IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/fininn/v11y2025i1d10.1186_s40854-024-00733-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Financial integration and economic growth: impact of renewable energy investments, technology transfer, and climate change on Europe and central Asian economies

Author

Listed:
  • Abdelmohsen A. Nassani

    (King Saud University)

  • Muhammad Imran

    (The University of Haripur)

  • Shiraz Khan

    (The University of Haripur)

  • Khalid Zaman

    (The University of Haripur)

  • Haroon ur Rashid Khan

    (The University of Wollongong in Dubai)

  • Mohamed Haffar

    (University of Birmingham)

Abstract

Financial integration plays an important role in fostering global economic growth. Energy demand, technology transfer, sustainable production, and climate change have emerged as key drivers of sustainable development. This study explores the influence of financial integration, bolstered by renewable energy-induced trade, industry-driven technology, and environmental concerns, on regional economic growth. This study analyzes a panel of 39 high- and upper-middle-income European and Central Asian countries in 2017–2021. Using a panel generalized method of moments estimator, we reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between regional economic growth and carbon emissions. Moreover, renewable energy-induced trade contributes positively to regional growth while trade openness and technology transfer further enhance this growth. Industry-driven technology negatively impacts regional growth owing to inadequate financial integration. The absence of sustainable energy infrastructure and industrialization also negatively impacts regional growth. Our study underscores the importance of increasing financial integration to promote sustainable energy-driven trade openness and technology transfer in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdelmohsen A. Nassani & Muhammad Imran & Shiraz Khan & Khalid Zaman & Haroon ur Rashid Khan & Mohamed Haffar, 2025. "Financial integration and economic growth: impact of renewable energy investments, technology transfer, and climate change on Europe and central Asian economies," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 1-24, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:fininn:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s40854-024-00733-0
    DOI: 10.1186/s40854-024-00733-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s40854-024-00733-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s40854-024-00733-0?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
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paramita Mukherjee & Sahana Roy Chowdhury & Poulomi Bhattacharya, 2021. "Does financial liberalization lead to financial development? Evidence from emerging economies," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(8), pages 1263-1287, November.
    2. Vanessa Simen Tchamyou, 2020. "Education, lifelong learning, inequality and financial access: evidence from African countries," Contemporary Social Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 7-25, January.
    3. Mahyudin Ahmad, 2017. "Economic Freedom and Income Inequality: Does Political Regime Matter?," Economies, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-28, June.
    4. Chunxia Sun & Hafiz Syed Mohsin Abbas & Xiaodong Xu & Samreen Gillani & Saif Ullah & Muhammad Ahsan Ali Raza, 2023. "Role of capital investment, investment risks, and globalization in economic growth," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(2), pages 1883-1898, April.
    5. Rabeh Khalfaoui & Aviral Kumar Tiwari & Usman Khalid & Muhammad Shahbaz, 2023. "Nexus between carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth in G7 countries: fresh insights via wavelet coherence analysis," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 66(1), pages 31-66, January.
    6. 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).
    7. Bo Chen & Gegentana & Yongsheng Wang, 2023. "The Impact of Environmental Regulations on Enterprise Pollution Emission from the Perspective of “Overseeing the Government”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    8. Sama Haddad, 2023. "Global Financial Market Integration: A Literature Survey," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-27, November.
    9. Michael B Devereux & Changhua Yu, 2020. "International Financial Integration and Crisis Contagion," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 87(3), pages 1174-1212.
    10. E P Mesagan, 2021. "Efficiency of Financial Integration, Foreign Direct Investment and Output Growth: Policy Options for Pollution Abatement in Africa," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 26(1), pages 1-19, March.
    11. Muhammad Shahzad Sardar & Nabila Asghar & Hafeez ur Rehman, 2024. "Moderation of competitiveness in determining environmental sustainability: economic growth and transport sector carbon emissions in global perspective," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 1481-1503, January.
    12. Khalid M. Kisswani & Michel Zaitouni, 2023. "Does FDI affect environmental degradation? Examining pollution haven and pollution halo hypotheses using ARDL modelling," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(4), pages 1406-1432, October.
    13. Liu Haiyun & Yassin Elshain Yahia & Md Ismail Hossain & Sayyed Sadaqat Hussain Shah, 2023. "The effect of integration processes of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa on the economic growth of the member states," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 93-111, January.
    14. Arvind Panagariya, 2000. "Preferential Trade Liberalization: The Traditional Theory and New Developments," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 38(2), pages 287-331, June.
    15. Ankasha Arif & Misbah Sadiq & Malik Shahzad Shabbir & Ghulam Yahya & Aysha Zamir & Lydia Bares Lopez, 2022. "The role of globalization in financial development, trade openness and sustainable environmental -economic growth: evidence from selected South Asian economies," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(4), pages 1027-1044, October.
    16. Sampene, Agyemang Kwasi & Li, Cai & Wiredu, John, 2024. "An outlook at the switch to renewable energy in emerging economies: The beneficial effect of technological innovation and green finance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    17. Muri Wole Adedokun & Mehmet Ağa, 2023. "Financial inclusion: A pathway to economic growth in Sub‐Saharan African economies," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 2712-2728, July.
    18. Burak Erkut & Gagan Deep Sharma, 2023. "Financial integration in Asia: new Empirical evidence using dynamic panel data estimations," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 213-231, February.
    19. Pang, Si Lu & Liu, Hui & Hua, Gui Hong, 2024. "How does digital finance drive the green economic growth? New discoveries of spatial threshold effect and attenuation possibility boundary," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 561-581.
    20. Ron Martin & Peter Sunley, 1998. "Slow Convergence? The New Endogenous Growth Theory and Regional Development," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 74(3), pages 201-227, July.
    21. N. Gregory Mankiw & David Romer & David N. Weil, 1992. "A Contribution to the Empirics of Economic Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 107(2), pages 407-437.
    22. Pierre‐Richard Agénor, 2003. "Benefits and Costs of International Financial Integration: Theory and Facts," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(8), pages 1089-1118, August.
    23. Barro, Robert J, 1990. "Government Spending in a Simple Model of Endogenous Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 103-126, October.
    24. Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2019. "The Role of Information Sharing in Modulating the Effect of Financial Access on Inequality," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 317-338, July.
    25. Mohammad Mafizur Rahman & Nahid Sultana, 2024. "Nexus of Human Development and Environmental Quality in Low-Income and Developing Countries: Do Renewable Energy and Good Governance Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-18, June.
    26. Stephen Bond & Anke Hoeffler & Jonathan Temple, 2001. "GMM Estimation of Empirical Growth Models," Economics Papers 2001-W21, Economics Group, Nuffield College, University of Oxford.
    27. Zhuoqi Teng & Yugang He & Zhi Qiao, 2023. "Exploring the Synergistic Effects of Digitalization and Economic Uncertainty on Environmental Sustainability: An Investigation from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, August.
    28. Qianyi Li & Md Qamruzzaman, 2023. "Innovation-Led Environmental Sustainability in Vietnam—Towards a Green Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-34, August.
    29. Tan, Junlan & Su, Xiang & Wang, Rong, 2023. "The impact of natural resource dependence and green finance on green economic growth in the context of COP26," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    30. Murdipi, Rafiqa & Baharumshah, Ahmad Zubaidi & Law, Siong Hook, 2023. "Portfolio capital flows and economic growth: Do institutional factors matter?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    31. Dung Thi Thuy Nguyen & Ivan Diaz-Rainey & Helen Roberts & Minh Le, 2024. "The impact of natural disasters on bank performance and the moderating role of financial integration," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(8), pages 918-940, February.
    32. Afifa Ferhi & Kamel Helali, 2024. "The Impact of Renewable Energy on the Environment and Socio-economic Welfare: Empirical Evidence from OECD Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 4776-4799, March.
    33. Kais Mtar & Walid Belazreg, 2023. "On the nexus of innovation, trade openness, financial development and economic growth in European countries: New perspective from a GMM panel VAR approach," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 766-791, January.
    34. Henryk Dzwigol & Aleksy Kwilinski & Oleksii Lyulyov & Tetyana Pimonenko, 2023. "Renewable Energy, Knowledge Spillover and Innovation: Capacity of Environmental Regulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, January.
    35. Zhang, Wenting & Wang, Zibang & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Altuntaş, Mehmet, 2022. "Asymmetric linkages between renewable energy consumption, financial integration, and ecological sustainability: Moderating role of technology innovation and urbanization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 1233-1243.
    36. Raymondo Sandra Marcelline Tsimisaraka & Li Xiang & Andriandafiarisoa Ralison Ny Avotra Andrianarivo & Eric Zonia Josoa & Noheed Khan & Muhammad Shehzad Hanif & Aitzaz Khurshid & Ricardo Limongi, 2023. "Impact of Financial Inclusion, Globalization, Renewable Energy, ICT, and Economic Growth on CO 2 Emission in OBOR Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    37. Xu, Jialong & Moslehpour, Massoud & Tran, Trung Kien & Dinh, Khai Cong & Ngo, Thanh Quang & Huy, Pham Quang, 2023. "The role of institutional quality, renewable energy development and trade openness in green finance: Empirical evidence from South Asian countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 687-692.
    38. Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra & Saptarshi Purkayastha & Kannan Ramaswamy, 2023. "Variations in the Corporate Social Responsibility-Performance Relationship in Emerging Market Firms," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 34(4), pages 1626-1650, July.
    39. Saswat Patra & Pradiptarathi Panda, 2021. "Spillovers and financial integration in emerging markets: Analysis of BRICS economies within a VAR‐BEKK framework," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(1), pages 493-514, January.
    40. Akbari, Amir & Ng, Lilian & Solnik, Bruno, 2020. "Emerging Markets Are Catching Up: Economic or Financial Integration? - CORRIGENDUM," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 55(7), pages 2429-2429, November.
    41. Samuel Adams & Hervé Kaffo Fotio, 2024. "Economic integration and environmental quality: accounting for the roles of financial development, industrialization, urbanization and renewable energy," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 67(3), pages 688-713, February.
    42. Sher Khan & Muhammad Tariq Majeed, 2023. "Toward economic growth without emissions growth: the role of urbanization & industrialization in Pakistan," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 13(1), pages 43-58, March.
    43. Wencong, Lu & Kasimov, Ikboljon & Saydaliev, Hayot Berk, 2023. "Foreign direct investment and renewable energy: Examining the environmental Kuznets curve in resource-rich transition economies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 301-310.
    44. Matheus Koengkan & José Alberto Fuinhas & Emad Kazemzadeh, 2024. "Do financial incentive policies for renewable energy development increase the economic growth in Latin American and Caribbean countries?," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 161-183, January.
    45. Huang, Feipeng, 2023. "How does trade and fiscal decentralization leads to green growth; role of renewable energy development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 334-341.
    46. Yan, Xiang & Han, Zhiyong & Zou, Chen & Cheng, Changgao, 2024. "Assessing the role of emerging green technology transfer in sustainable development and identification of key regions in Yangtze River Delta region," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    47. Li, Zheng Zheng & Su, Chi-Wei & Moldovan, Nicoleta-Claudia & Umar, Muhammad, 2023. "Energy consumption within policy uncertainty: Considering the climate and economic factors," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 567-576.
    48. Masayoshi Ike & Jerome Denis Donovan & Cheree Topple & Eryadi Kordi Masli, 2024. "Pollution Havens in South-East Asia: Examining Japanese Multinational Enterprises in the Philippines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, May.
    49. Akbari, Amir & Ng, Lilian & Solnik, Bruno, 2020. "Emerging Markets Are Catching Up: Economic or Financial Integration?," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 55(7), pages 2270-2303, November.
    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. Simplice A. Asongu & Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo‐Obasi, 2020. "Drivers and Persistence of Death in Conflicts: Global Evidence," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 183(4), pages 389-429, December.
    2. Asongu, Simplice & Uduji, Joseph & Okolo-Obasi, Elda, 2020. "Political instability and political terror: global evidence on persistence," MPRA Paper 103147, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Asongu, Simplice & le Roux, Sara & Nwachukwu, Jacinta & Pyke, Chris, 2018. "The Mobile Phone as an Argument for Good Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa," MPRA Paper 89364, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Asongu, Simplice & Odhiambo, Nicholas, 2019. "The sustainability of tourism: global comparative evidence," MPRA Paper 102057, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Alfò, Marco & Carbonari, Lorenzo & Trovato, Giovanni, 2023. "On the effects of taxation on growth: an empirical assessment," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(5), pages 1289-1318, July.
    6. Guido Ascari & Valeria di Cosmo, 2005. "Determinants of total factor productivity in the italian Regions," SCIENZE REGIONALI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2005(2).
    7. Olatunji A. Shobande & Simplice A. Asongu, 2021. "Has Knowledge Improved Economic Growth? Evidence from Nigeria and South Africa," Working Papers 21/059, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    8. Efobi, Uchenna & Asongu, Simplice & Okafor, Chinelo & Tchamyou, Vanessa & Tanankem, Belmondo, 2019. "Remittances, finance and industrialisation in Africa," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 54-66.
    9. Asongu, Simplice A. & Andrés, Antonio R., 2020. "Trajectories of knowledge economy in SSA and MENA countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    10. Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Taxation, foreign aid and political governance in Africa," European Journal of Comparative Economics, Cattaneo University (LIUC), vol. 18(2), pages 217-249, December.
    11. Simplice Asongu & Rexon Nting, 2021. "The role of finance in inclusive human development in Africa revisited," Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 38(2), pages 345-370, February.
    12. Kazeem B. Ajide & Olorunfemi Y. Alimi & Simplice A. Asongu & Ibrahim D. Raheem, 2022. "The role of institutional infrastructures in financial inclusion‐growth relations: Evidence from SSA," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(1), pages 175-191, January.
    13. Eftimoski, Dimitar, 2022. "On the inconclusive effect of human capital on growth: A new look at extended specifications," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 708-727.
    14. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2023. "Foreign Direct Investment, Information Technology, And Total Factor Productivity Dynamics In Sub‐Saharan Africa," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(2), pages 469-506, June.
    15. Adejumo, Oluwabunmi O. & Asongu, Simplice A. & Adejumo, Akintoye V., 2021. "Education enrolment rate vs employment rate: Implications for sustainable human capital development in Nigeria," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    16. Simplice Asongu & Paul Acha-Anyi, 2017. "The Murder Epidemic: A Global Comparative Study," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 17/059, African Governance and Development Institute..
    17. Vu, Khuong M & Asongu, Simplice, 2020. "Backwardness advantage and economic growth in the information age: A cross-country empirical study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    18. Nchofoung, Tii N. & Achuo, Elvis Dze & Asongu, Simplice A., 2021. "Resource rents and inclusive human development in developing countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    19. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Information Asymmetry and Insurance in Africa," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(3), pages 394-410, July.
    20. Asongu, Simplice & Nnanna, Joseph & Biekpe, Nicholas & Acha-Anyi, Paul, 2018. "Contemporary Drivers of Global Tourism: Evidence from Terrorism and Peace Factors," MPRA Paper 91996, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    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:fininn:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s40854-024-00733-0. 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.