Navigating Environmental Challenges in BRICS+ Nations: The Impact of Economic Growth, Globalization, and Urbanization on Environmental Performance

Globalization has sparked significant environmental and social challenges. While extensively debated, the exact nature of these environmental issues remains contentious. This paper seeks to enhance understanding of the economic factors influencing environmental quality, measured by the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), a comprehensive metric surpassing traditional pollutant emission indicators. The study examines how economic growth, globalization, and urbanization influence environmental performance in BRICS+ nations-comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and additional emerging economies, including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Using panel data from 1995 to 2022 and econometric modeling, the analysis explores the effects of these key drivers on environmental outcomes such as carbon emissions, resource utilization, and pollution levels. The findings reveal that economic growth and globalization often exacerbate environmental degradation, while urbanization exhibits mixed effects. In some contexts, urbanization improves environmental conditions through enhanced infrastructure and policy implementation, while in others, it intensifies pollution and resource stress. These results underscore the dual challenge faced by BRICS+ nations: advancing economic development while ensuring environmental sustainability. The study emphasizes the need for targeted policies that address the specific environmental consequences of growth, globalization, and urbanization, offering actionable insights for policymakers striving to align economic modernization with sustainable practices in emerging economies.