IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/futbus/v11y2025i1d10.1186_s43093-025-00552-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Nexus between institutional quality, economic openness, and environmental quality: New evidence from the MENA region

Author

Listed:
  • Faisal Abbas

    (Baba Guru Nanak University)

  • Umer Iftikhar Malik

    (National Defence University)

  • Aisyah Abdul Rahman

    (National Defence University
    Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Abstract

The paper uses the CS-ARDL approach to analyze the impact of institutional quality, economic openness, population growth, and GDP per capita on environmental quality in 12 countries of the MENA region for the period of 1997–2023. We find that institutional quality, economic openness, and environmental quality move together in both the short and long term, but with different speeds of adjustment. The results show that economic openness, population growth, and gross domestic product per capita strongly affect environmental quality in the MENA region. In contrast, economic openness in developed economies has a positive impact on environmental quality in both the short and long term. However, population growth and gross domestic product per capita have a strong impact on environmental quality in both developed and developing countries in the short and long term. Additionally, results for the North and Middle East regions remain robust. The heterogeneity of results for developed, developing, North, and Middle East regions suggests strong policy recommendations for improving the environmental quality to achieve sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Faisal Abbas & Umer Iftikhar Malik & Aisyah Abdul Rahman, 2025. "Nexus between institutional quality, economic openness, and environmental quality: New evidence from the MENA region," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-025-00552-4
    DOI: 10.1186/s43093-025-00552-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s43093-025-00552-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s43093-025-00552-4?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

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joakim Westerlund & David L. Edgerton, 2008. "A Simple Test for Cointegration in Dependent Panels with Structural Breaks," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 70(5), pages 665-704, October.
    2. Oliver E. Williamson, 2025. "Transaction Cost Economics," Springer Books, in: Claude Ménard & Mary M. Shirley (ed.), Handbook of New Institutional Economics, edition 0, chapter 4, pages 47-71, Springer.
    3. Hichem Dkhili, 2023. "Investigating the Theory of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in MENA Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(3), pages 2266-2283, September.
    4. Fotros, M.H. & Maaboudi, R., 2010. "The impact of trade openness on CO2 emissions in Iran, 1971-2005," Conference papers 332030, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    5. Gene M. Grossman & Alan B. Krueger, 1995. "Economic Growth and the Environment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 110(2), pages 353-377.
    6. Hashem Pesaran, M. & Yamagata, Takashi, 2008. "Testing slope homogeneity in large panels," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 142(1), pages 50-93, January.
    7. Charfeddine, Lanouar & Kahia, Montassar, 2019. "Impact of renewable energy consumption and financial development on CO2 emissions and economic growth in the MENA region: A panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 198-213.
    8. Bhattacharya, Mita & Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Paramati, Sudharshan Reddy, 2017. "The dynamic impact of renewable energy and institutions on economic output and CO2 emissions across regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 157-167.
    9. Dasgupta, Susmita & Laplante, Benoit & Mamingi, Nlandu, 2001. "Pollution and Capital Markets in Developing Countries," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 310-335, November.
    10. Kao, Chihwa, 1999. "Spurious regression and residual-based tests for cointegration in panel data," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 1-44, May.
    11. Dong, Kangyin & Hochman, Gal & Zhang, Yaqing & Sun, Renjin & Li, Hui & Liao, Hua, 2018. "CO2 emissions, economic and population growth, and renewable energy: Empirical evidence across regions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 180-192.
    12. Peter Pedroni, 1999. "Critical Values for Cointegration Tests in Heterogeneous Panels with Multiple Regressors," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 61(S1), pages 653-670, November.
    13. Qiong Wu & Ghulam Rasool Madni, 2021. "Environmental protection in selected one belt one road economies through institutional quality: Prospering transportation and industrialization," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, January.
    14. Acaravci, Ali & Ozturk, Ilhan, 2010. "On the relationship between energy consumption, CO2 emissions and economic growth in Europe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 5412-5420.
    15. M. Hashem Pesaran, 2006. "Estimation and Inference in Large Heterogeneous Panels with a Multifactor Error Structure," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 74(4), pages 967-1012, July.
    16. Goel, Rajeev K. & Herrala, Risto & Mazhar, Ummad, 2013. "Institutional quality and environmental pollution: MENA countries versus the rest of the world," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 508-521.
    17. Le, Thai-Ha & Chang, Youngho & Park, Donghyun, 2016. "Trade openness and environmental quality: International evidence," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 45-55.
    18. Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson, 2010. "The Role of Institutions in Growth and Development," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 1(2).
    19. Lau, Lin-Sea & Choong, Chee-Keong & Eng, Yoke-Kee, 2014. "Investigation of the environmental Kuznets curve for carbon emissions in Malaysia: Do foreign direct investment and trade matter?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 490-497.
    20. Cemal Atici, 2009. "Carbon emissions in Central and Eastern Europe: environmental Kuznets curve and implications for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 17(3), pages 155-160.
    21. repec:bla:obuest:v:61:y:1999:i:0:p:653-70 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. Ahmad M. A. Zamil & Maham Furqan & Haider Mahmood, 2019. "Trade openness and CO2 emissions nexus in Oman," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 7(2), pages 1319-1329, December.
    23. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Nasreen, Samia & Ahmed, Khalid & Hammoudeh, Shawkat, 2017. "Trade openness–carbon emissions nexus: The importance of turning points of trade openness for country panels," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 221-232.
    24. Yushan Cheng & Yongchang Hui & Michael McAleer & Wing-Keung Wong, 2021. "Spurious Relationships for Nearly Non-Stationary Series," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-24, August.
    25. Apergis, Nicholas & Payne, James E., 2014. "The oil curse, institutional quality, and growth in MENA countries: Evidence from time-varying cointegration," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 1-9.
    26. Abdouli, Mohamed & Hammami, Sami, 2017. "Investigating the causality links between environmental quality, foreign direct investment and economic growth in MENA countries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 264-278.
    27. Mutascu, Mihai, 2018. "A time-frequency analysis of trade openness and CO2 emissions in France," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 443-455.
    28. Gorus, Muhammed Sehid & Aydin, Mucahit, 2019. "The relationship between energy consumption, economic growth, and CO2 emission in MENA countries: Causality analysis in the frequency domain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 815-822.
    29. Badi H. Baltagi, 2021. "Econometric Analysis of Panel Data," Springer Texts in Business and Economics, Springer, edition 6, number 978-3-030-53953-5, April.
    30. Faisal Abbas, 2024. "Financial instability and environmental degradation: Evidence from South Asia," Energy & Environment, , vol. 35(7), pages 3785-3802, November.
    31. Muhammad Shahbaz & Samia Nasreen & Talat Afza, 2014. "Environmental Consequences of Economic Growth and Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from Panel Data Analysis," Bulletin of Energy Economics (BEE), The Economics and Social Development Organization (TESDO), vol. 2(2), pages 14-27, June.
    32. Khan, Muhammad Asif & Khan, Muhammad Atif & Abdulahi, Mohamued Elyas & Liaqat, Idrees & Shah, Sayyed Sadaqat Hussain, 2019. "Institutional quality and financial development: The United States perspective," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 67-80.
    33. Shunsuke Managi, 2004. "Trade Liberalization and the Environment: Carbon Dioxide for 1960-1999," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 17(1), pages 1-5.
    34. Mei Ling Wang & Vincent Sarkodie Ntim & Jiameng Yang & Qiongjie Zheng & Limin Geng, 2022. "Effect of institutional quality and foreign direct investment on economic growth and environmental quality: evidence from African countries," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 4065-4091, December.
    35. Ghassan Dibeh & Ali Fakih & Walid Marrouch & Ghida Matar, 2021. "Who Cares About Environmental Quality in the MENA Region?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 157(2), pages 603-629, September.
    36. Hannes Weber & Jennifer Dabbs Sciubba, 2019. "The Effect of Population Growth on the Environment: Evidence from European Regions," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 35(2), pages 379-402, May.
    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. Jiang Qingquan & Shoukat Iqbal Khattak & Manzoor Ahmad & Lin Ping, 2020. "A new approach to environmental sustainability: Assessing the impact of monetary policy on CO2 emissions in Asian economies," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1331-1346, September.
    2. Francisco García-Lillo & Eduardo Sánchez-García & Bartolomé Marco-Lajara & Pedro Seva-Larrosa, 2023. "Renewable Energies and Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Kangyin Dong & Xiucheng Dong & Qingzhe Jiang, 2020. "How renewable energy consumption lower global CO2 emissions? Evidence from countries with different income levels," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(6), pages 1665-1698, June.
    4. Hanen Ragoubi & Zouheir Mighri, 2021. "Spillover effects of trade openness on CO2 emissions in middle‐income countries: A spatial panel data approach," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(3), pages 835-877, June.
    5. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Syed, Jawad & Kumar, Mantu & Hammoudeh, Shawkat, 2017. "Does globalization worsen environmental quality in developed economies?," MPRA Paper 80055, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 06 Jul 2017.
    6. Bibhuti Bhusan Mohapatra & Ankita Kumari & Simantini Mohapatra & Bimal Kishore Sahoo, 2023. "Dynamic Relationship Between Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Gross Domestic Product for Low, Middle- and High-Income Countries," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 21(4), pages 873-898, December.
    7. Mounir Dahmani & Mohamed Mabrouki & Adel Ben Youssef, 2021. "The ICT, Financial Development, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Nexus in MENA Countries: Panel CS-ARDL Evidence," GREDEG Working Papers 2021-46, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    8. Awad, Atif, 2019. "Does economic integration damage or benefit the environment? Africa's experience," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 991-999.
    9. Jacob Otim & Susan Watundu & John Mutenyo & Vincent Bagire, 2025. "Determinants of carbon dioxide emissions: role of renewable energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization and governance," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 1-23, March.
    10. Sun, Chuanwang & Khan, Anwar & Liu, Yongzhe & Lei, Ni, 2022. "An analysis of the impact of fiscal and monetary policy fluctuations on the disaggregated level renewable energy generation in the G7 countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 1154-1165.
    11. Dogan, Eyup & Inglesi-Lotz, Roula, 2017. "Analyzing the effects of real income and biomass energy consumption on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: Empirical evidence from the panel of biomass-consuming countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 721-727.
    12. Eberhardt, Markus & Teal, Francis, 2008. "Modeling technology and technological change in manufacturing: how do countries differ?," MPRA Paper 10690, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Armeanu, Daniel Stefan & Joldes, Camelia Catalina & Gherghina, Stefan Cristian & Andrei, Jean Vasile, 2021. "Understanding the multidimensional linkages among renewable energy, pollution, economic growth and urbanization in contemporary economies: Quantitative assessments across different income countries’ g," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    14. Degbedji, Dado Fabrice & Akpa, Armand Fréjuis & Chabossou, Augustin Foster & Osabohien, Romanus, 2024. "Institutional quality and green economic growth in West African economic and monetary union," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(1).
    15. Abbas, Shujaat & Saqib, Najia & Mohammed, Kamel Si & Sahore, Nidhi & Shahzad, Umer, 2024. "Pathways towards carbon neutrality in low carbon cities: The role of green patents, R&D and energy use for carbon emissions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    16. Khan, Zeeshan & Ali, Muhsin & Jinyu, Liu & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Siqun, Yang, 2020. "Consumption-based carbon emissions and trade nexus: Evidence from nine oil exporting countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    17. Habib Ur Rahman & Umer Zaman & Jarosław Górecki, 2021. "The Role of Energy Consumption, Economic Growth and Globalization in Environmental Degradation: Empirical Evidence from the BRICS Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, February.
    18. Sun, Huaping & Samuel, Clottey Attuquaye & Kofi Amissah, Joshua Clifford & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Mensah, Isaac Adjei, 2020. "Non-linear nexus between CO2 emissions and economic growth: A comparison of OECD and B&R countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    19. Syed Asif Ali Naqvi & Bilal Hussain & Ashfaq Ahmad Shah & Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman Tariq & Muhammad Usman, 2022. "Influence of Economic Growth, Energy Production, and Subcomponents on the Environment: A Regional Level Analytical Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    20. Ho Sin-Yu & Iyke Bernard Njindan, 2019. "Trade Openness and Carbon Emissions: Evidence from Central and Eastern European Countries," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 70(1), pages 41-67, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:futbus:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-025-00552-4. 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.