Modeling the impact of energy poverty on income poverty, health poverty, educational poverty, and environmental poverty: a roadmap towards environmental sustainability

Energy poverty has gained considerable attention worldwide, adversely affecting income, education, health, and the environment. However, no study has examined the linkages among these dimensions and especially during COVID-19 in the Pakistani perspective. To bridge this research gap, we scrutinized the relationship among these variables to measure the hypotheses. The study analyzed the survey data collected from university students to meet the research objectives. We employed SPSS 26 for statistical description and correlation analysis and AMOS 26 to construct structural equation modeling to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings disclose that COVID-19 pandemic boosts energy poverty in Pakistan. Moreover, energy poverty positively and significantly influences income poverty, health poverty, educational poverty, and environmental poverty. Finally, relevant practical suggestions are provided based on the study findings.

Automated summary

Energy poverty has garnered global attention as it negatively impacts income, education, health, and the environment. However, there is a lack of research examining the linkages among these dimensions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. To address this research gap, a study was conducted to analyze the relationship between these variables and test hypotheses. Survey data from university students was collected and analyzed using SPSS 26 for statistical description and correlation analysis, and AMOS 26 for constructing a structural equation model. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates energy poverty in Pakistan, which in turn significantly influences income poverty, health poverty, educational poverty, and environmental poverty. The study concludes with practical suggestions based on the research findings.