Violence Against Women and Girls: An Integrative Review.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a serious threat to individual and public health with vast negative impacts, including numerous physical and mental health issues, as well as societal and economic consequences. Numerous women's self-defense interventions have been proposed to reduce the risk of victimization. The current integrative review, based on Whittemore and Knafl's framework, was completed to synthesize current evidence on women's self-defense training, the impact of such training on outcomes related to VAWG, and evaluate the strength of evidence for women's self-defense training interventions. A systematic literature search, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, was performed including a comprehensive computer-assisted database search, as well as citation searching and website searching for studies that included quantitative outcomes related to VAGW published between 2011 and 2023. Data were extracted and analyzed in accordance with Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) methodology, and the body of evidence was synthesized and best evidence recommendations developed based on the ©The Johns Hopkins Hospital/The Johns Hopkins University Evidence-Based Practice Model. Ultimately, 19 publications met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Key findings included strong evidence for women's self-defense training to reduce attempted rape, completed rape, and nonconsensual sexual contact, as well as emerging evidence for reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, among other positive outcomes. Further research is needed in more diverse populations at risk for violence and to identify key characteristics of effective interventions, including optimal content and dose.

Spillover effects of business improvement districts on residential housing values: a focus on the northern region in Los Angeles county, California

ABSTRACT In response to the decline in commercial areas, there has been a growing interest in the implementation of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in large developed cities in North America. However, there is limited understanding of whether BIDs have economic effects on surrounding neighbourhoods. This study aims to answer the following research question: do BIDs positively affect nearby residential properties? To analyze the influence of BIDs on the housing market, we examined single- and multi-family home sale transactions between 1995 and 2007 in the City of Los Angeles, California. We employed the Adjusted Interrupted Time Series Difference in Differences (AITS DID) model to analyze changes in both the price levels and trends of housing values, and to establish the causal impact associated with the implementation of BIDs. Our findings show that the implementation of BIDs had a significant impact on the value of properties located within a 1/2 mile of the BIDs in single- and multi-family homes, as well as in low-income neighbourhoods. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights for planners, residents, and local governments to better comprehend the heterogeneous nature of spillover effects associated with BID programs.

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN NATURAL CAPITAL BOOSTS ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA’S TRANSFER PAYMENT POLICY FOR NATIONAL KEY ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL AREAS

This paper studies the impact of the transfer payment policy for national key ecological functional areas (TPPNKEFA) on economic growth. As the most representative and extensive vertical ecological compensation policy in China, the TPPNKEFA plays an important role in protecting and restoring natural capital. Using the county-level TPPNKEFA data disclosed according to the application, we constructed a multi-stage DID model to identify the economic growth effect of TPPNKEFA. The results show that TPPNKEFA effectively improves the level of county economic development, which is more prominent in the counties located in the central and western regions, water conservation functional areas, low economic development level, large fiscal gap, and the counties where TPPNKEFA has been implemented for a long time. A mechanism analysis shows that industrial ecologization and ecological industrialization are important paths. The extension analysis shows that the original intention of TPPNKEFA to promote the restoration of natural capital and the improvement of people’s livelihoods has been well implemented. This study provides important evidence to support efforts to protect and restore natural capital, highlighting the need for governments to invest in natural capital and thus facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Does firms’ digitalization affect trade credit provision?

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between firms’ digitalization and trade credit provision using data on Chinese A-share listed enterprises from 2007 to 2020. We find that digital transformation significantly increases trade credit provision. The mechanism test shows that digital transformation directly reduces information asymmetry and enhances financial stability, thereby promoting trade credit provision. Furthermore, our heterogeneity analysis suggests that the positive effect of digitalization on trade credit provision is more pronounced for firms that are large and in the non-tech industries, and for firms that are in regions with high levels of digital finance development. Finally, digital transformation positively affects firm value and trade credit financing, indicating that digital transformation enhances the financing capacity of enterprises. This study not only reveals the economic consequences of firms’ digitalization on trade credit provision, it also provides a useful perspective to explain how the firms’ digitalization can enable the development of real economy and industry.

Media framing on news of the Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) movement in Malaysia: a quantitative content analysis of two Malaysian newspapers

Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) Movement first surfaced in June 2021 following prolonged dissatisfaction towards the contract appointment policy of medical doctors in Malaysia. On the 26th of July 2021, an unprecedented strike (Hartal) was organised by contract doctors across Malaysia. It generated major media attention. This study sought to evaluate how the HDK movement was framed in the mainstream media and to analyse the framing trend in conjunction with the chronology of HDK movement events. A total of 109 news articles in two major national newspapers were analysed from 1st June 2021 until 28th February 2022 using quantitative content analysis method. The five-dimension media frame (responsibility, human interest, conflict, morality, and economic consequences) by Semetko & Valkenburg was applied to determine the trend of media framing. MANOVA test was performed to scrutinise the differences in frame portrayal before and after Hartal. Overall, the responsibility frame was the most used (76.2%) both pre- and post-strike, with the most frequently highlighted items being solutions to the HDK issue and the roles played by the government. The human interest frame and conflict frame followed next, with at least one item of each frame being featured in 33.0 and 32.1% of all news articles. Despite more news articles published post-strike, the aggregate mean scores of all the frames were higher during the pre-strike period, demonstrating how media framing in the earlier period significantly affected the subsequent events of the HDK movement and its impact on the contract appointment policy. In this case, media framing set an agenda for stakeholders to implement necessary policy changes to prevent subsequent strikes and to seek long-term solutions. Lastly, this study presents a novel approach to evaluating certain controversial matters that may not be suitably addressed by the conventional research method such as primary quantitative data collection or qualitative interviews.

Economic consequences of the implementation of primary DNA-HPV genotype testing in Bulgaria

There is a global call for action for cervical cancer elimination as a public health problem—WHO Strategy 90-70-90. One of the strategic pillars, alongside vaccination, is cervical cancer screening. This aims to assess the economic consequences and cost-effectiveness of primary DNA-HPV testing for cervical cancer screening in Bulgaria. Combined cost-effectiveness (CEA) and cost-benefit (CBA) analysis was performed to evaluate the net benefit of the HPV genotype testing program among women aged 30–54 in Bulgaria and to compare its cost-effectiveness with the current practice. ICER was presented separately for only direct costs and direct + indirect costs. The CBA analysis for the age group 30-54 shows that the benefit/cost ratio of DNA-HPV primary screening is 1.03 and the net present benefit accounts for 373,023 euro thus making the program beneficial for the healthcare system. CEA shows that HPV screening is cost-effective over the current practice of PAP testing with ICER 1634 euro/LYG when considering only direct costs and—8020 euro/LYG for direct and indirect costs. The ICER in terms of the sensitivity rate of the testing methods is 1316 euros. The LYG earned with the HPV testing account for 4989 for the observed women. Primary hrHPVDNA-based screening is an important scientific and clinical advance since it offers better reassurance of low cancer risk compared to cytology-only screening conducted at the same interval. Primary hrHPV screening can be considered as a dominant alternative to current cytology-based cervical cancer screening approaches including cytology alone and contesting and providing better benefit.

ДЕМОГРАФИЧЕСКИЙ КРИЗИС В СОВРЕМЕННОЙ РОССИИ

The demographic situation in Russia requires close attention and analysis due to the relevance and significance of the socio–economic consequences. The article examines the problem of the demographic crisis in modern Russia. The current causes of the demographic crisis and the decline in the birth rate are considered. The socio–economic consequences of a decrease in the population and a decrease in the birth rate are revealed. The data on the dynamics of the population, fertility, and mortality in Russia are presented. The forecast of the birth rate in Russia is given, the dynamics of the total birth rate in the period from 1960 to 2023 is studied. The necessity and directions of developing additional measures aimed at overcoming the demographic crisis are substantiated. The goals, objectives, and directions of the national project "Demography" are presented. In addition, measures of state support for young families aimed at increasing the birth rate were considered.

Research on the Economic Effects of Compulsory Education in China

This paper aims to investigate the factors driving the rapid development of the Chinese economy. Utilizing univariate linear regression, we examine the impact of compulsory education in China on its economic growth, utilizing data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China spanning the years 1983 to 2006. Additionally, we conduct robustness tests and heterogeneity analyses using variables such as the number of middle school students, Chinese GDP, and the time span from 1983 to 2022. Our analysis also delves into industry-specific variations and expenditure-based approaches. Our findings are summarized as follows: 1. Compulsory education in China exhibits a positive influence on its economic growth. 2. According to the robustness test, the baseline conclusion of this paper is robust. 3. Compulsory education plays a pivotal role in the tertiary industry and net exports but exerts fewer effects on the second industry and investment and contributes a little to the first industry and consumption.

Does Pricing Carbon Mitigate Climate Change? Firm-Level Evidence from the European Union Emissions Trading System

Abstract In theory, market-based regulatory instruments correct market failures at least cost. However, evidence on their efficacy remains scarce. Using administrative data, we estimate that, on average, the EU ETS – the world's first and largest market-based climate policy – induced regulated manufacturing firms to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 14-16% with no detectable contractions in economic activity. We find no evidence of outsourcing to unregulated firms or markets; instead, firms made targeted investments, reducing the emissions intensity of production. These results indicate that the EU ETS induced global emissions reductions, a necessary and sufficient condition for mitigating climate change. We show that the absence of any negative economic effects can be rationalized in a model where pricing the externality induces firms to make fixed-cost investments in energy-saving capital that reduce marginal variable costs.

Social and economic impact analysis of solar mini-grids in rural Africa: a cohort study from Kenya and Nigeria

Abstract This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the social and economic effects of solar mini-grids in rural African settings, specifically in Kenya and Nigeria. A group of 2,658 household heads and business owners connected to mini-grids over the last five years were interviewed both before and one year after their connection. These interviews focused on changes in gender equality, productivity, health, safety, and economic activity. The results show notable improvements in all areas. Economic activities and productivity increased significantly among the connected households and businesses. The median income of rural Kenyan community members quadrupled. Gender equality also improved, with women gaining more opportunities in decision making and business. Health and safety enhancements were linked to reduced use of hazardous energy sources like kerosene lamps. The introduction of solar mini-grids not only transformed the energy landscape but also led to broad socioeconomic benefits in these rural areas. The research highlights the substantial impact of decentralized renewable energy on the social and economic development of rural African communities. Its findings are crucial for policymakers, development agencies, and stakeholders focused on promoting sustainable energy and development in Africa.

#2134 Very low protein integrated diet (sVLPD), without keto analogues, in patients with advanced chronic renal failure: clinical and economic benefits

Abstract Background and Aims The integrated very low protein diet (sVLPD) has proven effective in slowing the progression of stage 5 chronic renal failure and in postponing the start of dialysis treatment (1)SVLPD with keto analogues is difficult to implement due to the high number of tablets to be taken (2), therefore, to increase compliance we decided to prescribe, in compliance with the guidelines of normal clinical practice, SVLPD (0.3 g/prot/day) integrated with only essential amino acid drugs without the use of keto analogues, in stage 5 patients and we have verified its effectiveness, safety and clinical and economic effects(3). Method 129 patients were started on dietary therapy (middle age 75.2 ± 13.7, 60.5%male, all with hypertension, 40.3% with diabetes and 24.8% with heart disease) who were tested at the beginning of the observation, every 3 months and for 24 months, characterizing blood chemistry tests and body composition (with impedance analysis). Results During the 24-month observation period 91 patients (70.5%) were compliant with dietary therapy. Chronic kidney disease progression is slowed with average eGFR 11.6 ± 3.3 (compliant) vs. 9.3 ± 2.7 (no compliant) mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001) Urea (mg/dL) 116.1 ± 31.7 (compliant) 174.2 ± 42.2 (no compliant) p < 0.002; and initiation of dialysis treatment (adjusted HR = 0.361, CI 0.200–0.650, p = 0.001) was delayed without evidence of malnutrition, in compliant versus noncompliant patients. Metabolic acidosis was well compensated in both groups with an improving trend in bicarbonate levels in compliant patients. Hemoglobin, uricemia, serum albumin, glycemia (downward trend NS), potassium, sodium, chlorium, calcium, magnesium, pH, lipids remained within normal values. Better blood pressure control was observed in compliant patients compared to non-compliant patients (SBP (mmHg) 136.9 ± 11.8 vs 150.1 ± 7 <0.01), DBP (mmHg) 75 ± 3.1 vs 79.4 ± 1 <0.001) During the observation, there were 24 deaths (13 patients older than 85 years), 20 peritoneal dialysis hospitalizations, 36 hemodialysis hospitalizations, 4 preventive living transplants and 15 renal functional recoveries with eGFR consistently >15 mL/min/ 1.73 m2. The months of dialysis avoided generated gross savings in terms of healthcare expenditure equal to EUR 3,076,470; the expenditure sustained by the Marche region for protein-free products (EUR 90 per patient per month) was EUR 158,358. As a result, the total net savings were EUR 2,918,112. Conclusion This non-interventional longitudinal observational study is part of standard clinical practice and suggests that VLPD supplemented with only essential amino acids is safe and effective and could be widely used to reduce the incidence of dialysis treatments, with a favorable economic impact on the National Health Service.

#2094 Very low protein integrated diet (sVLPD), without keto analogues, in patients with advanced chronic renal failure: clinical and economic benefits

Abstract Background and Aims The integrated very low protein diet (sVLPD) has proven effective in slowing the progression of stage 5 chronic renal failure and in postponing the start of dialysis treatment (1)SVLPD with keto analogues is difficult to implement due to the high number of tablets to be taken(2), therefore, to increase compliance we decided to prescribe, in compliance with the guidelines of normal clinical practice, SVLPD (0.3 g/prot/day) integrated with only essential amino acid drugs without the use of keto analogues, in stage 5 patients and we have verified its effectiveness, safety and clinical and economic effects(3). Method 129 patients were started on dietary therapy (middle age 75.2 ± 13.7, 60.5%male, all with hypertension, 40.3% with diabetes and 24.8% with heart disease) who were tested at the beginning of the observation, every 3 months and for 24 months, characterizing blood chemistry tests and body composition (with impedance analysis). Results During the 24-month observation period 91 patients (70.5%) were compliant with dietary therapy. Chronic kidney disease progression is slowed with average eGFR 11.6 ± 3.3 (compliant) vs. 9.3 ± 2.7 (no compliant) mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001) Urea (mg/dL) 116.1 ± 31.7 (compliant) 174.2 ± 42.2 (no compliant) p < 0.002; and initiation of dialysis treatment (adjusted HR = 0.361, CI 0.200–0.650, p = 0.001) was delayed without evidence of malnutrition, in compliant versus noncompliant patients. Metabolic acidosis was well compensated in both groups with an improving trend in bicarbonate levels in compliant patients. Hemoglobin, uricemia, serum albumin, glycemia (downward trend NS), potassium, sodium, chlorium, calcium, magnesium, pH, lipids remained within normal values. Better blood pressure control was observed in compliant patients compared to non-compliant patients (SBP (mmHg) 136.9 ± 11.8 vs 150.1 ± 7 <0.01), DBP (mmHg) 75 ± 3.1 vs 79.4 ± 1 <0.001) During the observation, there were 24 deaths (13 patients older than 85 years), 20 peritoneal dialysis hospitalizations, 36 hemodialysis hospitalizations, 4 preventive living transplants and 15 renal functional recoveries with eGFR consistently >15 mL/min/ 1.73 m2. The months of dialysis avoided generated gross savings in terms of healthcare expenditure equal to EUR 3,076,470; the expenditure sustained by the Marche region for protein-free products (EUR 90 per patient per month) was EUR 158,358. As a result, the total net savings were EUR 2,918,112. Conclusion This non-interventional longitudinal observational study is part of standard clinical practice and suggests that VLPD supplemented with only essential amino acids is safe and effective and could be widely used to reduce the incidence of dialysis treatments, with a favorable economic impact on the National Health Service.

Enterprise digital development and capacity utilization

PurposeTo enrich the research on the economic consequences of enterprise digital development from the perspective of capacity utilization.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of listed firms from 2010 to 2020, this paper exploits text analysis of annual reports to construct a proxy for enterprise digital development.FindingsResults show that enterprise digital development not only improves their own capacity utilization but also generates a positive spillover effect on the capacity utilization of peer firms and firms in the supply chain. Next, based on the incomplete information about market demand and potential competitors when making capacity-building decisions, the mechanism tests show that improving the accuracy of market forecasts and reducing investment surges are potential channels behind the baseline results. Cross-sectional tests show the baseline result is more pronounced when industries are highly homogeneous and when firms have access to less information.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the research related to the economic consequences of digital development. With the development of the digital economy, the real effects of enterprise digital development have also triggered extensive interest and exploration. Existing studies mainly examine the impact on physical operations, such as specialization division of labor, innovation activities, business performance or total factor productivity (Huang, Yu, & Zhang, 2019; Yuan, Xiao, Geng, & Sheng, 2021; Wang, Kuang, & Shao, 2017; Li, Liu, & Shao, 2021; Zhao, Wang, & Li, 2021). These studies measure the economic benefits from the perspective of the supply (output) side but neglect the importance of the supply system to adapt to the actual market demand. In contrast, this paper focuses on capacity utilization, aimed at estimating the net economic effect of digital development by considering the supply-demand fit scenario. Thus, our findings enrich the relevant studies on the potential consequences of digital development.

FACT OR FICTION? — CLIMATE CHANGE RISK AND TRADE CREDIT

The economic consequences of frequent weather events at the firm level have received considerable attention in recent years. This study empirically investigates the impact of climate change risk on firms’ trade credit, using Chinese-listed firms as research subjects. The results suggested that climate change risk has a negative impact on corporate trade credit by deepening firms’ financial distress and lowering the level of industry competitiveness. Both digital transformation and government transparency were found to have a significant negative moderating effect. Heterogeneity analyses showed that firms without environmental background executives, nonstate-owned firms, and nongreen firms were more significantly affected. Finally, we found that the green, low-carbon city pilot policy had a benign effect on corporate trade credit.

Exploring minimal indirect digital economy taxation as a post-COVID-19 economic recovery strategy for African revenue mobilisation

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath continue to devastate most areas of society and continue to reveal inherent structural vulnerabilities in the economies, social, and health systems in countries. In addition, the Russia-Ukraine conflict of 2022 and the geopolitics of its resolution continue to create shocks across the globe- evidenced by rising inflation, increased sovereign debt level, recession, and reduced public expenditure among others. While many sectors of the economy were crippled by the back-to-back global economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict through reduced economic activities resulting in a global recession and reduced tax revenues for public expenditure, the digital economy has surprisingly boomed and continues to grow in this period of uncertainty. This has been directly attributed to the 'lure of the alternative', caused by the social and economic lockdowns imposed by countries, which pushed many persons and companies to explore the next available option- online platforms to conduct business. Although the rise in the use of digital platforms for business activities is commendable, this development has some implications for traditional business frameworks which in turn affects revenue mobilisation for funding public infrastructure projects and services. This is because, in Africa, the digital economy is not as well-regulated as the traditional economy. This creates an avenue for tax evasion and avoidance, arising from the dynamic and complex nature of digital transactions. This challenge requires that urgent solutions be found for the effective taxation of the digital economy. There will be a need to review/reform economic and fiscal policies and laws to ensure a faster recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There would also be a need to create digital tax policies that are equitable for source and market jurisdictions and, lastly, there will be a need for cooperation in tax law and policies across Africa that capture the reality of the growth and ubiquitous presence of digital multinationals in Africa.

Saudi Arabia’s Journey toward a Renewable Future

Recent statistics indicate that as of 2023, the global renewable energy capacity has reached new heights, with Saudi Arabia significantly contributing to this growth through its strategic initiatives. The kingdom is particularly focusing on harnessing solar power, given its abundant sunlight, and is also exploring wind energy, leveraging its vast desert landscapes. These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to become a global leader in renewable energy. This paper provides a detailed exploration of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious journey from a fossil-fuel-dominated energy sector to a more sustainable, renewable-energy-driven future. Anchored in the broader context of global energy trends, the study emphasizes the critical shift toward renewable resources, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia’s unique position in this global movement. Key to this transition is Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic framework that guides the country’s renewable energy policies and initiatives. A comprehensive review of these policies, including other governmental and international collaborations that support renewable energy development, is offered. The current state of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia is assessed, including an overview of existing projects and production statistics. The paper also explores emerging technologies such as energy storage systems and smart grid solutions, emphasizing their role in Saudi Arabia’s energy transition. An impact assessment is conducted to understand the environmental, economic, and social effects of this energy shift. The paper also includes a comparative analysis of other countries’ renewable energy transitions, extracting lessons and best practices applicable to the Saudi context. Strategic recommendations and reflections on Saudi Arabia’s future role in the global energy landscape are provided for stakeholders in energy policy, environmental planning, and sustainable development.