Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on rural energy poverty: evidence and mechanisms

PurposeThis paper examines the effects and mechanisms of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on rural energy poverty (REP).Design/methodology/approachA difference-in-differences (DID) model and World Bank data are used to estimate the impact of the BRI on REP. Further robustness tests were conducted. The paper also explores the impact mechanism of BRI affecting REP. The heterogeneity of BRI affecting REP is analyzed.FindingsBRI has a significant negative effect on REP. This finding is robust. BRI mitigates REP through transportation infrastructure (TI), off-farm employment (OFE) and energy self-sufficiency (ES). The effect of BRI in reducing REP is influenced by government effectiveness (GE).Originality/valueThis paper examines the BRI–REP nexus, enhances the understanding of the BRI’s potential as a tool for reducing rural energy poverty and provides valuable insights for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.