Investigating the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by utilizing the ecological footprint as an indicator of environmental degradation

被引:590
作者
Al-mulali, Usama [1 ]
Weng-Wai, Choong [2 ]
Sheau-Ting, Low [3 ]
Mohammed, Abdul Hakim [3 ]
机构
[1] Multimedia Univ, Fac Business, Melaka 75450, Malaysia
[2] Univ Teknol Malaysia, Fac Geoinformat & Real Estate, Dept Real Estate, Johor Baharu 81310, Malaysia
[3] Univ Teknol Malaysia, Fac Geoinformat & Real Estate, Dept Real Estate, Ctr Real Estate Studies, Johor Baharu 81310, Malaysia
关键词
Ecological footprint; GDP growth; Financial development; Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis; GREENHOUSE-GAS EMISSIONS; ECONOMIC-GROWTH; ENERGY-CONSUMPTION; CO2; EMISSIONS; PANEL-DATA; FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT; CARBON EMISSIONS; COAL CONSUMPTION; TRADE OPENNESS; LATIN-AMERICA;
D O I
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.08.029
中图分类号
X176 [生物多样性保护];
学科分类号
090705 ;
摘要
This study investigates the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis using a country's ecological footprint as an indicator of environmental degradation. Ninety-three countries were examined, categorized by income. The fixed effects and the generalized method of moments results clearly showed an inverted U-shaped relationship between the ecological footprint and GDP growth, which represents the EKC hypothesis in upper middle- and high-income countries but not in low- and lower middle-income countries. This relationship only occurs in a stage of economic development in which technologies are available that improve energy efficiency, energy saving and renewable energy, which are not accessible for countries with low income due to their high cost. Moreover, energy consumption, urbanization, and trade openness increase environmental damage through their positive effect on the ecological footprint of most countries across all income groups. However, financial development reduces environmental degradation in lower middle-, upper middle- and high-income countries. This relationship confirms that loans from banks are primarily given to firms that establish investments in projects that are mostly environmentally friendly. From the results of this study, a number of recommendations can be provided for the investigated countries. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:315 / 323
页数:9
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