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Unlocking energy efficiency through digital platforms: Implications for sustainable energy transition

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  • Tufail, Muhammad
  • Imran, Muhammad
  • Song, Lin

Abstract

Despite growing interest, empirical evidence and conceptual frameworks on the nexus between digitalization and energy efficiency remain limited in emerging economies. This study investigates 22 countries from 1990 to 2022. It employs the Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR) to analyze how digitalization and key economic, structural, and institutional factors influence energy efficiency. The MMQR framework enables a distributional analysis across different quantiles. Results show that digitalization significantly promotes energy efficiency, largely driven by advancements in digital infrastructure and technology adoption. In contrast, GDP, industrial structure, trade openness, and urbanization reduce energy efficiency, while political stability enhances energy efficiency. Overall, the study provides robust empirical evidence on the role of digitalization in enhancing energy efficiency, supporting digitalization and decarbonization transitions in these emerging economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Tufail, Muhammad & Imran, Muhammad & Song, Lin, 2026. "Unlocking energy efficiency through digital platforms: Implications for sustainable energy transition," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PG).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pg:s0960148125021676
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124503
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