Energy Poverty and Social Well-Being in North Africa: Between Environmental Degradation and Green Investment

Abstract

This article examines the impact of energy poverty on social well-being in North Africa over the period 2000-2022, incorporating a dual approach: on the one hand, the mediating role of environmental degradation and, on the other, the moderating effect of green investment. Through an empirical analysis based on macroeconomic data, our results show that energy poverty exerts a significant negative influence on social well-being, mainly by exacerbating inequalities in access to essential services. Environmental degradation appears to be a channel aggravating this relationship, illustrating how energy insufficiency contributes to altered living conditions. However, green investment partially mitigates this negative effect, although its effectiveness remains conditional on the implementation of inclusive policies. These results underline the importance of a balanced energy transition, combining a reduction in energy poverty with a sustainable investment strategy to improve social well-being in the region.