Tourism, Nuclear Energy Consumption and Sustainable Development Challenges: Policy Implications for Leading Nuclear Power Economies

ABSTRACT The deepening integration of economic and productivity resources in recent decades has major environmental implications for global economies. However, the persistent use of fossil fuel as an energy policy component requires immediate policy action to address how energy affects the environment and the sustainable development transition. In light of this consideration, we study documents on how tourism sector developments, nuclear energy (NE) policy and fertility rate (FR) resolve environmental challenges. Furthermore, we test whether a U‐shaped connection exists between load capacity factor and income and also observe an inverse U‐shaped link among CO 2 emissions, ecological footprint and income. Our extended econometric investigation allows us to report that NE consumption and tourism development are key in the sustainable development transition, whereas FRs may exacerbate environmental challenges. Our findings further validate the load capacity and environmental Kuznets curve, highlighting the necessity for sustainable policies to minimize adverse environmental effects while balancing energy demands. The study offers policy recommendations, including investing in NE research, promoting sustainable tourism, supporting family planning and enhancing education and public awareness.