Energy justice, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development: A global analysis

Sohail M. T., Ullah S., Ozturk I., Sohail S.

Energy, vol.319, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 319
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134999
  • Journal Name: Energy
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, Environment Index, INSPEC, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Digital infrastructure, Energy justice, Sustainable development
  • Open Archive Collection: Article
  • Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: No

Abstract

Sustainable development is the future of the world. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly provided a comprehensive framework for sustainable development and named it Agenda 2030. To date, several empirics and researchers have investigated the factors that are crucial for achieving sustainable development objectives. This analysis investigates the impact of energy justice and digital infrastructure on sustainable development using global sample from 2000 to 2022. The study applies advanced econometric approaches, such as CS-ARDL, PMG-ARDL, and DCCE. The findings of these approaches confirm that energy justice and digital infrastructure positively contribute to sustainable development in long-run. In addition, government spending and natural resource rents hurt sustainable development, whereas financial development benefits sustainable development. In contrast, the short-run estimates do not significantly impact sustainable development except for government spending and natural resource rents, which negatively impact sustainable development. Thus, policymakers should focus on a fair distribution of energy resources and the digital development of society as important pillars of sustainable development.