The Journal of Energy and Development, Volume 49, Issue 1, presents a diverse collection of studies examining the complex interplay between energy policies, environmental challenges, economic growth, and sustainable development across various global contexts. This issue offers critical insights into technological innovation, policy interventions, and the socioeconomic impacts of energy systems, with research spanning regions including Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the Nordic countries, West Africa, Lebanon, and a broader group of developing nations.

1. Energy Transition in Mexico: Boyd et al.  use a Computable General Equilibrium model to assess the impacts of renewable energy adoption and carbon taxation on Mexico’s economy, emphasizing the potential for sustainable growth through effective policy design.

2. Saudi Arabia’s Growth-Ecology Trade-off: Issaoui et al. explore the environmental and economic implications of Saudi Arabia’s evolving development strategies, using an ARDL model to link economic growth, energy use, and CO2 emissions to the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis.

3. Cryptocurrency Mining and Nordic Electricity Markets: The authors analyzes the connection between cryptocurrency price volatility and electricity prices in the Nordic region, revealing medium-level correlations driven by energy-intensive crypto-mining activities.

4. Globalization and Environment in West Africa: Keho examines how globalization and financial development exacerbate environmental degradation in West Africa, employing ecological footprint as a measure and offering policy recommendations for sustainable development.

5. Energy and Growth Dynamics in Lebanon: Khalifeh et al. investigate the bidirectional relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions in Lebanon, proposing renewable energy integration as a pathway to sustainable economic progress.

6. Energy Poverty and Informal Economies: Eloundou et al. focus on the impact of energy poverty on informal economies in developing countries, advocating for improved energy access to foster economic formalization and competitiveness.

This issue underscores the multifaceted challenges of energy management and environmental stewardship in the pursuit of sustainable development, offering evidence-based strategies for policymakers, academics, and industry leaders worldwide.