While many studies examine ecological footprint drivers, the impact of economic and 15 political uncertainty is underexplored. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the effects 16 of the World Uncertainty Index (WUI) and renewable energy consumption on ecological 17 footprints across 126 countries from 2001 to 2021, using a dynamic spatial Durbin model. 18 Results show that WUI significantly reduces ecological footprints in both the short and long 19 run. Spatial spillovers reveal that uncertainty’s effects extend beyond national borders, 20 amplifying regional environmental impacts. Comparative analysis indicates that the negative 21 effects of uncertainty outweigh the benefits of renewable energy consumption. These 22 findings highlight the critical importance of socioeconomic and political stability, suggesting 23 that effective environmental governance requires both domestic policy coherence and global 24 coordination to mitigate uncertainty-driven spillovers and promote long-term ecological 25 resilience.

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