Evaluating the impact of information and communication technology on renewable energy consumption: A spatial econometric approach

Abstract

Numerous studies have assessed a variety of factors affecting renewable energy consumption, but the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in affecting renewable energy consumption is neglected. The aim of this paper is thus to investigate the impact of ICT on renewable energy consumption based on panel data of 90 countries over the period 2000–2014. Moreover, we use the spatial econometric approach to determine whether they have spatial spillover effects. The empirical results show that the development of ICT will increase the consumption of renewable energy. Meanwhile, spatial spillover effects have also been confirmed, specifically, in a particular country, a 1% increase in individuals using the Internet, exports of ICT goods, and imports of ICT goods separately lead to 0.137%, 0.087%, and −0.251% changes in renewable energy consumptions in that country, and 0.380%, −0.155% and 0.485% changes in its neighboring countries.