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This study provides some empirical evidence on the dynamic linkage between modern renewable (clean) energy consumption (SDG-7.2) and economic growth using the Dynamic Common-Correlated Effects (DCCE) estimation Approach in 20 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries for the period from 2000 to 2017. The study also aims to examine the role of traditional energy dependence, income, and education in the linkage using the dynamic panel data threshold effects model with endogenous regressors estimations. The findings indicate that an increase in modern renewable energy in the total final energy mix is not conducive to economic growth (induces a certain economic cost) in the SSA region. This could be explained by the fact that modern renewables are not being utilized efficiently and fully in the region. However, the modern renewables-growth linkage depends on traditional energy dependence, the level of income, and education. Specifically, the negative effect of modern renewables tends to weaken in the regimes with lower traditional energy intensity, higher levels of income and education. Our main conclusion remains robust to additional control variables considered in the analysis. Hence, while expanding the use of clean energy technologies, basic enabling environments need to be created to make a smooth clean energy transition and reduce its economic costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to measure the relationship between technological progress, renewable energy, and green economic growth (GEG). This study uses a data envelopment analysis (DEA) estimation method to evaluate the association between government expenditure on research and development (R&D), renewable energy deployment, and GEG in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) between 1990 and 2018. The estimates revealed an inconsistent GEG indicator in the analysis, suggesting the lesser impact disposition of public policy. In addition, the energy efficiency ratio of ECOWAS sub-region is under 0.50, implying energy poverty in the sub-region. Many people do not have sufficient energy to heat and cool their homes to enough temperature and meet their basic needs and energy security concerns. This research discovered that a percentage growth increase in renewable energy deployment results in a 3.2% increase in growth in sustainable performance. Alongside an essential effect of one percentage point growth in R&D expenditure boosts economic system sustainable performance to 4.4% combined with a supported effect of one percent. This research reveals that the ECOWAS government expenditure on human resources and R&D of sustainable energy resources would result in a low carbon growth via an advanced technological production process; nevertheless, the impacts are varied in the various countries in ECOWAS. • The study applies a longitudinal dataset of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). • The energy efficiency ratio of the ECOWAS sub-region is under 0.50, implying energy poverty. • Many people don't have access to sufficient and affordable modern energy. • A 1% increase in renewable energy deployment growth results in a 3.2% increase in growth of sustainable performance. • More investment in R&D of sustainable energy resources results in a low-carbon economic growth in ECOWAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoirs are major indicators of sustainable socio-economic development, agriculture and energy. This study focused on genetic algorithm based optimization of rule curves for maximizing the hydropower and associated benefits through cascade reservoirs. Optimization has been carried out using RESOOSE model for maximizing hydro-power, irrigation and evacuation of sediment from multipurpose Diamer Basha and Terbela Reservoirs on Indus River in Pakistan. The best methods and values of Genetic Algorithm computed through sensitivity analysis were tournament selection method with 2 teams, population size 288, single point crossover method with crossover probability 0.8 and adapt feasible mutation method. The policy equations on storage, outflows and hydropower for the cascade reservoirs in series were formulated. The maximum annual overall benefits were 3380 Million US$ for multi-objective optimization of joint operation of Terbela and Diamer Basha Reservoirs, where hydropower was major contributor among all the associated benefits with highest annual benefits of 2724.7 Million US$. The results demonstrate that hydropower has been optimized along with maximization of the associated benefits. The optimized rule curves of the cascade reservoirs developed in the study have enhanced the overall benefits for achieving SDGs of zero hunger, affordable clean energy, economic growth and water availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As economies grow, they tend to prioritize industrializing with fossil fuels over protecting the environment, impeding efforts to combat climate change. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address the critical policy concern of financing a clean energy transition to ensure sustainable economic growth for current and future generations. We examine the effect of financial development on clean energy transition in 20 low-income and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The study employs fixed-effects and instrumental variable two-stage Least squares (IV-2SLS) models to examine the effect of financial development on the transition to renewable energy. Overall, the results show a positive effect of financial development on renewable energy transition. However, the financial development effect is only significant for financial institutions instead of financial markets – a signal of weak financial markets in the region. More importantly, the results show that this financial development effect on renewable energy transition is significant only in low-income countries, contrary to middle-income economies. We recommend that governments in the region further develop and promote innovative financial market products such as green bonds and digital finance that support private sector investments in renewable energy. Regarding trade, it is critical to subsidize environmentally friendly green energy imports while taxing non-renewable products that promote the use of fossil fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoubtedly, energy is indispensable to attain economic development; however, it also generates CO2 emissions, which are the dominant contributor to environmental deterioration and climate change. In this regard, clean energy can help to achieve both sustainable development and environmental sustainability since it comprises non-carbohydrate energy sources that do not or seldom generate emissions. Against this backdrop, this work considers economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and probes the impact of clean energy consumption on CO2 emissions in the third largest European economy France from 1987 to 2019 controlling urbanization and economic growth. Using the STIRPAT framework, the study employed the novel Augmented ARDL method that overcomes the limitations of the ARDL methods. The outcomes disclosed strong evidence of cointegration. The long-run analysis revealed that clean energy consumption does not contribute to emissions reduction in the long-run. However, EPU poses a threat to environmental sustainability by augmenting emissions levels. Economic growth boosts CO2 emissions, while urbanization is conducive to environmental quality supporting ecological modernization theory. The study detected causality from EPU to economic growth and emissions. Finally, based on the study outcomes, a policy framework is suggested to address the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 and 13. • Estimated effects of clean energy and EPU on emissions using augmented ARDL method. • Findings indicate cointegration in the model. • EPU increases CO2 emissions. • Economic growth augments emissions while urbanization reduces emissions. • Clean energy consumption does not significantly contribute to CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the dynamic relationship among economic growth, clean energy, and carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions in China. The indicators of economic growth, clean energy, CO 2 emissions, fixed assets investment, and research and development intensity of 30 provinces and municipalities for the period of 2005–2019 in China have been investigated by Panel Vector Autoregression model (PVAR). To further explore regional differences, three types of regions were classified by K-means cluster analysis. The results show that clean energy has a positive impact on economic growth in China; Clean energy reduces CO 2 emissions in Region II while others do not; Both fixed assets investment and research and development promote clean energy development; The dynamic relationship between the 5 indicators varies across regions. Various regions in China should combine their development characteristics and location advantages, increase capital investment and research and development input in clean energy, strengthen environmental regulations, and improve the energy consumption structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries in the global South, or developing and emerging economies, are experiencing rapid economic growth, and increased economic integration with other countries in the global South, including trade. Some analysts have raised concerns that such South-South trade might encourage the use of outdated conventional energy technologies, and lock developing countries into high carbon growth paths. Here, trade data from the UN Comtrade database is analyzed with a gravity model of trade. Results show that levels of clean energy technologies in South-south trade were relatively low up until the first half of the 2010's, but that these are entirely comparable to North-North or other trade flows in recent years. The analysis thus finds no evidence to support concerns that South-South trade might encourage high carbon development. South-South trade contains particularly high levels of solar PV, hydropower, and electric two-wheeler technologies, whilst exporters in the global North are more competitive in markets for wind power equipment and electric vehicles. Trade in electric vehicles is the fastest growing class of clean energy technologies, and the dominance of Northern countries in their exports may mean that South-South trade could, in the foreseeable future, once again lag behind in levels of clean energy technologies. • UN Comtrade data is used to identify shares of clean energy tech in international trade. • Trade between countries in the global South is compared with other trade flows. • South-South trade contains as much clean energy technologies as other trade flows. • South-South trade has high levels of PV, hydropower, and electric two-wheelers. • South-South trade has low levels of wind power and electric vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been an urgent need to fully implement renewable energy sources to realise green energy transitions and combat environmental pollution. This study uses a benchmark estimation model to analyse the links between green economic growth, green financing, and green energy from 2010 to 2020 and green energy advancement in China. Within the context of renewable energy, scholars have investigated various, unequal, and mediating influence connections. According to the extant literature, green economic expansion and green finance are significantly linked with renewable energy, but with diverse influences in various types of renewable technology and in various regions. The effect of green growth in the economy on green energy is non-linear, while green finance is coherent. Green technological advancement is efficiently facilitates green productivity expansion and green energy, and the investment impact is partially mediated. This study contributes significantly to the formulation of several practical initiatives to strengthen the green energy sector and facilitate sustainable growth. The results indicate that it is essential to maximise the potential of green economic activity to advance the green energy sector through the full utilisation of green accomplishments in their transformed forms. • Urgent need for renewable energy: Implementing renewables for green transitions. • Linking green growth, financing, and energy: Analyzing connections in China. • Diverse influences on renewables: Varied impacts by region and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]