Renewable Energy Demand and the Impact of Women's Political Empowerment in Sustainable Development and Green Technological Boost: Evidence From G‐20 Countries

Climate change continues to pose significant global challenges, while renewable energy provides a crucial pathway toward sustainable development. This study examines how women's political empowerment (WPEP) influences renewable energy demand (RNE) in G‐20 economies from 1990 to 2022, incorporating additional factors such as energy costs (EC), green technology (GT), and economic growth (GDP). Using advanced machine learning techniques, particularly LASSO algorithms, we identify the most influential determinants of RNE. To validate the LASSO findings, we apply complementary approaches, including Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA), Partial Ordered Logit Regression (POLR), and Double‐Selection Least Squares Regression (DS‐LSR). Moreover, Panel Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) and Driscoll–Kraay Standard Errors (DKSE) are employed as robustness checks. The results reveal that WPEP significantly increases renewable energy demand, and its interaction with green technological advancement further strengthens this effect. In contrast, higher energy costs reduce the likelihood of renewable energy uptake. Overall, the findings indicate that empowering women in political decision‐making plays a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and energy‐secure future in G‐20 countries.