Navigating the green growth spectrum: Exploring the synergy between geopolitical risk, environmental policy stringency, and green production practices

Abstract

The deepening understanding of the environment has heightened our perception of the causes of environmental damage, promoting a shift from combating pollution to preventing it with a core emphasis on environmental protection. Academicians and governance authorities have shifted their focus from traditional production practices to green production practices (GPP). The current body of literature has explored the impact of GPP on environmental quality. Whereas, the implications of geopolitical risk (GPR) and environmental policy stringency (EPS) on GPP are still unexplored. Keeping in view these gaps in existing research, this research is the earliest endeavor to examine the impact of GPR and EPS on GPP for the group of seven (G-7) countries from 1990 to 2020. In this regard, we have applied panel quantile regression (PQR) which allows for a more flexible treatment of heterogeneity and is robust to deal with outliers and skewed distributions compared to traditional panel data techniques. The empirical findings reveal that GPR has a significant destructive impact on GPP whereas, the EPS upsurge the GPP in G-7 countries. Founded on the factual outcomes, we recommend policy recommendations to achieve the objectives of SDG 07 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 08 (exports for decent economic growth), SDG 09 (industry innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and societies), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (environmental policies for climate action), and SDG 16 (conflict, peace, and justice strong institutions).