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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]