Does Climate Change Vulnerability Cause Energy Vulnerability in Sustainable Development?

ABSTRACT Climate change and energy security are two fundamental vulnerability areas that interact with each other and hold critical importance for sustainable development goals. This research aims to fill the research gap by investigating the effects of climate change vulnerability (CCV) on the energy vulnerability (EV) relationship, which has not been adequately addressed in the literature, using a large panel dataset covering 74 countries and employing various methodological approaches (MMQR, PLFC, DID). The results of the MMQR model indicate that CCV increases EV across all quantiles. According to the results of the PLFC model, it is revealed that CCV on EV varies depending on the economic development level of countries. This effect is higher in low‐income countries. The study also employs the DID model to examine the impact of China's foreign energy investments on countries' EV. According to this model, China's fossil‐based energy investments, particularly those in the energy sector, increase the EV of countries. While economic development reduces EV across all quantiles, financial development reduces it in the lower and medium quantiles (25% and 50%); urbanization reduces it in the medium and higher quantiles (50% and 75%). All results show that the interaction between EV and CCV is a multidimensional and dynamic process. Accordingly, policymakers should develop integrated strategies that consider environment and energy policies, economic development, investment type, and environmental risks. Lastly, policymakers should consider energy investments from China not only as a tool for their country's economic growth, but also in terms of energy security and sustainability.