Examining the Political Dimensions of Sustainability: The Role of Freedom of Expression in Environmental Outcomes

ABSTRACT Although significant efforts have been made to prevent environmental degradation, the success of these initiatives has remained limited. The primary reason for this is environmental issues' complex and multidimensional nature. Economic, political, and social dynamics play a central role in shaping environmental problems, necessitating a comprehensive approach to improve environmental quality. Recent research highlights that economic factors alone fail to fully account for environmental challenges, emphasizing the potential significance of political factors in improving environmental outcomes. However, while a few political factors dominate the literature, the impact of phenomena such as freedom of expression and belief (FEB) on environmental degradation has largely been overlooked. FEB, which refers to freedoms in critical areas such as media, academia, thought, and belief, can be an essential catalyst in solving global problems. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of FEB on the ecological footprint (EF) in E7 countries during the 2006–2022 period. Economic growth, energy consumption, and trade openness are also analyzed as control variables. The study employs the CS‐ARDL method alongside the AMG and CCEMG techniques. The findings reveal that FEB reduces EF, thereby improving environmental quality. On the other hand, economic growth and energy consumption increase EF, exacerbating environmental degradation. The results highlight a synergy between freedoms and the environment in the E7 context, offering policymakers a crucial opportunity to achieve sustainable development.