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Innovations and the CO 2 Emissions Nexus in the MENA Region: A Spatial Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Haider Mahmood

    (Department of Finance, College of Business Administration, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia)

  • Maham Furqan

    (School of Public Policy, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

  • Najia Saqib

    (Department of Finance, College of Business Administration, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia)

  • Anass Hamadelneel Adow

    (Department of Accounting, College of Business Administration, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia)

  • Muzaffar Abbas

    (Department of Management, College of Business Administration, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Patents support technological innovations in any economy and would also support a clean environment. We investigate the effects of economic growth, patents, industrialization, and urbanization on CO 2 emissions in 17 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) economies by applying spatial econometrics. We substantiate the Environment Kuznets Curve (EKC) in the domestic economies and the whole MENA region as per direct and total estimates. Moreover, urbanization increases CO 2 emissions in local economies and reduces neighboring nations’ emissions. The total effect of urbanization is found to be insignificant. Industrial value added increases CO 2 emissions in domestic and neighboring countries, as well as in the whole MENA region. Patents increase CO 2 emissions in domestic economies. However, patents reduce CO 2 emissions in neighboring countries and the MENA region. Thus, patents have a pleasant effect on the environment in the whole MENA region. It is suggested that the MENA economies focus more on patents to reduce CO 2 emissions. Moreover, urbanization and the industrial sector should be checked to protect the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Haider Mahmood & Maham Furqan & Najia Saqib & Anass Hamadelneel Adow & Muzaffar Abbas, 2023. "Innovations and the CO 2 Emissions Nexus in the MENA Region: A Spatial Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10729-:d:1189345
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    2. Esen, Ömer & Yıldırım, Durmuş Çağrı & Yıldırım, Seda, 2024. "A quantile regression approach to assess the impact of water-related environmental innovations on water stress," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    3. Zahra Dehghan Shabani & Rouhollah Shahnazi & Saeed Malek Sadati, 2025. "The effects of spatial spillover of good governance and renewable energy on CO2 emissions," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 10857-10894, May.
    4. Iman Babiker & Mansour Ahmed Elmansour Elfaki & Abdelrahman Mohamed Mohamed Saeed & Amani Ebnaoof & Sawsan Abdelhfiz Hassan Khattab & Amira Abdalrhman Almekki Abdalbagi, 2025. "Corporate Governance and Sustainability: The Moderating Role of Board Gender Diversity in the Relationship Between Environmental Innovation and Emission Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Constantinos Alexiou, 2025. "Patent Systems and Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Short and Long Run Perspectives on Economic Development and Sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 8768-8785, December.
    6. Wadad Saad & Farah Boussi, 2025. "Influence of information and communication technology, human development, military expenditures, and renewable energy on environmental quality in the Middle East and North Africa Region," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 773-805, September.

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