The Effects of Geopolitical Risk on Investor Attention towards Renewable Energy: Evidence from Türkiye

This study is the first to explore how geopolitical risks affect investor attention to renewable energy, with a specific focus on Türkiye. We construct an investor attention index using Google Search Volume Index (GSVI) data for the keyword “renewable energy.” By incorporating the Geopolitical Risk Index (GPR) and World Uncertainty Index (WUI), we examine the impact of major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the war after October 7, 2023, on investor attention since 2008. Given Türkiye’s heavy reliance on foreign energy and its strategic role as an energy bridge between Europe and the Middle East, it offers a critical case for understanding how geopolitical uncertainties shape renewable energy investment behaviour.