Cuáles son los factores que influyen en el progreso de los países para alcanzar el objetivo de desarrollo sostenible número 7 sobre energía asequible y no contaminante

Abstract

This research examines the determinants of progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) on affordable and clean energy in low and middle-income countries. Using spatial panel econometric techniques with data from 2000-2022, the study analyzes how infrastructure development, institutional frameworks, governance quality, and socioeconomic policies influence energy access outcomes. The study employs a spatial Durbin panel model with spatial weight matrices to capture regional interdependencies. Variables include the SDG 7 progress index, economic indicators, energy infrastructure metrics, and governance indices. Results demonstrate that legal framework robustness, formal employment and rural population significantly influence progress, with institutional factors showing particular importance in developing contexts. The findings reveal substantial spatial spillover effects, indicating that a country's progress toward SDG 7 is influenced by neighboring countries' performance. The analysis identifies distinct patterns of spatial dependence across regions, with implications for policy intervention. These findings contribute to understanding the spatial dimensions of sustainable energy development and provide evidence-based insights for policy formulation. Keywords: Energy Access, Sustainability, Spatial Econometrics, SDGs, Development Economics, Panel Data Analysis