Future Policy Research Articles

Integrating IT and Sustainability in Higher Education Infrastructure: Impacts on Quality, Innovation and Research

The present study explores the relationships between information technology and sustainability in higher education infrastructure, analysing their effects on education quality, innovation and research outcomes. The study investigates the intricate relationships among infrastructure enhancements, technological integration and sustainability initiatives. The study thoroughly examines current literature and a case study of Saudi institutions, highlighting the transformative capacity of IT-enabled sustainability programmes. The research involves conducting comprehensive interviews with faculty members from six Saudi universities together with a quantitative analysis utilising replies from 784 students and faculty members. The study uses Structural Equation Modelling (SEM-PLS) to analyse the data. The results indicate significant effects, both direct and indirect, as well as moderating effects. These findings emphasise the positive associations between infrastructure upgrades and their impact on sustainability, improvement in education quality and increased innovation and research output. The study’s implications have practical relevance for academic institutions and policymakers. The social aspect underscores the significance of higher education in shaping conscientious global individuals. This research adds to the growing understanding of the multifaceted connection between IT, sustainability and higher education infrastructure. It provides useful insights for future academic and policy efforts.

Estimating the Impact of Adaptive Capacity on Vulnerability in Nepal

The adaptive capacity of households is an effective instrument for minimizing climate change-induced vulnerability. Varying adaptive capacity across different income and socio-strata of households make different vulnerability impacts. This paper assesses the impacts of adaptation capacity on household susceptibility index and ranks in Nepal employing an explorative method. In the explorative method, the household vulnerability index as a composite index and multiple regression model are analytical methods. The data set is collected from the questionnaire survey of 642 households in the Sotkhola Water Basin Gadhi, Lekhagaon, and Kunathari through a regression model. As a result, a flood disaster is terrible more than a landslide. By cluster, its intensity is deeper in Gadhi than in Kunathari and Lekhagaon in terms of destruction of assets and non-assets. Total income loss magnifies household vulnerability 7 times deeper. The distribution of vulnerability level falls to poor households three times more than rich households in accordance with headcount poverty and food sufficiency poverty measures. The composite index shows adaptive capacity plays a key role in household vulnerability. Therefore, adaptive capacity is an instrument of resilience to household safety and welfare. In the context of poverty alleviation, preparedness, and climate change initiatives, this result will be valuable to improve the adaptive capacity of the socioeconomically vulnerable population for disaster and climate resilience, further development, and future disaster risk management policy implications.

Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) practices in the LNG industry: A review

This study thoroughly examines Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) practices in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry, a sector pivotal to the global energy landscape. The paper delves into the complexities and evolving nature of HSE practices, underscoring the industry's critical role in energy transition and its impact on environmental sustainability. The aim is to synthesize current challenges, assess risk management strategies, evaluate regulatory compliance and explore the influence of technological advancements and human factors on HSE practices. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis approach, the study meticulously analyzes peer-reviewed literature, focusing on the LNG industry's HSE practices since the year 2000. This comprehensive methodological framework ensures an unbiased synthesis of existing research, providing insights into trends, gaps and future research directions. Key findings reveal significant HSE challenges, including operational risks, environmental impacts and safety concerns. The study highlights the efficacy of current risk management strategies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive methodological approaches. It also sheds light on the multifaceted nature of regulatory compliance within the industry, stressing the importance of a compliance-oriented organizational culture and technological adaptation. The study concludes with recommendations for continuous improvement in HSE practices, leveraging technological innovations, fostering a compliance-oriented culture and adopting a multifaceted approach to manage complex HSE challenges. It advocates for balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and safety, ensuring the LNG industry's sustainable development. This paper contributes significantly to the body of knowledge on HSE practices in the LNG industry and serves as a foundation for future research and policy development in this critical energy sector.

Offence trajectories of young Australian novice drivers

This paper aims to add to the sparse research on patterns of traffic offending in young novice drivers by examining the trajectories of young Australian novices throughout the graduated driving licensing system (GDLS). Data on licensing, crashes and traffic offences for all persons aged under 25 years first licensed from July 2007 to June 2008 in New South Wales were supplied by transport authorities, with follow-up to January 2014. Eight hierarchical categories of offence were defined by seriousness. Total numbers of offences per month were plotted for one year after initial licensure while under supervision (L), after transitions to the first (P1) and second (P2) provisional licence phases and to unrestricted licensure (U). After excluding novices not transiting to P1, 75,470 novices (51.5 % male, 77.7 % 16 years old at L) remained. Of these 63,070 had a year of follow-up after P2 (52.5 % male, 82.3 % 16 years old at L) and 28,861 had a year of follow-up after U (55.5 % males, 91.7 % 16 years old at L), Offences were uncommon under at L but spiked after P1 and again after P2. Omitting GDLS offences there was a small increase after U. Patterns were broadly similar by age at L and time in L. Novices aged at least 18 years at L had the highest offence rates in the learner phase; those aged 17 years at L had the highest rates in P1 and P2. The longer novices spent in the supervised driving phase the lower their subsequent offence rates even allowing for age at P1. Urban or regional residence had little influence on offence rates but lower aggregate socio-economic status as measured by a census-derived index was associated with appreciably higher offence rates. Speeding was the most common offence type; dangerous/negligent driving was common immediately after P1, declining thereafter. These results are in broad agreement with previous research in noting the increase in offending as GDLS restrictions eased. They highlight the need for better understanding of the function of a GDLS in improving the safety of young drivers. They may also inform future enforcement and education policies for novice drivers. For example, rehabilitative interventions should occur coupled with enforcement soon after citation. Visible display of GDLS status would assist their identification.

Artificial intelligence in environmental health and public safety: A comprehensive review of USA strategies

This study explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in environmental health and public safety within the USA, focusing on pollution monitoring, emergency response, and sustainable practices for public. With the growing challenges posed by climate change, pollution, and emerging public health threats, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in environmental health and public safety strategies has become imperative. This comprehensive review explores the diverse array of AI applications implemented in the United States to address environmental issues and enhance public safety measures. The paper analyzes the multifaceted role of AI across various domains, including air and water quality monitoring, disease surveillance, disaster response, and infrastructure resilience. The advancements in AI technologies that have revolutionized data collection, analysis, and prediction in environmental health are examined. Machine learning algorithms, sensor networks, and satellite imagery are examined as tools for real-time monitoring and early detection of environmental hazards. Additionally, the paper investigates the integration of AI in public health surveillance systems, showcasing how predictive analytics and data-driven models contribute to the identification and containment of infectious diseases. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the incorporation of AI in disaster management, emphasizing the role of predictive modeling and risk assessment in optimizing emergency response strategies. The implementation of smart city technologies and intelligent infrastructure systems is discussed, highlighting how AI contributes to enhancing public safety and minimizing the impact of natural disasters. The review also critically evaluates the ethical, legal, and privacy considerations associated with the widespread adoption of AI in environmental health and public safety initiatives. It addresses concerns related to data security, algorithmic biases, and the need for transparent and accountable governance frameworks. Through an in-depth analysis of case studies, policies, and initiatives, this review provides insights into the successes and challenges of AI implementation in the USA. It concludes with recommendations for future research directions and policy considerations to ensure the responsible and effective integration of AI technologies in safeguarding environmental health and public safety. The findings presented in this review contribute to the broader discourse on leveraging AI for sustainable and resilient communities in the face of evolving environmental and public health challenges.

POLITICAL REFORM OF NATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW (Analysis of the Impact of Globalisation on National Investment Law)

<em>The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between investment law and state sovereignty, and subsequently formulate a framework for future national investment law policies aimed at promoting economic growth and safeguarding sovereignty. The present study is characterized as normative in its methodology, employing both a statutory and conceptual approach. The findings indicate that investment plays a significant role in enhancing both the economy and employment expansion. Governments globally are engaged in a competitive effort to establish an improved business climate that facilitates investment activities. However, it is imperative to restrict this endeavor and prioritize domestic capital, as evidenced by the 1966 MPRS Decree. This directive provides guidance to Indonesian policymakers that foreign investment or aid should not be disregarded for its role in developing the struggling Indonesian economy. Nevertheless, it is crucial to first rely on the potential of domestic resources as a means of generating development funds. This approach ensures that the availability of foreign funding sources does not lead to dependence on external parties. Furthermore, foreign sources of funds must be utilized for the benefit of the domestic economy. Foreign investment in Indonesia must also be subjected to limitations in this context</em>

Determining factors related to unmet dental needs among adolescents using Anderson Model

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify factors related to unmet dental care needs among Korean youth, enhance the utilization of dental services by adolescents, furnish basic data for youth-oriented dental projects, and improve access to medical care. Methods: The analysis utilized combined data from the basic and oral databases from the 6th (2013–2015), 7th (2016–2018), and 1st year of the 8th (2019) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: The factors influencing unmet dental care needs were gender, age, household income level, and health insurance. Statistically significant results were observed in relation to the type of dental clinic, recent visits to a dental hospital, experiences of toothache within the past year, subjective oral health status, occurrences of permanent dental caries, and engagement in orthodontic treatment. Conclusions: When formulating future national policies and projects, it is imperative to consider the factors and underlying reasons for the unmet dental care needs of adolescents. It is also necessary to establish oral health policies and institutional measures tailored to the dental care of adolescents.

Privacy and personal information protection in China’s all-seeing state

Abstract The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled facial recognition technology (FRT) in the provision of vital services that depend on accurate identification of individuals within China’s public and private sectors prompted an urgent need to foster discussions regarding regulatory, societal, and ethical concerns. While there are safety and efficiency gains to be obtained through the use of FRT where establishing identity is necessary, these result in potential trade-offs against the individuals’ fundamental rights, most notably, the violation of the right to privacy, and personal information where individuals are neither informed of nor consented to the collection, use, or storage. To address such concerns, China has put in place laws. The adequacy of which in addressing the concerns remains. This paper argues that, while significant progress has been made with the promulgation of several legislations, much more needs to be undertaken in terms of ensuring transparency in decision-making on public uses and obtaining prior mandatory authorization before the deployment of FRT. The paper further suggests the engagement of a multi-disciplinary team of experts to support and guide research, development, and deployment of AI-enabled FRT and other biometric technology as a positive step forward together with the possible adoption of adaptive governance as a framework for future policy design.

Pemodelan Pertumbuhan Penduduk Kota Kupang dengan Geogebra

This research aims to project the population of Kupang City in 2030. Data on the population of Kupang City was obtained from Badan Pusat Statistik of Kupang City. The data was used in 12 year time intervals. The process of projecting the population of Kupang City was carried out with the help of Geogebra Software. The projection of the population of Kupang City is modeled using a Linear Model, Exponential Model, Geometry Model and Logarithmic Model. The logarithmic model has the smallest error so it can be said that the logarithmic model is better than other models, in relation to projecting the population of Kupang City. The results obtained for the population of Kupang City in 2030, respectively for the Geometry Model, Logarithmic Model, Exponential Model and Linear Model are 519106.81, 535169.03, 557736.47, 535564.58. These results can be the basis for the government or parties regarding future policies.

Considering the food environment can help to promote the consumption of aquatic foods for healthy diets

Aquatic foods ensure food and nutrition security for billions of consumers around the world. As part of food systems, aquatic foods provide nutritious, affordable, convenient options for healthy diets, and can also foster sustainable food production. Within the food system framework, the food environment is the space that connects food procurement to consumption. The food environment influences consumer decisions on which foods to acquire. To date there has been relatively little focus on creating an enabling food environment that supports consumers in decisions to obtain aquatic foods. To fill this gap, we conducted a narrative review of literature from 2000–2020 to document the availability, affordability, convenience, promotion, quality and sustainability of aquatic foods within diverse food environments. Our review highlighted several opportunities that can support development and promotion of convenient, high quality aquatic foods. We also noted several research gaps. For example, some consumers, especially those in high income countries, respond well to labels related to sustainability and also to messaging to consume diverse types of fish, especially lower tropic species like anchovy. However, less is documented on how promotion influences consumers from LMIC. The paper also notes a gap in assessment of the price and affordability of aquatic foods. Most price and affordability assessments do not provide details on which aquatic foods were considered in the costing assessment. In addition, wild or home-harvested aquatic foods are often not accounted for in price and affordability assessments. Using case studies, we demonstrate how considering the food environment in research and implementation strategies can add value to program design. For example, processing tuna frames and underutilized small fish species into powder is one innovation that reduces food waste and also creates a convenient, quality product. These results provide the foundation for deepening our understanding of how key elements of the food environment influence consumers’ decision-making and how these elements can be considered in future research, programming and policy efforts.

Editorial: Resilience Unveiled

This editorial introduces the December 2023 edition of the Journal of Resilient Economies, focusing on "Resilience Approaches for Navigating Complex Economic Challenges." Covering diverse themes such as financial literacy, Halal supply chains, socio-ecological resilience, electric vehicles, foreign direct investment, and urban governance, the publication offers unique perspectives. The insights provided in these papers contribute significantly to ongoing discussions on economic resilience, guiding potential future research and policy development.

Comparative Analysis of International Health Policies: A Comparison of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 Health Policies

This research paper discusses the dynamics of COVID-19 health policies, focusing on the strategies of China and Germany in managing the pandemic, and exploring the opportunities and challenges in enhancing healthcare policies in the post-COVID era. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the strengths and vulnerabilities of healthcare systems globally, underscoring the need for adaptable health policies. China and Germany employed distinct strategies in responding to the pandemic. The paper compares these strategies and their outcomes. The comparative assessment highlights the importance of early and sustained interventions, as China's aggressive suppression approach yielded better results than Germany's mitigation strategy. The lessons learned from China and Germany's pandemic responses provide valuable insights into the importance of preparedness and adaptability in healthcare policies. These lessons should guide future policies and actions to build a better global healthcare system.

Our Health Counts: Examining associations between colonialism and ever being incarcerated among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in London, Thunder Bay, and Toronto, Canada.

Indigenous peoples have a disproportionately high prevalence of incarceration in the Canadian justice system. However, there is limited Indigenous-driven research examining colonialism and the justice system, specifically associations between racism, externally imposed family disruptions, and history of ever being incarcerated. Therefore, this study examined the association between the proportion of previous incarceration and family disruption, experiences of racism, and victimization for Indigenous adults in London, Thunder Bay, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The three communities expressed that they did not want comparison between the communities; rather, they wanted analysis of their community to understand where more supports were needed. Indigenous community partners used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to collect data from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) peoples in London, Thunder Bay, and Toronto. Prevalence estimates, 95% confidence intervals, and relative risk were reported using unweighted Poisson models and RDS-adjusted proportions. Proportions of ever being incarcerated ranged from 43.0% in London to 54.0% in Toronto and 72.0% in Thunder Bay. In all three cities, history of child protection involvement and experiencing racism was associated with an approximate 25.0% increase in risk for previous incarceration. In Toronto and London, victimization was associated with increased risk for incarceration. This research highlights disproportionately high prevalence of ever being incarcerated among FNIM living in three Ontario cities. Experiencing racism, family disruption, and victimization are associated with incarceration. Decreasing the rates of family disruption, experiences of racism, and victimization should inform future policy and services to reduce the disproportionately high prevalence of incarceration for FNIM people living in urban settings.

A Comprehensive Analysis and Comparison of the U.S.’ and China’s Healthcare System

In an era of rapid globalization, understanding healthcare financing systems across diverse nations can offer crucial insights. This research project delves into the inner workings of the United States Medicaid and Medicare program and China's state-sponsored healthcare insurance schemes. Each represents a unique model of public health investment, shaped by distinct political philosophies and social contracts. The analysis reveals that the U.S. Medicaid program, despite its broad reach and comprehensive services, grapples with issues of equitable access and sustainable financing. In contrast, China's multi-tiered system offers a more standardized, although less comprehensive, form of coverage and faces challenges related to service quality and rural-urban disparities. Both nations, however, are in the continuous process of adapting their healthcare models to meet changing demographic and economic needs. By critically examining these two healthcare funding mechanisms, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on public health financing, offering recommendations for future policy interventions and reforms in both countries and potentially others.

Frequency of Detection of Candida auris Colonization Outside a Highly Endemic Setting: What Is the Optimal Strategy for Screening of Carriage?

Candida auris outbreaks are increasingly frequent worldwide. In our 1000-bed hospital, an endemic transmission of C. auris was established in two of five intensive care units (ICUs). Aims of our study were to describe the occurrence of new cases of C. auris colonization and infection outside the endemic ICUs, in order to add evidence for future policies on screening in patients discharged as negative from an endemic setting, as well as to propose a new algorithm for screening of such high-risk patients. From 26 March 2021 to 26 January 2023, among 392 patients who were diagnosed as colonized or infected with C. auris in our hospital, 84 (21.4%) received the first diagnosis of colonization or infection outside the endemic ICUs. A total of 68 patients out of 84 (81.0%) had a history of prior admission to the endemic ICUs. All were screened and tested negative during their ICU stay with a median time from last screening to discharge of 3 days. In 57/68 (83.8%) of patients, C. auris was detected through screening performed after ICU discharge, and 90% had C. auris colonization detected within 9 days from ICU discharge. In 13 cases (13/57 screened, 22.8%), the first post-ICU discharge screening was negative. In those not screened, candidemia was the most frequent event of the first C. auris detection (6/11 patients not screened). In settings where the transmission of C. auris is limited to certain wards, we suggest screening both at discharge from the endemic ward(s) even in case of a recent negative result, and at least twice after admission to nonendemic settings.

Promoting the Transition to a Circular Economy: A Study about Behaviour, Attitudes, and Knowledge by University Students in Portugal

Younger and highly skilled generations are one of the major driving forces of a successful transformation to a circular economy (CE); therefore, this paper intends to assess the prevalent behaviour, attitudes, and knowledge of the CE by university students. The study focuses specifically on Portuguese students. Some new conclusions were added to the existent literature. Our conclusions show that, although students engage in several types of CE behaviour and have positive attitudes, these mostly include actions such as reducing food waste, recycling practices, or purchasing energy-efficient products. Circular consumption habits like remanufactured products, second-hand purchases, the sharing economy, and product-as-a-service systems (PSSs) still need further implementation. However, we determine that the level of knowledge of the CE goes beyond the conventional recycling premise. Moreover, we have included an innovative part, based on a probit model, by studying how knowledge of the CE affects students’ behaviour and attitudes and conclude that it positively influences them. Other variables such as age, gender, and level of education are also found to influence actions and attitudes. As a result, this study can significantly improve the overview of the current situation and provide a starting point for measuring the effectiveness of future policies to be defined.

Lessons to enhance integrated care by assessing between-hospital variation in mortality, readmissions and prolonged length-of-stay for cardiovascular diagnoses: results of a cardiovascular population analysis.

Background: Unwarranted between-hospital variation is a persistent healthcare quality issue that can threaten healthcare equity. Despite the benefits of studying multiple patient outcomes together, research on between-hospital variation has often focused on single outcomes or disease-specific study populations. In this study we examined three important patient outcomes: (1) in-hospital mortality as a pinnacle measure of patient safety; (2) 30-day readmissions as an accountability measure for hospitals; and (3) prolonged length-of-stay, i.e. a length-of-stay above the All-Patient-Refined Diagnoses-Related-Group (APR-DRG)-specific 90th percentile (pLOS) because of its correlations with complications and costs of care. By tapping into the potential of administrative discharge datasets, that today are primarily used for financial purposes, we aimed to quantify between-hospital variation, allowing for priority setting for future quality improvement policies. As the level of between-hospital variation is unknown for cardiology patients, we set out to study a nationwide cardiology sample.
 Who is it for: This study is highly relevant for both clinicians and policymakers on hospital and governmental level.
 Methods: In this observational study, we used hierarchical mixed-effects logistic regression models to estimate hospital- and APR-DRG-specific risk-standardised rates. Between-hospital variation was assessed based on the estimated variance components. We studied 521,162 hospital admissions for cardiovascular pathologies, divided into 28 APR-DRGs, in 99 (98%) Belgian acute-care hospitals between 2016 and 2018.
 Findings: Our analysis revealed notable between-hospital variation in mortality, readmission and prolonged length-of-stay for cardiovascular hospital admissions in Belgium, in particular for medical diagnoses. Seven medical diagnoses were found to have significant between-hospital variation across the three studied outcomes, among which heart failure, angina pectoris and hypertension. Lowering of mortality rates in upper-quartile hospitals to the median could potentially annually save 633 cardiovascular deaths or 26.4% of deaths occurring in these hospitals. Moreover, an overall prevention of 322 (11.8%) readmissions and 1578 (33.3%) long patient stays could be secured in those bottom-performing hospitals. The largest absolute gain could be made for heart failure patients with 122 deaths, 62 readmissions and 277 pLOS potentially avoided.
 Interpretation: Our results are suggestive of larger inequalities in cardiovascular quality of care for medical than for surgical admissions. We would recommend future policies to target these diagnoses. Further investments and implementation of clinical guidelines and standardisation as well as systematic collation and benchmarking of outcomes and variation on national and international levels have proven valuable to ensure future focus on the right priorities. As we will demonstrate during this presentation, administrative data are useful for this longitudinal follow-up, as they require no additional workload, are readily available and reliable when applying adequate statistical modelling. Our findings have demonstrated that reducing variation in patient outcomes could be highly beneficial, at least for the cardiovascular patient population. The methods presented are easily transferrable to other disease groups besides cardiology, allowing for quality priority setting across the healthcare spectrum. 

A Sustainable Risk Management Model and Instruments for Young Farmers in EU Agriculture

Young farmers are ready to embrace innovation, smart agriculture, and science-based research to ensure that their work has long-term viability, profitability, and productivity. To prevent the farming population from aging and to ensure farming success, financial support must be provided through instruments that are specifically aimed at young farmers. It is necessary that youth have access to agricultural land policy throughout the EU for the agricultural sector to remain sustainable. In the European Union, young farmers manage farms that are in the lowest-size group. The limited financial possibilities available to young people in the EU exacerbate this. The relationships between risk management instruments and other interventions (such as direct payment and ex-post instruments) and the integration of these tools into national and EU policy frameworks must be thoroughly examined in future policy. Evaluating the possible repercussions of risk management being widely implemented as well as measuring the anticipated variations in farm revenue and the volatility of agricultural commodity prices are equally crucial. Therefore, the present article utilized extant data to conduct a comparative analysis and ultimately present a set of multidisciplinary and quantitative indicators of supportive measures for young farmers in the EU, while also identifying the requisite areas for improvement.

THE IMPACT OF WOMEN’S FEARS ON GENDER INEQUALITY IN BELARUSIAN IT

This research aims to understand the gender disparity in the IT sector within Belarus by examining both overt and covert factors dissuading women from pursuing careers in the domain. Using a blend of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the study identifies socio-cultural stereotypes, structural impediments, and the ramifications of gender inequality on women’s career choices and overall well-being in the industry. The quantitative facet of the study, involving a comprehensive electronic survey, revealed that societal stereotypes about women are primary barriers discouraging 75% of the interested respondents from pursuing IT-related professions. To delve deeper into the on-ground experiences of women in the IT sector, a subsequent qualitative investigation employing semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 23 Belarusian women actively engaged in the field. Preliminary findings suggest that even within the modern IT landscape, societal norms, internalized misogyny, and emotional challenges linked to a predominantly male-centric workspace significantly affect the experiences of women professionals. This research, backed by the “Gender Studies” Master’s program at the European Humanities University and the Women in TECH initiative, underscores the need for holistic strategies to bridge the gender divide in the IT sector. The insights from this study not only spotlight the challenges confronting Belarusian women in IT but also pave the way for future research and policy interventions to foster a more inclusive and gender-equitable IT landscape.

A Comprehensive Review on The Potential of Green Hydrogen in Empowering the Low-Carbon Economy: Development Status, Ongoing Trends and Key Challenges

Green hydrogen is currently considered a key element for delivering free-carbon energy. This paper provides an extensive assessment of the potential of green hydrogen technology as a pathway to the low-carbon economy while highlighting the major technical challenges to its implementation. A detailed overview of green hydrogen production, storage technologies, transportation infrastructures and green hydrogen implementations is provided. Status of the ongoing trends for repurposing the existing gas grid infrastructures to transport the hydrogen safely across Europe is presented in this work, with 48 sample projects statistically reviewed and classified based on the key challenges being addressed. The potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing the energy sector and the associated technical challenges are widely reviewed and critically assessed. Detailed discussions have been provided on the optimal sizing of renewable hydrogen energy systems, real-world modelling of hydrogen energy storage elements and the smart energy management strategies for the application of hydrogen electrolysers as smart controllable loads. Some prospects are given on how digital key trends of blockchain technologies could support the growth of green hydrogen markets together with emphasis on the raised research questions. Further assessment is presented on the potential of green hydrogen versus blue hydrogen while reflecting on future directions and policy recommendations for planning a successful energy transition. Finally, some future insights and near-term policy recommendations are provided for promoting the use of green hydrogen production while supporting the green hydrogen industry.