Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - Catalyzing Change: Strategies and Approaches for Climate, Energy, and Environmental Policies

This Special Issue was previously called as "Environmental Sustainability & Smart-Cities: Challenges, Strategies, and Lessons Learned". This CFP is updated on June 12, 2023.

Guest Editor
Dr. Fateh BELAID
Fellow King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center
Full Professor of Economics
E-mail: fateh.belaid@gmail.com

1. Motivation and objective of the Special Issue

The remarkable global economic growth achieved in the past five decades has brought about significant improvements in the lives of billions of individuals. However, this progress has not been without its drawbacks. The increase in economic activity has resulted in higher energy demands, reliance on finite resources, and widespread environmental degradation, including the alarming effects of climate change, deforestation, and heightened air and water pollution levels. Consequently, governments and policymakers face the challenge of capitalizing on the opportunities generated by economic growth while minimizing its adverse environmental impacts.

In this Special Issue, we extend invitation for research encompassing empirical, methodological, and theoretical approaches that delve into the formulation, adoption, and implementation of climate, energy, and environmental policies. We eagerly embrace contributions from a wide array of geographic and disciplinary perspectives, spanning economics, science and technology studies, science policy studies, public policy, and political science. It is essential that research proposing specific policy measures be underpinned by robust analysis and a well-rounded assessment.

Contributions are invited on key themes, including, but not limited to:

• The entire policymaking process spanning problem identification, agenda setting, policy option assessment, implementation, and evaluation.
• Technologies, processes, instruments,  and institutions facilitating climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy transitions, and environmental policymaking in the specific context of developing countries.
• Policymaking and regulation at various scales (local, national, regional) and within specific contexts (e.g., city, country, and region-specific challenges in developing countries).
• The generation and utilization of evidence and expertise in developing policy in resource-constrained settings.
• Consideration of power dynamics, influence networks, and evidence utilization that contribute to policy formulation.
• Policy decision-making processes in different contexts, such as government, civil society, and corporate settings.
• Mechanisms for enabling public/non-expert participation in policymaking toward carbon neutrality
• The interplay of policymaking with economic, social, planning, and political considerations specific to developing countries.
• Perspectives on climate justice, equity, and inclusion arising from policy adoption in developing countries.
• Impacts of trade and investment on climate policy action within developing countries.

We strongly encourage contributions that illuminate these areas and offer invaluable insights into the intricate realm of climate, energy, and environmental policymaking, with a specific emphasis on the unique context of developing countries.

2. Submission instructions 

While submitting their full paper, authors are kindly requested to express their interest in being considered for the special issue by selecting the topic "S.I. : Environmental Sustainability & Smart-Cities".

Once approved by the Editors-in-Chief of the special issue, all submissions will undergo the standard peer review process.

3. Planned schedule & Important dates

Submission deadline: The deadline for submitting papers is May 31, 2024.
For questions regarding this special issue, please get in touch with Guest Editor: Fateh BELAID (fateh.belaid@gmail.com) 
Acceptance deadline: September 2024