The environmental impact of remittance inflows in developing countries: evidence from method of moments quantile regression

Despite the importance of remittance inflows as potential source of incomes for recipient households and one of main contributors to the development process in various developing countries, their environmental effects have been largely neglected in empirical literature. To fill this gap, the current study proposes an extension of the conventional environmental Kuznets curve by performing a modified version based on remittance inflows in both low- and middle-income countries from 1980 to 2014. Using the novel method of moments quantile regression with fixed effect, the outcomes provide evidence of an inverted N-shaped Kuznets curve for remittances at higher carbon dioxide emitters in lower middle-income countries, proving that remittances allow recipient households to shift toward clean energy pattern (production/consumption). We find U-shaped curve for remittances from the 40th to 80th quantiles in upper middle-income countries along with monotonic negative effect on carbon dioxide emissions at highest quantiles (90th and 95th). No significant effect on environment has been outlined at lower carbon dioxide emitters for all panels. Regarding economic growth, an inverted N-shaped curve has been observed across all quantiles in upper middle-income countries and from lower to middle quantiles in low-income countries. Finally, financial development, as control variable, exerts significant mixed effect on carbon dioxide emissions, swung between positive at all quantiles in low- and upper middle-income countries and negative at lower quantiles in low-income countries. Some recommendations were further built in the present study.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of remittance inflows on the environment and economic growth in different income countries from 1980 to 2014. The findings suggest that remittances can help recipient households shift towards clean energy patterns, but the environmental effects vary depending on income levels.