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In the context of the goal of "carbon neutrality", an economic development model that achieves emission reduction goals and ensures stable economic growth is currently being advocated by China. Based on provincial panel data in China from 2005 to 2016, we analyse the impact of economic growth target (EGT) constraints on environmental pollution using a spatial econometric method. The results indicate that EGT constraints significantly exacerbate environmental pollution in local regions and adjacent areas. Local governments are motivated to achieve economic growth goals at the expense of the ecological environment. The positive effects are attributed to a reduction in environmental regulation (ER), industrial structure upgrading and technological innovation and an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI). Moreover, environmental decentralization (ED) plays a positive regulatory role and can weaken the adverse influences of EGT constraints on environmental pollution. Interestingly, the nonlinear impact of EGT constraints on environmental pollution relies on different types of ED. Environmental administration decentralization (EDA) and environmental supervision decentralization (EDS) can reduce the positive effect of EGT constraints on environmental pollution, while an improvement in environmental monitoring decentralization (EDM) can increase the promoting influences of the constraints of economic growth goals on environmental pollution. The above conclusions still hold under a series of robustness tests. Based on the above findings, we suggest that local governments set scientific growth targets, establish scientific assessment indicators for officials, and optimize the ED management institution. [Display omitted] • The environmental pollution index in China is measured. • The influence of economic growth target on environmental pollution is investigated. • Economic growth target has a positive effect on environmental pollution. • Environmental decentralization reduces environmental pollution. • The economic growth targets have threshold effect on environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to data from the working reports of China's 244 prefecture-level city governments from 2004 to 2016, we used the instrumental variable method to identify the effects of governments' behavior of setting economic growth targets on regional green technology innovation. The results show that the setting and top-down amplification of economic growth targets have significant inhibitory effects on green technology innovation. The inhibitory effect is more prominent in cities with rapid economic growth and over fulfilment of economic growth targets. In addition, the higher the degree of over fulfilment of the economic target becomes, the more prominent the inhibiting effect is. An impact mechanism analysis reveals that economic growth target constraints affect regional green technology innovation through an industrial structure effect and foreign investment introduction effect. • Economic growth targets on green technology innovation are identified in China. • Setting and top-down amplification are inhibitory on green technology innovation. • Instrumental variable method considers endogenous factors in setting the targets. • Top-down amplification effects on green technology innovation are heterogeneous. • Industrial structure and foreign investment affect the effects of economic growth targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is one of the world's largest emerging economies and, therefore, has a critical role to play in ensuring global sustainability, while the Indian economy is also prioritizing energy security. The paper explores the dynamic linkages between energy security captured through national-level energy use, foreign direct investment (FDI), economic output, carbon emissions, and trade openness in India spanning the period from 1978 to 2016 in a multivariate framework based on the theoretical premise of an Environmental Kuznets Curve. Time series econometric modelling based on the ARDL model and VECM Granger causality tests are employed for this purpose. The results confirm the presence of a co-integrating relationship and finds a strong energy-output–CO 2 –FDI long-run nexus. A 1% increase in FDI results in a 0.013% reduction in energy use. Energy use is found to be Granger caused by output, carbon emissions, FDI and trade openness in the long-run. The adoption of energy-efficient techniques through FDI is essential for reducing carbon emissions in India based on our findings. The Indian government should also galvanize FDI inflow in the renewable energy sectors by assuring incentives to investors to concurrently achieve favorable macroeconomic outcomes and ensure sustainable economic development. These are globally important policy lessons for other developing and emerging economies. • India is one of the world's largest emerging economy. • Dynamic linkages between energy, economy and the environment is studied for India. • Multivariate modelling framework is based on Environmental Kuznets Curve. • A 1% increase in FDI results in 0.013% reduction in energy use. • A long-run nexus relationships exists between the energy, economy and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nexus between economic growth and energy consumption has been exhaustively explored, yet the empirical evidence and the theoretical points of view remain at odds. This study contextualises and capitalises on this discrepancy and examines the connection between non-renewable and renewable energy consumption and economic growth, considering the moderating impact of economic complexity, trade openness, FDI and institutional quality. We use a panel quantile regression model and data from 32 European countries in the period 1995–2014. Our key results show that economic complexity, renewable energy consumption, trade openness, FDI and institutional quality enhance economic growth. The results for non-renewable energy consumption showed both a positive and a negative impact in different quantiles, indicating that the consumption of renewable energy is in fact more effective for economic growth than the use of non-renewables. Our findings have far-reaching implications for stakeholders and policymakers working on sustainable economic growth and energy policy with a view to meeting the commitments made under the Paris Agreement (COP21). • Economic complexity contributes to economic growth. • Trade openness, foreign direct investment and institutional quality enhance economic growth. • Renewable energy is more suitable for economic growth than non-renewable. • To honour Paris Agreement (COP21), renewable energy consumption should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of foreign direct investment and education on environmental quality for Asian countries by controlling income, energy consumption, and urbanization for the period of 1990–2018. We have applied panel cointegration techniques to probe for long-run associations among the variables. The empirical results indicate the existence of cointegration between the variables. Dynamic ordinary least square and fully modified least square methods are applied to estimate long-run elasticities. The empirical results confirm that environmental quality is sensitive to foreign direct investment, education, and urbanization. Income and energy consumption deteriorate environmental quality by increasing CO 2 emissions. In the long-run, bidirectional causal associations are found for emissions- foreign direct investment, emissions-energy use, income- emissions, foreign direct investment -income, and energy-income nexus. Furthermore, there is a unidirectional causality running from education and urbanization to emissions, foreign direct investment, income, and energy use. Policymakers in Asian economies are encouraged to establish policies that increase the education budget, promote the use of green energy, attract foreign direct investment with green technology, and expand cities to limit the urbanization effects on environmental quality. • This paper investigates the linear and nonlinear impact of FDI and education on carbon emissions. • FMOLS and VECM are employed in Asian countries. • FDI and education increase carbon emissions in Asian countries. • Energy consumption and economic growth stimulate the level of carbon emissions. • Results indicate the existence of EKC for FDI, education, and income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on SO 2 pollution in China has been hotly debated over the past decades. Different from the existing studies, this work employs satellite observed SO 2 columns from 2005 to 2016 and applies a spatial econometric approach to investigate the socio-economic influencing factors of SO 2 pollution of 270 prefecture-level cities in China. The findings are as follows. (1) SO 2 pollution over China exhibits a significant and positive spatial autocorrelation. (2) The most polluted area is concentrated on the North China Plain. However, SO 2 pollution over China has been reduced gradually during the sample period, implying that overall environmental quality in China has been substantially improved. (3) Besides, the results of spatial econometric models are not in support of "pollution haven hypothesis". On the contrary, the pollution halo effect of foreign direct investment works well and contributes to reducing SO 2 pollution in China. Moreover, we find that urban economic levels and innovative capability are negatively correlated with SO 2 pollution, indicating that economic growth and an increase in innovation can help improve environmental quality. On contrast, the share of the secondary industry, urbanization and transportation are found to have positive impacts, indicating that they are three main contributors to SO 2 pollution in China. • Spatio-temporal variations of SO 2 columns from 2005 to 2016 over China are analyzed. • Spatial econometric models are used to study the socio-economic factors of SO 2. • Economic growth and innovation have positive impacts on SO 2 columns. • Industry, urbanization and transport are three contributors to SO 2 pollution. • Foreign direct investment has a negative effect, implying pollution halo works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]