Does energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, and population growth influence carbon emissions in the BRICS? Evidence from panel models robust to cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity

This paper examined the nexus between economic growth, energy consumption, urbanization, population growth, and carbon emissions in the BRICS economies from 1990 to 2019. In order to yield valid and reliable outcomes, modern econometric techniques that are vigorous to cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity were employed. From the findings, the studied panel was heterogeneous and cross-sectionally dependent. Also, all the series were first differenced stationary and co-integrated in the long run. The Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimators were employed to estimate the elastic effects of the predictors on the explained variable, and from the output of both estimators, energy consumption worsened environmental quality via high carbon emissions. Also, the AMG estimator affirmed economic growth to be a significantly positive determinant of carbon emissions. However, both estimators confirmed urbanization and population growth as trivial predictors of the emissivities of carbon. On the causal connections amidst the series, there was bidirectional causality between economic growth and carbon emissions, between energy consumption and economic growth, between economic growth and population growth, between energy consumption and urbanization, and between economic growth and urbanization. Lastly, a causation from urbanization to carbon emissions was unfolded. Policy implications are further discussed.

Automated summary

This paper examines the relationship between economic growth, energy consumption, urbanization, population growth, and carbon emissions in the BRICS economies. The findings show that energy consumption worsens environmental quality through high carbon emissions, and economic growth is a significant driver of carbon emissions. However, urbanization and population growth have minimal impact on carbon emissions. There are bidirectional causal connections between economic growth and carbon emissions, energy consumption and economic growth, economic growth and population growth, energy consumption and urbanization, and economic growth and urbanization. Finally, a causal relationship from urbanization to carbon emissions is revealed.