Economic growth and co2 emissions in asean: An empirical investigation of influential factors through the lens of the environmental kuznets curve

Abstract

ASEAN has been a fast-developing region so managing its carbon emissions is a significant problem. In pursuing sustainable development, governments are primarily focused on striking a balance between the development of the economy and environmental issues. Therefore, this topic aims to explore the economic factors affecting environmental degradation within the ASEAN region in the 2000-2020 period. Specifically, we utilize the Environmental Kuznets Curve and STIRPAT frameworks to determine the extent to which the growth of economics influences the emissions of carbon dioxide in ASEAN. The empirical findings validate the inverted U-shaped relationship between GDP per capita and CO2 emissions per capita in ASEAN. The study illustrates that economic development can decline pollutants if GDP per capita exceeds $26,003.85 and $30,760.91. The findings further suggest that a rising renewable energy consumption rate makes the amount of emissions decrease while population, urbanization, and trade openness exert harm to air pollution. Political parties should promote renewable energy usage and manage population growth to prevent excessive expansion, urbanization, and trade openness to diminish the adverse influence of economic development on nature