An analysis of the impact of clean and non-clean energy consumption on economic growth and carbon emission: evidence from PIMC countries

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jul;29(34):51442-51455. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19284-x. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Abstract

This study empirically estimates the impact of clean and non-clean energy consumption on economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions within the framework of the environmental Kuznets curve and pollution haven hypothesis in the case of PIMC countries from 1980 to 2019. The results of the panel cointegration test proposed by Westerlund (2007) show a long-term equilibrium relationship among the variables of each designated model. The long-term elasticities of economic growth and carbon emission estimated by AMG, CCEMG, and MG estimators indicate that both clean and non-clean energy consumption has a significant impact on economic growth, while carbon emission hinders growth. The results also reveal that economic growth, non-clean energy consumption, and interaction between trade openness and non-clean energy consumption have a driving effect on carbon dioxide emission; however, clean energy consumption is found to reduce carbon emission. In addition, the analysis confirms the existence of the inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve and pollution haven hypothesis in the panel of PIMC economies. Finally, there is a one-way causality from non-clean energy consumption to economic growth, but no such causation exists between clean energy consumption and economic growth. The objective of sustained economic growth with a safe environment may be achieved by encouraging clean energy consumption in the PIMC economies.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide emission; Clean energy consumption; EKC hypothesis; Economic growth; PHH; PIMC countries.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide* / analysis
  • Economic Development*
  • Environmental Pollution / analysis
  • Renewable Energy

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide