IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/natres/v49y2025i4p3603-3620.html

Impacts of Fintech and natural resources on environmental quality: The role of renewable energy and carbon taxes: A panel QARDL approach

Author

Listed:
  • Javid Ali
  • Xihao Wu
  • Muhammad Akhtar Alam
  • Manzar Rehman
  • Atif Jahanger
  • Shayan Khan Kakar
  • Sidra Khan

Abstract

The world is currently suffering from a significant environmental crisis characterized by global warming, rising sea levels, foods, and droughts. This has adversely affected the poorest nations, resulting in increased occurrences of both droughts and flooding that impact their means of livelihood. In order to address this issue, countries globally need to develop policies that efficiently reduce environmental destruction and achieve zero carbon emissions. A number of empirical estimates were used in this study. The Friedman, Frees, and Pesaran tests are used to evaluate cross‐sectional dependence. Unit root tests, such as the augmented Dickey–Fuller test, are used to assess the stationarity of variables. The Pedroni test is used in co‐integration analysis to find the long‐term relationships between variables, and a novel Panel quantile auto‐regression distributed lag methodology to investigate both long‐term and short‐run dynamics across G‐17 countries spanning from 2000 to 2021. The results clarify the pivotal role of carbon taxes, technological innovation, and renewable energy consumption in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, thereby enhancing environmental quality, while the sustained use of natural resources is harmful to environmental quality. Furthermore, the finding reveals that Fintech's association with CO2 emissions negatively impacts environmental quality. The study also demonstrates the efficacy of environmental taxes in reducing CO2 emissions across, supporting for higher carbon pricing as a viable policy tool for environmental protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Javid Ali & Xihao Wu & Muhammad Akhtar Alam & Manzar Rehman & Atif Jahanger & Shayan Khan Kakar & Sidra Khan, 2025. "Impacts of Fintech and natural resources on environmental quality: The role of renewable energy and carbon taxes: A panel QARDL approach," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 49(4), pages 3603-3620, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:49:y:2025:i:4:p:3603-3620
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.12534
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12534
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/1477-8947.12534?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. Yang, Yuxue & Su, Xiang & Yao, Shuangliang, 2021. "Nexus between green finance, fintech, and high-quality economic development: Empirical evidence from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    2. Zhenkai Yang & Mei-Chih Wang & Tsangyao Chang & Wing-Keung Wong & Fangjhy Li, 2022. "Which Factors Determine CO 2 Emissions in China? Trade Openness, Financial Development, Coal Consumption, Economic Growth or Urbanization: Quantile Granger Causality Test," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Hoa Dinh Thi & Kim Anh Vu Thi & Duyen Ly Phuong & Van Pham Thu & Chau Hoang Thi Minh, 2020. "Impact of Environmental Tax Collection on CO2 Emission in Vietnam," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(6), pages 299-304.
    4. Tarek Ghazouani & Samir Maktouf, 2024. "Impact of natural resources, trade openness, and economic growth on CO2 emissions in oil‐exporting countries: A panel autoregressive distributed lag analysis," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 48(1), pages 211-231, February.
    5. Pedroni, Peter, 2004. "Panel Cointegration: Asymptotic And Finite Sample Properties Of Pooled Time Series Tests With An Application To The Ppp Hypothesis," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(3), pages 597-625, June.
    6. Noman Arshed & Kamran Hameed & Asma Saher, 2022. "An Empirical Analysis of Supply Chain Competitiveness and Cleaner Production," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    7. Ahmed, Zahoor & Asghar, Muhammad Mansoor & Malik, Muhammad Nasir & Nawaz, Kishwar, 2020. "Moving towards a sustainable environment: The dynamic linkage between natural resources, human capital, urbanization, economic growth, and ecological footprint in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Zhang, Shun & Liu, Xuyi, 2019. "The roles of international tourism and renewable energy in environment: New evidence from Asian countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 385-394.
    9. Jin, Yi & Gao, Xiaoyan & Wang, Min, 2021. "The financing efficiency of listed energy conservation and environmental protection firms: Evidence and implications for green finance in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    10. Zahoor Ahmed & Muhammad Mansoor Asghar & Muhammad Nasir Malik & Kishwar Nawaz, 2020. "Moving towards a sustainable environment: The dynamic linkage between natural resources, human capital, urbanization, economic growth, and ecological footprint in China," Post-Print hal-03557938, HAL.
    11. Agboola, Mary Oluwatoyin & Bekun, Festus Victor & Joshua, Udi, 2021. "Pathway to environmental sustainability: Nexus between economic growth, energy consumption, CO2 emission, oil rent and total natural resources rent in Saudi Arabia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    12. Tinghög, Gustav & Ahmed, Ali & Barrafrem, Kinga & Lind, Thérèse & Skagerlund, Kenny & Västfjäll, Daniel, 2021. "Gender differences in financial literacy: The role of stereotype threat," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 405-416.
    13. Zhao, Linhai & Rasoulinezhad, Ehsan, 2023. "Role of natural resources utilization efficiency in achieving green economic recovery: Evidence from BRICS countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    14. Tarek Ghazouani, 2024. "Is the Relationship Between Clean/Non-clean Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Time-Varying? Non-parametric Evidence for MENA Region," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 19964-19988, December.
    15. Cho, Jin Seo & Kim, Tae-hwan & Shin, Yongcheol, 2015. "Quantile cointegration in the autoregressive distributed-lag modeling framework," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 188(1), pages 281-300.
    16. Nguyen, Chi-Hai & Ngo, Quang-Thanh & Pham, My-Duyen & Nguyen, Anh-Tuan & Huynh, Ngoc-Chuong, 2021. "Economic linkages, technology transfers, and firm heterogeneity: The case of manufacturing firms in the Southern Key Economic Zone of Vietnam," MPRA Paper 109670, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Onifade, Stephen Taiwo & Alola, Andrew Adewale & Muoneke, Obumneke Bob, 2022. "Does it take international integration of natural resources to ascend the ladder of environmental quality in the newly industrialized countries?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    18. repec:afa:wpaper:aesri-2021-13 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Aviral Kumar Tiwari & Micheal Kofi Boachie & Rangan Gupta, 2021. "Network Analysis of Economic and Financial Uncertainties in Advanced Economies: Evidence from Graph-Theory," Advances in Decision Sciences, Asia University, Taiwan, vol. 25(1), pages 188-215, March.
    20. Thomas Puschmann & Christian Hugo Hoffmann & Valentyn Khmarskyi, 2020. "How Green FinTech Can Alleviate the Impact of Climate Change—The Case of Switzerland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-30, December.
    21. Cristina Chueca Vergara & Luis Ferruz Agudo, 2021. "Fintech and Sustainability: Do They Affect Each Other?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-19, June.
    22. Muhammad Ramzan, 2021. "Symmetric Impact Of Exchange Rate Volatility On Foreign Direct Investment In Pakistan: Do The Global Financial Crises And Political Regimes Matter?," Annals of Financial Economics (AFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(04), pages 1-21, December.
    23. Maxwell Chukwudi Udeagha & Edwin Muchapondwa, 2023. "Striving for the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) in BRICS economies: The role of green finance, fintech, and natural resource rent," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(5), pages 3657-3672, October.
    24. Li, Rongrong & Wang, Qiang & Li, Lejia & Hu, Sailan, 2023. "Do natural resource rent and corruption governance reshape the environmental Kuznets curve for ecological footprint? Evidence from 158 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    25. Johannes Sedlmeir & Reilly Smethurst & Alexander Rieger & Gilbert Fridgen, 2021. "Digital Identities and Verifiable Credentials," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 63(5), pages 603-613, October.
    26. Nadia Arfaoui & Imran Yousaf, 2022. "Impact Of Covid-19 On Volatility Spillovers Across International Markets: Evidence From Var Asymmetric Bekk Garch Model," Annals of Financial Economics (AFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-25, March.
    27. Jahanger, Atif & Usman, Muhammad & Murshed, Muntasir & Mahmood, Haider & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel, 2022. "The linkages between natural resources, human capital, globalization, economic growth, financial development, and ecological footprint: The moderating role of technological innovations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    28. Edmunds Čižo & Olga Lavrinenko & Svetlana Ignatjeva, 2020. "Determinants of financial development of the EU countries in the period 1995-2017," Insights into Regional Development, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 2(2), pages 505-522, June.
    29. Jabir Esmaeil & Husam Rjoub & Wing-Keung Wong, 2020. "Do Oil Price Shocks and Other Factors Create Bigger Impacts on Islamic Banks than Conventional Banks?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    30. Azer Dilanchiev & Tengiz Taktakishvili, 2021. "Macroeconomic Determinants Of Household Consumptions In Georgia," Annals of Financial Economics (AFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(04), pages 1-16, December.
    31. Koenker, Roger W & Bassett, Gilbert, Jr, 1978. "Regression Quantiles," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 46(1), pages 33-50, January.
    32. Rafei, Meysam & Esmaeili, Parisa & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel, 2022. "A step towards environmental mitigation: How do economic complexity and natural resources matter? Focusing on different institutional quality level countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    33. Irfan Khan & Fujun Hou, 2021. "The Impact of Socio-economic and Environmental Sustainability on CO2 Emissions: A Novel Framework for Thirty IEA Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 155(3), pages 1045-1076, June.
    34. Tao, Ran & Su, Chi-Wei & Naqvi, Bushra & Rizvi, Syed Kumail Abbas, 2022. "Can Fintech development pave the way for a transition towards low-carbon economy: A global perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    35. Jahanger, Atif & Hossain, Mohammad Razib & Usman, Muhammad & Chukwuma Onwe, Joshua, 2023. "Recent scenario and nexus between natural resource dependence, energy use and pollution cycles in BRICS region: Does the mediating role of human capital exist?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    36. Nenavath, Sreenu, 2022. "Impact of fintech and green finance on environmental quality protection in India: By applying the semi-parametric difference-in-differences (SDID)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 913-919.
    37. Aviral Kumar Tiwari, 2011. "A structural VAR analysis of renewable energy consumption, real GDP and CO2 emissions: Evidence from India," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 31(2), pages 1793-1806.
    38. Zafar, Muhammad Wasif & Zaidi, Syed Anees Haider & Sinha, Avik & Gedikli, Ayfer & Hou, Fujun, 2019. "The role of stock market and banking sector development, and renewable energy consumption in carbon emissions: Insights from G-7 and N-11 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 427-436.
    39. Assaad Ghazouani & Wanjun Xia & Mehdi Ben Jebli & Umer Shahzad, 2020. "Exploring the Role of Carbon Taxation Policies on CO 2 Emissions: Contextual Evidence from Tax Implementation and Non-Implementation European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    40. Talknice Saungweme & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Inflation and Economic Growth in Kenya: An Empirical Examination," Advances in Decision Sciences, Asia University, Taiwan, vol. 25(3), pages 1-25, September.
    41. Zhang, Xiaoling & Wang, Yue, 2017. "How to reduce household carbon emissions: A review of experience and policy design considerations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 116-124.
    42. Fang, Jianyu & Zhu, Jialiang, 2023. "The impact of open banking on traditional lending in the BRICS," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).
    43. Aviral Kumar Tiwari & Micheal Kofi Boachie & Rangan Gupta, 2021. "Network Analysis of Economic and Financial Uncertainties in Advanced Economies: Evidence from Graph-Theory," Advances in Decision Sciences, Asia University, Taiwan, vol. 25(1), pages 188-215, March.
    44. Raheel Gohar & Salim Bagadeem & Bisharat Hussain Chang & Muyu Zong, 2022. "Do The Income And Price Changes Affect Consumption In The Emerging 7 Countries? Empirical Evidence Using Quantile Ardl Model," Annals of Financial Economics (AFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(04), pages 1-24, December.
    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. Wei, Haoqiang & Yue, Guiling & Khan, Noor Ullah, 2024. "Uncovering the impact of Fintech, Natural Resources, Green Finance and Green Growth on Environment sustainability in BRICS: An MMQR analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Pu, Ganlin & Wong, Wing-Keung & Du, Qiang & Al Shraah, Ata & Alromaihi, Abdullah & Muda, Iskandar, 2024. "Asymmetric impact of natural resources, fintech, and digital banking on climate change and environmental sustainability in BRICS countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    3. Xu, Anfeng & Jin, Lei & Yang, Jingzi, 2024. "Balancing tourism growth, Fintech, natural resources, and environmental sustainability: Findings from top tourist destinations using MMQR approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    4. Zhe, Dong & Su, Nan & Zhu, Xianglei & Mahmoud, Haitham A. & Akhtar, Tazeem, 2024. "Non-linear relationship between FinTech, natural resources, green innovation and environmental sustainability: Evidence from panel smooth transition regression model," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    5. Li, Xuetao & Jiang, Yufen & Xin, Xing & Nassani, Abdelmohsen A. & Yang, Chengying, 2024. "The asymmetric role of natural resources, fintech and green innovations in the Chinese economy. Evidence from QARDL approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    6. Shan, Haipeng & Wong, Wing-Keung & Hu, Haichuan & Shraah, Ata Al & Alromaihi, Abdullah & The Cong, Phan & Thi Minh Uyen, Pham, 2024. "Fintech innovation for sustainable environment: Understanding the role of natural resources and human capital in BRICS using MMQR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    7. Dong, Yangzi & Wong, Wing-Keung & Muda, Iskandar & Cong, Phan The & Duong Hoang, Anh & Ghardallou, Wafa & Ha, Ngo Ngan, 2023. "Do natural resources utilization and economic development reduce greenhouse gas emissions through consuming renewable and Clean Technology? A case study of China towards sustainable development goals," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    8. Song, Yi & Hao, Yuqing, 2024. "Understanding the relationship between Fintech, Natural Resources, Green Finance, and Environmental Sustainability in China: A BARDL approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    9. Wang, Xiang & Yin, Jian & Yang, Yao & Muda, Iskandar & Abduvaxitovna, Shamansurova Zilola & AlWadi, Belal Mahmoud & Castillo-Picon, Jorge & Abdul-Samad, Zulkiflee, 2023. "Relationship between the resource curse, Forest management and sustainable development and the importance of R&D Projects," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    10. Wei, Xuecheng & Hu, Weihua, 2023. "Revisiting resources curse hypothesis in China: Exploring the asymmetric effect of green investment and green innovation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    11. Zhang, Mingming & Wong, Wing-Keung & Kim Oanh, Thai Thi & Muda, Iskandar & Islam, Saiful & Hishan, Sanil S. & Abduvaxitovna, Shamansurova Zilola, 2023. "Regulating environmental pollution through natural resources and technology innovation: Revisiting the environment Kuznet curve in China through quantile-based ARDL estimations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    12. Ze, Fu & Wong, Wing-Keung & Alhasan, Tariq kamal & Al Shraah, Ata & Ali, Anis & Muda, Iskandar, 2023. "Economic development, natural resource utilization, GHG emissions and sustainable development: A case study of China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    13. Li, Yi & Liu, Christy Ying Ni & Lao, Ut & Dang, Jiangtong, 2024. "Navigating the path to environmental sustainability: Exploring the role of fintech, natural resources and green energy in Belt and Road countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    14. He, Bo & Jie, Wen & He, Haihong & Alsubih, Majed & Arnone, Gioia & Makhmudov, Samariddin, 2024. "From resources to resilience: How green innovation, fintech and natural resources shape sustainability in OECD countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    15. Kai, Zhang & Sharaf, Mohamed & Wei, Siao-Yun & Shraah, Ata Al & Le, Luan Thanh & Arvind Bedekar, Dr Abhay & Bani Ahmad, Ahmad Y.A., 2024. "Exploring the asymmetric relationship between natural resources, fintech, remittance and environmental pollution for BRICS nations: New insights from MMQR approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    16. Feng, Shanshan & Li, Jianfeng & Nawi, Hafizah Mat & Alhamdi, Fuad Mohammed & Shamansurova, Zilola, 2024. "Assessing the nexus between fintech, natural resources, government effectiveness, and environmental pollution in China: A QARDL study," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    17. Deng, Ying & Cao, Zhitao & Yang, Na, 2024. "Understanding the nexus between fintech, natural resources, green investment, and environmental sustainability in China: A DYNARDL approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    18. Li, Aihong & Li, Shuyan & Chen, Shuai & Sun, Xiaoqin, 2024. "The role of Fintech, natural resources, and renewable energy consumption in Shaping environmental sustainability in China: A NARDL perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    19. Wang, Feipeng & Wong, Wing-Keung & Wang, Zheng & Albasher, Gadah & Alsultan, Nouf & Fatemah, Ambreen, 2023. "Emerging pathways to sustainable economic development: An interdisciplinary exploration of resource efficiency, technological innovation, and ecosystem resilience in resource-rich regions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    20. Yu, Dan & Wang, Shenghu & Yi, Yuting & Ren, Yu, 2024. "The role of fintech, natural resources and trade policy uncertainty towards SDGs in China: New insights from nonlinear approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

    More about this item

    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:wly:natres:v:49:y:2025:i:4:p:3603-3620. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://doi.org/10.1111/(ISSN)1477-8947 .

    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.