Towards sustainable development in China: do political rights and civil liberties matter for environmental quality?

100

This study investigates the influence of democracy, autocracy, and globalization on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 69 developing countries from 1990 to 2018. We used the unit root approaches to scrutinize the level of stationarity and recognize that all concern variables were unified at first difference. Pedroni and the Kao cointegration methodologies were employed for the detection of long‐run cointegration, and the conclusions discovered the presence of long‐run relationships among variables. Furthermore, this study applied a fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) approach to estimate the long‐run elasticity/coefficients. The outcomes showed that democracy and renewable energy significantly overcome the pressure on the environment. However, financial development and globalization significantly increase environmental damage. Besides, the findings of an interaction term between democracy and globalization significantly reduce the pollution level, and the dampening effect of autocracy and globalization does a similar effect on environmental damage. Besides, an Inverted U‐shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis was verified across the developing world. Additionally, the Feedback hypothesis is discovered between autocracy, democracy, and CO2 emissions. However, the growth hypothesis is revealed from CO2 emissions and globalization to democracy. Finally, this study also suggests some valuable policy suggestions to the governments/policymakers in general/specific regarding the developing world for endorsing their environmental sustainability.

Section: Empirical Outcomes and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Linking institutional quality to environmental sustainability

Jahanger

Usman

Balsalobre‐Lorente

2022

100

“…Environmental awareness began to increase, especially in the 1990s, with the clear observation of the effects of environmental problems. The process of economic growth and development has been shown as the main source of environmental problems (Emrah Koçak & Kızılkaya, 2020). Some pioneering research has attempted to explain the relationships between environmental pollution and economic growth by adopting the Kuznets Curve hypothesis to the environment (Agras & Chapman, 1999; COLE et al, 1997; Dinda, 2004; G. Grossman & Krueger, 1991; Grossman & Krueger, 1995).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The process of economic growth and development has been shown as the main source of environmental problems (Emrah Koçak & Kızılkaya, 2020). Some pioneering research has attempted to explain the relationships between environmental pollution and economic growth by adopting the Kuznets Curve hypothesis to the environment (Agras & Chapman, 1999;COLE et al, 1997;Dinda, 2004;G.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The path to sustainable municipal solid waste management: Do human development, energy efficiency, and income inequality matter?

Koçak

Bağlıtaş

2022

This paper explores the economic, social, and technical dynamics affecting municipal solid waste (MSW) per capita in organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries from 2003 to 2018. Static and dynamic panel data methods are followed for empirical analysis. According to the estimation results, there is an inverted-U-shaped relationship between economic growth and MSW. The turning point income level, where technological and structural effects occur, is calculated in the range of $20,000-$34,000. Human development and energy efficiency have mitigating effects on MSW. Energy efficiency and human development are critical for sustainable MSW management. Credit expansion has an increasing effect on MSW generation. Financial development draws attention as a negative indicator in sustainable waste management targets. All models confirm that income inequality has an increasing effect on MSW generation. In addition, poverty reduction is associated with an increase in MSW generation. Thus, income inequality and poverty reduction are a major constraint for sustainable MSW management. After all, the empirical findings of this paper can guide authorities in designing waste management policies.

“…Finally, Payne (1995) and Koçak and Kızılkaya (2020) show that, in countries with greater civil and democratic liberties, governments cooperate more in international treaties to protect the environment. In addition, these countries do not ignore the environmental concerns of voters, facilitating access to information on environmental issues.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spillovers impact of institutional and economic factors in energy intensity

Alvarado

Ortíz

Cuesta

et al. 2022

Previous literature does not incorporate the spillover effects of institutional factors in the analysis of the determinants of energy intensity. This research aims to empirically examine the impact of institutional and economic factors on energy intensity using spatial panel data models. Specifically, the institutional factors included are civil liberties, political corruption, and women's political empowerment. We find robust evidence that there are spillover effects from regressors on the energy intensity of countries. We find that the index of civil liberties, political corruption, and women's political empowerment reduce energy intensity. In addition, we find robust evidence that real output per capita and oil price reduce energy intensity, while manufacturing industry increase it. Our results indicate that manufacturing activity requires greater attention from policymakers and academics to mitigate the harmful aspects of energy intensity. Likewise, our results constitute a new look at the approach to mechanisms to reduce energy intensity to achieve sustainable economic development consistent with Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 12.