The Consequences of France's Return to Nuclear on Sustainable Development: Moderating Role of Energy R&D Budget and Renewable Energy

ABSTRACT The energy sector is one of the main industries that causes environmental degradation. To achieve the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7 and SDG13), countries strive to expand the country's low‐carbon (renewable and nuclear) energy transition. While many other countries are progressively decreasing their reliance on nuclear energy, France is further increasing its usage. The aim of this study is to investigate the comparative impact of renewable energy and nuclear energy on the novel sustainable development index in France for the period 1990–2022, using the Fourier‐based A‐ARDL method. According to the findings, renewable energy positively influences sustainable development, in contrast to the adverse impact of energy technology R&D expenditures and nuclear energy. France should reassess its energy and climate strategy, which diverges from that of other EU countries in attaining sustainable development goals.