Comparative Policy Pathways for Energy Transition and Carbon Emissions Reduction to 2050: Evidence from Germany, China, and Saudi Arabia

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

School of Business Administration, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China

10.22059/poll.2026.407356.3219

Abstract

The energy transition has become a pressing concern for governments, industries, and societies worldwide, driven by the need to address climate change. But nations approach this challenge in different ways. The examples of Germany, China, and Saudi Arabia are notable: one is a long-term leader in renewable energy, another is the world's largest energy consumer and emitter, and the third is a fossil-based economy undergoing diversification. This study examines how these three nations shape their future projections toward 2050. Our hybrid methodology, which combines scenario analysis and policy review, evaluates how each country manages the trade-offs between sustainability, affordability, and energy security. Given their significant contributions to global emissions, these pathways may also yield significant air quality co-benefits through the projected decline in fossil fuel use. The analysis identifies investment costs, technological uncertainty, and public acceptance as common barriers, while demonstrating how domestic political and economic structures lead to markedly different strategies. Although the study focuses on energy transition, the projected emission reductions also suggest co-benefits for improved air quality, especially in countries where coal or oil dominates the energy mix. Comparing these pathways highlights lessons for more effective policy design, the need for integrated instruments such as renewable subsidies and carbon pricing, and the importance of enhanced international cooperation. Overall, the research provides insights into how diverse national experiences can inform a just and sustainable energy future at the global level, with a focus on decarbonization pathways and their broader socio-economic implications.

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References

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Pollution
Volume 12, Issue 2
May 2026
Pages 586-600

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