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Emissions from several emerging economies currently constitute the largest contributions to the global carbon emissions levels thereby triggering concerns on the prospects for achieving global environmental sustainability‐related goals (SGDs‐13 and 11). Thus, this research examines whether technological innovation and renewables pose any moderating roles in the environmental quality advancements of rapidly emerging economies using the bloc of the emerging seven (E7) economies. The empirical framework of the study capitalizes on the strengths of the novel CS‐ARDL technique in addressing the pitfalls of cross‐sectional dependence (CD) from common factors that marred the understudied panel observations for the bloc between 1992 and 2018. The long‐run estimations provide crucial insights into the environmental sustainability dynamics of the E7 bloc. First, the observed impacts of the rapid economic expansion alongside the fast‐growing energy consumption were significantly detrimental to environmental sustainability over the period of study (1992–2018). Second, the duo of technological innovations and renewables place the E7 on an environmental sustainability path as they significantly dampen the CO2 emissions level in the bloc. Third, the inverted U‐shape growth‐emission conjecture of the EKC was confirmed for these groups of emerging economies within the innovation‐environment nexus exploration. Fourthly, although both innovations and renewable energy consumption enhance sustainability, however, the magnitude of their desirable environmental impacts is quite low compared to the observed impacts of the pollution damages created by the observed energy consumption‐driven economic growth expansion in the bloc over the years. Overall, the results are indicative that the E7 needs to do more in terms of investments in environmental‐related technological innovations and the expansion of renewables in overall energy portfolios to harness the inherent benefits of the duo to position the bloc on a sustainability path. More recommendations for environmental sustainability enhancement from technological innovation and renewable perspectives were further enunciated for the E7 bloc in the main text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of increased renewable energy consumption has been widely debated, and this has become a central energy policy concern for developing and developed countries. The existing literature provides evidence that there is a positive relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in developed economies. However, findings in respect of developing/emerging economies remain inconclusive. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the impact on renewable energy consumption on economic growth by controlling other macroeconomic variables for regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (East, Central and West) covering the 1990–2018 sample period. For this purpose, common correlated effects mean group estimator (CCEMG) and Dumitrescu-Hurlin Granger causality test approach are used to consider both cross-sectional dependency and cross-country heterogeneity across countries. The CCEMG result indicates that an increase in renewable energy consumption led to reduction in economic growth even when the sample is analyzed based on geographical locations as East, West, and Central Africa. Granger causality results validate the feedback hypothesis for only Central Africa; the growth hypothesis is supported for East and West Africa. The empirical results suggest that energy planners, governments, and policy makers must act together to increase the renewable energy consumption share in her energy mix to promote economic growth for regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is an important driver of economic growth for several countries in the world. However, the rise in tourism activities has raised concerns regarding emissions resulting from tourist activities such as transportation as well as the consequent effect on the quality of the environment. Hence, this study examines the impact of tourism and other factors such as investments, energy utilization and economic growth on carbondioxide (CO2) emission in the emerging industrialized seven countries namely (China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia and Turkey) for the period 2000 to 2018. The study uses the Pool Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL), ordinal least square (OLS), dynamic ordinals least square (DOLS) and fully modified least square (FMOLS) estimators as well as Dumitrescu and Hurlin Causality Test. Long run regression estimates reveal that a increase in tourism activities lower carbondioxide emissions in the E7 countries which can be traced to the adoption of environmentally friendly tourism. Furthermore, investment in energy and economic growth, the majority of the regression results point that both factors lower carbondioxide emissions in the emerging seven (E7) countries while energy consumption is a driver of CO2 emissions in the E7 countries. The study suggests that the implementation of environmentally friendly tourism be sustained to continually improve the quality of the natural environment in the blocs. Similarly, strict regulations of economic activities in line with the protection of the environment are advised while the use of renewable energy is needed to reduce emissions in the E7 countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anthropogenic consequences of renewable and non‐renewable energy consumption, economic growth, and air transport have been assessed enormously in the literature. However, given the complexities in many economies of the world today, it is important to reassess the ecological concerns of these factors in light of the Environmental Kuznets Curve framework. Therefore, this current study investigates the global assessment using data from World Bank Development database from 1995 to 2016. Evidence from the method employed, sys‐GMM, revealed that the economic complexities index increases the carbon emission in low‐income groups while it significantly decreases the carbon emission for upper‐middle and high‐income groups. For the combined group, the EKC hypothesis holds, and ECI significantly hampers carbon emissions. For the other variables, it is worthy of note that (1) economic growth contributes to the high carbon contents across the income group especially for low‐income, upper‐middle‐income and high‐income group; (2) the effects of air transport on carbon emission is positive for lower‐middle‐income and high‐income group and negative for the upper‐middle‐income group; (3) the use of coal rents and energy use leads to high release of carbon contents across all the income groups; and (4) a significant increase in the utilization of energy leads to increase in carbon contents except for lower‐income group, it leads to a decrease. From this empirical assessment, vital energy policy directions are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments worldwide have prioritized carbon reduction and neutrality to address the escalating threat of climate change. These goals are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG-13). These goals stress taking action on climate change to lessen the bad effects of human activities and using fossil fuels for energy. To this end, the present study investigates the connection between conventional energy usage, agricultural practices, economic growth, and their impact on environmental sustainability in South Africa. Additionally, it explores the role of renewable energy consumption and environmental technological innovation in mitigating these effects. To achieve the study objectives, a carbon-income function is fitted with an annual frequency data from 1975 to 2020. The present study leverages on Pesaran's Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method and for robustness analysis the dynamic ARDL simulations method to simultaneously explore the short and long-run coefficients of the study's outlined variables. Empirical analysis, confirmed by bounds testing for cointegration, reveals a long-term equilibrium relationship among the variables considered. Notably, economic growth, fossil fuel energy consumption, and agricultural activities have adverse effects on environmental sustainability in South Africa, indicating a trade-off between economic growth and environmental quality. Dynamic ARDL simulations provide further evidence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) phenomenon. However, renewable energy consumption and environmental technological innovation positively influence environmental quality. These findings highlight the imperative for South Africa and its stakeholders to adopt green growth policies and transition to cleaner energy alternatives. • This study explored nexus between environmental pollution, economic growth, and environmental technological innovation in South Africa • Utilisation of Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimators were employed • Agricultural activities dampens environmental sustainability in South Africa • Green growth policies should be pursued in South Africa energy mix [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic advancement has tended to affect the processes of industrialization, which has increased the value of exploited natural resources via the application of technology. Intensive use of natural resources via total reserves, technological innovation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and renewable energy can have an impact on the environment. Considering this, the present study investigates the nexus between industrialization, total reserves, inflows of FDI, technical innovation, renewable and natural resources, and CO 2 emissions in the case of BRICS. To this end, annual frequency data for BRICS from 1990 to 2019 are employed in panel framework. The study employs a battery of econometric techniques, namely the Augmented Mean Group (AMG), Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG), and Driscoll-Kraay estimators to explore the underlined relationship. The cointegration results based on Westerlund, J. (2007) show that there exists a long-run equilibrium relationship between the study outlined variables over the investigated period. From the empirical analysis, technological innovation and renewable energy both reduce CO 2 emissions while industrial value-added, natural resources, FDI and total reserves contribute to the degradation of the environment. Additionally, the interaction between industrial value-added and technological innovation also has negative impact on the BRICS countries' environment. Based on these outcomes, the BRICS economies are enjoined to pursue green technology growth without compromise for environmental quality in the bloc. Finally, numerous significant policy ramifications for protecting environmental quality in BRICS economies have been proposed in the concluding section. • We explore the impacts ICT and industrialization on CO 2 emissions in BRICS. • We applied a battery of second-generation panel econometrics methods. • Natural resources worsens the environmental quality in the investigated bloc. • Renewables shows strong evidence to improve the quality of the environment in BRICS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the applicability of conventional environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) with an extension for the case of emerging industrialized economies, comprised of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, and Turkey, for annual time frequency from 1995 to 2016. This study is distinct from that already documented in the extant literature by extending the traditional EKC phenomenon by accounting for the combined impact of institutional quality and renewables in E7 blocs. The countries under review are known to be emerging and still at their scale stage of their growth path. As such, the need to explore the theme is pertinent for stakeholders. Empirical framework is built on second-generational panel econometrics strategies that consist of Augmented Mean Group, Common Correlated Effects Mean Group estimator, Driscoll-Kraay and Dumitrescu and Hurlin Causality analysis, which is superior to first-generation methods. Our study validates the EKC phenomenon in E7, i.e., where emphasis is placed on economic expansion relative to the quality of the environment. The EKC phenomenon is validated by the deteriorating effect of fossil-fuel energy consumption in the bloc. However, renewables are seen as a panacea to reduce pollution emission as renewable energy exerts a negative and statistical relationship with CO 2 emission over the sampled period. Additional results show that weak institution also dampens the quality of the environment in E7. These outcomes are suggestive to policy makers to reinforce their commitment to the quality of the environment in terms of growth and energy transition from fossil fuel to clean energy sources. Further policy prescriptions are presented in the concluding section. • We explore the impacts combined impact of institutional quality and renewables on the environmental quality in E7 economies. • We applied a battery of second-generation panel econometrics methods. • EKC phenomenon is validated in E7 bloc. • Weak institutions dampen the environmental quality of the E7 economies. • Renewables shows strong evidence to improve the quality of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) that address pertinent global issues. This study focuses on the need for access to clean and affordable energy consumption, responsible energy consumption, sustainable economic growth, and climate change mitigation. To this end, this paper evaluates the relevance of the renewable energy sector on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework in Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain for the period 1995–2015. As an econometric strategy, we adopt the use of panel data over the highlighted countries. In the first step, we apply the unit root test recommended by Levin, Lin, and Chu in conjunction with ADF-Fisher, and Phillips-Perron for robustness and consistency. We found that the variables used in this study are integrated I (1) in the first difference. In the second step, we apply the Pedroni cointegration test, and Kao Residual cointegration test, and we observe that the variables are cointegrated in the long run. The generalized least squares (GLS), the panel fully modified least squares (FMOLS), ordinary least squares robust (OLS), and panel quantile regression are considered in this research. The econometric results validate the assumption of the environmental Kuznets curve, i.e., and there is a positive correlation between income per capita and a negative effect of squared income per capita on carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, we observe that renewable energy reduces CO2 emissions. Finally, we also find a direct connection between the urban population and the environmental degradation in the examined blocs. These results show that in Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain, more is required to achieve environmental sustainability in the respective countries growth trajectory. Further policy prescriptions are appended in the concluding section of this study. [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]

Economic growth comes with it environmental trade-off on environmental sustainability. This occurrence is evidence on a global scale as it stems from human anthropogenic activities driven by the consumption of energy sources from fossil-fuel origin. On this premise, the present study focuses on five fragile economies with huge energy and sustainability targets to explore the nexus between economic growth and the environment. The present study is distinct from previous studies in scope by the construct and inclusion of a financial inclusion index with the aid of Principal component analysis (PCA), human development to the economic growth-environment argument. To this end to reach evidence-based outcomes second generational panel analysis is employed. The Durbin-Hansen cointegration test traces the long-run equilibrium relationship between the study variables. Subsequently, an augmented mean group (AMG) estimator is employed to explore the relationship between the outlined variables. Furthermore, the present study finds support for the pollution haven hypothesis for the selected fragile economies. The plausible explanation is due to weak trade and environmental treaties in the examined countries. However, the renewable energy human development index help mitigates environmental degradation. Thus, the present study advocates the need for energy transition and investment into new technological innovation in research and development to attain sustainable development goals and environmental sustainability resonated in UNSDGs-11,12 and 13. Additionally, financial inclusion plays a vital role in the five fragile energy-environment mixes. The current study presents vital policy directives in the concluding section for individual countries and the entire bloc for more effective policy direction. • We explore nexus between sustainability amidst financial inclusion in five fragile economies. • Utilization of robust second-generation estimators were employed. • Our study found finds support for the pollution haven hypothesis. • Renewable energy human development index help mitigates environmental degradation. • Green growth policies should be pursued in five fragile economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the symmetric (linear) and asymmetric (nonlinear) impact of economic growth (EG), capital formation (CF), renewable and non-renewable energy (NRE) consumption on CO 2 emissions and ecological footprint (EF) of seventeen OECD countries spanning data from 1970 to 2016. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is used to examine the symmetric impact and the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model is employed to explore the asymmetric impact of the variables on the environment. The results indicate that economic growth and gross capital formation dampens environmental quality in the OECD region over the sampled period. Our estimation using the ARDL model shows that a 1% increase in renewable energy (RE) is projected to reduce CO 2 emission by 0.2% and a 1% increase in NRE is estimated to increase CO 2 emission by 1.08%. Similarly, a 1% rise in EG and NRE is expected to increase ecological footprint (EF) by 0.10% and 0.53%, respectively. Estimation using NARDL decomposed EG with positive (negative) shocks shows that a 1% increase (decrease) in EG is expected to reduce CO 2 emissions by 0.4% (0.16%). Similarly, 1% positive (negative) shock in RE is expected to decrease CO 2 emission by 0.5%. The findings indicate that conventional energy obtained from fossil fuels is observed to worsen the environment. Interestingly, renewable energy consumption enhances environmental quality for both fitted models with CO 2 emission and ecological footprint. This is insightful for stakeholders and government administrators in the region. This demonstrates the importance of a paradigm shift towards renewable energy consumption in the OECD countries to improve economic growth and productive capital stock. This finding also aligns with the non-linear investigation of the pivotal role of renewable energy consumption for a cleaner environment. • This study examines the symmetric (linear) and asymmetric (nonlinear) impact of Economic Growth, Capital Formation, Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy consumption on the CO 2 emissions and Ecological footprint of seventeen OECD countries spanning the data from 1970 to 2016. • The estimation of the study using the ARDL model shows that 1% increase in renewable energy (RE) is projected to reduce CO2 emission by 0.2%: and 1% increase in NRE is estimated to increase CO2 emission by 1.08%. Similarly, 1% rise in EG and NRE is expected to increase ecological footprint (EF) by 0.10% and 0.53%, respectively. • Estimation using NARDL decomposed EG with positive (negative) shocks shows that 1% increase (decrease) in EG is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 0.4% (0.16%). Similarly, 1% positive (negative) shocks in RE is expected to decrease CO 2 emission by 0.5%. • The results show that economic growth and gross capital formation dampens environmental quality in the OECD region over the sampled period. • This study suggests the need for a paradigm shift to renewable energy consumption in the OECD for a better economic growth trajectory and productive capital stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of low-carbon energy and trade on the environment has drawn several studies that have looked at issues from different perspectives, thus yielding differing conclusions. Considering the current emphasis on the COP25 conference and the commitment to cut down carbon emissions level, this study also draws strength from the United Nations Sustainable development Goals (UNSDGs) that comprises of positive strides for access to clean and responsible energy consumption (SDGs 7, 12) and climate change mitigation issues (SDG-13). To this end, this study is a timely outlook that underpins the case of the European Union (EU) countries as well as the root cause of anthropogenic activities on clean trajectory of global environment. Hence, we investigate the connection between alternative and sustainable energy source, trade, income and emissions in 27 selected European Union economies by utilizing data covering the period 1990–2017 on an annual frequency. We used second-generation panel model estimators to analyze the relationship between the variables in the long-run. Specifically, the long run results from the MG (Mean Group), AMG (Augmented Mean Group), and CCEMG (Common Correlated Effects Mean Group) estimators reveal that sustainable and alternative energy sources have a negative significant impact on pollutant emissions while trade and income have a positive impact on carbon emissions except that the impact of trade is insignificant. Although the positive impact of openness in trade on carbon emission is insignificant, the positive impact suggests that the free-trade policy that is currently in place in the EU should further incorporate sustainable development goals (SDGs) to avoid the outsourcing of carbon emissions among the member countries. Causality tests reveal a feedback hypothesis between renewable energy, income, trade, and carbon emanations. The investigation proposes expanded utilization of sustainable power source to mitigate carbon emissions in the European Union. • Outlook of EU-27 alternative energy and regional trade. • The panel techniques of common correlated effect is employed. • Alternative energy utilization in the regional bloc aids. • Regional trade policy in the EU could posit environmental hardship. • Real income growth in the region hampers environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) is one of the strongest, but most complex unions in the world with a competitive tourism industry. The aim of this study, therefore, is to account for economic complexity index (ECI), Brexit and other crisis episodes in the growth-energy-emissions nexus. Theoretically, the traditional Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model is assessed by adopting a One-step System Generalized Method of Moment (Sys GMM) on data for 26 EU member states over the period from 1995 to 2018. For the first time, an EU-macro regional analysis is conducted with and without the UK. Empirical results reveal that an increase in tourism, real GDP per capita, and energy use across the four EU macro regions leads to increase in carbon emission. In some regions, it was observed that tourism, ECI, Brexit, and the Greece bailout have no significant impact on carbon emission. This suggests that the increase in international travel, complexity of the economy, and financial crisis do not accelerate environmental crisis in such regions. However, where such factors are statistically significant, Brexit and the Greece bailout crisis both heighten emissions. Particularly, when the UK is excluded, Brexit and the Greece bailout crisis increase and reduce emissions, respectively. The EKC hypothesis, however, holds in either scenario. Based on these empirical findings, vital policy directions are suggested for a post-Brexit EU-UK energy and environmental relations. • We examined ECI, Brexit and other crisis episodes in the growth-energy-emissions nexus. • An increase in tourism, real GDP per capita, and energy use lead to increase in carbon emission. • In some regions, tourism, ECI, Brexit, and the Greece bailout have no significant impact on carbon emission. • When the UK is excluded, Brexit and the Greece bailout crisis increase and reduce emissions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging industrialized seven (E7) economies are not excluded from the global warming issues which is a major problem for most economies. The E7 member countries have partaken in policies to mitigate against global warming in terms of decoupling CO 2 emission from economic growth trajectory in the highlighted economies. It is on this premise that the present study is motivated to consider the connection among economic growth, pollutant emissions, coal rent while accounting for the role of other co-variates such as CO 2 damage and energy from a nuclear energy source, oil gas energy between 1990 and 2016 on an annual frequency. This study adopts the use of panel ordinary least squares alongside panel quantile regression to explore the coal rent-energy and environment nexus. The empirical result shows a positive and significant effect of both real GDP and coal rent on CO 2 emissions. More precisely, a 1% increase in GDP growth increases pollution emission by 0.400% while for coal rent, an increase in coal consumption dampens environmental quality by 0.088% as reported by the panel regression which is resonated by the quantile regression estimations at different tails of the data. Nevertheless, we observe that 0.95 percentile GDP growth strongly contributes to environmental pollution while at the median tail i.e. 0.5 percentile renewable energy consumption dampens the adverse effect of environmental degradation. Additionally, renewable energy, on the other hand, was found a negative and significant impact on CO 2 emissions in E7 countries as a 1% increase in renewable energy consumption improves environmental quality by 0.588% Moreover, the estimated results indicate that regulation of coal consumption through the rent in addition to the cost of carbon damage will further increase the CO 2 emissions in E7 countries. This study implies that putting stringent regulations on coal consumption as it concerns the increasing cost of carbon damage will not be of help to environmental sustainability within the E7 economies. The adoption of renewable energy consumption, nuclear energy, oil energy will reduce CO 2 emissions in E7 countries. Thus, suggesting a paradigm shift for low-carbon energy sources which are more environmentally friendly. [Display omitted] • We explore the nexus between renewables, nuclear, coal, oil, gas energy on CO 2 emission in E7. • Coal rent and renewable energy decreases CO 2 emission in E7 countries. • Energy diversification in the E7 countries can abate global dwindling energy market. • Environmental sustainability is obtained by decoupling CO 2 emission from economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]