The impact of globalization on the decoupling of water consumption and economic growth in BRICS and N11 countries—Linear and nonlinear approaches

In the context of globalization, the 2030 sustainable development goals pose a huge challenge to the coordinated development of economy and environment in emerging economies. The purpose of this article is to investigate whether globalization contributes to balance water consumption and economic growth in emerging economies. China is the largest developing country and the largest trader of goods in the world. From holistic and representative perspectives, this article analyzes the mechanisms affecting economic growth and water consumption in BRICS countries, Next Eleven (N11) countries and China. Combining decoupling model and econometric models, fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) linear model and threshold panel nonlinear model are constructed. Both linear and nonlinear effects of trade and foreign investment on economic growth and water consumption are considered. The results show that, from a holistic perspective, globalization helps balance economic growth and water consumption in emerging economies. The impact of trade on water consumption in BRICS countries is negative. And with the increase of trade, its positive coefficient on water consumption in N11 countries gradually decreases. Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a positive role in the coordinated development of economic growth and water environment in BRICS and N11 countries. Taking China as a representative country, there is a decoupling phenomenon between economic growth and water use during the study period. With the trade crossing the threshold successively, the promoting effect on economy increases first and then decreases, and the inhibiting effect on water consumption weakens. With the increase of foreign investment, its positive effect on GDP increases, and its positive coefficient on water consumption decreases. The conclusions from representative country and holistic perspective are consistent. Finally, some policy recommendations are put forward.