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Abstract
Complex relationship between renewable energy deployment, governance quality, and energy justice outcomes across different countries. Given the global transition towards renewable energy (RE) as a means to mitigate climate change, the research examines how varying political and economic structures, along with socio-ecological trade-offs, affect the equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of energy transitions. Using a panel dataset of global countries from 2000 to 2025, the study employs fixed-effects regression models and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the effects of renewable energy expansion on energy justice, with particular attention to the mediating role of socio-ecological impacts such as land-use changes and local conflicts. Findings reveal that while RE deployment is positively associated with environmental sustainability, it does not always lead to improvements in energy justice. In some cases, it exacerbates inequalities in energy access and affordability, particularly in countries with weak governance and highly concentrated energy markets. Structural equation modeling reveals that while economic mechanisms function as significant mediators, the indirect pathway through socio-ecological trade-offs is statistically non-significant, indicating a decoupling between localized ecological impacts and macro-level energy justice outcomes. Research underscores importance of integrating political economy and governance considerations into renewable energy policy to achieve fair and just energy outcomes globally.
[Penelitian ini mengkaji hubungan yang kompleks antara implementasi energi terbarukan, kualitas tata kelola, dan hasil keadilan energi di berbagai negara. Seiring dengan transisi global menuju energi terbarukan (renewable energy/RE) sebagai upaya mitigasi perubahan iklim, penelitian ini menganalisis bagaimana perbedaan struktur politik dan ekonomi, serta berbagai kompromi sosio-ekologis, memengaruhi distribusi yang adil atas manfaat dan beban dari transisi energi. Dengan menggunakan data panel berbagai negara di dunia selama periode 2000–2025, penelitian ini menerapkan model regresi efek tetap (fixed-effects regression models) dan structural equation modeling (SEM) untuk menguji pengaruh perluasan energi terbarukan terhadap keadilan energi, dengan perhatian khusus pada peran mediasi dampak sosio-ekologis seperti perubahan penggunaan lahan dan konflik lokal. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun implementasi energi terbarukan berhubungan positif dengan keberlanjutan lingkungan, hal tersebut tidak selalu menghasilkan peningkatan keadilan energi. Dalam beberapa kasus, implementasi energi terbarukan justru memperburuk ketimpangan dalam akses dan keterjangkauan energi, terutama di negara-negara dengan tata kelola yang lemah dan pasar energi yang sangat terkonsentrasi. Hasil structural equation modeling mengungkapkan bahwa mekanisme ekonomi berfungsi sebagai mediator yang signifikan, sedangkan jalur tidak langsung melalui kompromi sosio-ekologis tidak signifikan secara statistik. Temuan ini menunjukkan adanya keterputusan antara dampak ekologis yang bersifat lokal dengan hasil keadilan energi pada tingkat makro. Penelitian ini menegaskan pentingnya mengintegrasikan pertimbangan ekonomi politik dan tata kelola ke dalam kebijakan energi terbarukan guna mewujudkan hasil transisi energi yang adil dan merata secara global.]
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Copyright (c) 2026 Indra Lukmana Putra, Mochammad Junus, Ascosenda Ika Rizqi (Author)

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References
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References
Ardiwinata, J. S., Zaman, K., Nassani, A. A., Haffar, M., Faif Pasani, C., & Sriyanto, S. (2022). What is right and what is wrong in the environmental governance model? Environmental regulations for improving environmental sustainability ratings. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 17(1), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.35784/pe.2022.1.12
Badmus, J. O., & Bisiriyu, S. O. (2025). Assessing progress toward SDG 7: A threshold analysis of environmental policy stringency and institutional quality on renewable energy consumption. Sustainable Development, 33(6), 7915–7933. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70044
Bozeman, B. B., Pracheil, B. M., & Matson, P. G. (2024). The environmental impact of hydropower: A systematic review of the ecological effects of sub-daily flow variability on riverine fish. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 35(1), 45–76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-024-09909-4
Buehring, H., & Liedtka, J. (2018). Embracing systematic futures thinking at the intersection of strategic planning, foresight and design. Journal of Innovation Management, 6(3), 134–152. https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_006-003_0006
Chaturvedi Sharma, P., Bansal, R., Luqman Aziz, A., & Propheto, A. (2025). Can renewable energy investments alone deliver energy, emissions, and employment gains? A state-level systems analysis from India. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12, 102248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102248
Chowdary, V. R., Gope, S., Dawn, S., Islam, M. M., & Ustun, T. S. (2024). Economic sustainability enhancement by the integration of renewable energy in a deregulated system: A study. Energy Exploration & Exploitation, 43(2), 865–905. https://doi.org/10.1177/01445987241300180
Fernandes, K., Ramchandra Marathe, S., Parab, S., Amonkar, V., Vernekar, G., & Sonu Pandhre, S. (2025). Evaluating the role of government expenditure in promoting renewable energy and economic growth in India. Environmental Economics, 16(2), 162–172. https://doi.org/10.21511/ee.16(2).2025.12
Fu, H., Tiwari, S., Kazemzadeh, E., Cobbold, E. Y., Ghosh, S., & Doğan, B. (2025). Green growth and gender equality: The role of political empowerment and renewable energy in sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 34(S1), 1018–1042. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70220
Gawande, A., & Chaudhry, P. (2019). Environmental and social impacts of wind energy: A viewpoint with reference to India. Ecological Questions, 30(2), 39. https://doi.org/10.12775/eq.2019.009
Gumber, A., Zana, R., & Steffen, B. (2024). A global analysis of renewable energy project commissioning timelines. Applied Energy, 358, 122563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122563
Karambelkar, S., Bui, T., Turley, B., Ames, S., Fischer, M., & Cantor, A. (2025). Pumped storage hydropower in the United States: Emerging importance, environmental and social impacts, and critical considerations. WIREs Water, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.70017
Obuobi, B., Zhang, Y., Nketiah, E., Adu-Gyamfi, G., & Cudjoe, D. (2022). Renewable energy demand, financial reforms, and environmental quality in West Africa. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(46), 69540–69554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20692-2
Pfeiffer, O., Nock, D., & Baker, E. (2021). Wind energy’s bycatch: Offshore wind deployment impacts on hydropower operation and migratory fish. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 143(3), 110885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110885
Shahzad, Q., & Aruga, K. (2025). Energy policy evolution in Pakistan: Balancing security, efficiency, and sustainability. Energies, 18(14), 3821. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143821
Sitompul, H., Saifi, M., Hutahayan, B., & Sunarti, S. (2024). Use of renewable energy to enhance firm performance: A systematic review. Sustainability, 16(21), 9157. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219157
Syamsir, S., Saputra, N., & Mulia, R. A. (2025). Leadership agility in a VUCA world: A systematic review, conceptual insights, and research directions. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2482022
Taylor, D., Chong, K., & Röder, M. (2024). Designing biomass policy: The political economy of renewable energy for net zero. WIREs Energy and Environment, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/wene.512
Tamasiga, P., Dzingai, V. M., Onyeaka, H., Tchonkouang, R. D., Siyanbola, K. F., Genesis, U., & Mudimu, G. T. (2025). Energy transition effects on food security amidst climate change and progress toward sustainable development goals. Energy and Climate Change, 6, 100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2025.100222
Ullah, A., Dogan, M., Topcu, B. A., & Saadaoui, H. (2023). Modeling the impacts of technological innovation and financial development on environmental sustainability: New evidence from the world’s top 14 financially developed countries. Energy Strategy Reviews, 50, 101229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2023.101229
Wu, H., Du, J., & Rasool, Y. (2025). Navigating environmental concerns: Unveiling the role of economic governance, energy transition, and population aging on transport-based CO2 emissions in China. Energies, 18(7), 1748. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071748
Zheng, T., Song, C., & Cao, L. (2025). The role of policy narrative intensity in accelerating renewable energy innovation: Evidence from China’s energy transition. Energies, 18(11), 2780. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112780