The dilemmas of relevance: exploring the role of natural resources and energy consumption in managing climate crisis in Africa

PurposeThe study examines the role of natural resources (NRs) and energy consumption in managing the climate crisis in Africa, using annual series data from the World Bank from 1980 to 2019.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical strategy is based on the second-generation panel techniques that account for cross-sectional dependency in the series. Specifically, the empirical evidence is based on the Westerlund (2017) panel cointegration test, panel augmented mean group, common correlated effects mean group and the vector autoregressive (VAR)-vector error correction (VEC) approaches.FindingsEvidence from the panel analysis confirmed the existence of Carbon Kuznets Curve (CKC) U-shaped nexus in Africa, but the country-level results are mixed. Furthermore, results using the VAR-vector correction model indicate possible convergence among the variables across the African countries. NR unidirectionally Granger-causes carbon emissions. The authors suggest the consideration of environmental factors in the utilisation of NRs. Similarly, energy efficiency is crucial to decouple carbon from energy usage.Originality/valueThe study complements the extant literature by assessing the role of NRs and energy consumption in managing climate crisis in Africa.

Automated summary

This study examines the role of natural resources and energy consumption in managing the climate crisis in Africa using data from the World Bank. The empirical analysis confirms the existence of a U-shaped relation, known as the Carbon Kuznets Curve, between carbon emissions and economic development in Africa. The study suggests considering environmental factors in the utilization of natural resources and emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency in decoupling carbon emissions from energy usage.