Sustainable development goals and environmental performance: Exploring the contribution of governance, energy, and growth

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, governance quality, and economic growth on environmental sustainability across frontier, emerging, and developed economies from 2001 to 2021. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are environmental sustainability measures. The study addresses potential endogeneity issues through advanced econometric techniques and explores the differential impacts of energy sources, governance structures, and economic factors on environmental performance. The findings reveal significant variations in how these factors influence environmental sustainability across frontier, emerging, and developed economies. The results demonstrate a positive relationship between renewable energy consumption and governance quality with environmental sustainability, while non-renewable energy consumption exhibits a negative association. Economic growth emerges as a crucial factor influencing both environmental performance and the advancement of SDGs. This research contributes to the expanding literature on environmental sustainability by presenting a comprehensive analysis of its determinants across different economic contexts. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches to energy policy, governance reforms, and economic development strategies in the pursuit of environmental sustainability goals.