Evaluating the socio-economic and environmental impacts of renewable energy deployment: A global perspective

The rapid and widespread implementation of renewable energy (RE) systems across various sectors is vital to mitigating global warming. This study synthesizes insights from 270 peer-reviewed articles published over the past decade, examining the social, economic, and environmental impacts of RE technologies. It highlights recurring themes, challenges, opportunities, and divergences in findings shaped by regional and contextual factors. Social dimensions—particularly trust in institutions and the quality of governance—emerge as key enablers of RE adoption. The concept of place attachment also receives attention, although its role remains contested, with studies divided on whether it facilitates or obstructs RE initiatives. Economically, while the global agenda favors sustainable energy, many developed and developing countries continue to prioritize fossil fuel development for economic growth. Environmentally, much of the literature focuses on the localized negative impacts of RE projects, often underemphasizing their broader climate mitigation benefits. Additionally, there is a significant lack of research on the environmental implications of RE deployment in low-income countries. Two critical research gaps are identified: the need to further explore the benefits of co-locating RE infrastructure in developing economies and the importance of integrating First Nations perspectives and active participation in RE research and project planning.