Nexus between Sources of Electricity Production and Environmental Degradation in Context of EKC Hypothesis: A Time Series Study for Pakistan

Bakhitbay Embergenov,Ihtisham Ul Haq,Piratdin Allayarov

doi:10.32479/ijeep.12495

Abstract

This time series study is carried out to determine effect of sources of electricity production on environmental degradation in Pakistan in context of environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. Moreover, this study also examines effect of rural and urban population on environmental degradation. This study considers carbon emissions from electricity and heat as a proxy for environmental degradation. Unit root tests are applied to determine level of integration of time series variables. Bounds test is applied to examine long run relationship among variables. This study finds that hydro, natural gas and nuclear sources of electricity production have negative significant effect on environmental degradation whereas electricity production from oil sources has positive and significant effect on environmental degradation. Electricity from coal has positive effect on environmental degradation but its effect is not significant. Results of the study confirms EKC hypothesis in Pakistan. Besides, results indicate that rural population and urban population is negatively and positively associated with environmental degradation respectively. This study suggests that energy policy has to be design in such manner that on one hand, it tackles energy crisis, on other hand, it leads to sustainable development in Pakistan.

Highlights

Energy plays a crucial role as a factor in determining economic growth (Apergis and Danuletiu, 2012)
This study found that sources of electricity, income level, rural and urban population are factors of environmental degradation as all variables of the study are in long run relationship in Pakistan
This study distinguish itself from other related studies as it examines environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for carbon emissions from electricity and heat for Pakistan

Summary

Introduction

Energy plays a crucial role as a factor in determining economic growth (Apergis and Danuletiu, 2012). Energy is integral factor of economic growth but its effect on environment grab attention from researchers as energy use may be unfavorable to environmental quality. The reason that it decreases environmental quality as energy use emits greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and carbon emissions are chief elements of GHG (Sek and Chu, 2017; Ritchie and Roser, 2018). Global warming is resulting in climate change around the globe whereas climate change is posing severe effects on cropping pattern, food security, water, and energy security. Climate change has badly affected Pakistan and is 7th most climate change affected country Climate change has badly affected Pakistan and is 7th most climate change affected country (Govt. of Pakistan, 2017)

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