Do fossil‐fuel subsidies, Fintech innovation, and digital ICT transform ecological quality in Turkey? Evidence from modified cross-quantile regression

As Turkey navigates its green transition, the complex interplay of fossil fuel subsidies, Fintech, and digital ICT emerges as a critical force shaping the nation’s ecological quality. Therefore, this research addresses a critical gap in existing studies by offering a fresh and innovative perspective on Turkey’s ecological sustainability. First, it provides a comprehensive assessment of the impact of fossil fuel subsidies and digital ICT on ecological quality, from 2000Q1 to 2022Q4. Second, it uniquely integrates Fintech and government effectiveness, two key factors often overlooked in prior research. Third, the study introduces a modified Cross Quantile Regression (CQR), a robust analytical technique that addresses bandwidth limitations in traditional Quantile-on-Quantile Regression and enhances the statistical reliability of the estimates. The findings indicate that fossil fuel subsidies and Fintech negatively impact ecological quality, particularly at higher quantiles, while government effectiveness and environmental taxes contribute to ecological quality. Digital ICT shows mixed effects, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions. The study emphasizes the importance of subsidy reforms, sustainable Fintech policies, stronger governance, and optimized green taxation to advance Turkey’s environmental sustainability.