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Green vs. Brown Energy Subsector in the Context of Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the United States Amid External Shocks

Author

Listed:
  • Hind Alofaysan

    (Department of Economics, College of Business Administration, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia)

  • Kamal Si Mohammed

    (CEREFIGE, Université de Lorraine, F-57000 Metz, France
    College of Business & Economics, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

Abstract

Using high-frequency financial data, this study investigates volatility spillovers between five renewable energy subsectors (wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and fuel cells), five conventional energy markets (oil, gas, coal, uranium, and gasoline), and carbon emissions for five industrial sectors (power, industry, ground transportation, domestic aviation, and residential) based on a Diebold–Yilmaz VAR-based spillover framework. The results document that the industry and power sectors are the key players in the transmission effects of carbon shocks. In contrast, the reverse is true for the residential and aviation sectors. For renewable energy, fuel cells, and geothermal power, strong forward linkages appear to significantly reduce carbon emissions, while reverse linkages that increase carbon emissions in response to shocks in clean-energy and carbon-intensive industries are relatively high for coal and oil. We also find that the total volatility connectedness exceeds 84%, indicating significant systemic risk transmission. The clean-energy subsectors, particularly wind and solar, now compete in fossil-fuel markets during geopolitical crises. Applying the DCC-GARCH t-copula method to assess portfolio hedging strategies, we find that fuel cell and geothermal assets are the most effective in hedging against volatility in fossil-fuel prices. In contrast, nuclear and gas assets provide benefits from diversification. These results underscore the growing strategic importance of clean energy in mitigating sector-specific emission risks and fostering resilient energy systems in alignment with the United States’ net-zero carbon goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Hind Alofaysan & Kamal Si Mohammed, 2025. "Green vs. Brown Energy Subsector in the Context of Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the United States Amid External Shocks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:17:p:4530-:d:1733316
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