• Energy Research

This paper examines the pattern of convergence in electricity intensity in a sample of 79 countries. We apply the residual augmented least squares regression to the convergence of energy intensity. This method has been used in the convergence of per capita energy consumption but not convergence of energy intensity. Furthermore, in contrast to the previous studies which mainly used the conventional beta convergence approach to examine conditional convergence, we use a beta convergence method that is capable of identifying the actual number of countries that contribute to conditional convergence. The sigma and gamma convergences of electricity intensity are also examined. In addition to the full sample of countries, we also examine convergence in African countries, Asian and Oceanic countries, American countries and European countries, separately. Convergences in OECD and non-OECD countries are also examined, separately. In the full sample, the results show convergence exists in 54% of the countries in the total sample. There is convergence in 65% of the African countries, 61% of the American countries, 43% of the Asian and Oceanic countries and 33% of the European countries. In terms of the regional classification, it is also observed that convergence exists for 58% of the non-OECD countries and 31% of the OECD countries. There is evidence for sigma convergence in all the blocs with the exception of European and non-OECD countries. With the exception of African countries, there is evidence for gamma convergence in all the countries and the various blocs. The policy implications of the results are discussed.

This paper examines the pattern of convergence in electricity intensity in a sample of 79 countries. We apply the residual augmented least squares regression to the convergence of energy intensity. This method has been used in the convergence of per capita energy consumption but not convergence of energy intensity. Furthermore, in contrast to the previous studies which mainly used the conventional beta convergence approach to examine conditional convergence, we use a beta convergence method that is capable of identifying the actual number of countries that contribute to conditional convergence. The sigma and gamma convergences of electricity intensity are also examined. In addition to the full sample of countries, we also examine convergence in African countries, Asian and Oceanic countries, American countries and European countries, separately. Convergences in OECD and non-OECD countries are also examined, separately. In the full sample, the results show convergence exists in 54% of the countries in the total sample. There is convergence in 65% of the African countries, 61% of the American countries, 43% of the Asian and Oceanic countries and 33% of the European countries. In terms of the regional classification, it is also observed that convergence exists for 58% of the non-OECD countries and 31% of the OECD countries. There is evidence for sigma convergence in all the blocs with the exception of European and non-OECD countries. With the exception of African countries, there is evidence for gamma convergence in all the countries and the various blocs. The policy implications of the results are discussed.

L'avancement des énergies renouvelables est l'une des techniques les plus efficaces pour un développement durable à long terme, et les pays du monde entier s'efforcent de modifier leurs structures économiques et industrielles dans le but de stimuler la croissance verte. Avec l'avènement de la quatrième révolution industrielle (4IR), la disponibilité, l'accès et l'utilisation des technologies vertes, y compris les énergies renouvelables, se sont considérablement améliorés. Des recherches sur les facteurs qui influencent la production d'énergie renouvelable sont disponibles. Cependant, nous ne connaissons aucune recherche antérieure qui examine le rôle de l'innovation en matière d'énergie renouvelable dans la promotion de la production d'énergie renouvelable. En conséquence, cette étude évalue l'impact de l'innovation technique sur la croissance verte de 1993 à 2018, tout en tenant compte du PIB réel, de l'indice des prix à la production et des émissions de CO2. En raison de leur statut pivot parmi les pays en développement, notre étude s'est concentrée sur les pays BRICS. En utilisant une nouvelle régression quantile de panel augmentée de la méthode des moments, les résultats empiriques suggèrent que l'influence de l'innovation en matière d'énergie renouvelable sur la production d'énergie renouvelable est significativement positive dans tous les quantiles. De plus, les coefficients sont généralement plus élevés aux petits quantiles, ce qui suggère que les pays ayant une production d'énergie renouvelable par habitant plus faible (Inde et Afrique du Sud) ont une probabilité plus élevée de subir un impact plus important de l'innovation en matière d'énergie renouvelable par habitant que les pays ayant une production d'énergie renouvelable par habitant plus importante (Brésil et Russie). El avance en las energías renovables es una de las técnicas más efectivas para el desarrollo sostenido a largo plazo, y las naciones de todo el mundo están haciendo esfuerzos para cambiar sus estructuras económicas e industriales en un intento por impulsar el crecimiento verde. Con el advenimiento de la Cuarta Revolución Industrial (4IR), la disponibilidad, el acceso y el uso de tecnologías verdes, incluida la energía renovable, han mejorado significativamente. Se dispone de investigaciones sobre los factores que influyen en la producción de energía renovable. Sin embargo, desconocemos cualquier investigación previa que examine el papel de la innovación en energía renovable en la promoción de la producción de energía renovable. Como resultado, este estudio evalúa el impacto de la innovación técnica en el crecimiento verde de 1993 a 2018, al tiempo que tiene en cuenta el PIB real, el índice de precios al productor y las emisiones de CO2. Debido a su estatus fundamental entre los países en desarrollo, nuestro estudio se ha centrado en los países BRICS. Mediante el uso de una nueva regresión de cuantiles de panel aumentada con el método de momentos, los hallazgos empíricos sugieren que la influencia de la innovación en energía renovable en la producción de energía renovable es significativamente positiva en todos los cuantiles. Además, los coeficientes son generalmente mayores en los cuantiles pequeños, lo que sugiere que los países con menor producción de energía renovable per cápita (India y Sudáfrica) tienen una mayor probabilidad de experimentar un mayor impacto de la innovación en energía renovable per cápita que los países con mayor producción de energía renovable per cápita (Brasil y Rusia). Advancement in renewables is one of the most effective techniques for sustained long-term development, and nations across the globe are making efforts to change their economic and industrial structures in a bid to boost green growth. With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the availability, access, and use of green technologies including renewable energy have significantly improved. Researches on the factors that influence renewable energy production are available. However, we are unaware of any previous research that examines the role of renewable energy innovation in the promotion of renewable energy production. As a result, this study evaluates the impact of technical innovation on green growth from 1993 to 2018, while accounting for real GDP, producer price index, and CO2 emissions. Due to their pivotal status among the developing countries, our study has focused on the BRICS countries. By using a new panel quantile regression augmented with the method of moments, the empirical findings suggest that the influence of renewable energy innovation on renewable energy production is significantly positive across all quantiles. Moreover, the coefficients are generally bigger at the small quantiles, which suggests that countries with smaller renewable energy production per capita (India and South Africa) have a higher probability to experience a greater impact of renewable energy innovation per capita than countries with bigger renewable energy production per capita (Brazil and Russia). يعد التقدم في مصادر الطاقة المتجددة أحد أكثر التقنيات فعالية للتنمية المستدامة على المدى الطويل، وتبذل الدول في جميع أنحاء العالم جهودًا لتغيير هياكلها الاقتصادية والصناعية في محاولة لتعزيز النمو الأخضر. مع ظهور الثورة الصناعية الرابعة (4IR)، تحسن توافر التقنيات الخضراء والوصول إليها واستخدامها بما في ذلك الطاقة المتجددة بشكل كبير. تتوفر أبحاث حول العوامل التي تؤثر على إنتاج الطاقة المتجددة. ومع ذلك، فإننا لسنا على دراية بأي بحث سابق يدرس دور ابتكار الطاقة المتجددة في تعزيز إنتاج الطاقة المتجددة. ونتيجة لذلك، تقيّم هذه الدراسة تأثير الابتكار التقني على النمو الأخضر من عام 1993 إلى عام 2018، مع مراعاة الناتج المحلي الإجمالي الحقيقي ومؤشر أسعار المنتجين وانبعاثات ثاني أكسيد الكربون. نظرًا لوضعها المحوري بين البلدان النامية، ركزت دراستنا على دول البريكس. باستخدام لوحة انحدار كمي جديدة معززة بطريقة اللحظات، تشير النتائج التجريبية إلى أن تأثير ابتكار الطاقة المتجددة على إنتاج الطاقة المتجددة إيجابي بشكل كبير في جميع الكميات. علاوة على ذلك، فإن المعاملات أكبر عمومًا عند الكميات الصغيرة، مما يشير إلى أن البلدان ذات الإنتاج الأصغر للطاقة المتجددة للفرد (الهند وجنوب إفريقيا) لديها احتمال أكبر لتجربة تأثير أكبر على الابتكار في مجال الطاقة المتجددة للفرد من البلدان ذات الإنتاج الأكبر للطاقة المتجددة للفرد (البرازيل وروسيا).

L'avancement des énergies renouvelables est l'une des techniques les plus efficaces pour un développement durable à long terme, et les pays du monde entier s'efforcent de modifier leurs structures économiques et industrielles dans le but de stimuler la croissance verte. Avec l'avènement de la quatrième révolution industrielle (4IR), la disponibilité, l'accès et l'utilisation des technologies vertes, y compris les énergies renouvelables, se sont considérablement améliorés. Des recherches sur les facteurs qui influencent la production d'énergie renouvelable sont disponibles. Cependant, nous ne connaissons aucune recherche antérieure qui examine le rôle de l'innovation en matière d'énergie renouvelable dans la promotion de la production d'énergie renouvelable. En conséquence, cette étude évalue l'impact de l'innovation technique sur la croissance verte de 1993 à 2018, tout en tenant compte du PIB réel, de l'indice des prix à la production et des émissions de CO2. En raison de leur statut pivot parmi les pays en développement, notre étude s'est concentrée sur les pays BRICS. En utilisant une nouvelle régression quantile de panel augmentée de la méthode des moments, les résultats empiriques suggèrent que l'influence de l'innovation en matière d'énergie renouvelable sur la production d'énergie renouvelable est significativement positive dans tous les quantiles. De plus, les coefficients sont généralement plus élevés aux petits quantiles, ce qui suggère que les pays ayant une production d'énergie renouvelable par habitant plus faible (Inde et Afrique du Sud) ont une probabilité plus élevée de subir un impact plus important de l'innovation en matière d'énergie renouvelable par habitant que les pays ayant une production d'énergie renouvelable par habitant plus importante (Brésil et Russie). El avance en las energías renovables es una de las técnicas más efectivas para el desarrollo sostenido a largo plazo, y las naciones de todo el mundo están haciendo esfuerzos para cambiar sus estructuras económicas e industriales en un intento por impulsar el crecimiento verde. Con el advenimiento de la Cuarta Revolución Industrial (4IR), la disponibilidad, el acceso y el uso de tecnologías verdes, incluida la energía renovable, han mejorado significativamente. Se dispone de investigaciones sobre los factores que influyen en la producción de energía renovable. Sin embargo, desconocemos cualquier investigación previa que examine el papel de la innovación en energía renovable en la promoción de la producción de energía renovable. Como resultado, este estudio evalúa el impacto de la innovación técnica en el crecimiento verde de 1993 a 2018, al tiempo que tiene en cuenta el PIB real, el índice de precios al productor y las emisiones de CO2. Debido a su estatus fundamental entre los países en desarrollo, nuestro estudio se ha centrado en los países BRICS. Mediante el uso de una nueva regresión de cuantiles de panel aumentada con el método de momentos, los hallazgos empíricos sugieren que la influencia de la innovación en energía renovable en la producción de energía renovable es significativamente positiva en todos los cuantiles. Además, los coeficientes son generalmente mayores en los cuantiles pequeños, lo que sugiere que los países con menor producción de energía renovable per cápita (India y Sudáfrica) tienen una mayor probabilidad de experimentar un mayor impacto de la innovación en energía renovable per cápita que los países con mayor producción de energía renovable per cápita (Brasil y Rusia). Advancement in renewables is one of the most effective techniques for sustained long-term development, and nations across the globe are making efforts to change their economic and industrial structures in a bid to boost green growth. With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the availability, access, and use of green technologies including renewable energy have significantly improved. Researches on the factors that influence renewable energy production are available. However, we are unaware of any previous research that examines the role of renewable energy innovation in the promotion of renewable energy production. As a result, this study evaluates the impact of technical innovation on green growth from 1993 to 2018, while accounting for real GDP, producer price index, and CO2 emissions. Due to their pivotal status among the developing countries, our study has focused on the BRICS countries. By using a new panel quantile regression augmented with the method of moments, the empirical findings suggest that the influence of renewable energy innovation on renewable energy production is significantly positive across all quantiles. Moreover, the coefficients are generally bigger at the small quantiles, which suggests that countries with smaller renewable energy production per capita (India and South Africa) have a higher probability to experience a greater impact of renewable energy innovation per capita than countries with bigger renewable energy production per capita (Brazil and Russia). يعد التقدم في مصادر الطاقة المتجددة أحد أكثر التقنيات فعالية للتنمية المستدامة على المدى الطويل، وتبذل الدول في جميع أنحاء العالم جهودًا لتغيير هياكلها الاقتصادية والصناعية في محاولة لتعزيز النمو الأخضر. مع ظهور الثورة الصناعية الرابعة (4IR)، تحسن توافر التقنيات الخضراء والوصول إليها واستخدامها بما في ذلك الطاقة المتجددة بشكل كبير. تتوفر أبحاث حول العوامل التي تؤثر على إنتاج الطاقة المتجددة. ومع ذلك، فإننا لسنا على دراية بأي بحث سابق يدرس دور ابتكار الطاقة المتجددة في تعزيز إنتاج الطاقة المتجددة. ونتيجة لذلك، تقيّم هذه الدراسة تأثير الابتكار التقني على النمو الأخضر من عام 1993 إلى عام 2018، مع مراعاة الناتج المحلي الإجمالي الحقيقي ومؤشر أسعار المنتجين وانبعاثات ثاني أكسيد الكربون. نظرًا لوضعها المحوري بين البلدان النامية، ركزت دراستنا على دول البريكس. باستخدام لوحة انحدار كمي جديدة معززة بطريقة اللحظات، تشير النتائج التجريبية إلى أن تأثير ابتكار الطاقة المتجددة على إنتاج الطاقة المتجددة إيجابي بشكل كبير في جميع الكميات. علاوة على ذلك، فإن المعاملات أكبر عمومًا عند الكميات الصغيرة، مما يشير إلى أن البلدان ذات الإنتاج الأصغر للطاقة المتجددة للفرد (الهند وجنوب إفريقيا) لديها احتمال أكبر لتجربة تأثير أكبر على الابتكار في مجال الطاقة المتجددة للفرد من البلدان ذات الإنتاج الأكبر للطاقة المتجددة للفرد (البرازيل وروسيا).

Two features in time series data: the existence of time trends and the degree of persistence, are examined in this work on the nitrogen oxides emissions from 37 OECD countries. Updated techniques in time series are used that allow for fractional degrees of differentiation in the data. Thus, if the number of differences required is one, nitrogen oxides emissions are not mean reverting in the sense that if there is an exogenous shock (resulting from a technological advancement to change nitrogen oxides emissions), the effect of such shock on nitrogen oxides emissions will be permanent. Time trends are observed in half of the series. For these countries the trend coefficient is found to be positive in all cases. This is an indication that continuous technological progress is needed in taming NOx emissions. In addition to developing their own local technologies, less technologically endowed OECD countries should engage in collaboration with the more technologically endowed countries in order to facilitate increase in trans-border transfer of technology. The technologically advanced countries should also strive to continue to introduce better technologies in a bid to reduce NOx emissions. Most of the results show evidence for persistence of nitrogen oxides emissions.

Two features in time series data: the existence of time trends and the degree of persistence, are examined in this work on the nitrogen oxides emissions from 37 OECD countries. Updated techniques in time series are used that allow for fractional degrees of differentiation in the data. Thus, if the number of differences required is one, nitrogen oxides emissions are not mean reverting in the sense that if there is an exogenous shock (resulting from a technological advancement to change nitrogen oxides emissions), the effect of such shock on nitrogen oxides emissions will be permanent. Time trends are observed in half of the series. For these countries the trend coefficient is found to be positive in all cases. This is an indication that continuous technological progress is needed in taming NOx emissions. In addition to developing their own local technologies, less technologically endowed OECD countries should engage in collaboration with the more technologically endowed countries in order to facilitate increase in trans-border transfer of technology. The technologically advanced countries should also strive to continue to introduce better technologies in a bid to reduce NOx emissions. Most of the results show evidence for persistence of nitrogen oxides emissions.

Can renewable energy investments and technologies help achieve carbon neutrality goals? The answer to this question has been neglected until now due to a lack of data. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the influence of renewable energy investments and renewable energy technologies on reducing petroleum-derived carbon emissions for the first time in the Group of seven (G7) countries. An additional novel aspect of the study is to discuss how governance indicators, such as regulatory quality, political stability, and democracy, can influence the carbon neutrality targets of the G7 nations. To this end, the study applies second-generation panel data methods, such as the cross-sectionally augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test, the Durbin-Hausmann panel cointegration test, and the panel augmented mean group estimator. The findings illustrate that renewable energy investments and technologies help reduce carbon emissions in different models. Additionally, while economic growth is beneficial to the environment, governance indicators have no effect on carbon emissions. Overall, the outcomes suggest that G7 countries should increase their investments in renewable energy and support clean technologies to achieve their carbon neutral targets. The study also points out that reducing oil consumption by promoting renewable energy technologies and investments is a critical step toward carbon neutrality for G7 policymakers.

Can renewable energy investments and technologies help achieve carbon neutrality goals? The answer to this question has been neglected until now due to a lack of data. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the influence of renewable energy investments and renewable energy technologies on reducing petroleum-derived carbon emissions for the first time in the Group of seven (G7) countries. An additional novel aspect of the study is to discuss how governance indicators, such as regulatory quality, political stability, and democracy, can influence the carbon neutrality targets of the G7 nations. To this end, the study applies second-generation panel data methods, such as the cross-sectionally augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test, the Durbin-Hausmann panel cointegration test, and the panel augmented mean group estimator. The findings illustrate that renewable energy investments and technologies help reduce carbon emissions in different models. Additionally, while economic growth is beneficial to the environment, governance indicators have no effect on carbon emissions. Overall, the outcomes suggest that G7 countries should increase their investments in renewable energy and support clean technologies to achieve their carbon neutral targets. The study also points out that reducing oil consumption by promoting renewable energy technologies and investments is a critical step toward carbon neutrality for G7 policymakers.