Linking energy-based circularity with environment in high-income economies

A circular economy is a regenerative approach that emphasizes resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the reuse of materials for a sustainable world. By adopting circular practices, we can reduce the negative impact of traditional linear economic models on the environment. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the world is generating only 26% of total energy production from circular practices, which positively impacts environmental health. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the empirical estimation of circular practices regarding energy on the environment. The current study focuses on the association between the circular economic index, economic growth, trade, digitization, energy use, and the financial development index on the environment in 29 high-income countries from 1990 to 2019. The study employs the second-generation econometric technique Driscoll-Kraay to empirically estimate the association among the variables of interest after confirming cross-sectional dependency within the data set. The study findings reveal that circular practices improve high-income countries' environmental conditions. Furthermore, the study confirms the association between economic growth, financial development index, energy use, trade, and digitization on the environment, and it leads to a more sustainable situation. Policies are drawn based on findings for policymakers toward a sustainable world.

Does energy poverty increases starvation? Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

This study contributes to the existing literature on energy poverty and food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study is conducted on a panel of 36 SSA countries over the period 2000 to 2020. Using several estimation methods, such as fixed effects, Driscoll-Kraay, Lewbel 2SLS, and the generalized method of moments, we find positive results for energy on food security. In SSA, the energy development index, access to electricity, and access to clean energy for cooking positively influence food security. This can encourage policy makers to prioritize investments in off-grid energy for vulnerable households through small-scale energy systems, which can promote food security by directly affecting local food production, preservation, and preparation, and contribute to human well-being and environmental conservation.

Biomass energy consumption and sustainable development: empirical evidence from Asian economies

Biomass energy is an important source of energy consumption. It is a renewable, abundant, and easily produced energy source. Its usage supports economies in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and safeguards national energy security. The literature has extensively explored the association between biomass energy and environmental quality. However, the influence of biomass energy on sustainable development is overlooked. Against this background, the objective of this research study is to empirically scrutinize the utility of biomass consumption as a source of renewable energy for sustainable development in the Asian region. The panel data used in the study is taken from World Development Indicators and Global Material Flows Database for twenty-one Asian countries covering the time 1990-2017. Numerous econometric techniques are used in the study to ensure the robustness of the results. To know the nature of cointegration, the tests designed by Kao (1999) and Pedroni (1999) and second-generation tests, inter alia, have been employed. Furthermore, the cointegration test of Westerlund (2007), among others, is used in this research. Moreover, fully modified ordinary least square, dynamic ordinary least square, and Driscoll and Kraay methods are used to estimate the model. Finally, the conclusion of the study proves the argument that the consumption of biomass as a source of renewable energy has a significantly positive impact on sustainable development in the selected Asian economies. It is recommended that the region should efficiently utilize biomass to the maximum extent to travel on the path of sustainable development.

Impact of climate change on cereal production: evidence from lower-middle-income countries

This study empirically examines the impact of climate change on cereal production in selected lower-middle-income countries with a balanced panel dataset spanning 1971-2016. The study uses average annual temperature and rainfall to measure climate change. Besides this, CO2 emissions, cultivated land under cereal production, and rural population are used as the control variables. Second-generation unit root tests, i.e., CIPS and CADF, are used to test the stationarity of the variables. Feasible generalized least square (FGLS) and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) models are used to achieve the objective. Pedroni cointegration test confirms the presence of cointegration between cereal production and climate change variables. The findings show that a rise in the temperature reduces cereal production in lower-middle-income countries. In contrast, rainfall and CO2 emissions have a positive effect on cereal production. For robustness purpose, the Driscoll-Kraay standard regression and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) models have also found similar results. Dumitrescu-Hurlin test has found the bidirectional causality of cereal production with temperature and CO2 emissions. Also, unidirectional causality is running from rainfall and rural population to cereal production. The adverse effects of temperature on cereal production are likely to pose severe implications for food security. The paper recommends that governments of the sample countries should research and develop heat-resistant varieties of cereal crops to cope with the adverse effects of temperature on cereal production and ensure food security.