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The current paper formulates a novel framework to scrutinize the effects of shocks in technological and financial innovation on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) in BRICS economies. The Westerlund cointegration test is applied to confirm the long-run association among the constructs. The estimates of second-generation techniques, viz, Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and Common Correlated Effect Mean Group (CCEMG), determine the following results. First, the positive shocks from financial innovation significantly disrupt the CO2e, while financial innovation's adverse shocks cause to stimulate pollution. Second, positive shocks in technological innovation also plays a pivotal role in mitigating carbon emissions while the negative shocks exhibit no impact. Third, the process of urbanization exhibits a negative linkage with environmental degradation. Fourth, fossil fuel consumption demonstrates a positive association with CO2e. Lastly, the negative correlation between foreign direct investment-CO2e nexus and GDP per capita squared-CO2e nexus assert the existence of EKC hypothesis, respectively. Also, fully-modified OLS is also deployed for country-level analysis. Besides, the causality test validates the findings by confirming the causal relationship among the modeled variables. Based of the study outcomes, this study has recommended an SDG-oriented policy framework. [Display omitted] • We explore effects of technological and financial innovation shocks on carbon emissions in BRICS • Second-generation methods are used • Findings confirm the significant role of financial and technological innovations in disrupting carbon emissions • Results confirm the existence of pollution halo and EKC hypotheses [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to literature by divulging the nature of scale and technique effects on renewable energy consumption, considering foreign direct investment (FDI) and financial development as considerable factors of renewable energy demand. The data for 39 countries over the period of 2000–2019 is used for empirical analysis. In doing so, second generation methodological approaches are applied to decompose scale and technique effects. The empirical results show the presence of cointegration between the model parameters, in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and structural breaks. Further, financial development is positively linked with renewable energy consumption. Foreign direct investment and renewable energy demand are positively linked. Composition effect has negative effect on renewable energy consumption. Economic growth and fossil fuel consumption have positive impact on renewable energy consumption. Long run estimation results indicate that renewable energy-FDI and renewable energy-financial development associations are U-shaped. It indicates that the scale effects exerted by FDI and financial development are overridden by technique and composition effects, and hence, the demand for renewable energy and consequential renewable energy consumption rises with the progression of economic growth. Based on this, policy suggestions are provided for these nations to ascertain sustainable development through bringing forth transformations in the energy policies. • Study has been done for 39 RECAI countries over 2000–2019. • Second generation methodological approach is adopted. • Financial development found to increase renewable energy consumption. • Foreign direct investment and renewable energy demand are positively linked. • Composition effect has negative effect on renewable energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model-based testing is an effective black-box test generation technique for applications. Existing model-based testing techniques, however, fail to capture implicit domain-specific properties, as they overtly rely on software artifacts such as design documents, requirement specifications, etc., for completeness of the test model. This article presents a technique, HOTTest, which uses a strongly typed domain-specific language to model the system under test. This allows extraction of type-related system invariants, which can be related to various domain-specific properties of the application. Thus, using HOTTest, it is possible to automatically extract and embed domain-specific requirements into the test models. In this article we describe HOTTest, its principles and methodology, and how it is possible to relate domain-specific properties to specific type constraints. HOTTest is described using the example of HaskellDB, which is a Haskell-based embedded domain-specific language for relational databases. We present an example application of the technique and compare the results to some other commonly used Model-based test automation techniques like ASML-based testing, UML-based testing, and EFSM-based testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decarbonation has been a primary policy prerogative for Sweden, and carbon tax has been a primary policy instrument in this pursuit, and the revenue generated out of carbon tax has been a driver for energy innovation. However, the benefits of energy innovation have not been experienced across various sectors in Swedish economy, and it might be anticipated that the potential aim of achieving carbon neutrality might not be accomplished to the fullest. Hence, being faced with the need of policy realignment for Sweden, this study has made an attempt to discover the dynamics between carbon tax revenue and energy innovation over a period of 1990–2019, following Quantile-on-Quantile Regression framework. The results obtained from the study show that the impact of carbon tax revenue on energy innovation might turn out to be ineffective beyond a certain threshold limit. A similar pattern has also been observed for the impact of energy innovation on carbon tax revenue. This study gives an indication that there might be a non-linear association between both these model parameters. The study outcomes have paved a way to design a policy framework for helping Swedish economy to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals, while paving the ways to achieve carbon neutrality. • Dynamics between carbon tax revenue and energy innovation is analyzed. • Advanced quantile framework is used. • Study is done for Sweden over 1990–2019. • Tradeoff between carbon tax and energy innovation is found. • Thresholds of the association are significant for drawing implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), countries are increasingly embracing a sustainable financing mechanism via green bond financing. Green bonds have attracted the attention of the industrial sector and policymakers, however, the impact of green bond financing on environmental and social sustainability has not been confirmed. There is no empirical evidence on how this financial product can contribute to achieving the goals set out in Agenda 2030. In this study, we empirically analyze the impact of green bond financing on environmental and social sustainability by considering the S&P 500 Global Green Bond Index and S&P 500 Environmental and Social Responsibility Index, from October 1, 2010 to 31st July 2020 using a combination of Quantile-on-Quantile Regression and Wavelet Multiscale Decomposition approaches. Our results reveal that green financing mechanisms might have gradual negative transformational impacts on environmental and social responsibility. Furthermore, we attempt to design a policy framework to address the relevant SDG objectives. • We analyze the impact of the green bonds returns on Environmental and Social Responsibility at a global scale. • We provide a novel empirical evidence from the advanced quantile modelling approaches. • Green financing mechanism might have gradual negative transformational impact on environmental and social responsibility. • We design a policy framework to address the relevant SDGs objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising concern regarding traditional non-renewable energy consumption has led policymakers to explore the potential of economical renewable energy sources. In this regard, biomass energy has received considerable attention because previous studies have found mixed results regarding the effect of biomass energy on environmental quality. Together with modern technology, biomass energy may significantly influence environmental quality. This study investigates the impact of biomass energy consumption, education, and technological innovation on environmental quality by controlling for the role of economic growth and financial development in the function of environmental quality. Second-generation econometric methods were used to solve the issues of heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence in the study variables. The Westerlund and Edgerton (2008) cointegration technique confirmed the existence of a long-run equilibrium among the variables in the presence of structural breaks. The panel quantile regression results indicate that biomass energy use and technological innovation reduce environmental quality. Similarly, economic growth increases carbon emissions in the environment. Education and financial development contribute to reduce carbon emissions. • Role of biomass energy consumption, education, and technological innovation is investigated in carbon emissions. • Panel quantile regression method is employed for APEC countries. • Biomass energy consumption and technological innovation increase carbon emissions. • Education and financial development improve environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions. • Dumitrescu and Hurlin method is used to examine the causality among the variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability through information and communication technologies is a complex matter, raising interesting debate among researchers. Pursuing the same, this research investigates the impact of information and communication technologies, economic growth, and financial development on carbon dioxide emissions by simultaneously testing the Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in BRICS countries. In doing so, this study employs Methods of Moments - Quantile Regression, which confirms that the effects of the explanatory variables vary across different quantiles of carbon dioxide emissions. The overall results indicate that economic growth and financial development contribute to carbon dioxide emissions across all quantiles, while information and communication technologies significantly mitigate the level of carbon dioxide emissions only at lower emissions quantiles. Moreover, the results confirm the presence of the EKC hypothesis. Interestingly, the effect of economic growth and information and communication technologies on carbon dioxide emissions is lowest in magnitude at lower quantiles and highest at higher quantiles of carbon dioxide emissions. The empirical findings of DH panel heterogenous causality test confirm bidirectional causality between the model parameters, indicating that any policy intervention concerning explanatory variables significantly causes carbon dioxide emissions and vice versa. The results set out the foundation for policymakers to devise a policy framework to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [Display omitted] • ICT mitigates carbon emissions at lower emissions quantiles. • Financial development and economic growth contribute to carbon emissions across all quantiles. • Validity of EKC hypothesis confirmed from Medium-Higher emissions quantiles. • Bi-directional causality exists between ICT, FD, GDP, and Carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Impact of innovation on energy efficiency is analyzed. • Shadow economy moderates innovation-energy efficiency relation. • Study is done for 19 MENA countries over 1990–2016. • Second generation panel modeling approach is used. • Multipronged SDG framework is designed. Despite the ongoing research on energy efficiency and innovation in the context of Industry 4.0, little is known on how degree of leakages in economy can impact the energy efficiency-innovation association. This issue has been addressed by the United Nations in their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report also. In the era of Industry 4.0, this issue can be crucial from the perspective of sustainable development, and we are analyzing this issue in case of Middle East and North African (MENA) countries over a period of 1990–2016. The second-generation methodological approaches have been adopted. Our results show that technological innovation has a positive impact on energy efficiency, whereas growth in shadow economy has a detrimental impact on energy efficiency. The structural transformation of economy has positive impact on energy efficiency. Based on our results, we have designed an SDG framework, which might help the MENA countries to achieve the objectives of SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 4. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Selected Asia Pacific countries are analyzed for 1990–2017. • Impact of technology policies on environmental quality is analyzed. • Inverted U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve is found. • Turnaround points rise with quantiles. • Comprehensive SDG framework has been suggested. Since the inception of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Asia Pacific countries are facing difficulties in attaining the SDG objectives, as maintaining the environmental quality has been a challenge for them. In this study, we have revisited the technology policies of these countries, and in doing so, we have tried to address the problem of environmental degradation, while addressing the issues of sustainable economic growth, clean and affordable energy, and quality education. In this pursuit, we have designed two indices for environmental degradation and technological advancement, and then analyzed the association between them following the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Following IPAT framework, and by using quantile approach, over a period of 1990–2017, we have found that the turnaround points of EKCs rise with the rise in quantiles, i.e. quantiles with low pollutions are having turnaround points within sample range, whereas quantiles with high pollutions are having turnaround points outside sample range. Using Rolling Window Heterogeneous Panel Causality test, unidirectional causality has been found running from technological advancement to environmental degradation. Following the results obtained from the analysis, we have tried to address the objectives of SDG 13, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 7, and SDG 10. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analyze how degree of energy innovation impacts income distribution. • Study is done for next 11 countries over 1990–2016. • Quantile-on-Quantile regression approach was applied. • Three different kinds of impacts were found. • SDG focused policy framework is designed. Despite the ongoing research on energy innovation and economic growth, little is known on how degree of energy innovation impacts income inequality within a nation. To address this research gap, we have developed a bivariate model to analyze how distribution of energy innovation affects the income distribution in a certain country. Using the Fisher Ideal Index, we have calculated energy efficiency as an indicator of energy innovation. Quantile-on-Quantile regression has been applied to capture the impact on energy innovation across different income quantiles in Next 11 (N11) countries. Results show that energy innovation can have different outcomes, across the member countries of N11 group, namely a) equitable and positive impact, (b) negative impact, and (c) inequitable impact in terms of distribution of income. We have inferred important policy implications, which might lead to sustainable development strategies in N11 countries. This study is one of the first to establish the direct link between energy innovation and income inequality across different quantiles within a nation. Further, we successfully demonstrate the application of advanced quantile methods in inferring Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) focused policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between technological progression and ambient air pollution in top-10 polluted Middle East and North African (MENA) countries by using monthly data for the period of 1990–2017. The Quantile cointegration proposed by Xiao (2009), Quantile-on-Quantile regression (QQ) proposed by Sim and Zhou (2015), and Quantile Autoregressive Granger causality developed by Troster et al. (2018) are applied. In particular, we examine to which extent, quantiles of technological progression affect the quantiles of ambient air pollution, by developing separate indicators for both the mentioned aspects using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Our empirical findings unfold mutual dependence between technological progression and ambient air pollution. Furthermore, the results of Quantile Autoregressive Granger causality test conclude a bidirectional causal relationship between technological progression and ambient air pollution. • Technological progression-air pollution nexus is analyzed. • Sample is top-10 polluted Middle East and North African countries. • Study period is 1990–2017. • Advanced quantile method is employed. • Based on results, sustainable development framework is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We re-investigate the impact of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on Turkey's ecological footprint. • This study applies Quantile Autoregressive Lagged approach for the period of 1965Q1-2017Q4. • Renewable energy decrease ecological footprint in long-run on each quantile. • The results of QARDL confirmed the EKC in Turkey. • There is a bi-directional causal relationship between renewable energy consumption, energy consumption and economic growth with ecological footprint. The current study re-investigates the impact of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on Turkey's ecological footprint. This study applies Quantile Autoregressive Lagged (QARDL) approach for the period of 1965Q1-2017Q4. We further apply Granger-causality in Quantiles to check the causal relationship among the variables. The results of QARDL show that error correction parameter is statistically significant with the expected negative sign for all quantiles which confirm an existence of significant reversion to the long-term equilibrium connection between the related variables and ecological footprint in Turkey. In particular, the outcomes suggested that renewable energy decrease ecological footprint in long-run on each quantile. However, the results of economic growth and non-renewable energy impact positively to ecological footprint in long-short run period at all quantiles. Finally, we tested the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and the results of QARDL confirmed the EKC in Turkey. Furthermore, the findings of causal investigation from Granger- causality in quantiles evident the presence of a bi-directional causal relationship between renewable energy consumption, energy consumption and economic growth with ecological footprint in the Turkish economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the inception of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Next 11 (N11) countries are facing difficulties in attaining the SDG objectives, as maintaining the environmental quality has been a challenge for them. In this study, we have revisited the technology policies of these countries, and in doing so, we have tried to address the problem of environmental degradation, while addressing the issues of sustained economic growth, clean and affordable energy, and quality education. In this pursuit, we have designed two indices for environmental degradation and technological advancement, and then analyzed the association between them following the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The empirical analysis has been done by IPAT framework, and by using bootstrapped quantile regression and rolling window heterogeneous panel casualty tests, over a period of 1990–2017. Following the results obtained from the analysis, we have tried to address the objectives of SDG 13, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 7, and SDG 10. Image 1 • Interplay between technological progress and environmental quality is analyzed. • Study has been done for Next 11 countries over 1990–2017. • Indices for technological progress and environmental quality are designed. • Bootstrap quantile regression & rolling window heterogeneous panel causality used. • Seven SDG objectives are designed using the empirical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the validity of Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for ecological footprint with the role of renewable energy use, non-renewable energy use and trade openness in 24 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. For this purpose, we investigate the period from 1980 to 2014 using with second generation panel data methodologies which allow to cross-sectional dependence among countries. The group-mean results show that the inverted U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis does not hold in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries because we found the U-shaped relationship between economic growth and ecological footprint. In addition, it is concluded that increasing renewable energy consumption reduces ecological footprint and increasing non-renewable energy consumption increases environmental degradation. Image 10447 • We examine the validity of Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for ecological footprint. • Renewable and non-renewable energy use and trade openness are explanatory variables. • Study is done for 24 OECD countries from 1980 to 2014. • Results show that the EKC hypothesis does not hold. • Renewable energy consumption reduces ecological footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between financial development and access to electricity for rural and urban India by incorporating economic growth, trade, and foreign direct investment in energy production function. In doing so, we have applied autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing to examine long run cointegration between the variables by accommodating structural break(s) stemming in the series. Our empirical results indicate the presence of cointegration association between access to electricity and its determinants. We note that financial development enhances access to electricity in rural India but declines it in urban India. Economic growth has positive effect on access to electricity. Trade openness and foreign direct investment lower access to electricity in rural India. In urban India, trade openness and foreign direct investment increase access to electricity. The association between financial development and access to electricity is inverted-U shaped for rural and urban India. This paper would present new policy direction for Indian government to enhance access to electricity by using financial development as an economic tool. • Financial development and access to electricity have a strong linkage. • In India financial development enhances access to electricity in rural area but has adverse effect in urban area. • Rise in economic growth of India has increased the access to electricity. • Growth of Trade Openness and Foreign Direct investment increase access to electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This examination explored the link between renewable energy utilization and environmental degradation in top-10 polluted countries by using monthly data from 1990 to 2017. The Quantile-on-Quantile regression (QQ) proposed by Sim and Zhou [1] and Granger causality in quantiles developed by Troster [2] are applied. In particular, we examine in what manners, quantiles of renewable energy consumption affect the quantiles of environmental degradation. Our empirical findings unfold overall dependence between renewable energy consumption and ecological deterioration. The findings recommend the presence of a significant negative association between renewable energy consumption and environmental degradation in China, USA, Japan, Canada, Brazil, South Korea and Germany, predominantly in high and low tails but results are totally contrasting in the case of India, Russia and Indonesia. Furthermore, the outcomes of Granger-causality in quantiles conclude a bidirectional causal link between renewable energy consumption and environmental degradation. The empirical findings suggest that governments should need to subsidize green energy in declining ecological degradation. • We analyze the link between renewable energy utilization and environmental degradation. • Study is done on top-10 polluted countries by using monthly data from 1990 to 2017. • Advanced quantile modeling is adopted. • Bidirectional causality found between renewable energy utilization and environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving net zero largely depends on the stability of the domestic renewable energy generation firms. Steady investment attracted by these firms can ensure their sustenance. Price fluctuations of these firms can affect their risk profiles, and subsequently, the investments coming toward those firms. The fluctuating stance of the United States of America (USA) in tacking climatic shift has made the policy environment inconducive of the domestic renewable energy generation firms. The disruptions in the financial market caused by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict have worsened the situation. Moreover, the trade restrictions on critical minerals and restrictive trade flows in the post-conflict period are expected to hamper the operational efficiency of these firms. Given this background, the present study attempts to develop a policy framework for the USA to internalize the impacts of conflict and stabilize the price returns of the renewable energy generation firms in the USA. The study is done from January 5, 2021, to March 31, 2023, and by comparing the pre- and post-conflict scenarios after dividing the sample. This study has used the multivariate quantile-on-quantile regression (m-QQR) framework. Results of the study have provided with significant insights into the price response of the renewable energy generation firms in the USA to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. These insights are utilized to develop a policy framework to achieve net zero in the USA. • Price fluctuations of renewable energy generation firms affect their investments. • Study is done for the USA from January 5, 2021, to March 31, 2023. • Russia-Ukraine Conflict's impact on clean energy generation firm prices is shown. • Multivariate quantile-on-quantile regression is introduced. • Results are used to develop a policy framework to achieve net-zero in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study examines the association between foreign direct investment (FDI) and carbon emissions for the Middle East and North African (MENA) region in 1990–2015, including biomass energy consumption as an additional determinant of carbon emissions. We apply the generalized method of moments (GMM) to validate the existence of the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH). The N-shaped association is also validated between FDI and carbon emissions. The link between economic growth and carbon emissions is inverted-U and N-shaped; that is, it satisfies the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypotheses. Biomass energy use lowers carbon emissions, and the causality analysis reveals that FDI causes CO 2 emissions. Clearly, the results confirm the existence of a feedback effect between economic growth and carbon emissions. The connection between biomass energy use and CO 2 emissions is also bidirectional. The empirical findings suggest policy makers to design comprehensive trade and energy policies by targeting the cleaner production practices, for not only to ensure environmental sustainability, but also to fulfil the objectives of sustainable development goals. Graphical abstract Image 1042822 Highlights • We examine the association between FDI and carbon emissions. • Study has been done for the Middle East and North African countries in 1990–2015. • Biomass energy consumption is considered as a determinant of carbon emissions. • We validate the existence of the Pollution Haven Hypothesis. • N-shaped association is validated between FDI and carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest surge of global uncertainty and disruptions in global supply networks put policymakers under pressure to emprise green innovations as a vital tool to address environmental concerns. However, producing green innovations doesn't always help in achieving environment-related sustainable development goals. Therefore, in this study, we endeavour to investigate to what extent green innovations are efficient in improving environmental efficiency. To this end, a network bias-corrected data envelopment analysis and clustering analysis is applied. The data used in this study covers 42 countries from different regions, spanning from 2000 to 2020. The results reveal that most countries have not made major advancements in environmental efficiency signifying the low level of green innovations utilization to achieve environment-related sustainable development goals (SDGs). Additionally, the results demonstrate a U efficiency curve for inputs-oriented green innovations efficiency over time, indicating that the initial stages of green innovations production are associated with a decreased return. However, over time, the efficiency exhibits an upward trend. The benchmarking analysis reveals that South American and European Union nations set the bar for other countries in terms of efficiently leveraging green innovations to achieve SDGs. Our findings also suggest that environmental efficiency is more dependent on green-supporting policies such as green energy production and green taxes. As a result, we conclude that achieving environmental SDGs while utilizing green innovations does not always result in the development of other SDGs. Therefore, policymakers need to prioritize pursuing a green developmental approach and supporting policies to achieve environment-related SDGs and other SDGs. • Output-oriented green innovations production is subject to the law of diminishing returns. • Policymakers should redirect their attention from output-oriented efficiency to input-oriented efficiency when it comes to producing green innovations. • Achieving SDGs goals in industrial economies comes at the cost of negative environmental impacts. • South American and European Union countries are at the forefront in terms of efficiency in green innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generated through fossil fuels degrades the environment. Hence, the promotion of green electricity should be the foundation for sustainable development. In this context, the present work probes the impact of green electricity consumption (GEC), technological innovation (TEI), democracy (DEM), and economic growth (GR) on the ecological footprint (EF) and assesses the moderating effects of democracy on EF from 1995 to 2018 in six ASEAN nations. The empirical results show that renewable electricity, TEI, and DEM promote ecological quality. Interestingly, democracy not only alleviates the level of EF but also reinforces the favorable impacts of technological innovation on environmental quality. • Environmental impacts of green electricity & technological innovation are explored. • The moderating effects of democracy through the innovation channel are ascertained. • Technological innovation and green electricity curb ecological footprint (EF). • Democracy reduces footprint and also stimulates the impact of innovation at EF. • Policies to promote green electricity production are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of green finance on environmental performance in developing countries. Using panel cointegration analysis and panel vector error correction model (VECM) to a sample of 76 developing economies from 2010 to 2019, this study confirms that carbon emissions (CO 2) is cointegrated with green finance, real gross domestic product, urbanization, and renewable energy under different specifications and therefore we estimate the long-run relationships among these variables. Specifically, both green finance and renewable energy are found to exert significant and inhibitory effects on CO 2 emissions, reaffirming the necessity to promote green finance and renewable energy. Results from the paper also document the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve and the increasing effects of urbanization on CO 2 emissions. Several policy implications and recommendations are drawn from this study. • We examine impact of green finance on environmental performance. • 76 developing economies from 2010 to 2019 are considered. • Green finance and renewable energy exert inhibitory effects on CO 2 emissions. • Results support the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belt and Road (BRI) countries are trying to realize the potential of financial resources and renewable energy in order to mitigate the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, prevailing structural issues have been found to stymie the environmental outcome. This issue calls for a policy reorientation in the BRI countries, and therein lies the role of the present study. This study examines how the environmental impacts of financial development and renewable energy respond to exogenous moderation. Using a second-generation methodological approach on the data of the 64 BRI countries over 2003–2019, findings reveal that globalization enhances the negative environmental externality exerted by financial development, while institutional quality suppresses it. Both globalization and institutional quality augment the positive environmental externalities exerted by renewable energy and human capital. Using dynamic elasticity measures, the evolutionary impacts of the moderators are also captured. An SDG-oriented policy framework is recommended based on the study outcomes. [Display omitted] • Environmental impact of financial development and renewable energy is analyzed. • Second generation method is applied. • Dynamic elasticity analysis is applied. • Policy framework is designed to address SDG 7 and 13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing size of stock market in the South Asian countries might have contributed to raising the level of industrial production and energy consumption. This upturned energy usage might have widened the scope for carbon emissions because these nations heavily rely on fossil fuels. In this milieu, therefore, in the present study, we assessed the impacts of stock market development, per capita income, trade expansion, renewable energy solutions, and technological innovations on carbon intensity in the four South Asia countries from 1990 to 2016. The empirical results based on the CS-ARDL approach revealed that stock market development, per capita income, and trade expansion invigorated carbon intensity in the South Asian countries. On the contrary, the increased usage of renewable energy solutions and technological advancement helped in reducing the energy-led carbon intensity. Further, the interaction of stock market with renewable energy, and subsequently with technological advancement delivered insignificant coefficients, which indicates the inefficacy of renewable energy and technological advancement in regulating stock market-led carbon intensity during the study period. Therefore, by considering the need for complementarity between economic growth and environmental targets, we proposed a multipronged policy framework, which may help the selected countries to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on SDG 7, 8, 9, and 13. The proposed scheme to reduce carbon intensity. [Display omitted] • Stock market development contributes to raising energy-led carbon intensity. • Per capita income and trade openness intensify carbon intensity. • Renewable energy and technological innovation fortify environmental quality. • Renewable energy and technological innovation unable to regulate stock market-led carbon intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the impact of export product diversification, extensive margin and intensive margin on emerging economies energy demand covering the period from 1971 to 2014. The study contributes to energy economics by unveiling the interaction between export diversification and energy demand of 10 newly industries countries (NICs). Owing to the growth prospect and trade volume of these nations, it is necessary to assess the various facades of export growth on the energy demand. In this pursuit, we have considered the export product diversification index in its aggregate and disaggregated forms (i.e. extensive margin and intensive margin) in this study. The empirical estimation has been carried out based on GMM, FGLS, FMOLS, and DOLS techniques. The empirical results demonstrate that export diversification, extensive margin, and intensive margin help to reduce the overall energy demand in NICs. Further, the empirical outcomes identify that economic growth, urbanization, and natural resources increase energy consumption. The study discusses fruitful policy implications regarding the exports diversification and energy demand nexus for emerging economies. • The impact of export product diversification on energy demand is investigated. • 10 NICs over 1971–2014 are analyzed. • Results show that export product diversification reduces energy consumption. • Extensive and intensive margins also help to reduce overall energy demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing a comprehensive policy framework for ascertaining sustainable development is a problem faced by most of the countries around the globe, and the developed nations are no exception to that. Environmental awareness-oriented policy design for achieving sustainable development goals is a challenge for the developed nations, and there lies the contribution of this study. This study analyzes the impact of renewable energy on carbon emissions, in presence of education, natural resource abundance, foreign direct investment, and economic growth for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries over the period of 1990–2015. Second generation methodologies are adapted for the empirical estimation. The results show the stimulating role of renewable energy consumption in shaping environmental quality. Education declines carbon emissions. Natural resource abundance and foreign direct investment deteriorate environmental quality. Moreover, the time series individual country analysis also confirms that renewable energy has a positive impact on economic growth. The heterogeneous causality analysis reveals the feedback effect, i.e., bidirectional causal associations among carbon emissions, education, and renewable energy consumption. This empirical evidence suggests that countries should increase investment in education and renewable energy sectors and plan for research and development in renewable energy for ensuring environmental sustainability. Image 1 • This study analyzes the impact of educational attainment on carbon emissions. • Study has been done for 27 OECD countries over the period of 1990–2015. • Results show stimulating role of educational attainment in shaping environmental quality. • Natural resource abundance and FDI deteriorates environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonattainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is a pressing policy concern. The energy-led growth pattern needs a policy-level reorientation to address this concern. This present study examines the impacts of energy imports and natural resource rents on sustainable development across 127 countries over 1990–2019. The empirical model also takes account of population growth, corruption, and globalization. Using the cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) method, the results reveal that energy imports negatively influence sustainable development in both the short and long run. The utilization of domestic natural resource rents has a positive yet insignificant influence on sustainable development. The roles of population growth and globalization are found to be favorable, while corruption has a negative effect on sustainable development. The study outcomes are utilized to develop a benchmark policy design to attain sustainable development. The policy framework is designed by reorienting the energy import and natural resource rent, while calibrating the effects of population growth, corruption, and globalization. • Energy-led growth needs reorientation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. • Impact of energy imports and resource rents on sustainable development is analyzed. • Study is done across 127 countries over 1990–2019 by second generation methods. • We find diverse impacts of explanatory variables on sustainable development. • A developmental policy framework is designed by calibrating explanatory variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A deeper understanding of energy consumption is entrenched. • Energy consumption scenarios are framed based on higher energy consuming sector. • Optimized energy policy in context with derived scenarios is proposed and elaborated. • Nexuses among energy accessibility, consumption, intensity, and RE penetration is established. • Energy consumption influenced sound energy policies are suggested to achieve SDG 7. The Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy) is the key to achieving climate goals and constructing effective policies have an immense role to foster the actions. The three major components of SDG 7 include energy accessibility, renewable penetration and energy intensity. Energy consumption characteristics in a country can predominantly influence all three components of SDG 7. Further, energy consumption is intrinsically linked to several energy policies. Understanding the nexuses will be conducive to the policymakers and energy community. This study aims at providing deeper perspectives on the influence of energy consumption by analyzing the changes incurred in renewable penetration, energy installed capacity, production and consumption-based emission, and emission intensity. The analysis is extended to four major energy consuming sectors (including industrial, transportation, residential and commercial sectors) in 40 countries. A thorough investigation is performed based on a clustering approach to identify the pattern among the energy consumption. This yielded three scenarios where countries have the highest energy consumption in the industrial (Scenario 1), transportation (Scenario 2), and residential sector (Scenario 3), respectively. Scenario 1 has higher energy consumption growth and renewable penetration can be achieved with a proper policy framework. Scenario 2 is observed to have stagnant energy consumption and promoting renewables needs additional efforts to decouple fossil fuel usage. Scenario 3 has moderate energy consumption growth and the renewable penetration is the highest. The residential sector is observed to possess the highest renewable energy consumption among the four energy-consuming sectors in all the scenarios. For the identified energy consumption patterns, a policy framework is proposed to substantiate energy sustainability in which policies are constructed in two stages, i.e., one to form the core policy and the other to sustain the core policy. The contributions of the study is further extended to delineate the relation between energy consumption and the three elements of SDG 7 (energy accessibility, renewable penetration, and energy intensity). Understanding the influence exerted by energy consumption patterns will be highly supportive in directing energy policies and the existing policies can be optimized with the findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascertaining sustainable development is a major issue across the globe, and the economic growth pattern achieved is a predominant reason behind this. The globalization-led economic growth achieved by the emerging economies might not be ecologically sustainable, as globalization might not have been utilized as a policy tool. Moreover, a sound policy calls for considering the entire data spectrum for the analysis, which is largely ignored in the literature. This research contributes to the literature by proffering a policy framework for the emerging economies by analyzing the impact of globalization and tourism on environmental degradation, by considering the Chinese context as a sample. Following the quantile autoregressive distributed lag model, the impact of economic growth, globalization, and tourism on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, and the ecological footprint in China over 1978Q1-2017Q4 are analyzed. The results demonstrate that economic growth stimulates environmental degradation, while the presence of Environmental Kuznets Curve is also validated. Moreover, tourism has been found to exert positive environmental externalities, while globalization exerts negative environmental externalities. Based on the outcomes of the research, a comprehensive policy framework has been suggested, following which the Chinese economy might be able to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 7, 8, and 13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Launched in 2016, the PMUY Programme of the Government of India aimed to provide 8 crore LPG connections to women in rural households over four years. After acquiring a new connection, some households appeared uninterested in ordering subsequent subsidized LPG refills, impacting programme's sustainability, and targeting strategy. We propose a prediction model using "Explainable Machine Learning" to anticipate the beneficiaries' refill frequency with a view to improving LPG-refills and social targeting. In this paper, we suggest an enhanced stacked SVM (ISS) model for classification, which is contrasted with state-of-art ML models: Random Forest (RF), SVM-RBF, Naive Bayes (NB), and Decision Tree (C5.0). Some of the performance matrices that are used to evaluate the models include accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Cohen's Kappa statistics, Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC), and area under the curve (AUC). The proposed approach, which was validated with 10-fold cross validation, produced the best overall accuracies for data splits of 50-50, 66-34, and 80-20. The "Explainable AI (XAI)" model has also been used to describe how models and features interact, and to discuss the importance of features and their contributions to prediction. The recommended XAI will aid in efficient "beneficiary targeting" and "policy interventions"., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

It is extremely difficult for emerging economies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in order to close this policy gap, a comprehensive policy framework is needed. The purpose of this research is to determine the proportional impacts of domestic and foreign capital to environmental degradation in newly industrialized nations (NICs). For this reason, panel data methodology is used to evaluate, for the years 1991 to 2018, how the ecological footprint is affected by stock market capitalization, foreign direct investment, economic growth, urbanization, and energy intensity. Using the squared terms of stock market capitalization and foreign direct investment, respectively, it is also looked at whether domestic and foreign capital may have non-linear effects on the environment. According to the empirical findings, whereas local capital growth worsens the environment, increasing international capital prevents environmental degradation. There is an inverted U-shaped link between domestic capital and environmental degradation in the event of non-linearity, but foreign capital has a monotonically declining effect on environmental degradation. The study outcomes are utilized to design a policy framework to address the objectives of SDG 7, SDG 11, and SDG 13., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Logistics is an important sector that supports every sector of the economy, and thus, the development of nations is impossible without efficient logistics. Alongside this, the logistics sector generates various kinds of emissions that degrade the quality of the environment. Developed countries are striving to introduce green logistics to avoid environmental damages caused by transportation. Also, developing countries will start focusing on developing green logistics sooner or later. Keeping this in view, a comparative panel study on the group of seven (G7) and Emerging Seven (E7) nations is conducted to study the impacts of various economic and financial variables on green logistics. The data from 1996 to 2018 is analyzed using some reliable methods that produce efficient and consistent results during heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence. The findings disclosed that cointegration is present in E7 and G7 panels. For E7 countries, the results disclosed that research and development (R&D), FDI, portfolio investment, and trade openness reduce green logistics. However, in the G7, R&D, FDI, portfolio investment, and trade increase green logistics. The empirical analysis did not show any meaningful impact of financial development and economic growth on green logistics in both groups of nations. Lastly, based on the comparative analysis, various policies are suggested for E7 to catch up with the G7 regarding logistics development. Also, policies for G7 are suggested to boost green logistics., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The underpinned study examines the effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on Indian agriculture, cereal production, and yield using the country-level time series data of 1965-2015. With the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach, the long-term equilibrium association among the variables has been explored. The results reveal that climatic factors like CO 2 emissions and temperature adversely affect agricultural output, while rainfall positively affects it. Likewise, non-climatic factors, including energy used, financial development, and labor force, affect agricultural production positively in the long run. The estimated long-run results further demonstrate that CO 2 emissions and rainfall positively affect both cereal production and yield, while temperature adversely affects them. The results exhibit that the cereal cropped area, energy used, financial development, and labor force significantly and positively impact the long-run cereal production and yield. Finally, pairwise Granger causality test confirmed that both climatic and non-climatic factors are significantly influencing agriculture and cereal production in India. Based on these results, policymakers and governmental institutions should formulate coherent adaptation measures and mitigation policies to tackle the adverse climate change effects on agriculture and its production of cereals., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In recent years, industrial growth has enabled the BRICS nations to increase their export earnings from both traditional and new products. However, in terms of modernization of industries, these nations can be considered as laggards, because the present production processes appear to be carbon-intensive and energy-inefficient. In this backdrop, the present study, by using the second-generation econometric procedures, is intended to examine the impact of industrialization, export diversification, technological innovation, income inequality, and resource rents on the carbon dioxide emissions in the BRICS nations from 1990 to 2018. The long-run coefficients revealed that the industrial expansion, reduction in export diversification, low concentration on traditional exports, and high concentration on new exports exacerbated the air quality in the BRICS nations. On the other hand, technological advancement contributed to restoring environmental quality during the study period. Furthermore, it is observed that the present research endeavors in the BRICS nations are insufficient in circumventing industrial pollution, as the value of the joint coefficient of technological advancement and industrialization is found insignificant but negative. Hence, based on the computed results, a multipronged policy framework is proposed, so that these nations can achieve the targeted sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the coming years., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In the preceding two decades, the expansion of financial services has played a vital role in pursuing economic growth agendas in the developing Asian nations. However, its harmful effect on environmental quality cannot be denied. In this backdrop, in the present study, we investigated whether the financial sector development moderated the ecological footprint, carbon footprint, and land footprint in the eight developing nations of South and Southeast Asia from 1990 to 2015. In doing so, we included the per capita income, energy solutions, and trade expansions as determinants of the ecological indicators. The results of the second-generation unit root tests and Westerlund's cointegration test reported the long-run stability and cointegration, respectively. To navigate the possible cross-country dependency, we employed the cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag approach (CS-ARDL). The results confirmed that per capita income, energy solutions, trade expansion, and financial sector development invigorated the ecological footprint, carbon footprint, and land footprint in the long run. Further, it is reported that the development in the financial sector has a significant moderating impact on the nexus between energy and environmental footprints. In other words, the financial sector development drove the association between the overall environmental quality and energy solutions in the long run. Similarly, we observed that the financial sector development worked as a significant mediator between environmental proxies and trade expansion. By including the ecological footprint, carbon footprint, and land footprint as environmental proxies, the study provides the wider environmental spectrum. Based on the outcomes of the study, we proposed a novel scheme, which may help to address the harmful environmental impacts of the financial sector development in the selected developing nations.

The re-examination of the existing economic and environmental policies in the South and Southeast Asian countries seems to be necessary, as these countries are struggling to achieve the goals of sustainable development. For designing a long-term environmental policy, we intended to examine whether the selected economic and demographic indicators have influenced the ecological footprint in the eight developing countries of Asia from 1990 to 2015. The use of pooled mean group (PMG) approach allowed driving the long-run common coefficients, which may facilitate us to develop a common policy framework for fortifying the environmental quality. The computed results confirmed that the selected variables are cointegrated in the long run, and the variables, i.e., per capita income, nonrenewable energy usage, urbanization, fertility rate, and population density are observed as the significant drivers of the environmental pollution. Moreover, the consumption of renewable energy restored the environmental quality in these countries. Based on the results, we recommended the need for the diversification of the energy-basket for enhancement of the use of renewable energy resources. Further, through sensitization of the necessity of environmental conservation, the governments should promote less carbon-intense economic and demographic practices across the industries and sectors.

This paper focuses on long-term evidence on economic growth, international tourism, globalization, energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in OECD countries for the period of 1994-2014. The empirical analysis reveals that climate change is magnified by energy use, tourism and economic growth. An inverted U-shaped relationship is also found between international tourism and CO 2 emissions. The contribution of international tourism to climate change in the early stages of development is thus diminished by globalization in the later stages. In other words, globalization appears to reduce carbon emissions from international tourism. The empirical results provide additional arguments for shaping regulatory frameworks aimed at reversing the current energy mix in OECD countries by facilitating energy efficiency and promoting renewable sources.

This paper shows the bilateral association between tourism development and inequality in per capita availability of water. The study is conducted on the countries with high tourism receipt, and thereafter, this study shows whether the directions of tourism development in these countries are going to be sustainable or not. In order to achieve this, we have used tourism investment and tourism receipt as two indicators of tourism development and have assessed their differential impacts on the disparity in water availability by applying DOLS and causality analysis approach. Empirical results show long-run impact of tourism on inequality in per capita availability of water, along with the presence of bidirectional causal association among the tourism development and inequality parameters. This study further reveals the impact of tourism on the regional disparity in distribution of water that can appear due to the differential approach taken toward tourism development. Based on study outcomes, several policy directions where offered for the investigated blocs.