The non-linear relationship between globalization, financial development and energy consumption: Evidence from BRICS economies

PLoS One. 2023 Dec 8;18(12):e0293890. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293890. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

In the era of globalization, financial development plays a key role in socioeconomic and environmental development. However, its adverse consequences on human life, environmental hazards, and high energy consumption cannot be ignored. Thus, this study investigates the non-linear relationship between globalization, financial development, and energy consumption for BRICS economies. In doing so, we have applied second-generation tests to identify cross-sectional dependence in the data. Cross-sectional augmented Dickey-Fuller (CADF) and Cross-sectional Im-Pesaran Shin (CIPS) have been performed to find the stationary level of variables. The long-term equilibrium link between the investigated variables has been established in continuance using the Westerlund Cointegration test. The Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression (DSUR) indicates that U-shaped relationships exist for financial development and globalization with energy consumption. Conversely, there is an inverted U-shaped relationship exist between economic growth and energy consumption in BRICS. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test findings show that a unidirectional link runs from energy consumption to financial development, economic growth to energy consumption, and globalization towards energy usage. Important policy implications have also been discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Economic Development*
  • Humans
  • Internationality
  • Policy
  • Renewable Energy

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide

Grants and funding

We acknowledge the financial support provided by Information Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China to complete and publish this study.