Green Energy Policies in Promoting Sustainable Development: A Literature Review

Green energy policies have become essential instruments for addressing climate change, environmental degradation, energy insecurity, and sustainable development challenges. This study aims to examine the role of green energy policies in promoting sustainable development by analyzing policy frameworks, implementation strategies, environmental and socioeconomic contributions, institutional challenges, and policy innovations. The study employed a literature review approach with a qualitative descriptive and analytical orientation. Relevant academic publications were identified through Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar, prioritizing peer-reviewed articles published between 2021 and 2026. Literature selection was guided by predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, while data were examined using qualitative thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. The findings indicate that renewable energy regulations, financial incentives, carbon pricing mechanisms, and investment policies contribute to emission reductions, economic development, employment opportunities, and improved energy accessibility. However, their effectiveness varies according to institutional capacity, regulatory consistency, financial accessibility, technological readiness, and stakeholder participation. Major implementation challenges include fragmented governance, inadequate financing, infrastructure limitations, technological disparities, and unequal distribution of transition benefits. Policy innovations involving green financing, smart energy technologies, collaborative governance, and international cooperation offer opportunities to strengthen renewable energy transitions. The review highlights the importance of integrating environmental objectives with economic resilience, social equity, and institutional accountability. It concludes that coherent policy frameworks, technological modernization, inclusive governance, and coordinated investment strategies are critical for accelerating sustainable energy transitions and advancing long-term sustainable development across diverse national and institutional contexts.