Call for papers: Sustainable Energy Transition and Development Outcomes in the Global South

The open-access journal Discover Sustainability invites submissions for papers on the topic of Sustainable Energy Transition and Development Outcomes in the Global South.

Deadline for submissions: February 28, 2026. 

Recent studies reveal a persistent gap in energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption between developed and developing economies (Adom, 2024; UNCTAD, 2023). This disparity is compounded by a growing investment shortfall, with the annual funding gap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries rising from US$2.5 trillion in 2015 to US$4 trillion (UNCTAD, 2023). At the same time, the global transition to sustainable energy has far-reaching implications for economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability (Adom et al., 2021). While renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies continue to advance, their adoption varies across regions, shaping broader development outcomes This Collection aims to explore the multidimensional impacts of sustainable energy transitions in the Global South, drawing attention to the role of policy frameworks, instruments, and technological advancements, in affecting a range of socio-economic outcomes, including economic productivity of households, firms and communities, and individual and community resilience. The literature on sustainable energy transitions has highlighted key areas of inquiry, including the role of government policies in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency (Schaffer and Bernauer, 2014; Akorli and Adom, 2023), the economic benefits and challenges associated with transitioning from fossil fuels (IRENA, 2016; Puyo et al., 2024), and the social dimensions of energy access (Jeuland et al., 2019). Scholars have 

emphasized that successful energy transitions require a combination of technological innovation, regulatory support, and financial investments (Jeuland et al., 2019; Adom et al., 2023; Adom, 2024; Duggan, 2025). Research also underscores the importance of energy justice, ensuring that vulnerable populations benefit from clean energy solutions rather than facing disproportionate burdens. Studies on decentralized energy systems suggest that local, community-driven initiatives can significantly contribute to energy security and economic empowerment (Mohapatra et al., 2022). Additionally, literature on climate adaptation highlights the necessity of resilient energy infrastructure, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather conditions. However, gaps remain in understanding how energy transitions affect labor markets, social equity, and long-term economic stability. This Collection seeks to build upon existing research while addressing critical gaps in evidence, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the links between energy transitions and development outcomes in the Global South.

Topics of interest for this Collection include, but are not limited to:

• Cooking and heating energy transitions: Addressing energy poverty, indoor air pollution, and deforestation through cleaner solutions.

• Off-grid and grid electricity networks: Overcoming barriers in off-grid markets, enhancing grid reliability, and ensuring equitable electricity access.

• Impacts of renewable energy: Exploring social, economic, and environmental outcomes of renewable energy technologies in the Global South.

• Nexus of energy technology and air pollution: Investigating the interactions between energy systems and air quality, focusing on pollution reduction strategies.

• Energy-gender nexus: Advancing gender-equitable energy transitions, ensuring that women’s roles and needs are recognized and addressed.

• Inclusive and just energy transition: What does this mean, and how can it be supported with human and financial capital?

• The role of energy access and energy interventions in fostering social resilience in the face of growing macroeconomic, policy, and natural systems (e.g., from climate change) uncertainty.

• Policy and governance frameworks for sustainable energy transitions.

• Socio-economic impacts of energy transitions on communities.

• The role of public and private investment in renewable energy adoption.

• Technological innovations and their contributions to energy sustainability.

• Climate resilience and adaptation in energy infrastructure.

• The impact of energy transitions on employment and labor markets.

• Decentralized energy systems and community-led renewable initiatives.

• Case studies of successful energy transition strategies.

• The role of international cooperation in energy sustainability.

• Nexus between energy use and pandemics.

Reference

Duggan, J.E. Recent Progress in Sustainable Energy Systems Development: Investment, Operations, and Decarbonization. Curr Sustainable Renewable Energy Rep 12, 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-024-00248-3.

Jeuland, M., T., Fetter, R., Li, Y., Pattanayak, S.K., Usmani, F., Bluffstone, R.A., Jagger, P., et. al., Is energy the golden thread? A systematic review of the impacts of modern and traditional energy use in low-and middle-income countries, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 135 (2021), 110406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110406.

Schaffer, L.M., Bernauer, T. (2024). Explaining government policies for renewable energy adoption. Energy Policy 68: 15-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.12.064.

Akorli C.D., Adom, P.K. (2023). The role of corruption and regulatory quality in energy efficiency transition tendency in Africa. iScience 26: 106262. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.isci.2023.106262.

Adom, P.K. (2024). Global energy efficiency transition tendency: a development phenomenon or not? Energy Strategy Reviews 55:101524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2024.101524.

Puyo, D.M., Panton, A.J., Sridhar, T., Stuermer, M., Ungerer, C., Zhang, A.T. (2024). Key challenges faced by fossil fuel exporters during energy transition. IMF vol. 2024 (001). https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400270147.066.

UNCTAD (2023). UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2023. https://unctad.org/publication/world-investment-report-2023 IRENA (2016), ‘Renewable Energy Benefits: Measuring The Economics’. IRENA, Abu Dhabi. www.irena.org.

Mohapatra, D., Moyo, S,, Jaeger, J., Lecoque, D. (2022). Understanding the Clean Energy Transition with Community-Driven Decentralised Renewable Energy projects in Germany and Sub-Saharan Africa. Alliance

for Rural Electrification, https://www.ruralelec.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Understanding-the-….

Adom, P.K., Amuakwa-Mensah, F., Agradi, M.P., Nsabimana, A. (2021), Energy poverty, development outcomes, and transition to green energy. Renewable Energy 178: 1337-1352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.120.

Adom, P.K., Amuakwa-Mensah, F., Dzifa, C.D. (2023). Energy efficiency as a sustainability concern in Africa and financial development: How much bias is involved. Energy Economics, 120: 106577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106577.

Keywords: Sustainable Energy Transitions; Development Outcomes Global South; Energy Efficiency; Renewable Energy Adoption; Multidimensional impacts; Energy justice.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15.