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The G7 countries consist of some of the world's most economically developed nations. However, alongside such robust economic growth performances, the environmental qualities in these countries have simultaneously aggravated to raise deep concerns among the stakeholders. Hence, this study is designed to empirically examine the environmental effects of nuclear and renewable energy consumption, economic complexity, and economic growth in the context of the G7 countries for the period between 1995 and 2016. To ensure novelty, this study considers carbon footprints along with carbon dioxide emissions to measure environmental quality in the context of the G7 nations. The results reveal that although nuclear energy consumption is effective in mitigating carbon dioxide emissions and carbon footprints in the long run, renewable energy consumption degrades the environment in the G7 countries. Besides, the results also suggest that the G7 countries can transform their production processes in an environmentally friendly manner provided they can undergo a clean transition in energy use. Finally, economic growth is evidenced to be detrimental for the environment since higher economic growth levels are seen to boost both carbon dioxide emission and carbon footprint levels. Therefore, in line with the findings, this study recommends the G7 countries to significantly enhance their nuclear and renewable energy consumption levels, increase their economic complexity indices, and integrate environmental welfare policies within their economic growth strategies. • Determinants of CO 2 emissions and carbon footprints are evaluated in G7 countries. • Renewable energy use boosts CO 2 emissions and carbon footprints. • Nuclear energy use curbs CO 2 emissions and carbon footprints. • Economic complexity reduces CO 2 emissions and carbon footprints. • Economic growth stimulates CO 2 emissions and carbon footprints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the dynamic interdependence between CO 2 emissions, real gross domestic product (GDP), renewable and non-renewable energy generation, urbanization, and export quality for both the top ten renewable energy and top ten economic complexity index (ECI) countries. The techniques of panel cointegration, long-run FMOLS, DOLS, and Granger causality are used spanning the period 1980–2014. Long-run estimates suggest that, for the top ten renewable energy countries, only renewable energy generation contributes to mitigating CO 2 emissions, while the other variables lead to increase emissions levels in the long-run. However, for the case of leading complex economies, the empirics highlighted the significant role of renewable energy in carbon mitigation. Exports quality leads to decrease emissions level and real GDP, non-renewable energy and urbanization contribute to the rise in emissions. Interestingly, for the top ten renewable energy countries, Granger causality analysis mentioned a two-ways short-run relationship between renewable energy generation and export quality and one-way causality from export quality to CO 2 emissions. The findings mention that adopting clean technologies using renewable energy might act as a key tool for export quality improvement and mitigation of CO 2 emissions. Results are related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-7: using more renewable, affordable energy; SDG-8: sustainable economic growth and decent employment for all, SDG-13: regulating emissions and promoting renewable energy) and discussed in this sense. • Dynamic interdependence between CO 2 emissions, energy generation, and exports quality is examined. • Panel data is used for renewable energy and economic complexity countries. • Export quality tend to have positive effects on CO 2 emissions. • Non-renewable energy induces pollution levels. • Renewable energy mitigates CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]