ICT and Environmental Quality: A South Asian Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: The contributions of ICT—and how it either improves or worsens environmental quality, or has no effect at all—have drawn significant scholarly attention in recent decades in an effort to address the current environmental concerns. The aim of this study is to examine the empirical correlate in South Asia between ICT & quality of the environment., exploring the environmental impacts of ICT and developing a conceptual framework to understand how ICT influences environmental conditions.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The empirical framework for this research is designed by constructing two separate indexes for ICT and Environmental Quality by using Principal Component Analysis. The estimation methodology is followed by applying traditional Panel data approach i.e. POLS, FEM, REM, Driscoll and Kraay standard error for precision.
 Findings: The outcomes show a substantial relationship between environmental quality and ICT usage. As per the findings, ICT reduces GHG emissions and enhances Environmental Quality. Whereas, Economic Growth and Financial Development deteriorates the Environmental Quality by increasing GHG emissions.
 Implications/Originality/Value: This study specifies the analysis that ICT usage contribute positively to Environmental Quality by lowering GHG emissions, if and only if productively used by endorsing ICT-driven sustainable development for economic success with minimal environmental impacts.