What Drives Progress on SDG 7 and SDG 13? Unpacking the Roles of Clean Technology, Carbon Productivity, and Institutions in EAGLE Economies

ABSTRACT The EAGLE economies face persistent structural challenges such as energy inefficiency, weak institutions, and environmental degradation, alongside heightened vulnerability to global shocks and climate change. These barriers slow progress of EAGLE economies toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study investigates how energy efficiency (EEI), Production‐based CO2 Productivity (CP), environment‐related technologies (GDT), and institutional quality (IQI) shape SD in these economies. Using econometric techniques, including the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), the study ensures robust estimation. For robustness checks, it applies Bootstrap Quantile Regression, DOLS, FMOLS, and CCR methods. To examine the direction of the relationship, the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality test is employed. The empirical results indicate that EEI, CP, and IQI exert a significant and positive influence on SD performance, thereby supporting progress toward the SDGs. In contrast, GDT exhibits heterogeneous effects across quantiles, showing negative impacts at the lower quantiles but positive and supportive effects at higher quantiles. From a policy perspective, governments should promote cleaner energy transitions, support innovation in green technologies, and strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure effective environmental governance. Improving institutional capacity and transparency are also essential for successful policy implementation. Additionally, expanding international cooperation, climate finance, and investments in research and education can accelerate the transition toward a low‐carbon economy and support progress toward global sustainability goals.