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Alternative energy has been hailed as a feasible resolution to the environmental degradation and energy problems that have plagued Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) recently. The expansion of the clean energy sector, on the other hand, relies on economic growth, effective governance, and financial considerations. As a result, it is important to investigate the links between these variables in SSA. This study investigated the influence of economic growth, institutional quality, foreign direct investment (FDI), and financial development on renewable energy at the national threshold in SSA using a two-step difference GMM model based on panel data collected from 2002 to 2019. The outcome shows that economic growth and all three financial development indicators (FD1, FD2 and FD3) have a positive significant relationship with renewable energy. Furthermore, for SSA countries, FDI, as well as all six proxy factors for institutional quality, had a negative significant influence on renewable energy. Our empirical findings propose a variety of policies that might help the renewable energy sector grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, physical-capital investment has been outweighed by research and development expenditure in terms of their growth impact. However, how such expenditure affect economic expansion in the presence of energy consumption is yet to be given thorough attention in the literature. Consequently, this study used data from 1997 to 2015 for 16 EU countries to demonstrate how expenditure on research and development drives growth in the presence of renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption. Empirical results from the Pool Mean Group Autoregressive distributive lag model (PMG-ARDL) revealed that in the short run, investment in research and development adversely affect growth prospect in the EU. However, in the long run, research-led growth is evident alongside energy consumption, although the latter outweighs the former. Additionally, result from Dumitrescu and Hurlin Panel Causality tests showed a feedback causality between energy consumption, research and expenditure and economic growth. The findings of this study make it essential for EU countries to boost spending on renewable energy sources. Additionally, EU countries should pay closer attention to investment in research and development in order to sustain the plan for long term advancement in sustainable power sources for feasible energy and economic development. Image 1 • Economic impact of R&D and energy consumption in EU is examined. • Physical-capital investment outperforms R&D expenditure. • Energy consumption affect economic growth than the effect of R&D in the long run. • Increased renewable energy development in the EU is encouraged. • More investment in research and development by the EU states should be sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the Economic Complexity Index, Japan was the number 1 most complex economy in the world. In addition to complexity, Japan pledges to reduce emissions by boosting cleaner energy sources. This study simulates two policies to highlight a path for Japan in achieving this ambitious energy and environmental target. The novel dynamic autoregressive distribution lag (ARDL) model and Kernel-based regularized least squares (KRLS) are adopted over panel data from 1970 to 2018. Empirical evidence from the ARDL and dynamic ARDL models shows that CO2 emissions have a significant long-term relationship with GDP per capita, renewable energy, and economic complexity index while air transport is significant in the short run. Putting it more elaborately, a unit increase in GDP per capita increase the emission by 0.84%–0.96% in the long run and 0.46%–0.48% in the short run. As regards renewable energy, a unit increase in it decrease the carbon emission by 0.07% and 0.04% in the long-run and short-run respectively. Also, an increase in the economic index diminished the emission by 0.81% in the long run. Moreover, economic complexity moderates the role of GDP in environmental degradation as it also has a significant impact on carbon emission. • A -26% policy simulation of clean or unclean energy sources can both abate emissions. • Economic Complexity moderates the impact of economic growth on CO2 emissions. • A template for energy policy design is presented. • CO2 emissions have a significant long-term relationship with GDP per capita, renewable energy and ECI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally we are at a crossroad whereby energy production and consumption in themselves is partly blamed for climate change issues and global warming menace. The question that comes to heart is do we stop seeking energy production and consumption? of course no. Thus, there is a need for innovation on part of economies as they seek energy for sustainable development. This country-specific study focuses on South African, which reflects the above highlights menace in no small measure where her economic growth trajectory is plagued with high CO 2 emission. To this end, we explore the nexus between coal energy consumption, economic growth, renewable energy consumption and CO 2 emission between annual periods of 1980–2017. This study applied a battery of econometric techniques to underscore the relationship between the outlined variables. According to the ARDL bounds test to cointegration in conjunction with Kripfganz and Schneider (2018) critical approximation p-values both affirm long-run equilibrium relationship between study variables. Empirical evidence gives credence to the growth-induced pollution emission in South Africa as reported by the Autoregressive distributed lag Method, fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares as robustness test for soundness of analysis. This finding suggests that South Africa's economic growth trajectory is not clean. This preposition is resonated with the result of coal energy consumption also dampening environmental quality. Financial development shows strong statistical strength to improve the quality of the environment. These outcomes are indicative for policymakers as there is urgent need to energy transition from conventional energy based on fossil fuel (coal energy) to renewable energy mix which is more environmentally friendly should be pursued in South Africa. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the incorporation of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Empowerment Theory into a robust construct within a Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). Utilizing a cross-sectional survey approach, the study focuses on selected rural communities of Northern Ghana. The research encompasses 613 respondents, with an initial pilot study involving 80 participants. The study yields notable findings, establishing statistically significant and positive correlations between empowerment and attitude within the rural Ghanaian context. Furthermore, it identifies a significant influence of purchase intention on the propensity to recommend renewable energy technologies among rural households. These outcomes align with the principles of the Empowerment Theory and are in congruence with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), particularly SDG-7 (universal access to energy) and SDG-12 (responsible production and consumption). The study's implications extend to policy recommendations, specifically tailored to the unique energy landscape of Ghana. These findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of renewable energy proliferation dynamics and emphasize their crucial role in advancing sustainable development objectives and fostering responsible energy practices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]