Dumitrescu Hurlin Research Articles

Causality Between Carbon Emissions, Temperature Changes, and Health Expenditures: A Comparative Panel Approach with Environmental and Economic Indicators

This study investigates the causal relationships between carbon emissions, temperature increases, and health expenditures within the framework of environmental and economic indicators. With the accelerating global impacts of climate change and rising carbon emissions, understanding their effects on public health systems has become critical. This research evaluates these interdependencies using panel causality models, dividing 115 countries into two groups—developing and developed—based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP) and health expenditures as a percentage of GDP. Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality analysis was applied to examine bidirectional relationships among key indicators, including population density, temperature changes, carbon emissions, GNI, and health expenditures. The findings reveal that population density has significant causal effects on both temperature changes and carbon emissions, while carbon emissions also influence health expenditures. Moreover, the causality from population density to temperature changes is stronger in developed countries, whereas the impact of temperature changes on health expenditures is more pronounced in developing countries. These results highlight the need to strengthen climate adaptation capacities in the health systems of developing countries and implement stricter carbon emission reduction policies in developed nations as essential strategies to address these interconnected challenges.

The Impact of Trade Openness on Carbon Emissions: Empirical Evidence from Emerging Countries

Emerging countries are the main source of new CO2 emissions and the major net carbon importers, and they have also become an important part of the global trade pattern. In this study, the impact of trade openness on CO2 emissions was investigated by approaches such as fully modified least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and pooled mean group-autoregressive distributive lag (PMG-ARDL) methods. Further estimations were conducted by employing methods such as DCCEMG (dynamic common-correlated effect mean group) and Driscoll–Kray to strengthen the robustness of the results. Moreover, the Granger causality between trade openness and CO2 emissions was tested by using the Dumitrescu–Hurlin method. Conclusions can be drawn as follows: First, economic growth, energy consumption, trade openness, and CO2 emissions are all interconnected in the long term. Specifically, higher levels of economic growth and trade openness are associated with lower CO2 emissions, whereas energy consumption contributes to higher emissions. However, in the short term, economic growth and energy consumption lead to an increase in CO2 emissions, while trade openness does not have a significant impact. Moreover, there is a two-way Granger causality between trade openness and CO2 emissions. Additionally, economic growth and energy consumption have an indirect effect on CO2 emissions by influencing trade openness. Given these findings, emerging market countries should focus on enhancing their service sectors, promoting technological advancements, and fostering international collaboration in green technologies. By actively engaging in efforts to combat climate change, these countries reach a point where trade expansion and carbon reduction are achieved.

Women's Empowerment and Vulnerability to Climate Change: An Econometric Analysis of South Asian Countries

This research paper analyzes the impact of women’s empowerment (WE) on vulnerability to climate change (VCC) in South Asian countries from 1995-2023. To the best of our knowledge, no study has empirically examined the importance of WE in resilience strategies following a climate shock. This article contributes to the literature by employing the second-generation econometric analysis of the gender-climate nexus and exploring the significance of gender in adaptive policy. We use a Cross-sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model’s co-integration technique which shows; (i) WE along with its components (women’s civil empowerment, social empowerment, political empowerment, and economic empowerment) reduces VCC by the inclusion of women in climate leadership and decision-making processes. (ii) Gender intersectionality significantly impacts the relationship between WE and VCC in climate adaptation through the transmission channels of human resource development, governance, and social and economic resilience. The robustness of these findings has been tested through the Wester Lund cointegration test, and the Dumitrescu Hurlin Granger causality test has been used to explore causality among the variables. The study highlights the significance of institutional resilience and Gender-responsive climate policies. Furthermore, the participation of women in civil, economic, political, and administrative decisions may improves adaptation to climate change.

Assessing the Link Between Environmental Quality and Life Expectancy in Developing Nations: An Empirical Analysis for Sustainable Development

ABSTRACTThis study examines the relationship between environmental quality, measured by carbon emissions (CO2), and life expectancy (LE) in 31 developing nations from 1981 to 2020. The analysis uses the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)/pooled mean group (PMG) approach. Panel cointegration tests suggest cointegration in the series. The results indicate that environmental quality has a significantly negative impact on LE, whereas real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the age dependency ratio have positive effects. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin Granger causality test shows a feedback relationship among all variables. These findings suggest the need for emission reduction policies to mitigate the adverse effects of CO2 emissions on public health. It is essential to address the negative impact of CO2 emissions on the environment and public health to achieve sustainable development goals.

Dynamic effects of energy transition on environmental sustainability: Fresh findings from the BRICS+1

The study aims to fill a critical gap in understanding the multifaceted impact of various economic and environmental factors on sustainability within the BRICS+1 nations. Rapid industrialization and urbanization in these BRICS countries have led to significant environmental challenges, necessitating a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness of energy transitions, green patents, urbanization, environmental policies, and economic growth on environmental sustainability. This research specifically examines the impact of the energy transition (ET), green patents (GPT), and environmental policy on environmental sustainability represented by the Load Capacity Factor (LCF) and using the CS-ARDL, PMG-ARDL, and Dumitrescu Hurlin (DH) panel causality techniques. The panel datasets gathered from BRICS +1 nations from 1993 to 2020 indicated a significant statistically direct causal effect from energy transition to environmental sustainability. The outcome also shows that еnеrgy transition adopted by thе BRICS nations arе inadеquatе in addressing environmental sustainability objectives in the long run. Urbanization and the implementation of environmental policies have a negative effect on the LCF. Simultaneously, green patents substantially and favourably influence, ultimately revealing the lack of concern for environmental matters in global technological innovation. Empirical findings indicate that selected BRICS+1 countries should implement various policy measures to enhance environmental sustainability.

The Dynamics of Trade and Investment on the Expansion of BRICS Economies

Purpose: The dynamics of trade and investment in the context of BRICS economies, provide crucial insights into how emerging economies influence economic growth and development and unlock the potential for cooperation among member states. BRICS has become a major global key player due to the advantage in demographic, geographic and economic attributes peculiar to the economies. Deeper ties and cooperation among BRICS have fostered growth and development from trade openness, capital inflow, acquiring technological know-how and administrative abilities to growing economies. Hence, the study assessed the dynamics of trade and investment in the expansion of BRICS economies Methodology: The study employed cross-sectional models via the panel-corrected standard error, Discrol and Kraay and Augmented Mean Group in the context of BRICS and BRICS+ countries between 1990 and 2022. Thus, contributes to a deeper understanding of the economic integration and performance of emerging markets. Furthermore, the study evaluates the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality to answer the question of potential causation among the variables. Results: Findings reveal that trade and FDI have a dynamic impact on the expansion of BRICS economies. An increase in BRICS membership situates an increase in market coverage, the spread of the spillover effect, and deeper ties and cooperation among BRICS. Trade openness has a positive and significant impact on the BRICS+ economies. Meanwhile, FDI has a negative and significant impact on the BRICS+ economies. There is a bidirectional relationship between trade openness, foreign direct investment and economic growth in the expansion of BRICS economies. Conclusion: This study concludes that trade openness and foreign direct investment should be used to foster more of deeper ties and cooperation than economic profit among BRICS.

The Moderating Roles of Economic Complexity in the Entrepreneurship‐Sustainable Environment Nexus for the Gulf Cooperation Council Economies

ABSTRACTThere are conflicting views on the effect of business and entrepreneurial activities on environmental degradation in developing economies. However, none of this study examines whether economic complexity can serve as a policy tool for mitigating the effect of entrepreneurial business activities on a sustainable environment. Economic complexity consists of the structural and economic transformation process from a simple production system to a more complex and innovation‐based one. It predicts the variations in income level and its impact on the choice of goods being produced in an economy. This study examines the moderating effect of economic complexity on the link between entrepreneurship and sustainable environment in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2006 to 2020. It further examines the validity of the Entrepreneurial Environmental Kuznets Curve (EEKC). The study uses the Driscoll‐Kraay standard error fixed effect, Panels Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), method of moment quantile regression and Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality that are robust to heteroscedasticity, cross‐sectional dependency and other pitfalls of least square estimating technique. The results validate the inverted U‐shaped EEKC hypothesis across all the quantiles. Economic complexity increases ecological degradation at the lower quantile levels, while it decreases environmental footprint at the upper quantiles. Furthermore, economic complexity moderates the detrimental impact of entrepreneurial activity on the environment at the higher quantiles. A two‐way relationship is established between entrepreneurial activity and the environment, while one one‐way connection from economic complexity to the environment was found. The study recommends that policymakers should encourage innovative rather than necessity entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs should be encouraged to engage in business activities that are friendly toward preserving the ecological environment, and green innovative activities should be prioritised in their entrepreneurial activities.

Assessing the Damage to Environmental Pollution: Discerning the Impact of Environmental Technology, Energy Efficiency, Green Energy and Natural Resources

The existing literature covers the topic of environmental pollution, but there is a scarcity of research that specifically examines the factors contributing to financial losses caused by carbon emissions. In this perspective, this ongoing analysis provides an understanding of the impact of environmental technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy consumption, natural resources, and economic growth on carbon dioxide damage in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries from 2000 to 2021 using the “Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR)”, and “Dumitrescu–Hurlin (D-H)” causality test. The findings from the MMQR revealed that environmental control technology, renewable energy consumption, and energy efficiency contribute to reducing carbon dioxide damage at different quantiles. It was also found that economic growth and natural resources contribute to the increase in carbon dioxide damage in various quantities. Additionally, a one-way causality result was obtained from environmental technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy consumption, natural resources, and economic growth towards carbon dioxide damage. These results indicate that policymakers in OECD nations should provide suggestions on the efficient utilization of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly technologies to minimize carbon dioxide damage.

Unraveling the Effects of Economic Growth and Unemployment on Tobacco Use: A Panel Data Approach.

The economic situation is recognized as a significant factor influencing tobacco consumption. Accordingly, this research aims to investigate the relationship between economic growth, unemployment, and tobacco use. This investigation employs data from 1985 to 2019 to elucidate the relationship between economic growth, unemployment, and tobacco consumption in a select group of OECD countries. Employing Pedroni and Johansen-Fisher Panel Co-Integration Tests, we assess the co-integrating relationships. Furthermore, FMOLS and DOLS techniques are applied, complemented by the Dumitrescu Hurlin Panel Causality Test. FMOLS and DOLS results suggest that a 1% increase in GDP leads to a 6.46% and 7.29% rise in tobacco consumption, respectively, while GDP squared results in a 0.39% and 0.43% decrease. However, both tests failed to establish a significant relationship between tobacco consumption and unemployment. Cointegration was confirmed by Johansen-Fisher and Pedroni tests. Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality tests revealed direction of granger causality from economic growth to tobacco consumption, but not with unemployment. Tobacco consumption declined across all countries studied. Economic growth shows a positive association, while GDP squared has a negative association, indicating an inverted U-shaped relationship. No significant relationship was found with unemployment in the employed tests. In addition to the measures implemented by countries to reduce tobacco consumption, economic factors also exert a significant relation with smoking behavior. The available results suggests that economic growth initially associated with increase in tobacco consumption but reduction in later stages indicating a long-term inverse relationship between economic growth and tobacco use.

Energy Poverty and Environmental Quality Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Selected South Asian Countries

South Asian countries are included in the economies of developing Asia. The region of South Asia is predominantly affected by energy poverty issues due to a heavy reliance on conventional energy and unpredictable access to energy services. It has about a quarter of the world's population and is home to three of the world's ten most populated countries: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This study investigates environmental sustainability dynamics in South Asian countries from 2000 to 2021, utilizing the Cross-sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) and Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) causality methods. The research offers insights into the long-term trends and causal relationships that shape environmental outcomes in South Asian nations. Based on empirical findings, in the long-term, it is revealed that increases in energy poverty, economic growth, income inequality, and capital formation raise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while renewable energy and labor reduce GHG emissions. On the other hand, the error correction term shows the speed of adjustment toward equilibrium at 0.75%. Furthermore, the D-H panel causality reveals a directional link between variables. These findings highlight the urgent need for South Asian countries to implement policies to address energy poverty, promote renewable energy adoption, and reduce income inequality to mitigate GHG emissions and achieve long-term environmental sustainability effectively.

Examining the Influence of Renewable Energy Consumption, Technological Innovation, and Export Diversification on Economic Growth: Empirical Insights from E-7 Nations

The present research focuses on the endogenous development theory and investigates the relationships between economic growth (dependent variable) and renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and export diversification (independent variables) in seven emerging economies known as the E-7. Previous studies have examined these factors individually but have not explored their combined impact on the E-7 economies. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing literature on the effects of renewable energy consumption, technological advancement, and export diversification on economic development. This study analyses the dynamic connections among these variables in seven selected emerging countries: Brazil, China, Indonesia, India, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey. Panel data from 1990 to 2022 are utilised, and various methodologies, including panel cointegration, the pooled mean group–autoregressive distributed lag (PMG-ARDL) estimator, and robustness tests, such as the fully modified ordinary least square and dynamic ordinary least square tests, are employed. Empirical inferences are drawn using the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality (DHC) test, and the long-run relationships among the variables are validated using the Westerlund residual cointegration tests. The results from the PMG-ARDL estimator show that renewable energy consumption, technological advancement, and export diversification have a significant and positive impact on economic expansion, confirming the validity of the endogenous growth model in the E-7 countries. The control variable of the financial sector has a positive but insignificant effect on economic growth, while trade openness has a negative and significant effect. The DHC test results indicate a neutral feedback effect of renewable energy consumption on economic growth. The findings also reveal a unidirectional causal relationship between technological innovation and economic growth. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights for economic policymakers in the E-7 countries. By removing barriers to renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and export diversification, policymakers can promote sustainable economic development.

Analysis on the relationship between coastal tourism and marine pollution: an empirical analysis of China’s 11 coastal regions

IntroductionCoastal tourism has become an important pillar of economic growth in China's coastal regions, yet no quantitative research has analyzed the relationship between coastal tourism and marine pollution.MethodsThis study, within a multivariate framework, comprehensively examines the impact of coastal tourism on marine pollution by employing various econometric techniques and focusing on four different types of marine pollutant discharges: chemical oxygen demand (COD), petroleum (PET), ammonia nitrogen (NHN), and total phosphorus (TP).Results and discussionPanel cointegration tests confirm a long-term relationship between coastal tourism and these four types of marine pollutant discharges. In the long run, coastal tourism has a significantly negative impact on COD, NHN, and TP. The results of Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimators show that for every 1% increase in coastal tourism revenue (TOUR), COD decreases by 0.734%, 0.536%, and 0.952% respectively; NHN decreases by 0.746%, 0.340%, and 1.633%; and TP decreases by 5.169%, 0.899%, and 0.334% respectively. However, the impact of coastal tourism on PET is not significant. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) panel causality test results indicate different causality patterns between coastal tourism and various marine pollutant discharges. Specifically, there is a bidirectional causality between coastal tourism and COD, NHN, and a unidirectional causality between coastal tourism and PET, TP. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis reveals that coastal tourism does not significantly reduce all marine pollutant discharges in low-and middle-income coastal regions. Furthermore, compared to the central and southern coastal regions, the coastal tourism of northern regions has not significantly reduced marine pollution. This study can provide policymakers with references for developing coastal tourism and reducing marine pollutant discharges.

IMPACT OF COVİD 19 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GOVERNMENT RESTRİCTİONS ON CDS PREMİUMS OF BRICS-T COUNTRİES

: In this study, the impact of changes in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as government restrictions taken to reduce the transmission rate of the pandemic, on the CDS premiums of BRICS-T countries, which are risk indicators, was examined. The data for the study includes the number of deaths and cases as COVID-19 announcements, the stringency index calculated by the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) for government restrictions, and the CDS premium prices for Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Turkey. The study conducted Kao and Pedroni cointegration tests, Dumitrescu Hurlin and Granger causality analyses, and static panel data analysis. According to the analysis results, the cointegration tests indicate a long-term relationship. Both causality test results show a causal relationship from government restrictions to country CDS premiums, while no relationship could be determined from the number of cases and deaths. The static panel analysis results indicate that only government restrictions have a positive and significant effect on CDS premiums. In conclusion, the study shows that the increase in restrictions, along with the pressure of government restrictions on the economic system, also increases the risk of emerging and developing countries.

Empirical Evaluation of The Pollution Haven Hypothesis for Seven Largest Emerging Economies within The Framework of The New Global Climate Agreements

This study aims to determine whether the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHavenH), which suggests the negative impact of the FDI on environmental quality (EQ), is valid in seven selected emerging market economies for the period 1990-2020. To achieve this goal, the CO2 emission (CE) model includes renewable energy consumption (REC) in addition to the FDI variable. The elasticity coefficients of the model, in which cross-sectional dependence (CSD) and slope heterogeneity were determined, were estimated by the AMG method. The study found that FDI and REC positively influenced the EQ of the countries examined. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) test results indicated a bidirectional causality relationship between FDI and CE. Additionally, a unidirectional causality was observed from REC to CE. These results suggest that both FDI and REC play a role in improving EQ. The results of the analysis show that the PHavenH, which expresses the view that FDI in the relevant countries causes environmental degradation (ED) in developing countries, is not valid. In other words, it confirms the Pollution Halo Hypothesis (PHaloH), which points to the finding that FDI improves EQ in the countries concerned. In this context, it has been concluded that REC has an important contribution to determining the validity of this hypothesis. The findings of the study suggest that it is essential to formulate policy recommendations aimed at boosting the production and utilization of renewable energy in the seven emerging market economies under investigation. Such initiatives can help enhance environmental sustainability and contribute to a cleaner and greener future for these countries.

Leveraging AI for Promoting Sustainable Environments in G-7: The Impact of Financial Development and Digital Economy via MMQR Approach

This study investigates the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in promoting a sustainable environment within the G-7 countries by testing the Load Capacity Curve (LCC) hypothesis. Additionally, it examines the effects of financial development, the digital economy, and urbanization on the load capacity factor using data from 2010 to 2022. The research employs cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity tests, revealing issues of cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity. Panel unit root tests, both first and second generation, confirm that the variables are free from unit root problems. Furthermore, panel cointegration tests indicate that the variables are cointegrated in the long run. To assess the impact of the explanatory variables on the load capacity factor, the study utilizes the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR). The findings reveal a U-shaped relationship between income and the load capacity factor, supporting the LCC hypothesis in the G-7 region. The results also indicate that AI innovation and financial development have a significant positive correlation with the load capacity factor. In contrast, the digital economy and urbanization are found to significantly reduce the load capacity factor. Robustness checks, including the Driscoll-Kraay standard error, Augmented Mean Group, and Common Correlated Effect Mean Group estimation approaches, validate the findings obtained from the MMQR method. Moreover, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) causality assessment is utilized to explore the causal connections between variables. The results reveal a unidirectional causal relationship between income and the load capacity factor. Additionally, bidirectional causal relationships are the remaining explanatory variables and load capacity factors.

Climate change and food security causality in ECOWAS region: Do countries interdependence matter?

Studies abound on the causal relationship between climate change and food security; however, the ECOWAS sub-region, despite its unique climatic, agricultural, and socioeconomic characteristics, remains insufficiently explored. Utilizing data from 14 ECOWAS countries spanning 1986 to 2022, this study departs from earlier studies by incorporating the Dumitrescu–Hurlin Panel Causality test, the Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Common Correlated Effect Mean Group (CCEMG), Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and the Cross-Sectional Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) technique to analyze the complex relationship between climate change and food security in the ECOWAS sub-region. Unlike the prior empirical studies, the findings reveal a robust mutual influence of climate change and food security in the ECOWAS sub-region. Furthermore, the findings reported a positive impact of climate change on food security, aided by increased cropland area and population growth. At the same time, drought incidence and erratic rainfall between July and September annually remained a severe concern in the region. However, while the conversion of forests and natural habitats into cropland in the sub-region can lead to heightened carbon emissions and reduced ecosystem services, policy recommendations advocate the need for ECOWAS sub-regional policymakers to carefully balance the benefits of food security through sustainable practices and environmental considerations to ensure long-term food security benefits.

Unveiling the synergy: How natural resources, energy prices and financial development drive the energy transition in N‐11 countries

AbstractThe energy transition (ET) is one of the major components of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. Based on the growing recognition of the need for sustainable energy, this study aims to investigate the influence of natural resource rent, energy prices (EPs), financial development (FD), trade and economic growth on the ET from 1990 to 2021 in N‐11 countries. The study employed the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares techniques for the panel data analysis. These test findings revealed that natural resources rent, EPs, trade and economic growth are positively and significantly associated with ET. It indicates that these factors' are essential in promoting the shift towards renewable and sustainable energy sources. Whereas FD has a negative relationship with the ET, which underscores the need for targeted interventions and policy measures to address the challenges faced by financial systems. Moreover, the Pairwise Dumitrescu Hurlin panel causality test results declared the bidirectional association between natural resources and FD, economic growth and EPs and trade with all other variables. The study's outcomes suggest policy implications to promote and accelerate the ET process towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Cross-sectional analysis of socioeconomic drivers of PM2.5 pollution in emerging SAARC economies

Within the intricate interplay of socio-economic, natural and anthropogenic factors, haze pollution stands as a stark emblem of environmental degradation, particularly in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. Despite significant efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, several SAARC nations consistently rank among the world’s most polluted. Addressing this critical research gap, this study employs robust econometric methodologies to elucidate the dynamics of haze pollution across SAARC countries from 1998 to 2020. These methodologies include the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator, Panel two-stage least squares (TSLS), Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and Dumitrescu–Hurlin (D–H) causality test. The analysis reveals a statistically significant cointegrating relationship between PM2.5 and economic indicators, with economic development and consumption expenditure exhibiting positive associations and rainfall demonstrating a mitigating effect. Furthermore, a bidirectional causality is established between temperature and economic growth, both influencing PM2.5 concentrations. These findings emphasize the crucial role of evidence-based policy strategies in curbing air pollution. Based on these insights, recommendations focus on prioritizing green economic paradigms, intensifying forest conservation efforts, fostering the adoption of eco-friendly energy technologies in manufacturing and proactively implementing climate-sensitive policies. By embracing these recommendations, SAARC nations can formulate comprehensive and sustainable approaches to combat air pollution, paving the way for a healthier atmospheric environment for their citizens.

Discovering the E-Government and COVID-19 Effect on Sustainable Development: Novel Findings from the China Provinces

This paper investigates the effect of E-government (EG) and COVID-19 on environmental sustainability (ES), considering the Load Capacity Curve (LCC) in the Chinese provinces, which employs the panel MMQR method. This study reveals that E-government initiatives positively impact environmental sustainability, with a 1% increase in E-government effectiveness leading to a rise in ES between 0.05% and 0.40%. Conversely, COVID-19 has a pronounced negative effect on sustainability, particularly at the medium quantiles. The results also report the non-LCC hypothesis in Chinese provinces. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin (DH) causality outcome indicates a bi-directional causal association between environmental sustainability and E-government practices and the unidirectional link from COVID-19 to environmental sustainability. These findings highlight the policy implication of the critical role of E-government in promoting environmental sustainability despite the challenges posed by economic and demographic factors.

The Impact of Export Concentration on the Ecological Footprint in the European Union

This study aims to evaluate the impact of export product concentration on the ecological footprint in the European Union between 1995 and 2018, using the environmental Kuznets curve framework. We utilized the pooled mean group/autoregressive distributed lag approach, which confirmed the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis within the European Union. In addition, our findings reveal that export concentration has a negative impact on the ecological footprint, whereas energy consumption increases the ecological footprint. To further validate the obtained results, we conducted robustness checks using the fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares approaches, which validated the previous outcomes of the pooled mean group/autoregressive distributed lag approach. In the last step of our study, we employed the Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality analysis, which revealed a bidirectional causality involving the ecological footprint and energy consumption. These empirical findings directly result in valuable recommendations for policymakers.