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Exploring the Role of Natural Resources and Economic Policy Uncertainty on Environmental Quality: Fresh Evidence from BRICST Economies

Author

Listed:
  • Asif, Muhammad Farhan

    (UKM-Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM-Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; & Faculty of Business Administration, ILMA University, Karachi, Pakistan,)

  • Khan, Ali Akber

    (Neom Environmental Sustainability Services Pakistan, Pakistan,)

  • Ali, Mohd Helmi

    (UKM-Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM-Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; & Global Entrepreneurship Research and Innovation Centre, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia,)

  • Hashmi, Muhammad Saeed

    (Ex-Director of Economics and Marketing, Department of Punjab Agriculture, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan,)

  • Ali, Amjad

    (Lahore School of Accountancy and Finance, University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan,)

  • Yeo, Sook Fern

    (Faculty of Business, Multimedia University, Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama, Melaka 75450, Malaysia; & Department of Business Administration, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh,)

  • Keoy, Kay Hooi

    (UCSI Graduate Business School, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,)

  • Hashmi, Syed Ahmar Ali

    (Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,)

  • Anwar, Ahsan

    (UCSI Graduate Business School, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; & College of International Studies, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; &Advanced Research Centre, European University of Lefke, Lefke, Northern Cyprus, TR-10 Mersin, Turkey; & Faculty of Economics and Business, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia.)

Abstract

Environmental degradation is a global issue that has captured the attention of governments worldwide, as it can disrupt the Earth's carbon cycle and contribute to global warming. Climate change, primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2 pollution, is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. Researchers have studied various social, political, and environmental factors that affect CO2 emissions. This study aims to explore how natural resources (NRR) and economic policy uncertainty (EPU) impact environmental degradation, considering the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). We use an auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) regression model with annual data from 1990 to 2020. The findings suggest that increases in natural resource rent lead to higher CO2 emissions. Likewise, EPU also has a positive effect on environmental degradation. The observed positive link between GDP and CO2 emissions, along with the negative relationship between GDP2 and CO2 emissions, supports the EKC hypothesis for BRICS-T countries. Based on the empirical results, this study provides a comprehensive policy framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 08 (economic growth), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 12 (resource efficiency).

Suggested Citation

  • Asif, Muhammad Farhan & Khan, Ali Akber & Ali, Mohd Helmi & Hashmi, Muhammad Saeed & Ali, Amjad & Yeo, Sook Fern & Keoy, Kay Hooi & Hashmi, Syed Ahmar Ali & Anwar, Ahsan, 2025. "Exploring the Role of Natural Resources and Economic Policy Uncertainty on Environmental Quality: Fresh Evidence from BRICST Economies," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, vol. 15(6), pages 888-898, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ2:v:15:y:2025:i:6:id:21089
    DOI: 10.32479/ijeep.21089
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