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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 line with the pursuit of clean and affordable energy, our study contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs-7 and -13) and the global fight against climate change by offering evidence-based insights. We conducted a panel analysis of BRICS (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) economies to investigate the relationship between financial development and renewable energy utilization. Our empirical findings highlight a positive statistical association between economic growth and renewable energy consumption, indicating that higher economic growth correlates with increased renewable energy adoption. Similarly, significant positive relationships are observed between the consumer price index and domestic credit with renewable energy consumption. Moreover, our study also uncovers a counterintuitive relationship between foreign direct investment and renewable energy consumption. These results provide valuable insights into the determinants of renewable energy consumption in BRICS countries. From a policy perspective, we advocate for robust strategies to promote the adoption and utilization of renewable energy sources alongside the implementation of policies encouraging the uptake of clean technologies. Such measures can spur economic growth and contribute to achieving low-carbon targets and sustainability goals within the BRICS economies. Practical steps, including incentives like feed-in tariffs and subsidies, can further enhance the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy adoption in the investigated bloc. • Financial development plays a vital role in BRICS energy consumption patterns. • Economic growth displays a positive nexus with renewable energy consumption. • CPI and renewable energy reveals positive significant relationship. • Adoption of clean technologies option will spur economic growth in BRICS. [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]

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]

Growing concern over climate change mitigation has heightened the search for low-carbon, affordable, and non-intermittent energy alternatives. In this perspective, hydropower, thermal, solar, photovoltaic, and nuclear energy sources fit all these qualities as they are well-known as cleaner and ecosystem-friendly energy sources. However, despite the attractiveness of the clean energy transition, the extant literature has less documentation on the pertinent role of nuclear energy in the "climate change mitigation (SDG-13)" agenda, hence making it difficult to predict nuclear energy-CO 2 emissions (CO 2 e) nexus. Hence, the present study, using IPAT and the "environmental Kuznets curve (EKC)" framework, explores the consequences of nuclear energy generation, population dynamics, and economic progress on CO 2 e in the "United States of America (USA)" by applying a "dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DARDL)" model from 1973 to 2021. The study provides evidence the existence of the EKC phenomena, suggesting that economic expansion hurts the environment up to a specific threshold level of per capita income, which is identified as US$ 29,581.16. Further empirical findings also show the detrimental effect of population-induced-emission. Remarkably, a 1% rise in nuclear energy generation dwindles CO 2 e by around 0.819%. The outcomes of this research demonstrate that economic growth level, population, and CO 2 emission are entangled. However, there is a need for a collective role from both stakeholders and policymakers in achieving "SDG-13" as well as "clean and affordable energy (SDG-7)" with a paradigm shift of the USA energy portfolio away from fossil fuels to renewables. • The nexus between nuclear energy-population-CO 2 emissions is investigated for USA. • We applied dynamic ARDL simulations model. • Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis prevails in USA. • Nuclear energy generation dampens the effect of CO 2 emission. • The population induced-emission in both the short- and long-run is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although technological innovation plays a critical role in promoting sustainable development and environmental sustainability, there are few studies in the existing literature that address this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between technological innovation (TI), renewable energy consumption (REC), natural resource rent (NRR) and ecological footprint (EF) of E-7 countries (i.e. Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and Turkiye) from 1992 to 2018 in order to ensure environmental sustainability in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analysis was performed using the ARDL estimator, robustness test and Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality (DHC) test. Long-term empirical estimates from the PMG-ARDL technique have shown that a 1 % increase in TI and REC reduces EF by 0.064 % and 0.234 %, respectively, i.e. increases environmental sustainability. At this point, it is possible to say that TI and REC contribute to the achievement of SDG-7 and 13 in E-7 countries while NRR and real income (GDP) were found to impede the achievement of SDG-7 and 13 in E-7 countries through an increase in EF. The results were confirmed using robustness techniques. In the DHC test results, while there is a unidirectional causality from TI to EF, from EF to NRR and trade openness, a bidirectional causality was found between GDP and EF. This study suggests that policymakers should focus on introducing environmentally friendly equipment to reduce environmental degradation, increase the share of RECs and focus on sustainable development within the framework of the SDGs. • We explore nexus between technological innovation affect the ecological footprint in E-7 economies. • Adoption of second-generational panel econometrics techniques. • Technological innovation and renewable energy consumption help in mitigating climate change. • Green growth policies should be pursued in E7 energy mix. [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 provides empirical evidence on the relationship between energy efficiency and production- and-consumption based carbon emissions by assessing the impact of population size, income, and clean energy on the carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions function. Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MM-QR) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators are applied to observe long-term associations between the variables, and Dumitrescu-Hurlin (DH) Ganger causality test is used to identify the direction of causality. Findings reveal that, across all specifications, energy intensity and population size have positive (increasing) impact on both estimates of CO 2 emissions while renewable energy use has a negatively significant impact and stronger on consumption-based estimates. The presence of an inverted U-shaped curve in the relationship between per capita income and CO 2 emissions, as predicted by the Environment Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, only exists when CO 2 emissions are calculated based on production pattern. Further empirical analysis based on DH causality tests show a bidirectional causality between energy intensity and production-based CO 2 emissions, population size and consumption-based CO 2 emissions, per capita income and consumption-based CO 2 emissions, and energy intensity and renewable energy use. In addition, a unidirectional causality runs from per capita income to production-based CO 2 emissions, and from energy intensity and renewable energy use to consumption-based CO 2 emissions. This analysis outlines a paradigm for the formulation of a green development strategy in developing economies via energy and environmental resources. • This study explore nexus between energy efficiency and carbon emissions Production-based. • Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MM-QR) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators are used. • Validity of inverted U-shaped curve in the relationship GDP and production-based CO 2. • Bidirectional causality exists between energy intensity and production-based carbon emissions. • Green growth policies should be pursued in the developing energy mix. [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]

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]

The increase in consumption and the increase in the use of resources linked to increasing human activity puts both energy security and sustainability at risk, which has led to a global restructuring of the policy agenda to ensure and integrate environmental well-being through channels such as energy efficiency (EE). Bearing this in mind, the objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between energy efficiency, renewable energy and financial development? For this reason, an analysis is conducted, which includes energy intensity measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per unit of energy use as a measure of efficiency for 43 European countries (period 1990–2019). The objective is to observewhether the use of renewable energy and the investments being made are driving economies towards higher EE and sustainable economic growth. The present study leverages on spatial econometrics models, which allow for the analysis of spillovers between economies. The results obtained allow us to observe the existence of spatial autocorrelation of EE between countries in Europe. Secondly, it is observed that the use of renewable energies promotes EE in neighbouring economies, as well as in the return effect. On the other hand, financial development shows that only the institutional component favours EE by generating a return effect on the economy itself, while the stock market component deteriorates the EE of neighbouring economies and on the same economy. Therefore, the analyzed data shows that the use of renewable energies promotes the improvement of EE and that being close to countries that replace the use of traditional energies with alternative sources has a positive effect on national EE. These mechanisms would allow policy makers to develop mechanisms for greener and more sustainable development, while encouraging efficient energy use. • The indirect effects of the nexus of renewable energy and financial development on energy efficiency for the EU bloc are explored. • The present study explores the use of robust Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). • Renewable energies promote energy efficiency in neighbouring economies. • Financial development shows that only the institutional component favours energy efficiency. • Green growth policies should be pursued in EU bloc energy mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]