ASEAN Research Articles

Impact of green logistics on Vietnam's regional trade

This study investigates the impact of green logistics on Vietnam's regional trade within the frameworks of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from 2007 to 2020. Employing a newly formulated Green Logistics Performance Index (GLPI) derived through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the research assesses how sustainable logistics practices influence trade performance. An extended gravity model is utilized to analyze the impact of green logistics across different regional trade agreements. The findings suggest that improved green logistics correlate positively with enhanced trade outcomes, highlighting the dual benefits of sustainability efforts in the environmental and economic realms. The study contributes to the limited empirical research on the intersection of green logistics and trade in Vietnam, offering a methodological approach for future analyses in this field. It provides valuable insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to align economic growth with sustainability objectives.

Перспективные тенденции и направления развития внешнеторговых отношений сотрудничества РФ со странами АСЕАН

In today’s globalized economy, the trends and prospects of international cooperation actualize the need for an in-depth analysis of bilateral relations. The relations of the Russian Federation with the ASEAN countries (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) remain under-researched in the context of dynamically changing geopolitical landscape and economic sanctions, which forms a gap in modern scientific literature. The attractiveness of this topic for the author is due to the possibility of identifying new vectors of economic interaction, which can contribute to the development of strategies to strengthen the position of the Russian Federation in the international arena. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze promising trends in foreign trade relations between the Russian Federation (RF) and ASEAN. The tasks include the study of trade structure, dynamics of investment flows and the development of recommendations for deepening economic cooperation. The methodological basis is statistical analysis, modeling of economic processes and expert assessments. To ensure the representativeness of the sample, international trade data for the last decade were used, as well as the results of surveys of representatives of the business and expert communities. The main result is the confirmation of the hypothesis about the significant potential for the development of trade relations in the sectors of high technology, energy and agriculture. It is shown that interaction with ASEAN can contribute to the diversification of Russian exports and reduce dependence on traditional trade partners. The results of the study can be applied in the development of state programs of foreign economic activity and strategies of international cooperation. The article also outlines the limitations of the current research, which include the instability of the international political environment and economic sanctions. In-depth analysis of tariff and non-tariff barriers, the impact of digitalization on trade flows and the study of multilateral cooperation opportunities within the BRICS and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) frameworks are suggested as areas for future research.

Scoping review protocol on research prioritisation for preparedness and response to outbreaks of high consequence pathogens

Background Prioritisation of research activities for infectious disease pathogens is usually undertaken through the identification of important research and knowledge gaps. Research prioritisation is an essential element of both effective responses to disease outbreaks and adequate preparedness. There is however currently no published mapping of activities on and evidence from research prioritisation for high consequence pathogens. The objectives of this review are to map all published research prioritisation exercises on high-consequence pathogens; provide an overview of methodologies employed for prioritising research for these pathogens; describe monitoring and evaluation processes for research areas prioritised; and identify any standards and guidance for effectively undertaking research prioritisation activities for high consequence pathogens. Methods The Joanna Briggs Institute guidance of scoping review conduct will be used. The search will be undertaken using the key terms of “research prioritisation”, “response”, “control”, and related terms, and a list of high-consequence pathogens derived from WHO (2020), EMERGE (2019), Europe CDC (2022) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (2021). We will search WHO Global Index Medicus; Ovid Medline; Ovid Embase; Ovid Global Health; and Scopus. Backward citations review of the included full text documents will also be conducted. Google Scholar and Overton will be searched for grey literature. Two independent reviewers will screen the retrieved documents using Rayyan and extract data in a data extraction template in Microsoft Excel 2021. Screening results will be presented using the PRISMA-ScR template with narrative synthesis undertaken for the extracted data. Conclusion This review will map existing research priorities for high consequence pathogens. Further, it will provide an understanding of methodologies used for prioritisation, processes for monitoring and evaluation of progress made against research agendas, and evidence on standards that could be recommended for effective prioritisation of research for high consequence pathogens.

Financial constraints of ASEAN firms: Impact alleviation by ESG pillars

The purpose of this study is to examine whether ESG plays a positive moderating role in the negative relationship between financial constraint, the Kaplan-Zingales (KZ) and Whited and Wu (WW) indexes, and firm performance: Return of Asset (ROA) and Return of Equity (ROE). This study uses information from the Thomas Refinitiv database, which covers the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-5): Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines non-financial firms from 2011 to 2019. Fixed-effects (FE) are used as the baseline model, and random-effects (RE) act as the robustness of methods. The results show that the main effect of financial constraints is to act as an obstacle to firm performance. However, the marginal effects of financial constraints can be improved in the presence of ESG. Firms with a high ESG score are better at alleviating the adverse impact of financial constraints as compared to those with a low ESG score. When the ESG score is further broken down into three sub-pillar dimensions, the S-score is of the greatest magnitude in its moderating role in the ESG breakdown. The findings have important implications: effective financial support and the source of funding from the government are crucial to supporting firm performance. ESG-compliant strategies should also be formulated to encourage ESG disclosure, which leads to increased capital allocation efficiency. The firms should be stringent on S-score, which helps drive the company as employees respond by giving their best. Governments and firms need to deploy ESG guidelines in order to succeed in thriving competitive firm performances.

Cooperation in Digital Innovation Under the Master Plan on Asean Community (MPAC) in Muslim Asean Countries

This study examines the present conditions and obstacles faced by digital innovation in Indonesia and Malaysia, explicitly focusing on Muslim ASEAN countries. Additionally, it seeks to identify potential areas for collaboration and cooperation within the framework of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) in Digital Innovation, such as the Quick Response Indonesian Standard (QRIS) in Indonesia and Malaysia. Besides, this qualitative study employed a literature review. In addition, the collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia on the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) in Digital Innovation, particularly in Quick Response Indonesia Standard (QRIS), can significantly improve economic integration and social growth in Muslim ASEAN nations. The result of this study is that Through the implementation of QRIS. This digital payment system makes use of QR codes to carry out transactions across international boundaries, reducing the costs of transactions. According to the author, this study is a first attempt to build a factual and theoretical basis for the researcher's analysis of the cooperation on the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) in digital innovation in Muslim countries in the ASEAN region, including Indonesia and Malaysia.

Determinant factors of gross domestic product (GDP) in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries

Background The gross domestic product (GDP) of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states can be used to determine their overall economic growth. In order to increase GDP, all emerging nations in Southeast Asia are stating to depend on foreign direct investment (FDI), the tourism industry, international visitors visiting ASEAN member nations banking credit, and low inflation rates. High inflation is a problem that developed and developing countries will definitely face. One of the problems faced by ASEAN member countries is that most of the member countries are in the developing country category. For ASEAN member countries, high inflation levels will encourage economic instability. GDP is less than optimal because of these classic problems in developing countries so that economic growth is not as planned. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which ASEAN established, is seen as a way to reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty by boosting the travel and tourism industry and increasing investment, as well as to offer or distribute credit to businesses at low interest rates in order to boost GDP. The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze how the GDP of ASEAN member nations is affected by FDI, foreign visitors, bank credit, and inflation. s: We analyzed panel data for seven ASEAN members from 2002 to 2020. FDI, foreign tourists, banking credit, and inflation are the research factors examined as independent variables that have an impact on GDP, the dependent variable. Results The study’s findings indicate that while inflation has a large negative impact on GDP, FDI, foreign tourism, and bank credit have a considerable positive impact on GDP. Conclusions FDI, foreign tourists, bank credit, and inflation have a significant influence on GDP in ASEAN member countries.

The Effectiveness of Monetary Policy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

The Effectiveness of Monetary Policy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Re‐Unveiling the energy efficiency impact: Paving the way for sustainable growth in ASEAN countries

AbstractThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heavily relies on fossil fuels to drive economic growth, making it one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters. Promoting energy efficiency has been proposed as a solution to mitigate this issue. However, the potential negative impact of energy efficiency on economic growth remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to re‐evaluate the dynamic impact of overall energy efficiency on economic growth in ASEAN countries, considering climate change factors. Unlike prior studies, this research measures overall efficiency based on both persistent and transient components of energy efficiency. This study employs two key techniques: stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to estimate the overall energy efficiency and panel vector autoregression (PVAR) to analyze the dynamic causal effects of determinants' shocks. The findings suggest that enhancing ASEAN's overall energy efficiency could result in an 85.9% reduction in total energy consumption, indicating high levels of inefficiency in the region. While extensive energy efficiency measures might induce a temporary economic contraction in ASEAN countries, the rate of decline seems to abate over the long term. This implies that the impact of the energy efficiency shock will be most prominent during initial growth stages, progressively waning over time. Additionally, this study confirms the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for climate change and economic growth.

Does trade openness promote economic growth in developing countries?

This study examines the influence of trade openness on economic growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Trade openness is associated with low levels of trade barriers and high levels of trade volumes. Lower trade barriers may negatively affect GDP in developing economies, implying that excessive trade openness could impede economic growth. Conversely, increased trade volumes positively affect GDP, highlighting the potential advantages of trade openness for economic growth. We identify the moderating role of trade barriers, noting that in countries with high trade barriers, increased trade volumes are associated with stronger economic growth.

Features of Russian foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region at the present stage

This article examines the features of Russian foreign policy in the Asia-Pacifi c region at the present stage of international relations. The authors consider the directions of Russia's multivector course, multilateral and regional structures and associations. The article, based on a systematic approach, examines the Asia-Pacifi c vector of Russian foreign policy at the present stage in order to obtain a holistic, comprehensive picture of the current situation. Using structural and functional analysis, the authors examine the features and characteristics of Russian foreign policy in the Asia-Pacifi c region, and also evaluate their eff ectiveness in changing conditions. The following features are analyzed in detail: multipolarity, the importance of strategic partners, energy cooperation, and security. In the analysis, special attention is paid to Russian-Chinese relations due to their growth and signifi cance, especially in the trade and economic sphere. In addition to the above methods of political science, the authors use the method of analyzing the current situation, as well as the analysis of global changes. The article highlights the reasons for the interest of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in investments in the Russian Far East: geographical proximity, economic cooperation, investment potential, similarity of opinions regarding the formation of a multipolar world order, as well as a bilateral regulatory framework. Based on the analysis of statistical data, the authors analyze the development of the Far East, exploring the Eastern Economic Forum, comparing the annual dynamics of trade turnover of entities located in the Far Eastern Federal District, the volume of outgoing foreign direct investment by destination countries. As prospects for the further development of Russia in the Asia-Pacifi c region in modern conditions, the authors identify and consider three factors (foreign policy, economic and social) that directly infl uence Russian foreign policy in the region. The novelty of the article should also be indicated, namely, using the method of scenario forecasting, the authors identifi ed three scenarios for the conduct and development of Russian foreign policy in the Asia-Pacifi c region at the present stage, designed for 15–20 years: global/regional regulation (positive), integration dimension (negative), cooperation 2.0 (fantastic). The authors come to the conclusion that the most likely is a positive scenario, and the ongoing multi-vector Russian foreign, economic and investment policy allows the country to remain part of the Asia-Pacific region.

Smart Cities and International Trade Law

AbstractA ‘smart city’ is a buzz term and concept. The ‘smart city’ has mainly been discussed in the scholarly literature on urban planning, architecture, and geography. While the ‘smart city’ has been under-analyzed in international trade law, the term ‘smart city’ is commonly used in Asian trade policies. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) established the ‘ASEAN Smart Cities Network’ and the ‘smart city’ is now an important market opportunity for exporting smart technologies and services to ASEAN. Against this backdrop, this article addresses how smart cities can be regulated and governed by international trade law. The trade law perspective facilitates a broader understanding of smart city governance, which includes under-explored ‘global’ regulatory dimensions concerning the interaction between local governments and foreign firms. This article selects three relevant trade areas for discussions: (1) Internet of Things in the context of trade in goods and services; (2) international standard-setting activities; and (3) data governance. It further considers what kinds of regulatory issues international smart city projects can add to the current digital trade discourse. Drawing on the smart city literature, the article points out additional problems concerning security and privacy that have not yet been acknowledged in digital trade.

China-ASEAN Economic Ties: Balancing Growth amid Middle-Income Challenges and Opportunities

The introduction of a free trade area between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China (ACFTA) in 2012 brought China to a leading economic position in Southeast Asia (this was manifested in a significant, almost 2.2-fold, increase in the volume of trade) and turned it into a driving force of ASEAN’s economic prosperity. However, this increased economic interdependence creates challenges for both China and ASEAN: on the one hand, China seeks to make the transition from a high-income country to sustainable economic development in the ASEAN region, and on the other hand, ASEAN has concerns about excessive economic dependence on China. This situation requires a balance to be struck to avoid repeating the historical patterns seen in Japan in the 1960s and 1980s. This article examines the investment, trade and geopolitical relations between China and ASEAN in a historical retrospective of 2010-2022, assesses their economic dependence and the mechanisms of political-economic relations, identifies the factors that caused China’s rapid economic breakthrough, and outlines directions for overcoming the most modern challenges that have place in the context of this relationship through formulation of suggested frameworks. The article considers 2 research questions, for the solution of which the G/T (Grounded Theory) approach was used and a qualitative analysis of the 12 most relevant sources was carried out (limitation of their number – according to the concept of theoretical saturation), selected primarily through online databases, websites, international organizations’ data, analytical reviews, and scientific papers. RQ1: Identify the root causes of the problems faced by ASEAN middle-income countries in their engagement with China. The article identifies the following 3 main reasons through the empirical review analysis: 1) dependence of middle-income ASEAN countries on financial assistance, especially from China; 2) a noticeable decrease in unity in the ASEAN region; 3) China’s lack of recommendations on the advisory policy of economic development in the ASEAN countries. RQ2: development of recommendations for middle-income ASEAN countries to increase their ability to pave independent paths to sustainable economic development and reduce their economic dependence on China, taking into account the review of the balance of power in political relations with the United States and China. Using the qualitative analysis tool ATLAS.ti (version 24) for the G/T approach, it was concluded that to overcome the syndromes of lower-middle-income trap (LMIT) and higher-middle-income trap (HMIT), ASEAN economies should implement the following spontaneous strategies: infrastructure development, improvement of basic education and promotion of science and technology. In addition, it is important to raise awareness of political tensions between China and the US, apply the techniques of thoughtful diplomacy, fine-tuned policy formulation, and shared vision to establish a diplomatic balance between China, the US, and Japan in the context of geopolitical risk management.

Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN Airline Industry

The development of aviation market in Southeast Asia after the Covid-19 pandemic is promising. More aircraft are delivered to the Asia-Pacific region, including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States. The introduction of ASEAN Open Skies (also known as ASEAN Single Aviation Market) a decade earlier together with ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 goals for an integrated and cohesive regional economy highlight the importance of a seamless air connectivity. Liberalisation of the airline industry in ASEAN Member States is crucial to restart the airline industry pre-pandemic and to grasp the so-called Asian century momentum. However, ASEAN Member States are reluctant towards liberalisation efforts, maintaining protectionism on both freedoms of the air (traffic rights) as well as foreign direct investment (ownership and control). Existing legal framework at regional level, namely ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA), only received lukewarm attention from ASEAN Member States. This article discusses the urgency to recall the commitment of a gradual liberalisation based on AFAS and ATISA among the ASEAN Member States, the implementation of which will lead to the establishment of a regional community carrier which benefits ASEAN citizens.

Human capital spillovers and plant productivity in ASEAN: Evidence from the plant panel data

This paper examines whether local human capital spillovers can affect plant productivity in three Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries using panel data from the World Bank enterprise survey between 2009 and 2015. According to the literature, spillovers in the form of human capital are critical for economic growth. The spillovers exist if plants can produce more in the region with the abundant number of skilled workers given their inputs. This study uses the augmented Cobb-Douglas production function to evaluate the influence of the non-production worker proportion outside the plant which serves as a proxy for skilled workers. The findings indicate that plant production is impacted by spillovers of human capital. This study finds that a 1 percentage point increase in the proportion of nonproduction workers within a region will enhance the productivity of plants in all regions by roughly 7.1–8.9 percent. Moreover, productivity rises are found to be higher for low-tech plants. According to the economic significance of these spillover effects, the value-added per plant will rise by US$ 330,000 or US$ 866.75 million for the manufacturing sector as a whole. According to the findings, policymakers should encourage plants to provide workers with additional training and raise the level of human capital through education.

Revisiting the Regional Integration of ASEAN: A Comparison with the EU

This study provides a comparative analysis of regional integration processes in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) within the framework of Liberal Intergovernmentalism (LI). The formation of state preferences, the role of decision-making regimes, and the selective nature of integration in these two regional blocs are discussed. While both organizations have achieved substantial results in regional cooperation, they differ significantly in the depth and scope of their integration. ASEAN emphasizes the preservation of national sovereignty, resulting in limited progress, while the EU has achieved deep economic and political integration by delegating sovereign powers and empowering supranational institutions. The study also looks into the ongoing ASEAN in the changing global economic landscape, highlighting the increasing influence of economic interests, globalization, and the need for regional unity in the face of external challenges. In conclusion, while ASEAN and the EU have followed divergent paths of regional integration, they continue to evolve in response to internal and external dynamics.

Green education divide: a comparative case study analysis of countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

BackgroundGreen education is an essential precursor to promoting long-term sustainable practices and fostering environmentally conscious behaviours, especially among the younger generations. Such education equips individuals with the knowledge, awareness, and experiences necessary for green behavioural shifts, empowering them to engage actively in sustainable practices in the long run, which is essential for ensuring environmental sustainability. However, green education practices and policies vary among the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) owing to different levels of socioeconomic development, national priorities, and capacities of each member state. We aimed to analyse and compare the disparities in green education among pace-setter, maturing, and emerging ASEAN countries. MethodsWe used a case-study approach—a desktop analysis based on journal articles, country reports, newspaper articles, and other sources from the past 10 years—to analyse and compare the green education disparities among pace-setter, maturing, and emerging ASEAN countries. FindingsAs a pace-setter ASEAN country, Singapore has made impressive progress in promoting green education through the effective implementation of pragmatic policies and impactful green education initiatives. Furthermore, the country has established extensive formal and informal green education programmes that closely align with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. By contrast, maturing ASEAN countries are making incremental progress in incorporating green education into their formal education systems. However, challenges faced by these countries include a shortage of well-trained teachers, the lack of specific green education subjects in school syllabuses, and financial constraints. Despite these challenges, innovative approaches—such as partnerships with non-governmental organisations (eg, the World Wide Fund for Nature)—have emerged as promising strategies to promote green education within these maturing nations. Emerging ASEAN countries face the biggest challenges in promoting green education. Competing national priorities, political instability, limited funding and resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of qualified educators pose challenging barriers to advancing green education within emerging ASEAN nations. InterpretationThis study provides insights into the best practices and challenges surrounding green education within pace-setter, maturing, and emerging ASEAN countries. To address the disparities in green education among these countries, there is a need to adopt a holistic ecosystem framework characterised by the so-called 8i enablers, namely infrastructure (eg, well-equipped laboratories and learning spaces), infostructure (eg, advanced teaching technologies), intellectual capital (eg, well-trained educators), integrity systems (eg, efficient green education governance systems), incentives (eg, public and private funding for green education initiatives), institutions (ie, strong institutional leaders), interaction (ie, cooperation and collaboration among relevant stakeholders), and internationalisation (eg, leveraging regional and international partnerships to access expertise and resources). FundingNone.

A Comparative Analysis of Key Integration Blocks

Why is integration progressing successfully in some parts of the world but not in others? Why are only some integration blocks hugely important for member countries? And why this is not the case globally? This article provides a comparative analysis of international economic structures, aiming to identify the factors that contribute to the validity and effectiveness of integration.
 The article examines eight economic blocks: the European Union, the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States and Canada, the Southern Common Market, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Euroasian Economic Union, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the African Union, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. We take into account five stages of integration: free trade area, customs union, single market, economic union, and monetary union. To understand the progress of integration, one must consider a number of developments and indicators. The coefficient of economic gravity, which we describe in this paper, is a convenient method to find out how important integration structures are for contracting states.

Unveiling financial inclusion dynamics: Fintech's resonance in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

AbstractThis article examines the determinants of financial inclusion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEANs), with a particular focus on the role of financial technology (fintech). We constructed an extensive and up‐to‐date Global Financial Inclusion database (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2021) to generate 26,185 observations for seven ASEAN countries over a decade, and conducted a separate case study for Singapore, the region's most financially developed member. The results reveal that financial inclusion and financial technology have experienced robust growth in ASEAN but to varying degrees amongst the member countries. Fintech has a significant impact on financial inclusion over the specified period. The relationship between age and financial inclusion follows an inverted U‐shaped pattern, with the turning point occurring between the ages of 29 and 45. Surprisingly, gender does not appear to be a determining factor. These results align with the aspirations of ASEAN policymakers to promote financial inclusion in line with the sustainable development goals.

Diagnosing Complex Organisations with Diverse Cultures—Part 2: Application to ASEAN

In this paper, the second part of a two-part series, we explore the cultural stability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The analytical framework adopted, formulated on a background of social cybernetics, uses Mindset Agency Theory (MAT) within a metacybernetic framework. Our exploration involves a thorough investigation of signs pointing to cultural instability, identification of potential pathologies, and the provision of insights into the underlying dynamics within ASEAN. Expanding on the theoretical foundation established in the first part, we explore the notion that regional organisations (ROs) like ASEAN can be viewed as complex adaptive systems with agency. Heterogeneity of RO membership can be both beneficial and detrimental, especially when this delivers cultural diversity. If detrimental, pathologies can arise that affect both ROs’ institutional dynamics and their affiliated regional organisations, a significant interest of this paper. In response to certain cybernetic aspects introduced in part 1 of the research, MAT is shown to be a specialised framework imbued with systemic and reflexive elements. Through this, the analysis sheds light on how an agency’s mindset connects with its behaviour and performance. ROs exhibit coherence in their operations when they successfully achieve adaptive goals. ROs, as agencies defined through a population of state agents, have mutual relationships and are encouraged to pursue shared regional objectives, such as economic growth, social welfare, security, and democracy. However, in highly diverse cultural environments, this poses unique challenges to achieving and maintaining cultural stability. The analysis scrutinises ASEAN’s behaviour, relating it to manifestations of cultural instability, and deduces conditions that encompass an inability to undertake collective action, covert narcissism, and a lack of authority. Employing MAT as a diagnostic tool to comprehend ASEAN’s intricate nature, the paper concludes with practical recommendations aimed at enhancing ASEAN’s cultural health and sustainability. The ultimate vision is to foster a more integrated and proactive regional entity.

The role of renewable energy in the energy–growth–emission nexus in the ASEAN region

BackgroundThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relies mainly on fossil fuels in their energy supply, leading to higher CO2 emissions, pollution, and further environmental degradation. This paper uses the panel vector autoregressive and the Granger non-causality test in the heterogeneous panels, together with long-run estimation techniques, to examine the dynamic link among energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon emissions with the focus on renewable energy for the ASEAN countries in the past three decades.ResultsThe findings from this paper indicate that carbon emissions are associated with energy consumption. In contrast, renewable energy usage reduces CO2 emissions, improving environmental quality. Economic growth is associated with increased energy consumption and carbon emissions in the ASEAN countries. The findings also indicate that the effects of energy consumption on economic growth are more significant than those of renewable energy in ASEAN. When considered together, these findings form a vicious circle regarding the energy–growth–emission nexus for the ASEAN economies. In addition, a bidirectional Granger causality among energy consumption, economic growth, CO2 emissions and renewable energy usage is confirmed.ConclusionsRenewable energy has emerged as an important viable option for the ASEAN nations to achieve their dual objectives of enhanced economic growth, reduced CO2 emission, leading to improved environmental quality.