IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/enepol/v170y2022ics0301421522004578.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Roles of trilemma in the world energy sector and transition towards sustainable energy: A study of economic growth and the environment

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Haiying
  • Khan, Irfan
  • Zakari, Abdulrasheed
  • Alharthi, Majed

Abstract

An energy trilemma addresses three often conflicting challenges: energy security, equitable access to energy, and environmental sustainability. Maintaining this balance in the context of rapid transitions to decentralized, decarbonized, and the digital system is challenging with the risk of trading off equally essential goals. This study examines the energy trilemma and the transition to sustainable energy in the top ten CO2-emitting countries in the world, using fixed asset investment and energy use as moderators from 1990 to 2016. The top ten CO2-emitting countries are China, the United States, India, Russia, Japan, Iran, Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. For the empirical analysis, we apply advanced econometric techniques. We found a trilemma in the world energy sector, and the transition to sustainable energy simultaneously enhances economic growth and environmental quality in the long-run. Energy trilemma, sustainable energy transition, investment in fixed assets, and energy use all contribute to economic growth. The energy trilemma is negatively correlated with environmental quality. Fixed asset investments and energy use are positively linked with environmental quality. In addition to enhancing economic growth, investments in fixed assets and energy use harm the environment. Policymakers in the top ten CO2-emitting nations should improve and integrate their energy policy actions to promote energy security, environmental strategies, mobilize investments that encourage technological innovation, facilitate clean energy transition that maximizes social and economic benefits that support environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Haiying & Khan, Irfan & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Alharthi, Majed, 2022. "Roles of trilemma in the world energy sector and transition towards sustainable energy: A study of economic growth and the environment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:170:y:2022:i:c:s0301421522004578
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113238
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421522004578
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113238?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Richard & Hsu, Shu-Chien & Zheng, Saina & Chen, Jieh-Haur & Li, Xuran Ivan, 2020. "Renewable energy microgrids: Economic evaluation and decision making for government policies to contribute to affordable and clean energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    2. Dumitrescu, Elena-Ivona & Hurlin, Christophe, 2012. "Testing for Granger non-causality in heterogeneous panels," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 1450-1460.
    3. M. Hashem Pesaran, 2021. "General diagnostic tests for cross-sectional dependence in panels," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 13-50, January.
    4. Joakim Westerlund, 2007. "Testing for Error Correction in Panel Data," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 69(6), pages 709-748, December.
    5. Liu, Haiying & Saleem, Muhammad Mansoor & Al-Faryan, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh & Khan, Irfan & Zafar, Muhammad Wasif, 2022. "Impact of governance and globalization on natural resources volatility: The role of financial development in the Middle East North Africa countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Sarafidis, Vasilis & Yamagata, Takashi & Robertson, Donald, 2009. "A test of cross section dependence for a linear dynamic panel model with regressors," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 148(2), pages 149-161, February.
    7. Pesaran, M. Hashem & Vanessa Smith, L. & Yamagata, Takashi, 2013. "Panel unit root tests in the presence of a multifactor error structure," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 175(2), pages 94-115.
    8. David Roodman, 2009. "How to do xtabond2: An introduction to difference and system GMM in Stata," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 9(1), pages 86-136, March.
    9. Hu, Bin & Li, Zhengtao & Zhang, Lin, 2019. "Long-run dynamics of sulphur dioxide emissions, economic growth and energy efficiency in China," MPRA Paper 94588, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Muhammad Kamran Khan & Muhammad Imran Khan & Muhammad Rehan, 2020. "The relationship between energy consumption, economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 6(1), pages 1-13, December.
    11. Khan, Irfan & Hou, Fujun & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Tawiah, Vincent Konadu, 2021. "The dynamic links among energy transitions, energy consumption, and sustainable economic growth: A novel framework for IEA countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    12. Sebastian Kripfganz, 2019. "Generalized method of moments estimation of linear dynamic panel-data models," London Stata Conference 2019 17, Stata Users Group.
    13. M. Hashem Pesaran, 2007. "A simple panel unit root test in the presence of cross-section dependence," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(2), pages 265-312.
    14. Rissman, Jeffrey & Bataille, Chris & Masanet, Eric & Aden, Nate & Morrow, William R. & Zhou, Nan & Elliott, Neal & Dell, Rebecca & Heeren, Niko & Huckestein, Brigitta & Cresko, Joe & Miller, Sabbie A., 2020. "Technologies and policies to decarbonize global industry: Review and assessment of mitigation drivers through 2070," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    15. Khan, Irfan & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Zhang, Jinjun & Dagar, Vishal & Singh, Sanjeet, 2022. "A study of trilemma energy balance, clean energy transitions, and economic expansion in the midst of environmental sustainability: New insights from three trilemma leadership," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    16. Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Khan, Irfan & Tawiah, Vincent & Alvarado, Rafael & Li, Guo, 2022. "The production and consumption of oil in Africa: The environmental implications," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    17. Saint Akadiri, Seyi & Alola, Andrew Adewale & Akadiri, Ada Chigozie & Alola, Uju Violet, 2019. "Renewable energy consumption in EU-28 countries: Policy toward pollution mitigation and economic sustainability," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 803-810.
    18. Waheed, Rida & Sarwar, Suleman & Dignah, Ashwaq, 2020. "The role of non-oil exports, tourism and renewable energy to achieve sustainable economic growth: What we learn from the experience of Saudi Arabia," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 49-58.
    19. Festus Victor Bekun, 2022. "Mitigating Emissions in India: Accounting for the Role of Real Income, Renewable Energy Consumption and Investment in Energy," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(1), pages 188-192.
    20. T. S. Breusch & A. R. Pagan, 1980. "The Lagrange Multiplier Test and its Applications to Model Specification in Econometrics," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 47(1), pages 239-253.
    21. World Bank, 2019. "World Development Report 2019 [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2019]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 30435, December.
    22. Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Li, Guo & Khan, Irfan & Jindal, Abhinav & Tawiah, Vincent & Alvarado, Rafael, 2022. "Are abundant energy resources and Chinese business a solution to environmental prosperity in Africa?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    23. Le, Thai-Ha & Nguyen, Canh Phuc, 2019. "Is energy security a driver for economic growth? Evidence from a global sample," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 436-451.
    24. Rafael E. De Hoyos & Vasilis Sarafidis, 2006. "Testing for cross-sectional dependence in panel-data models," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 6(4), pages 482-496, December.
    25. Khan, Irfan & Hou, Fujun & Irfan, Muhammad & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Le, Hoang Phong, 2021. "Does energy trilemma a driver of economic growth? The roles of energy use, population growth, and financial development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Khan, Irfan & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Zhang, Jinjun & Dagar, Vishal & Singh, Sanjeet, 2022. "A study of trilemma energy balance, clean energy transitions, and economic expansion in the midst of environmental sustainability: New insights from three trilemma leadership," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    2. Yuan, Jian & Yang, Ranran & Fu, Qiang, 2023. "Aspects of renewable energy influenced by natural resources: How do the stock market and technology play a role?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    3. Xuan, Di & Jiang, Xiaoyan & Fang, Yan, 2023. "Can globalization and the green economy hedge natural resources? Functions of population growth and financial development in BRICS countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    4. Khan, Irfan & Hou, Fujun & Irfan, Muhammad & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Le, Hoang Phong, 2021. "Does energy trilemma a driver of economic growth? The roles of energy use, population growth, and financial development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    5. Khan, Irfan & Zakari, Abdulrasheed & Dagar, Vishal & Singh, Sanjeet, 2022. "World energy trilemma and transformative energy developments as determinants of economic growth amid environmental sustainability," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    6. Liu, Haiying & Alharthi, Majed & Atil, Ahmed & Zafar, Muhammad Wasif & Khan, Irfan, 2022. "A non-linear analysis of the impacts of natural resources and education on environmental quality: Green energy and its role in the future," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    7. Jiang, Wanxing & Gao, Han, 2023. "The nexus between natural resources and exports of goods and services in the OECD countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    8. Chletsos Michael & Roupakias Stelios, 2020. "The effect of military spending on income inequality: evidence from NATO countries," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 58(3), pages 1305-1337, March.
    9. Zhang, Chunhong & Khan, Irfan & Dagar, Vishal & Saeed, Asif & Zafar, Muhammad Wasif, 2022. "Environmental impact of information and communication technology: Unveiling the role of education in developing countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    10. Muhammad Azam & Zia Ur Rehman & Yusnidah Ibrahim, 2022. "Causal nexus in industrialization, urbanization, trade openness, and carbon emissions: empirical evidence from OPEC economies," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(12), pages 13990-14010, December.
    11. Vo, Duc, 2019. "The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Environment Degradation: Evidence from Emerging Markets in Asia," MPRA Paper 103292, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Kabiru Kamalu & Wan Hakimah Binti Wan Ibrahim, 2023. "Conditional Effect of Environmental Degradation and Institutional Environment on Human Development in Developing Countries: Evidence from Method of the Moment-Quantile Regression with Fixed Effect," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(5), pages 667-677, September.
    13. Liu, Haiying & Saleem, Muhammad Mansoor & Al-Faryan, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh & Khan, Irfan & Zafar, Muhammad Wasif, 2022. "Impact of governance and globalization on natural resources volatility: The role of financial development in the Middle East North Africa countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    14. Ansari, Mohd Arshad, 2022. "Re-visiting the Environmental Kuznets curve for ASEAN: A comparison between ecological footprint and carbon dioxide emissions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    15. Alvarado, Rafael & Murshed, Muntasir & Cifuentes-Faura, Javier & Işık, Cem & Razib Hossain, Mohammad & Tillaguango, Brayan, 2023. "Nexuses between rent of natural resources, economic complexity, and technological innovation: The roles of GDP, human capital and civil liberties," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    16. Muhammad Ibrahim Shah, 2021. "Investigating the Role of Regional Economic Integration on Growth: Fresh Insights from South Asia," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 13(1), pages 35-57, January.
    17. Adekoya, Oluwasegun B. & Oliyide, Johnson A. & Fasanya, Ismail O., 2022. "Renewable and non-renewable energy consumption – Ecological footprint nexus in net-oil exporting and net-oil importing countries: Policy implications for a sustainable environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 524-534.
    18. Huang, Lingyun & Zou, Yanjun, 2020. "How to promote energy transition in China: From the perspectives of interregional relocation and environmental regulation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    19. Wang, Zhaohua & Bui, Quocviet & Zhang, Bin & Nawarathna, Chulan Lasantha K. & Mombeuil, Claudel, 2021. "The nexus between renewable energy consumption and human development in BRICS countries: The moderating role of public debt," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P1), pages 381-390.
    20. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Nwani, Chinazaekpere & Bekun, Festus Victor & Gyamfi, Bright Akwasi & Agozie, Divine Q., 2022. "Discerning the role of renewable energy and energy efficiency in finding the path to cleaner consumption and production patterns: New insights from developing economies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:170:y:2022:i:c:s0301421522004578. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/enpol .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.