OECD Nations Research Articles

Exploring the Influence of Democracy, Rule of Law, and Societal Well-being on Climate Action in OECD Nations

Exploring the Influence of Democracy, Rule of Law, and Societal Well-being on Climate Action in OECD Nations

Strategy towards sustainable energy transition: The effect of policy uncertainty, environmental technology and natural resources rent in the OECD nations

The stupendous increase in environmental pollutants alongside climate alterations are calling for integrated tasks at the global level to meet the Paris Agreements. Energy conversion from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources is an important step to address the adverse effects of extreme climatic conditions. This study explores the key contributors of energy transition in the context of the OECD countries during the period 1991 to 2019. To this end the major determinants chosen include natural resources rents, policy uncertainty, environmental technologies, environmental policies, income and globalization. The quantile regression technique is used to explore heterogeneous role of the contributory factors of energy transition across its different levels. This study applies method of moments quantile regression (hereafter MM-QR) by Machado and Silva (2019) that provides evidence on how the covariates affect the integral conditional distributions of energy transition. The study documents interesting findings. (i) Natural resources rents reduce the pace of the progress of sustainable energy transition in OECD economies. (ii) An escalation in the world uncertainty index leads to an improvement in energy transition index. (iii) Environmental technologies support the transition concerning cleaner and more efficient energy sources. (iv) Finally, as natural resources, uncertainty, environmental technologies, and globalization impacts energy transition differently, their effects need to be rationalized with varying environmental policy instruments. The study concludes that energy transition process requires the task of upgrading the quality of implementation of policies related to energy technology.

Rural energy poverty alleviation in OECD nations: An integrated analysis of renewable energy, green taxation, and the United Nations agenda 2030

Rural energy poverty alleviation in OECD nations: An integrated analysis of renewable energy, green taxation, and the United Nations agenda 2030

The Role of Government Health Expenditure in Driving Economic Growth: Evidence from OECD Countries

This study examines the influence of government health expenditure and life expectancy on economic growth. The study makes use of panel data analysis and utilizes data from the OECD nations between 2000 and 2021. The study applies panel data analysis using POLS, FEM and REM models and dynamic GMM models. The study also gauges the moderating role of life expectancy on the relationship between government health expenditure and economic growth. The results indicate that government expenditure on health hurts economic growth. A detrimental relationship between life expectancy and economic growth indicates that higher life expectancy could result in elevated healthcare and financial expenses. Nevertheless, the interactive regression model suggests that there is no significant moderation of the association between government expenditure on health and economic growth by life expectancy, implying that the influence of government health expenditure on economic growth is generally unaffected by demographic changes. These findings emphasize the significance of differentiating between the short-term and long-term economic consequences of healthcare expenditure. This study offers insights into the optimization of public spending in OECD nations to promote sustainable economic growth and enhance public health outcomes.

Effects of Waste Generation on the Load Capacity Factor: A Novel Waste Management Assessment for OECD Countries

ABSTRACTThe increase in global waste generation is an important issue directly addressed in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)‐12 and OECD countries produce large amounts of waste. In this context, the study examines the influence of waste generated and recycled on the load capacity factor (biocapacity/ecological footprint) in 28 OECD countries from 2000 to 2021 using novel panel data approaches. The study employs augmented mean group and novel half‐panel jackknife estimation approaches within the Load Capacity Curve (LCC) hypothesis and confirms the LCC for OECD nations. In addition, the long‐term prediction results illustrate that waste generation increases environmental destruction, while waste recycled supports the increase in the load capacity factor. The study recommends policymakers in OECD countries to support economic growth and increase investment in waste recycling technologies to achieve SDG‐12.

Does fintech really matter for energy, economy and environment? From the lenses of SDG-7, SDG-8, SDG-13, COP27 and COP28

This study investigates the impact of fintech on economic development, energy transition and environmental well-being in OECD nations from 2005 to 2018 by utilizing MM-QR and CS-ARDL methods. Results reveal the different degree of positive impact of fintech on the said variables. In this regard, fintech plays a key role in planning, development and management of financial institutions and enhancing economic growth and development in the region across all the quantiles. Moreover, energy transition and green energy management get influence positively through technological involvement in the financial system. Lastly, the relationship between fintech and environment is moderately positive in the beginning and gets stronger in higher quantiles. Fintech facilitates environmental policy stringency, green finance and channelization of various financial sources towards environment well-being. It also effectively integrates economy, energy and environment towards attainment of sustainable development goal-7 (ensure affordable and clean energy), goal-8 (economic growth and development) and goal −13 (Climate challenges, concerns and action) and objectives of COP27 and 28. In light with the findings, several policy implications are suggested.

Green energy, green innovation, and political stability led to green growth in OECD nations

This study analyzes the determinants of green economic growth in OECD countries, focusing on the role of technological innovation, clean energy adoption, environmental innovation, and political stability. Employing panel data analysis techniques, including Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression (DSUR), Common Correlated Effects Pooled-FM (CUP-FM), and Common Correlated Effects Pooled-BC (CUP-BC), the study examines the asymmetric relationships between these factors and green growth over both the short and long run. The findings suggest that technological innovation significantly influences green growth in OECD nations, with positive and negative shocks in innovation showing distinct impacts on green growth consumption, which emphasizes embracing and expanding green technology to enhance sustainable economic development and minimize environmental damage. Similarly, clean energy adoption plays a crucial role in fostering green economic growth, with positive relationships observed between renewable energy consumption and green growth in the short and long run. Environmental innovation also positively correlates with green growth, highlighting the significance of developing new products and services to manage environmental challenges. Besides, political stability is a critical determinant of green growth, with stable political environments fostering investor confidence and encouraging long-term sustainable investments. The study underlines the complex interplay between these factors, emphasizing the bidirectional causality relationships observed among clean energy adoption, political stability, innovation, and urbanization. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of sustainable development pathways, highlighting the need for integrated policy approaches to promote green growth agendas. The study contributes to comprehending the factors driving green economic growth in OECD countries and provides insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to advance sustainability goals. By underlining the importance of technological innovation, clean energy adoption, environmental innovation, and political stability, the study proposes valuable insights into the pathways toward achieving environmentally sustainable and economically viable growth.

Green energy transition, economic complexity, green finance, and ecological footprint: Shaping the SDGs in the presence of geopolitical risk

AbstractAchieving sustainable development while mitigating environmental degradation is a pressing global challenge. Economic development, accompanied by industrialization, fossil fuel consumption, and unsustainable use of natural resources, is widely identified in the literature as a leading cause of environmental degradation. Green energy transition (GET) and economic complexity—the shift towards more advanced and knowledge‐driven manufacturing, can be crucial strategies in reducing ecological degradation and helping countries achieve climate change mitigation targets. Green finance can play an important role in environmental sustainability, while geopolitical risk can impede countries' climate mitigation efforts. In this context, this study investigates the impact of GET, economic complexity, green finance, and geopolitical risk on the ecological footprint in OECD countries from 1995 to 2021. These four critical factors are integrated into the same environmental policy framework due to their potential to influence environmental sustainability in OECD economies. The study employed the Method of Moments Quantile Regression to provide robust estimates across different quantiles. The empirical outcomes unveiled that GET significantly reduces the ecological footprint across all quantiles. The economic complexity posed a significant and negative impact across all quantiles except at the lower quantile (τ = 0.10). Green finance also poses a negative impact, indicating its effectiveness in promoting environmental sustainability. However, geopolitical risk exacerbates the ecological footprint. The control variables, GDP and urbanization, are found to increase the ecological footprint. In terms of policy implications, this study suggests that policymakers should focus on increasing the share of green energy, fostering economic complexity and green finance, and mitigating geopolitical tensions to reduce the ecological footprint and achieve environmental sustainability in OECD nations.

Environmental Sustainability in OECD Nations: The Moderating Impact of Green Innovation on Urbanization and Green Growth

Environmental Sustainability in OECD Nations: The Moderating Impact of Green Innovation on Urbanization and Green Growth

Analysing FDI inflow effects on CO2 emissions: a comparative study of OECD and BRICS nations with PHH and PHE models

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between foreign direct investment (FDI) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in emerging economies, with a particular emphasis on Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries along with 10 the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations. Design/methodology/approach This study uses quantitative research methods and econometric analysis to investigate the relationship between FDI inflows and CO2 emissions in selected countries. Specifically, the research concentrates on assessing the impact of FDI on CO2 emissions within the BRICS countries. By examining data spanning from 2000 to 2003, the study aims to shed light on the interaction between economic integration and environmental sustainability dynamics on a global scale. Findings The results of this study highlight notable contributors to CO2 emissions within the BRICS countries, identifying Switzerland, Denmark and the UK as significant sources. These findings support the notion of a pollution haven, underscoring the influence of FDI in moulding environmental outcomes in developing economies. Research limitations/implications Drawing from the study’s outcomes, suggestions are put forth to foster sustainable development strategies. It is recommended that BRICS nations prioritize the attraction of environmentally aware FDI to bolster efforts aimed at mitigating environmental harm. Originality/value This study adds to the ongoing discussion surrounding sustainable development by offering a concentrated analysis of how FDI influences CO2 emissions within BRICS countries. Its novelty lies in questioning traditional assumptions about environmental accountability and emphasizing the necessity for cooperative endeavours between emerging and developed economies to effectively tackle global environmental issues.

“We’re sinking”: a qualitative interview-based study on stakeholder perceptions of structural and process limitations to the Canadian healthcare system

BackgroundDespite longstanding efforts and calls for reform, Canada’s incremental approach to healthcare changes has left the country lagging behind other OECD nations. Reform to the Canadian healthcare system is essential to develop a higher performing system. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the views of Canadian stakeholders on structural and process deficiencies and strategies to improve the Canadian healthcare system substantially and meaningfully.MethodsWe conducted individual, ~ 45-minute, semi-structured virtual interviews from May 2022 to August 2022. Using existing contacts and snowball sampling, we targeted one man and one woman from five regions in Canada across four stakeholder groups: (1) public citizens; (2) healthcare leaders; (3) academics; and (4) political decision makers. Interviews centered on participants’ perceptions of the state of the current healthcare system, including areas where major improvements are required, and strategies to achieve suggested enhancements; Donabedian’s Model (i.e., structure, process, outcomes) was the guiding conceptual framework. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and de-identified, and inductive thematic analysis was performed independently and in duplicate according to published methods.ResultsThe data from 31 interviews with 13 (41.9%) public citizens, 10 (32.3%) healthcare leaders, 4 (12.9%) academics, and 4 (12.9%) political decision makers resulted in three themes related to the structure of the healthcare system (1. system reactivity; 2. linkage with the Canadian identity; and 3. political and funding structures), three themes related to healthcare processes (1. staffing shortages; 2. inefficient care; and 3. inconsistent care), and three strategies to improve short- and long-term population health outcomes (1. delineating roles and revising incentives; 2. enhanced health literacy; 3. interdisciplinary and patient-centred care).ConclusionCanadians in our sample identified important structural and process limitations to the Canadian healthcare system. Meaningful reforms are needed and will require addressing the link between the Canadian identity and our healthcare system to facilitate effective development and implementation of strategies to improve population health outcomes.

Exploring how economic growth, renewable energy, internet usage, and mineral rents influence CO2 emissions: A panel quantile regression analysis for 27 OECD countries

This study aims to investigate the impacts of renewable energy consumption, internet usage, mineral rent, and economic growth on CO2 emissions across 27 OECD nations between 2001 and 2020. We employ a panel quantile regression technique to discover the heterogeneous effects of these variables for the various quantile levels of environmental destruction. The panel quantile regression approach found the Environmental Kuznets curve dominated countries in which CO2 emissions were low. Additionally, the negative relationship between renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions yielded in the paper suggests the potential benefits of incentivizing and investing in renewable sources. Internet usage demonstrates a negative impact on CO2 emissions, showcasing the role of digital technologies in promoting sustainability. Accordingly, internet use improves environmental quality due to more efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly practices, which increase productivity. However, a positive association between mineral rents and environmental deterioration emphasizes the necessity of strategic policies to balance economic benefits with environmental preservation. Our study provides policymakers with valuable insights into tailoring effective strategies for sustainable development, renewable energy adoption, digitalization, and natural resource utilization while addressing environmental degradation.

Bailed out: Defendants’ and stakeholders’ experiences of a bail support programme

AbstractDespite dropping crime rates and prison muster, pretrial population rates in New Zealand are growing faster than in other OECD nations, risking negative impacts on defendants and communities. Fourteen defendants and 18 stakeholders were interviewed about a bail support service's strengths and weaknesses. Officer‐training quality, communication between stakeholders and access to practical and cultural resources were crucial to success. Defendants reported that professional staff support and having access to services were the most helpful aspects. Changes were positive overall, but the programme's implementation, resources (especially lack of housing suitable for bail), and structure (within changing pretrial legislation) were of concern.

Toward sustainable consumption: Exploring the role of environmental innovation and international trade on consumption‐based carbon emissions in OECD countries

AbstractEnvironmental degradation is a severe problem around the globe, which includes a range of worries such as weather extremes, biodiversity loss and heatwaves. The scientific community has widely recognized the urgent need to address these challenges and transition towards sustainable sustainability. One key aspect of sustainability is the concept of eco‐innovation, which involves the production processes that minimize ecological impact of productive activities. Businesses across the world are including eco innovation in their strategies, which have great impact on environmental performance. This study explores the linkage between eco innovation and environmental performance achieved by OECD nations over the period of 1990–2021. We investigate the impact that international trade, renewable energy consumption, and economic activity have on environmental performance. This study focuses on consumption‐based approach for measuring carbon emissions. Previous studies have focused on production‐based approach to measure carbon emissions. Using advanced econometric approaches, we find that eco innovation, exports and renewable energy consumption abate CO2 emissions, while imports and economic activities increase CO2 emissions.

Impact of Energy Use on Air Pollution: Evidence from OCED Countries

Air pollution poses significant environmental and health risks, with numerous studies suggesting its dire consequences ranging from respiratory diseases to global climate change implications. In this context, understanding energy consumption patterns and their impact on air pollution is critical, especially in developed nations with high energy consumption rates. This paper empirically analyzes the impact of energy use on air pollution in OECD countries – a group of nations that play a pivotal role in global energy consumption and policy-making. Despite their economic advancements, the implications of their energy choices on air quality have not been extensively studied, presenting a gap in the literature. Spanning 12 years from 2010 to 2021, our research encompasses a total of 456 observations, employing panel data. We aim to unveil the relationship between energy use, both traditional and renewable and air pollution levels. The variables studied include Energy use per capita, Alternative and nuclear energy, Greenhouse gas emissions, Energy imports, Access to electricity, and the production of renewable energy (air, water, solar, geothermal). Leveraging various econometric models such as OLS, OLS Robust, fixed, and random effects models, our findings reveal that electricity use exacerbates air pollution levels. Particularly, the increase in carbon dioxide, coupled with the rising access to electricity, deteriorates air quality. In contrast, electricity sourced from renewables like water, wind, nuclear, and geothermal energy aids in mitigating air pollution, emphasizing the importance of sustainable energy choices for future policy considerations in OECD nations.

Analyzing Policy to Address Infant Mortality in High-Risk Populations

The United States faced a 3% increase in infant mortality rates in 2022, positioning it 33rd among OECD nations. Despite national efforts, racial and rural disparities persist, with Southern states exhibiting high rates. This paper analyzes policy criteria to reduce infant mortality, focusing on disparities, social determinants, existing initiatives, and necessary components for effective policy development. Research methods involved an extensive search for evidence-based articles and data related to infant mortality and related initiatives, focusing on systematic reviews, research studies, practice guidelines, and relevant articles Addressing this challenge requires targeted interventions, particularly in regions with heightened prevalence, necessitating further research to inform policies and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

The aftermath: A secondary analysis of OECD countries’ healthcare system responses to COVID-19

Several proponents believe a universal healthcare system might have allowed the United States to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic more effectively, potentially leading to less devastating outcomes. Yet, comprehensive studies assessing this assertion on an international scale across multiple pandemic phases are sparse. This study evaluates the COVID-19 response efficacy in OECD countries, contrasting single-payer with multiple-payer healthcare frameworks. Data from different pandemic phases through to October 2023, suggest a single-payer system correlate with reduced death rates, diminished excess mortality, and overall lower cumulative excess mortality. Notably, among the high-income OECD nations, the U.S. ranks lowest in pandemic response. Such findings underscore the significant impact of disparities in healthcare access. Essentially, these inequities can debilitate a healthcare infrastructure to the extent that it lags nations with similar socio-economic, demographic, and health profiles.

Money grows on green energy: Financing a sustainable power future

This research aims to estimate the relationship between green bond financing and the OECD nations' performance on the renewable energy indices. The study attempted to quantify the relationship between concepts by analyzing data from OECD countries for 2011–2019. Padroni unit root test, FMOLS, and DOLS method provide evidence for the study's results and convey broad policy implications on this important topic. The robustness is consequently examined through a long-term sensitivity analysis employing the FMOLS, and green bond financing nexus concerning the renewable energy indices is shown for comparison. The study showed that financing of green bonds had a predictable impact on renewable energy indices variables. Green bonds' unequal implications for renewable energy measures across the study period bear out this interpretation. The study's findings call for full suppot from government institutions, energy agencies, and departments to optimize energy efficiency, as green bond financing played a 32% role in OECD nation's renewable energy index constructions and increased per unit improvement in renewable energy sources by 9.6%. The research offers many policy recommendations for improving energy efficiency through renewable energy generation. Recent studies extend and contribute to the existing body of literature, although the scientific discussion on this subject matter still needs to be more detailed and understudied. Financial unpredictability may be transformed into a tremendous opportunity if the renewable energy business is appropriately regulated.

A comparative study on the moderating impact of renewable energy and innovation on environmental quality

AbstractThis study explores the complex interactions between renewable energy production, innovation, economic growth, institutional quality, economic globalization, and CO2 emissions in OECD countries and emerging economies from 1996 to 2021. Results from Driscoll–Kraay standard error and feasible generalized least square reveal distinct trends: renewable energy production leads to increased CO2 emissions in emerging economies but significantly reduces emissions in OECD countries. Besides, residential and non‐residential innovation, along with total innovation, show similar effects. Notably, technology‐moderated renewable energy production effectively lowers CO2 emissions in both country groups. Similarly, economic growth enhances environmental quality in both sets of countries. However, institutional quality needs improvement in emerging economies, while current levels suffice in OECD nations to maintain environmental quality. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of considering globalization's impact on CO2 emissions, advocating for international agreements to leverage globalization for environmental benefits. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights for shaping renewable energy policies, fostering innovation, promoting economic growth, enhancing institutional quality, and harnessing globalization efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance environmental quality.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN YOUTH UNDER 20 FROM 1990-2019: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON REGIONAL AND NATIONAL VARIATIONS FROM THE GBD 2019 ANALYSIS

Abstract BACKGROUND Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) ranks as the 9th primary cause of mortality and the 10th main source of disability worldwide among individuals aged under 20. Grasping the worldwide implications for this age bracket is pivotal for shaping health care approaches and optimizing patient care. METHOD Leveraging the Global Burden of Disease instrument, we discerned the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of IBD by age, gender, and year across 204 nations and territories spanning 1990-2019. The DisMod-MR 2.1 tool shed light on non-fatal health metrics like incidence and prevalence, whereas the Cause of Death Ensemble Model (CODEm) framework illuminated fatal health outcomes. RESULTS From 1990 to 2019, the overall prevalence of IBD escalated from 74,975 (95%UI: 60,678-92,219) to 88,828 (72,606-108,301), marking an Annual Percentage Change (APC) of 18% (16-22). Incidence exhibited an APC surge of 23% (20-26). Conversely, deaths and DALYs plummeted by 56% and 53% respectively during the same period. Delving into global regions, Sub-Saharan Africa noted a 6% death upswing, trailed by the African Union at 65% and Low SDI nations at 1%. Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania recorded the steepest APC in age-standardized incidence rates at 67%, followed by High-SDI regions at 35%, OECD nations at 31%, and affluent countries at 30%. The 15-19 age bracket registered the most pronounced incidence rise by 24%. Males witnessed a steeper APC in incidence (24% vs. females at 21%) and prevalence (21% vs. females at 16%) from 1990-2019. CONCLUSION In 2019, IBD was responsible for 1.61% of all mortality linked to digestive diseases and contributed to 1.50% of the total digestive disease-induced disabilities. For pediatric clinicians, these findings underline the necessity for early intervention, tailored care strategies, and rigorous research into pediatric IBD. From a policy-making perspective, there is an urgent demand for resource allocation, enhanced public health campaigns, and international collaboration to mitigate the growing threat of IBD among the youth. Source: Global Burden of Disease 2019, IHME