IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v33y2025i2p2926-2936.html

Renewable realities: Charting a greener course for the world's high‐emitting nations through information technology insights

Author

Listed:
  • Tharulee Ranthilake
  • Yuganthi Caldera
  • Dilshani Senevirathna
  • Heshan Gunawardana
  • Ruwan Jayathilaka
  • Suren Peter

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most abundant gas among all greenhouse gas emissions, severely impacting global warming. This study examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), population dynamics, Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (PGDP), and Renewable Energy Consumption (REC) on CO₂ on a global scale, representing 38 countries selected using the Pareto principle. Results from the panel regression model indicate a significantly positive relationship between ICT, PGDP, and population on CO₂ emissions. In contrast, REC exhibits a negative relationship. The Multiple Linear Regression model shows that an increase in PGDP leads to higher CO₂ emissions, except in Uzbekistan. ICT increases emissions in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Egypt. Population growth raises emissions, except in the United States, France, Germany, and Russia. REC reduces CO₂ emissions in most countries. Policymakers in individual countries can gain a precise understanding of how these variables impact CO₂ emissions, enabling them to mitigate the risks associated with global warming.

Suggested Citation

  • Tharulee Ranthilake & Yuganthi Caldera & Dilshani Senevirathna & Heshan Gunawardana & Ruwan Jayathilaka & Suren Peter, 2025. "Renewable realities: Charting a greener course for the world's high‐emitting nations through information technology insights," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2926-2936, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:2926-2936
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3274
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3274
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.3274?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. Chen, Yulong & Wang, Zheng & Zhong, Zhangqi, 2019. "CO2 emissions, economic growth, renewable and non-renewable energy production and foreign trade in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 208-216.
    2. Natnaporn Aeknarajindawat & Boonsri Suteerachai & Pornkul Suksod, 2020. "The Impact of Natural Resources, Renewable Energy, Economic Growth on Carbon Dioxide Emission in Malaysia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(3), pages 211-218.
    3. Hasara Dissanayake & Nishitha Perera & Sajani Abeykoon & Diruni Samson & Ruwan Jayathilaka & Maneka Jayasinghe & Shanta Yapa, 2023. "Nexus between carbon emissions, energy consumption, and economic growth: Evidence from global economies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(6), pages 1-27, June.
    4. Xue, Chaokai & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Ahmed, Zahoor & Ahmad, Mahmood & Sinha, Avik, 2022. "Clean energy consumption, economic growth, and environmental sustainability: What is the role of economic policy uncertainty?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 899-907.
    5. Dong, Kangyin & Sun, Renjin & Hochman, Gal, 2017. "Do natural gas and renewable energy consumption lead to less CO2 emission? Empirical evidence from a panel of BRICS countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1466-1478.
    6. Pradhan, Basanta K. & Ghosh, Joydeep, 2021. "COVID-19 and the Paris Agreement target: A CGE analysis of alternative economic recovery scenarios for India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    7. Wu Xiaoman & Abdul Majeed & Dinara G. Vasbieva & Claire Emilienne Wati Yameogo & Nazim Hussain, 2021. "Natural resources abundance, economic globalization, and carbon emissions: Advancing sustainable development agenda," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(5), pages 1037-1048, September.
    8. Melike E. Bildirici & Rui Alexandre Castanho & Fazıl Kayıkçı & Sema Yılmaz Genç, 2022. "ICT, Energy Intensity, and CO 2 Emission Nexus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    9. Cristina I. Fernandes & Pedro Mota Veiga & João J.M. Ferreira & Mathew Hughes, 2021. "Green growth versus economic growth: Do sustainable technology transfer and innovations lead to an imperfect choice?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 2021-2037, May.
    10. 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.
    11. Nguyen, Kim Hanh & Kakinaka, Makoto, 2019. "Renewable energy consumption, carbon emissions, and development stages: Some evidence from panel cointegration analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1049-1057.
    12. Ben Lahouel, Béchir & Taleb, Lotfi & Ben Zaied, Younes & Managi, Shunsuke, 2021. "Does ICT change the relationship between total factor productivity and CO2 emissions? Evidence based on a nonlinear model," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    13. Sharif, Arshian & Raza, Syed Ali & Ozturk, Ilhan & Afshan, Sahar, 2019. "The dynamic relationship of renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption with carbon emission: A global study with the application of heterogeneous panel estimations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 685-691.
    14. Kartal, Mustafa Tevfik, 2022. "The role of consumption of energy, fossil sources, nuclear energy, and renewable energy on environmental degradation in top-five carbon producing countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 871-880.
    15. Muhammad Kamran Khan & Muhammad Imran Khan & Muhammad Rehan, 2020. "The relationship between energy consumption, economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 6(1), pages 1-13, December.
    16. Rezza, Alief A., 2013. "FDI and pollution havens: Evidence from the Norwegian manufacturing sector," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 140-149.
    17. Chen, Yulong & Zhao, Jincai & Lai, Zhizhu & Wang, Zheng & Xia, Haibin, 2019. "Exploring the effects of economic growth, and renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on China’s CO2 emissions: Evidence from a regional panel analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 341-353.
    18. Oluyomi A. Osobajo & Afolabi Otitoju & Martha Ajibola Otitoju & Adekunle Oke, 2020. "The Impact of Energy Consumption and Economic Growth on Carbon Dioxide Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-16, September.
    19. Muhammad, Bashir, 2019. "Energy consumption, CO2 emissions and economic growth in developed, emerging and Middle East and North Africa countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 232-245.
    20. Hazwan Haini, 2021. "Examining the impact of ICT, human capital and carbon emissions: Evidence from the ASEAN economies," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 166, pages 116-125.
    21. Inglesi-Lotz, Roula & Dogan, Eyup, 2018. "The role of renewable versus non-renewable energy to the level of CO2 emissions a panel analysis of sub- Saharan Africa’s Βig 10 electricity generators," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 36-43.
    22. Fakhri J. Hasanov & Zeeshan Khan & Muzzammil Hussain & Muhammad Tufail, 2021. "Theoretical Framework for the Carbon Emissions Effects of Technological Progress and Renewable Energy Consumption," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(5), pages 810-822, September.
    23. Salari, Mahmoud & Javid, Roxana J. & Noghanibehambari, Hamid, 2021. "The nexus between CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and economic growth in the U.S," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 182-194.
    24. Jun, Wen & Mughal, Nafeesa & Zhao, Jin & Shabbir, Malik Shahzad & Niedbała, Gniewko & Jain, Vipin & Anwar, Ahsan, 2021. "Does globalization matter for environmental degradation? Nexus among energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon dioxide emission," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    25. Fang, Wei & Liu, Zhen & Surya Putra, Ahmad Romadhoni, 2022. "Role of research and development in green economic growth through renewable energy development: Empirical evidence from South Asia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 1142-1152.
    26. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Sharma, Rajesh & Sinha, Avik & Jiao, Zhilun, 2021. "Analyzing nonlinear impact of economic growth drivers on CO2 emissions: Designing an SDG framework for India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PB).
    27. Dong, Kangyin & Hochman, Gal & Timilsina, Govinda R., 2020. "Do drivers of CO2 emission growth alter overtime and by the stage of economic development?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    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. Djellouli, Nassima & Abdelli, Latifa & Elheddad, Mohamed & Ahmed, Rizwan & Mahmood, Haider, 2022. "The effects of non-renewable energy, renewable energy, economic growth, and foreign direct investment on the sustainability of African countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 676-686.
    2. Chen, Chaoyi & Pinar, Mehmet & Stengos, Thanasis, 2022. "Renewable energy and CO2 emissions: New evidence with the panel threshold model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 117-128.
    3. Shu Wu & Majed Alharthi & Weihua Yin & Qaiser Abbas & Adnan Noor Shah & Saeed ur Rahman & Jamal Khan, 2021. "The Carbon-Neutral Energy Consumption and Emission Volatility: The Causality Analysis of ASEAN Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Danish & Recep Ulucak, 2020. "The pathway toward pollution mitigation: Does institutional quality make a difference?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3571-3583, December.
    5. Yan Ma & Zhe Song & Shuangqi Li & Tangyang Jiang, 2020. "Dynamic evolution analysis of the factors driving the growth of energy-related CO2 emissions in China: An input-output analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, December.
    6. Karaaslan, Abdulkerim & Çamkaya, Serhat, 2022. "The relationship between CO2 emissions, economic growth, health expenditure, and renewable and non-renewable energy consumption: Empirical evidence from Turkey," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 457-466.
    7. Özkan, Oktay & Destek, Mehmet Akif & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel & Esmaeili, Parisa, 2024. "Unlocking the impact of international financial support to infrastructure, energy efficiency, and ICT on CO2 emissions in India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    8. 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.
    9. Bingjie Xu & Ruoyu Zhong & Hui Qiao, 2020. "The impact of biofuel consumption on CO2 emissions: A panel data analysis for seven selected G20 countries," Energy & Environment, , vol. 31(8), pages 1498-1514, December.
    10. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Nwani, Chinazaekpere & Bekun, Festus Victor & Gyamfi, Bright Akwasi & Agozie, Divine Q., 2022. "Discerning the role of renewable energy and energy efficiency in finding the path to cleaner consumption and production patterns: New insights from developing economies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    11. Yang, Shuangpeng & umar, Muhammad, 2022. "How globalization is reshaping the environmental quality in G7 economies in the presence of renewable energy initiatives?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 128-135.
    12. Rahman, Mohammad Mafizur & Alam, Khosrul, 2022. "Impact of industrialization and non-renewable energy on environmental pollution in Australia: Do renewable energy and financial development play a mitigating role?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 203-213.
    13. Junsong Jia & Jing Lei & Chundi Chen & Xu Song & Yexi Zhong, 2021. "Contribution of Renewable Energy Consumption to CO 2 Emission Mitigation: A Comparative Analysis from a Global Geographic Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-23, March.
    14. Zhang, Qianxiao & Shah, Syed Ale Raza & Yang, Ling, 2022. "Modeling the effect of disaggregated renewable energies on ecological footprint in E5 economies: Do economic growth and R&D matter?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    15. Magazzino, Cosimo & Mele, Marco & Schneider, Nicolas, 2021. "A machine learning approach on the relationship among solar and wind energy production, coal consumption, GDP, and CO2 emissions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 99-115.
    16. Ma, Qiang & Murshed, Muntasir & Khan, Zeeshan, 2021. "The nexuses between energy investments, technological innovations, emission taxes, and carbon emissions in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    17. Abbasi, Kashif Raza & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Zhang, Jinjun & Irfan, Muhammad & Alvarado, Rafael, 2022. "Analyze the environmental sustainability factors of China: The role of fossil fuel energy and renewable energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 390-402.
    18. Wang, Qiang & Li, Shuyu & Pisarenko, Zhanna, 2020. "Heterogeneous effects of energy efficiency, oil price, environmental pressure, R&D investment, and policy on renewable energy -- evidence from the G20 countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    19. Esmaeili, Parisa & Rafei, Meysam & Salari, Mahmoud & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel, 2024. "From oil surges to renewable shifts: Unveiling the dynamic impact of supply and demand shocks in global crude oil market on U.S. clean energy trends," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    20. 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’ groups," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 142(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:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:2926-2936. 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: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    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.