Examining the agriculture induced Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis in BRICS economies: The role of renewable energy as a moderator

This study uses the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) to examine how economic growth, agriculture, renewable energy, information and communication technology (ICT) and human capital affect carbon emission during the period of 1990-2019. Several econometric techniques such as Pedroni Cointegration test, Mean Group techniques and Pairwise granger causality test are employed. The result from Augmented Mean Group suggests the existence of agriculture induced environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for BRICS economies. The roles of both the renewable energy and ICT use are negative and significant on the carbon emission. Furthermore, the moderation effect of renewable energy with agriculture shows that it can moderate the agriculture's positive contribution towards the climate change while the moderation effect of ICT and human capital with agriculture do not yield any significant outcomes. The pairwise granger causality result further establishes bidirectional causality between CO2 emission and renewable energy, ICT and CO2, agriculture and GDP, ICT and GDP, renewable energy and agriculture as well as between renewable energy and ICT. Finally, the study provides policy implications and insights for the BRICS governments and policymakers in their efforts to tackle the climate change through the use of renewable energy.

Automated summary

This study examines the impact of economic growth, agriculture, renewable energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and human capital on carbon emissions in BRICS countries from 1990 to 2019. Various econometric techniques were used, and the results show the existence of an environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for agriculture in BRICS economies. The use of renewable energy and ICT has a negative and significant effect on carbon emissions. The study also highlights the moderating effect of renewable energy on agriculture's contribution to climate change.