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Since the global economies are in pursuit of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda, it has become pertinent to undergo an energy transition and enhance energy use efficiency in tandem. This is creating a disparity in the renewable energy generation, which is arising out the structural transformation of the economies. Against this background this study aims to assess the impacts of structural transformation on inequality in renewable energy productivity across selected OECD countries between 1990 and 2019. This study is important from the perspective that due to inequitable economic growth trajectory attained by the OECD nations, the renewable energy consumption levels of the OECD nations display significant amount of disparity which can also be reflected in terms of unequal distribution of renewable energy productivity across these countries. Besides, since the OECD countries are gradually transforming their economies from being agriculture-oriented to service-oriented and are becoming more focused on energy innovation and energy efficiency aspects, it can be hypothesized that this structural transformation might reduce the inequality in renewable energy productivity among these nations. Using second-generation methods and dynamic elasticity analysis, this study finds that structural transformation helps to reduce the inequality in renewable energy productivity. Besides, technological innovation is also evidenced to exert inequality-reduction effects. In contrast, conflicts and economic conflicts are evidenced to generated adverse effects on inequality in renewable energy productivity within the OECD countries. Furthermore, the outcomes from this study have also identified the policy interventions responsible for the aggravation of inequality in renewable energy productivity. Based on these findings, a policy framework has been provided to help the OECD countries to attain the objectives of SDG 7 and SDG13. • Structural transformation impacts inequality in renewable energy productivity. • Study is done for the OECD countries. • Dynamic elasticity analysis is used. • Policy framework to address SDG 7 is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing literature on environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) is mainly focused on finding out the optimal sustainable path for any economy. Looking at the present renewable energy generation scenario in India, this study has made an attempt to estimate the EKC for CO 2 emission in India for the period of 1971–2015. Using unit root test with multiple structural breaks and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration, this study has found the evidence of inverted U-shaped EKC for India, with the turnaround point at USD 2937.77. The renewable energy has found to have significant negative impact on CO 2 emissions, whereas for overall energy consumption, the long run elasticity is found to be higher than short run elasticity. Moreover, trade is negatively linked with carbon emissions. Based on the results, this study concludes with suitable policy prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This examination explored the link between renewable energy utilization and environmental degradation in top-10 polluted countries by using monthly data from 1990 to 2017. The Quantile-on-Quantile regression (QQ) proposed by Sim and Zhou [1] and Granger causality in quantiles developed by Troster [2] are applied. In particular, we examine in what manners, quantiles of renewable energy consumption affect the quantiles of environmental degradation. Our empirical findings unfold overall dependence between renewable energy consumption and ecological deterioration. The findings recommend the presence of a significant negative association between renewable energy consumption and environmental degradation in China, USA, Japan, Canada, Brazil, South Korea and Germany, predominantly in high and low tails but results are totally contrasting in the case of India, Russia and Indonesia. Furthermore, the outcomes of Granger-causality in quantiles conclude a bidirectional causal link between renewable energy consumption and environmental degradation. The empirical findings suggest that governments should need to subsidize green energy in declining ecological degradation. • We analyze the link between renewable energy utilization and environmental degradation. • Study is done on top-10 polluted countries by using monthly data from 1990 to 2017. • Advanced quantile modeling is adopted. • Bidirectional causality found between renewable energy utilization and environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of green finance on environmental performance in developing countries. Using panel cointegration analysis and panel vector error correction model (VECM) to a sample of 76 developing economies from 2010 to 2019, this study confirms that carbon emissions (CO 2) is cointegrated with green finance, real gross domestic product, urbanization, and renewable energy under different specifications and therefore we estimate the long-run relationships among these variables. Specifically, both green finance and renewable energy are found to exert significant and inhibitory effects on CO 2 emissions, reaffirming the necessity to promote green finance and renewable energy. Results from the paper also document the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve and the increasing effects of urbanization on CO 2 emissions. Several policy implications and recommendations are drawn from this study. • We examine impact of green finance on environmental performance. • 76 developing economies from 2010 to 2019 are considered. • Green finance and renewable energy exert inhibitory effects on CO 2 emissions. • Results support the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoubtedly, energy is indispensable to attain economic development; however, it also generates CO2 emissions, which are the dominant contributor to environmental deterioration and climate change. In this regard, clean energy can help to achieve both sustainable development and environmental sustainability since it comprises non-carbohydrate energy sources that do not or seldom generate emissions. Against this backdrop, this work considers economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and probes the impact of clean energy consumption on CO2 emissions in the third largest European economy France from 1987 to 2019 controlling urbanization and economic growth. Using the STIRPAT framework, the study employed the novel Augmented ARDL method that overcomes the limitations of the ARDL methods. The outcomes disclosed strong evidence of cointegration. The long-run analysis revealed that clean energy consumption does not contribute to emissions reduction in the long-run. However, EPU poses a threat to environmental sustainability by augmenting emissions levels. Economic growth boosts CO2 emissions, while urbanization is conducive to environmental quality supporting ecological modernization theory. The study detected causality from EPU to economic growth and emissions. Finally, based on the study outcomes, a policy framework is suggested to address the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 and 13. • Estimated effects of clean energy and EPU on emissions using augmented ARDL method. • Findings indicate cointegration in the model. • EPU increases CO2 emissions. • Economic growth augments emissions while urbanization reduces emissions. • Clean energy consumption does not significantly contribute to CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]