Inclusive Energy Transitions and SDG 7: Assessing Renewable Energy through the Lens of Justice and Social Fairness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54741/SSJAR/6.2.2026.355Keywords:
inclusive energy transition, sustainable development goal 7 (SDG 7), energy justice, renewable energy policy, social fairness, energy justice index, rural electrification, public subsidies, renewable energy investment, sustainable developmentAbstract
Energy transitions that are inclusive are necessary if SDG 7 is to be achieved since SDG 7 entails making sure that there is universal access to energy that is affordable, sustainable, and reliable. This paper analyzes renewable energy transitions from the perspective of energy justice. Specifically, it will analyze issues relating to equitable access to energy, affordability, and inclusion in energy transition programs in selected developing countries. In order to achieve its objectives, the paper will employ econometric methods using Fixed Effects (FE), Random Effects (RE), System GMM, and PCA analysis to develop an index of energy justice. Results show that the mean value of EJI is 0.63, which means that there is an energy justice condition of moderate magnitude with a huge disparity across nations. The highest contributing factor to the level of EJI is the installed capacity of renewable energy sources (40%), followed by renewable energy policies (35%) and investments (28%). Results from the Fixed Effects model indicate that the presence of renewable energy policy (β = 0.28), installed capacity (β = 0.32), and investment (β = 0.21) positively and significantly contribute to enhancing energy justice, whereas income inequality (β = -0.18) adversely impacts energy justice. The System GMM model shows that renewable energy share (β = 0.029), subsidies provided to consumers (β = 0.017), and rural electrification (β = 0.043) positively affect EJI, while the price of energy (β = -0.052) reduces affordability and inclusiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sanjiv Sarkar, Arunkumar. P
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