Investigating Economy Growth, Renewable Energy, Human Capital and Environmental Technology Interaction in CO2 Emissions in Heterogeneous Emerging Economies
Abstract
Research background
CO2 emissions are a major driver of climate change, especially in heterogeneous emerging countries.
Purpose
This research investigates the impact of economic growth, financial development, renewable energy consumption, environment-related technology, and human capital on CO2 emissions in heterogeneous emerging countries.
Research methodology
The study analysed data from 1994 to 2019 across twelve heterogeneous emerging countries. Utilizing the Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lags (CS-ARDL) econometric approach, the results indicated findings over both the short and long term. Robustness is tested using the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimators, while Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality examines the bidirectional relationships.
Results
The results show that, in both the short and long term: (1) economic growth increases CO2 emissions, (2) renewable energy use reduces emissions, and (3) the interaction of human capital and environmental technology lowers emissions. Further, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality tests show a bidirectional relationship between CO2 emissions, economic growth, financial development, and human capital.
Novelty
This study provides policy recommendations to foster sustainable development and reduce CO2 emissions, specifically in heterogeneous emerging countries.
© 2026 Ninditya Nareswari, Bahalwan Apriyansyah, Siskha Nur Khasanah, published by University of Szczecin
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