Reassessing Jason Hickel's sustainable development index: An analysis and insights from Turkiye

This study explores the causal dynamics between Jason Hickel?s Sustainable Development Index (SDI) and renewable energy use in Turkiye (1990-2019). Using Johansen cointegration and Granger causality tests, results reveal a one-way causality from SDI to renewable energy, indicating that sustainability frameworks can drive energy transition, but not vice versa. The study suggests revising SDI to better capture decarbonization dynamics and positive externalities such as air quality and health gains. Findings imply that sustainability demands integrated strategies beyond technological change, offering actionable insights for policy and advancing SDI as both a normative and diagnostic tool.