Analysing the Impact of Carbon Emissions and Non-Renewable Energy Use on Infant and Under-5 Mortality Rates in Europe: New Evidence Using Panel Quantile Regression

This study critically examines the health-environment discourse and uses infant and under-5 mortality rates, carbon emissions, and non-renewable energy to investigate the inherent associations. We argue that the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions is considered to increase and can undermine the access to basic resources necessary for leading a healthy life, such as access to food, water, health, and the environment. Environmental health is closely linked to human health. The world is witnessing a substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which pose a significant threat to both environment and human health. Hence, this study contributes to the discourse with unbalanced panel data on 46 European countries from 2005 to 2015 to investigate the impact of carbon emissions and non-renewable energy on infant and under-5 mortality rates. Consistent findings from static and dynamic analyses reveal that (1) carbon emission is positively associated with mortality rate; (2) non-renewable energy shows a significant negative relationship; (3) persistency in mortality rates exists; (4) positive (negative) association of emissions (non-renewable energy) dwindles (increases) in absolute value at higher distributions of mortality rates; and (5) Euro Union countries show lower mortality rates relative to non-Euro Union members. Policy recommendations are discussed.

Automated summary

This study critically examines the health-environment discourse and investigates the associations between infant and under-5 mortality rates, carbon emissions, and non-renewable energy. The findings reveal that greenhouse gas emissions can undermine access to basic resources necessary for a healthy life, and contribute to both environmental and human health threats. The study uses unbalanced panel data on 46 European countries from 2005 to 2015, showing that carbon emissions are positively associated with mortality rates, while non-renewable energy has a significant negative relationship. The study also highlights the importance of policy recommendations.