Testing the Energy-Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis in the Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Consumption Models in Egypt

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 8;18(14):7334. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147334.

Abstract

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) association between income and pollution emissions proxies has been extensively tested in the environmental literature. However, testing of the energy-EKC is scanty. This present research examined the energy-EKC in the cubic relationship of economic growth and different renewable and nonrenewable energy proxies in Egypt from 1965-2019. In the long run, we corroborate the N-shaped relationships in the case of primary energy, oil, and coal consumption models, and confirm the long run energy-EKC association in these energy proxies. Moreover, we find turning points of the N-curve for these energy sources in 1998, 2000, and 1979-2005, in primary energy, oil, and coal consumption models, respectively. Hence, economic growth is responsible for increasing nonrenewable energy consumption and has environmental consequences in Egypt. In the short run, we find N-shaped relationships in the case of primary energy, oil, and coal consumption. Further, we find an inverted U-shaped relationship in the case of natural gas consumption. In addition, we corroborate an inverted N-shaped relationship in the case of hydroelectricity consumption, a renewable energy source. Hence, we confirm the short-run energy-EKC relationship in all investigated renewable and nonrenewable energy proxies.

Keywords: and natural gas consumption; coal; economic growth; energy-EKC; hydroelectricity consumption; oil; primary energy consumption.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide