Clean energy consumption, economic growth, and environmental sustainability: What is the role of economic policy uncertainty?

Undoubtedly, energy is indispensable to attain economic development; however, it also generates CO2 emissions, which are the dominant contributor environmental deterioration and climate change. In this regard, clean can help achieve both sustainable development sustainability since comprises non-carbohydrate sources that do not or seldom generate emissions. Against backdrop, work considers policy uncertainty (EPU) probes impact of consumption on emissions in third largest European economy France from 1987 2019 controlling urbanization growth. Using STIRPAT framework, study employed novel Augmented ARDL method overcomes limitations methods. The outcomes disclosed strong evidence cointegration. long-run analysis revealed does contribute reduction long-run. However, EPU poses a threat by augmenting levels. Economic growth boosts while conducive quality supporting ecological modernization theory. detected causality Finally, based outcomes, framework suggested address objectives Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 13.