Driving sustainable development: Exploring the Nexus of financial inclusion, green mobility, and CO2 emissions in China's natural resource landscape

This research addresses the critical challenges of financial inclusion and CO2 emissions mitigation within the framework of sustainable development in China. Utilizing 33 years of data (1990–2022) from the country's natural resource sector, the study employs the Engle-Granger econometric technique to explore the interrelations between financial inclusion, green mobility, and CO2 emissions. It reveals that enhanced financial inclusion, signified by increased access to financial services, correlates with a reduction in CO2 emissions, suggesting that a well-developed financial infrastructure can significantly contribute to sustainable practices, especially in the transportation sector. Concurrently, the study highlights the positive impact of green mobility innovations in reducing CO2 emissions, emphasizing the importance of adopting and integrating eco-friendly transportation technologies. These findings provide a compelling case for policy reforms that simultaneously promote financial inclusivity and green mobility as a dual strategy for achieving sustainable development and reducing environmental impact. The research offers valuable insights for policymakers, indicating that targeted interventions in financial and transportation sectors could accelerate China's progress towards its sustainable development and low-carbon goals.