The Validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve in Terms of the Ecological Foot Print and Energy Consumption Diversity: The Case of Turkey

Abstract

This study investigates the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for Turkey between 1971 to 2015. The aim of the study is to illustrate the relationship between CO2 emission and ecological footprint and economic growth, trade openness, primary energy consumption, coal consumption, and hydroelectric consumption. ARDL bounds test is used to examine the relationship between variables. The results support that the EKC hypothesis is valid for Turkey. The results of the models reveal that in the case of CO2 emission is the dependent variable, coal consumption and trade openness increase the CO2 emission in the long run, whereas, hydroelectricity consumption decreases it. In the case of the ecological footprint is the dependent variable, while the ecological footprint decreases trade openness, primary energy consumption and coal consumption increase it. Based on the findings, it can be said that trade openness, primary energy consumption, coal consumption and hydroelectric consumption have significant effects on environmental degradation in Turkey.