Evaluating challenges and policy innovations for renewable energy development in a circular economy: A path to...

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, has begun taking proactive steps to address climate change under Vision 2030. The initiative aims to reduce the country's GHG emissions. As part of this effort, the government is transitioning to renewable energy (RE) to decrease its dependency on oil and support sustainable environmental development. Additionally, the circular economy (CE) model, which promotes resource efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling, aligns with the core principles of RE, further enhancing the country's shift toward sustainability. Saudi Arabia has great potential for RE development but faces some challenges that call for the attention of major policy innovations. Therefore, this study used the fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to assess the twelve key challenges. The fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is used to prioritize the seven policy actions for RE development within a CE framework in Saudi Arabia. The fuzzy DEMATEL findings indicate that the lack of regulatory support, high investment costs, and lack of skilled workforce are the most critical challenges. While the fuzzy TOPSIS shows that community engagement, diversifying funding sources, and educational partnerships are the top-ranked policy actions. These proposed policy actions are useful for maximizing RE potential, facilitating CE practices, and advancing environmental sustainability in Saudi Arabia. This study present that the policy innovations should be useful for governments and policymakers in adapting challenges and opportunities to achieve the aims of Saudi Vision (2030).