This study focused on exploring the impact of the digital economy (DE) on energy poverty (EP) across Chinese provinces from 2004 to 2018, motivated by the critical need to understand how technological advancements in the digital sector influence energy accessibility and sustainability. Conducted against the backdrop of global digital transformation, the research aimed to dissect the nuanced ways in which the DE contributes to mitigating EP, employing dynamic panel threshold and indirect effect models to capture both the direct and nuanced, and intermediate effects of digital progress on energy deprivation. Key findings revealed a significant reduction in EP attributed to the advancements in DE, with the most notable improvements observed in Eastern China where strategic energy policies and management practices enhanced the positive impacts of digitalization. The study highlighted the DE's role in improving energy access, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, although it also pointed out the potential for regressive effects in areas with lower levels of technological advancement. These findings are of substantial value as they offer empirical evidence of the DE's capacity to alleviate EP, underlining the importance of integrating digital strategies into energy policy planning. The research provides critical insights for policymakers, stakeholders in the energy sector, and scholars interested in the synergies between digital innovation and energy security, suggesting that leveraging digital technologies could accelerate efforts towards achieving sustainable energy access and combating energy poverty in China and potentially in other contexts facing similar challenges.

During the time before the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are achieved, the international community has set goals to improve people’s lives worldwide. This is in line with the United Nations’ 2030 ambitions to strengthen and advance human society’s sustainable development. Goal number 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), goal number 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and goal number 13 (Climate Action) are highly correlated to each other. The current study investigates the role of human capital and technological innovation in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) through a carbon-free energy system. A 19-year dataset covering the years 2000−2018 for the G7 economies has been utilized by using the composite index, Multi-criteria decision analysis, and Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) methods. The study’s outcomes indicate that the human capital index and technological innovations contribute positively to SDGs in G7 economies. Both indicators also contribute positively to the carbon-free economy by contributing to carbon-free energy sources. The financial index and energy index results also indicate a positive association with the carbon-free economy in G7 nations. This study suggests policy guidelines for developed as well as for developing economies based on human capital and technological innovation to fulfill the SDGs.

The use of renewable energy sources and carbon emissions has been debated from various perspectives throughout recent decades. However, the causal relationship between green energy sources and carbon emissions volatility has received limited attention. This study aims to close a knowledge gap in this area. The current study analyzes the renewable energy sources (wind, hydro, and geothermal) and carbon emissions of four ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines) between 2000 and 2019. The present study combined Chudik and Pesaran’s (2015) newly developed Dynamic Common Correlated Effects (DCCE) with cutting-edge investigation tools such as first- and second-generation unit root tests; CS-dependence; Variance inflation factor test for multicollinearity; and Pedroni, Kao, and Wester Lund tests of co-integration. The Granger causality test is also used to check the short-term and long-term causal effects within the renewable energy sources and green energy sources, and carbon volatility. According to the empirical results, green energy sources make a positive and vital contribution to reducing carbon emissions growth in the above-noted ASEAN economies. Furthermore, short- and long-run causality runs from green energy sources to carbon emission volatility in the region. A significant causality relationship has also been observed within the green energy sources of ASEAN.

It is acknowledged that environmental degradation, climate change and the atmosphere's temperature are increasing due to the emission of greenhouse gasses. Therefore, a speedy response is required to lessen the severe effects of greenhouse gases. The present study has analyzed the influence of electric consumption, fiscal development, globalization, and trade openness on carbon emission using the latest dataset and modern econometric techniques. To accomplish the said objectives, the study has employed Johansen cointegration, autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDK), and block exogeneity. The results specify that with the 1% increase in electric consumption, fiscal development, globalization and trade openness, the carbon dioxide emission increases by 0.01%, 0.04%, 0.68%, and 0.25%, respectively. Moreover, the results also indicated that the environmental Kuznets curve is prevailing in the Malaysian economy because an inverted U-shape connection occurs between carbon and GDP2. On the basis of data diagnostics, it is determined that the ARDL model is credible, stable, and reliable. Further, block exogeneity affirms the long-term affiliation among the factors and concludes that all the factors under analysis contribute to the environmental deterioration in the Malaysian economy. Therefore, the government may design an environmental or pollution tax policy to minimize carbon emissions. Green energy should be produced and consumed as it is environmental friendly and helps to reduce temperature and atmospheric pollution.