Role of green energy usage in reduction of environmental degradation: A comparative study of East Asian countries

Abstract

Global environmental sustainability is a key concern, where green energy usage is considered an important indicator. This paper aims to empirically investigate the impact of green energy usage on environmental degradation. A sample of East Asian countries is selected from 1990 to 2021. For this purpose, comparative analysis and pooled analysis are undertaken. East Asian region is chosen for study as these countries are pioneers of clean green energy usage worldwide. The impact of green energy usage on environmental sustainability is analysed along with controlling the effect of health, outcome, population, and financial development. The study's findings indicate that green energy significantly decreased environmental degradation by reducing carbon dioxide emissions in China and Japan. However, Mongolia is not a sovereign nation in producing and consuming green energy; thus, renewable energy consumption could not reduce environmental degradation there. Seemingly, pooled analysis also proved that green energy is crucial for sustainable environment in East Asia and helps policymakers globally take sustainable environmental measures, which becomes a crucial requirement for many other activities that enhance growth.