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The heterogeneous effects of renewable energy, urbanization and democracy on CO2 emissions: Does economic growth matter?

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  • Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea

    (University of Dschang)

  • Hervé Kaffo Fotio

    (University of Maroua)

Abstract

Reversing the trend of CO2 emissions is an important issue that attracts policymakers’ and economists’ attention. This study aims to investigate the effects of renewable energy consumption, urbanization and democracy on CO2 emissions in a panel of 45 African countries from 1990 to 2019. The panel quantile regression method is used to analyse the data. The empirical evidence indicates that, first; the effect of renewable energy on CO2 emissions is significantly negative across all quantiles. Second, the effect of urbanization on CO2 emissions is significantly positive in low- and high-emission countries. Third, democracy reduces CO2 emissions in low- and high-emission countries. Additionally, this study further explores the moderating role of economic growth on these nexuses. The results show that renewable energy and urbanization interact with economic growth to stimulate CO2 emissions in all quantiles. Additionally, the interaction between democracy and economic growth mitigates CO2 emissions only in low-emissions countries. These results provide policy directives for environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s10668-023-04256-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-04256-z
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