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A Review of the Environment Kuznets’ curve Literature: Global Evidences and Policy Implication

Author

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  • Karabee Medhi

    (Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Guwahati College)

Abstract

 The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. This review examines the evolution of EKC research worldwide and the policy implications of these studies for emerging economies. The main contributions of this study are the assessment of contradictory results on the validity of the EKC, evaluation of various research methodologies adopted in EKC research, focus on the impact of different institutional factors on the validity of the EKC, and analysis of regional differences. Mixed empirical evidence has been observed from the literature review, with results varying depending on the geographical area, pollutant type, and methodology. The review concludes that the EKC hypothesis is not universally applicable. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of proactive governance, technological innovation, and targeted environmental protection for sustainable development. Further research is needed to explore broader environmental dimensions, compare institutional roles across regions, and examine the impact of globalization using advanced methodologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Karabee Medhi, 2025. "A Review of the Environment Kuznets’ curve Literature: Global Evidences and Policy Implication," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(9), pages 2221-2229, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-9:p:2221-2229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. C. Seri & A. de Juan Fernandez, 2021. "The relationship between economic growth and environment. Testing the EKC hypothesis for Latin American countries," Papers 2105.11405, arXiv.org.
    2. Erdal Dursun, 2022. "Investigating the Air Transport-Induced EKC Hypothesis: Evidence from NAFTA Countries," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(4), pages 494-500, July.
    3. Tenaw, Dagmawe & Beyene, Abebe D., 2021. "Environmental sustainability and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa: A modified EKC hypothesis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    4. Muhammed Ashiq Villanthenkodath & Mohini Gupta & Seema Saini & Malayaranjan Sahoo, 2021. "Impact of Economic Structure on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in India," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, December.
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    6. Mazzanti, Massimiliano & Montini, Anna & Zoboli, Roberto, 2007. "Economic Dynamics, Emission Trends and the EKC Hypothesis New Evidence Using NAMEA and Provincial Panel Data for Italy," Climate Change Modelling and Policy Working Papers 10261, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    7. Zafar Ahmad Sultan & Tarek Tawfik Yousef Alkhateeb & Anas Hamadelneel Adow, 2021. "Verifying the Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis in the Case of India," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(2), pages 127-132.
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    9. Hossain, Mohammad Razib & Rej, Soumen & Awan, Ashar & Bandyopadhyay, Arunava & Islam, Md Sayemul & Das, Narasingha & Hossain, Md Emran, 2023. "Natural resource dependency and environmental sustainability under N-shaped EKC: The curious case of India," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
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