Investigating the relationship between ICT, green energy, total factor productivity, and ecological footprint: Empirical evidence from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Today, the increasing use of technology and the industrial revolution are affecting the economy and the environment, such as the development of economies and the increase of the ecological footprint (EFP). This study focuses on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to assess the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs), green energy (renewable energy and electric power consumption), and economic activities (total factor productivity: TFP) on the environmental quality (EFP) by applying the Johansen cointegration technique and vector error correction method (VECM). Our empirical investigation shows a long-run negative and significant association between renewable energy, electricity consumption, technology trade, TFP, and EFP. The results also show that there is a negative and significant link between ICT and EFP in the short-run. The results of this research have potential importance for policymakers to address economic activities, green energy, and investment in ICTs and environmental issues simultaneously in the context of the KSA.