IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v27y2025i1d10.1007_s10668-023-03917-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the renewable energy-environmental sustainability pathways: what do the interplay of technological innovation, structural change, and urbanization portends for BRICS?

Author

Listed:
  • Ridwan Lanre Ibrahim

    (University of Lagos)

  • Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi

    (Near East University)

  • Kazeem Bello Ajide

    (University of Lagos)

  • Huseyin Ozdeser

    (Near East University)

Abstract

The pervasive environmental and life-threatening effects of global warming, attributable to be an ensuing impact of surging CO2 emissions have motivated the conveyance of numerous global climate treaties. Among many resolutions, the transition to clean energy has become a fundamental option identified as a pathway to salvage the environment for the current and future generations. Thus, this research inspects the impact of substantial role of renewable energy in BRICS sustainability pathways. The study’s objectives endogenize the functional roles of technological innovation (TEC), nonrenewable energy (NREN), nuclear energy (NUC), service-value added (SERV), and urbanization (URB) from 1992 to 2019. The empirical evidence relies on second-generation methods to ascertain cross-sectional dependency (CSD), slope concerns, stationary test, and bootstrap Westerlund cointegration test, which affirmed the presence of CSD. The MMQR result finds that NREN, URB, and TEC induces carbon emissions. Conversely, REN, NUC, and SERV mitigate carbon emissions. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test reveals unidirectional causality from NREN to CO2 emissions; REN to CO2 emissions; CO2 emissions to NUC, CO2 emissions to SERV, and CO2 emissions to URB. Meanwhile, a two-way causality impact is discovered between CO2 emissions and TEC. Based on empirical findings, policy implications that lead to sustainability of BRICS environment are formulated.

Suggested Citation

  • Ridwan Lanre Ibrahim & Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi & Kazeem Bello Ajide & Huseyin Ozdeser, 2025. "Exploring the renewable energy-environmental sustainability pathways: what do the interplay of technological innovation, structural change, and urbanization portends for BRICS?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 191-211, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03917-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03917-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-023-03917-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-023-03917-3?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. Murshed, Muntasir & Saboori, Behnaz & Madaleno, Mara & Wang, Hong & Doğan, Buhari, 2022. "Exploring the nexuses between nuclear energy, renewable energy, and carbon dioxide emissions: The role of economic complexity in the G7 countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 664-674.
    2. Wang, Xiaoyi & Chen, Guanqun & Afshan, Sahar & Awosusi, Abraham Ayobamiji & Abbas, Shujaat, 2023. "Transition towards sustainable energy: The role of economic complexity, financial liberalization and natural resources management in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    3. Hu, Bangyong & Alola, Andrew Adewale & Tauni, Muhammad Zubair & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Abbas, Shujaat, 2023. "Pathway to cleaner environment: How effective are renewable electricity and financial development approaches?," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 277-292.
    4. Liu, Xuyi & Zhang, Shun & Bae, Junghan, 2017. "The nexus of renewable energy-agriculture-environment in BRICS," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 489-496.
    5. Fumei He & Ke-Chiun Chang & Min Li & Xueping Li & Fangjhy Li, 2020. "Bootstrap ARDL Test on the Relationship among Trade, FDI, and CO 2 Emissions: Based on the Experience of BRICS Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-23, February.
    6. Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Alola, Andrew Adewale, 2023. "Drivers of natural gas and renewable energy utilization in the USA: How about household energy efficiency-energy expenditure and retail electricity prices?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    7. Cui, Lianbiao & Weng, Shimei & Nadeem, Abdul Majeed & Rafique, Muhammad Zahid & Shahzad, Umer, 2022. "Exploring the role of renewable energy, urbanization and structural change for environmental sustainability: Comparative analysis for practical implications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 215-224.
    8. Andrew Adewale Alola & Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo, 2023. "Are green resource productivity and environmental technologies the face of environmental sustainability in the Nordic region?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 760-772, April.
    9. Miao, Yang & Razzaq, Asif & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Awosusi, Abraham Ayobamiji, 2022. "Do renewable energy consumption and financial globalisation contribute to ecological sustainability in newly industrialized countries?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 688-697.
    10. Huan Zhang, 2021. "Technology Innovation, Economic Growth and Carbon Emissions in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Evidence from BRICS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-22, October.
    11. Huang, Shi-Zheng, 2022. "The effect of natural resources and economic factors on energy transition: New evidence from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    12. Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Awosusi, Abraham Ayobamiji & Bekun, Festus Victor & Altuntaş, Mehmet, 2021. "Coal energy consumption beat renewable energy consumption in South Africa: Developing policy framework for sustainable development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1012-1024.
    13. Zhou, Hui & Awosusi, Abraham Ayobamiji & Dagar, Vishal & Zhu, Guohua & Abbas, Shujaat, 2023. "Unleashing the asymmetric effect of natural resources abundance on carbon emissions in regional comprehensive economic partnership: What role do economic globalization and disaggregating energy play?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    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. Minjing Yang & Cosimo Magazzino & Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi & Navzodbek Abdulloev, 2024. "Determinants of Load capacity factor in BRICS countries: A panel data analysis," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 48(2), pages 525-548, May.
    2. Ofori, Elvis K. & Bekun, Festus V. & Gyamfi, Bright Akwasi & Ali, Ernest B. & Onifade, Stephen T. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2024. "Prospect of trade and innovation in renewable energy deployment: A comparative analysis between BRICS and MINT Countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    3. Halmat Omer & Murad Bein, 2022. "Does the Moderating Role of Financial Development on Energy Utilization Contributes to Environmental Sustainability in GCC Economies?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Jamal Mamkhezri & Mohsen Khezri, 2024. "Assessing the spillover effects of research and development and renewable energy on CO2 emissions: international evidence," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 7657-7686, March.
    5. Li, Jinlong & Shi, Yang & Song, Xiaowei, 2024. "The dynamics of digitalization and natural resources in shaping the sustainable development agenda in BRICS-T nations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    6. Zhao, Xinlu & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Kong, Xianli & Al-Faryan, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh, 2022. "Relating energy innovations and natural resources as determinants of environmental sustainability: The role of globalization in G7 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    7. Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo & Seyi Saint Akadiri & Mehmet Altuntaş & Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi, 2023. "Environmental effects of structural change, hydro and coal energy consumption on ecological footprint in India: insights from the novel dynamic ARDL simulation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(12), pages 14309-14332, December.
    8. Naqvi, Syed Asif Ali & Hussain, Mehvish & Hussain, Bilal & Shah, Syed Ale Raza & Nazir, Jawad & Usman, Muhammad, 2023. "Environmental sustainability and biomass energy consumption through the lens of pollution Haven hypothesis and renewable energy-environmental kuznets curve," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 621-631.
    9. Zhang, Xuan & Hasan, Mohammad Maruf & Waris, Umra, 2024. "Assessing the nexus between natural resources and government effectiveness: Role of green innovation in shaping environmental sustainability of BRICS nations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    10. Lei Fan & Yunyun Zhang & Meilin Jin & Qiang Ma & Jing Zhao, 2022. "Does New Digital Infrastructure Promote the Transformation of the Energy Structure? The Perspective of China’s Energy Industry Chain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-18, November.
    11. Zhang, Shuyue & Ramzan, Muhammad & Awosusi, Abraham Ayobamiji & Eweade, Babatunde Sunday & Ojekemi, Opeoluwa Seun, 2024. "Unraveling causal dynamics: Exploring resource efficiency and biomass utilization in Malaysia's context," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    12. Shujaat Abbas & Sudeshna Ghosh & Sanhita Sucharita & Buhari Dogan & Osman Değer & Oleg Mariev, 2025. "Going green: understanding the impacts of economic complexity, clean energy and natural resources on ecological footprint in complex economies," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 6539-6565, March.
    13. Ullah, Sami & Lin, Boqiang, 2024. "Harnessing the synergistic impacts of financial structure, industrialization, and ecological footprint through the lens of the EKC hypothesis. Insights from Pakistan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    14. Hossain, Mohammad Razib & Singh, Sanjeet & Sharma, Gagan Deep & Apostu, Simona-Andreea & Bansal, Pooja, 2023. "Overcoming the shock of energy depletion for energy policy? Tracing the missing link between energy depletion, renewable energy development and decarbonization in the USA," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    15. Xi Liu & Yugang He & Renhong Wu, 2024. "Revolutionizing Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption and Environmental Technologies in OECD Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-21, January.
    16. Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo & Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi & Seun Damola Oladipupo & Ephraim Bonah Agyekum & Arunkumar Jayakumar & Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, 2021. "Dominance of Fossil Fuels in Japan’s National Energy Mix and Implications for Environmental Sustainability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-20, July.
    17. Kartal, Mustafa Tevfik & Ghosh, Sudeshna & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday, 2023. "Renewable energy effect on economy and environment: The case of G7 countries through novel bootstrap rolling window approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    18. Muhammad, Tufail & Ni, Guohua & Chen, Zhenling & Mallek, Sabrine & Dudek, Marek & Mentel, Grzegorz, 2024. "Addressing resource curse: How mineral resources influence industrial structure dynamics of the BRI 57 oil-exporting countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    19. Dey, Subhashish & Sreenivasulu, Anduri & Veerendra, G.T.N. & Rao, K. Venkateswara & Babu, P.S.S. Anjaneya, 2022. "Renewable energy present status and future potentials in India: An overview," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 1(1).
    20. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea & Hervé Kaffo Fotio, 2025. "The heterogeneous effects of renewable energy, urbanization and democracy on CO2 emissions: Does economic growth matter?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 8835-8861, April.

    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:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03917-3. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    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.