Numerous nations' policies have integrated the imperative of restraining the expansion of CO2 emissions, recognizing the increasingly dire and unmanageable consequences it entails. Despite empirical literature identifying diverse drivers of CO2, the impact of national security, healthcare, entitlement programs, and total petroleum stocks has largely been overlooked. Thus, this study aims to bridge this gap by investigating, for the first time, the role of these economic variables in determining whether they contribute to CO2 reduction or escalation in the United States. To evaluate the interconnections among these variables, this study utilizes monthly data spanning from 1985 to 2022. Employing contemporary quantile approaches like Recursive CQ correlations, Cross-Quantilogram, and nonparametric quantile causality, the study effectively accommodates the nonlinear nature of the variables. These analytical techniques offer a comprehensive assessment of the relationships among the variables under scrutiny. The outcomes of the Cross-Quantilogram analysis reveal that health care, national security, and entitlement programs enhance ecological quality at different quantiles. Conversely, total petroleum stocks are associated with ecological deterioration. Based on these results, the study recommends a focus on raising awareness regarding sustainable procurement strategies, embracing environmentally friendly technologies, and improving energy efficiency in healthcare facilities.
Keywords: CO2 emissions; Entitlement programs; National security; Petroleum stocks; Sustainable development.
© 2023 The Authors.