• Energy Research

AbstractIn an environment with economic policy uncertainty, the policies of energy efficiency are probably compromised due to weak regulation measures. Inconsistent economic policies may lead to higher energy consumption, which damages the environment. However, works of literature are silent on the role of economic policy uncertainty in carbon emission and energy nexus. Hence, the study is an attempt to investigate the role of economic policy uncertainty in the relationship between energy intensity and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States by using annual data spanning from 1985 to 2017. A recent time series method proposed by Jordan and Philips (2018) is employed to get robust and consistent estimation results in the study. Empirical results reveal that (a) higher energy intensity contributes to pollution, (b) economic policy uncertainty adversely affects environmental quality, (c) economic policy uncertainty strengthens the detrimental effect of energy intensity on CO2 emissions.

AbstractIn the modern era of the wave of globalization, financial development is leading toward a higher rate of economic expansion and promoting energy innovation around the globe. Nevertheless, environmental impact of financial development has preoccupied government officials to circumvent adverse impact on environmental quality. Thus, this paper examines the nexus between financial development, economic growth, energy innovation, and environmental pollution for the period of 1990–2017 for the panel of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. To obtain robust and unbiased results, this study utilizes Pooled Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG/ARDL) estimator that counters the issue of heterogeneity and cross‐sectional dependence. Empirical evidence suggests that financial development promotes energy innovation and improves environmental quality. Globalization also has a long‐term relationship with energy innovation and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Moreover, findings validate the environmental Kuznets curve for OECD countries in the significance of financial development, globalization, and energy innovation.

Abstract A growing literature has highlighted that institutional quality is an effective tool for ensuring a country’s sustainability. Institutions play a significant role in the country’s development, and specifically in terms of air pollution. How institutional quality enhances or weakens air quality is not been extensively estimated in the literature. This study takes a step forward to investigate the role of institutional quality in CO2 emissions in Pakistan. An autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) is used for data spanning from 1984 to 2016 in the context of Pakistan. The result indicates cointegration among variable under consideration. Overall, empirical results infer that institutions result in increasing CO2 emissions in Pakistan. Moreover, institutions quality and CO2 emissions granger cause each other. Further, finding shows that more income reduces CO2 emissions over time, which validates the EKC existence for CO2 emissions. Our findings suggest there is a need to strengthen institutions to mitigate the environmental effect.

Abstract Promoting technology development co-operation is particularly relevant while addressing global climate change or regional pollution. Investors may contribute to increasing environmental-related patents, which may help to improve the quality of the environment as long as supported by proper regulations and policies. In the quest towards a cleaner environment via the mitigation of climate change, this study investigates the relationship between technological innovation, income level, renewable energy and carbon emissions in both the United States and China. Applying the dynamic auto-regressive distributive lag (DARDL) simulation method revealed varying impacts of regressors on CO2 emissions in the short-run and long-run. Accordingly, this study empirically confirms that (i) technological innovation reduces carbon emissions in the United States but it is not statistically significant in China. (ii) Renewable energy reduces carbon emissions in both countries. (iii) The impact of income level on emissions decreases from short-run to long-run in both countries. Decision-makers in China should stimulate more effective environmental-related innovations to decrease CO2 emissions and should permit easy access to environmental-related patents together with reducing its cost of registration.

AbstractThe rapid developments of globalization promote interaction among countries and people around the globe through the fast mode of information and telecommunication technology (ICT). ICT development also contributes to economic growth through various channels, but it may influence the environment on the other hand. Considering this concern, the present study focuses on examining the relationship between ICT developments and carbon emissions through the globalization channel. The study employs robust panel data estimation methods, continuously updated fully modified, and continuously updated bias corrected estimators, for the data set of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) economies spanning from 1990 to 2015. Findings of the study are robust against heteroskedasticity, endogeneity, and cross‐sectional dependence issues. The robust panel data estimators reveal that ICT has a favourable effect on carbon emissions in BRICS countries. Also, globalization leads to environmental pollution by contributing to an increase in CO2 emissions. These findings provide new insights to the policymakers in combatting environmental challenges.

Poverty and environmental degradation concerns are remained at top priority in achieving sustainable development targets. However, countries are still struggling in achieving poverty alleviation, reducing income inequality, and mitigating environmental pollution which requires immense attention. Hence, this study is an attempt to examine the linkage between, income inequality, poverty, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the 40 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2010 - 2016. Findings obtained from the Driscoll Kray regression estimator suggest that a rise in income inequality contributes to increasing CO2 emissions. Further, an increase in poverty has a detrimental effect on environmental pollution in Sub-Saharan African countries. Results suggested important policy implications in the light of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the study's sample countries.

Abstract Several studies have investigated the determinants of CO2 emission; however, prior research has been neglected to examine the emission of CO2 due to the trade of goods and services and royalty and licensing fees. To do so, the present work contributes to research stream by investigating the relationship between imported technology and environmental degradation within the time span of 1980–2011 in the case of China. Based on the Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model and Vector Error Correction (VECM) Granger causality approach we draw an inference that imported technologies mainly contributes to CO2 emission in the long run path for China. The long run causality results originates bi-directional causality between imported technology and CO2 emission. Moreover, in the long run, feedback hypothesis is also detected between energy consumption and CO2 emission. To ensure the stability of model and reliability of results for policy implication numerous significant tests are carried out. This study suggests that Government of China needs to expand input in R&D for higher technological strength and intellectual property rights management capacity, which will be favorable for the protection of the environment.

This study focuses on whether information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to economic growth in countries with better human development index as compared to those with a lower index. The study uses panel data estimation methods those are robust to dependencies across countries and heterogeneity from 1990 to 2016 in developing Asian countries. The results documented that countries with better human development index and mobile phone usage promote economic growth, whereas Internet users do not seem to do so. Despite that, human development index itself is a critical factor that contributes to economic growth in Asian countries. Finally, both mobile phone usages contribute to economic growth, but Internet usage does not seem to do. These new findings recommend that whereas better human development is regarded as crucial for mobile phone usage, it appears to be inappropriate for Internet usage. An additional feature is that the study uses the most robust panel data estimation method that produces more effective and reliable estimates.

The earlier studies have analyzed theoretical links between nuclear energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions concerning territorial (or production-based) emissions. Here using the latest available dataset, this study explores the impacts of nuclear energy on production-based and consumption-based CO2 emission in the era of globalization for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The Driscoll-Kraay regression method reveals that nuclear energy is beneficial for the reduction of production-based CO2 emissions. However, it is revealed that nuclear energy does not reduce consumption-based CO2 emissions that are traded internationally and hence not comprised in conventional production-based emissions (territory) inventories. Globalization tends to reduce both production-based and demand-based carbon emissions. Finally, Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is validated for both kinds of CO2 emissions. The findings may deliver practical policy implications related to nuclear energy and CO2 emissions for selected countries.