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Title Environmental effects of ICT diffusion, energy consumption, financial development, and globalization: panel evidence from SAARC economies
ID_Doc 33314
Authors Verma, A; Kumari, A; Giri, AK
Title Environmental effects of ICT diffusion, energy consumption, financial development, and globalization: panel evidence from SAARC economies
Year 2023
Published Environmental Science And Pollution Research, 30.0, 13
DOI 10.1007/s11356-022-25049-3
Abstract The rising energy demand for information and communication technology (ICT) devices has piqued the interest of scholars and policymakers. Given that ICT devices are ubiquitous, any attempt to mitigate climate change should address the carbon footprint of the ICT sector. The present study examines the direct impact of ICT on the environment and the indirect impact through interaction with energy consumption, financial development, and globalization in SAARC economies from 2000 to 2020. Using econometric approaches robust to cross-sectional dependence, such as the Driscoll-Kraay estimator and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test, the study found that ICT, renewable energy consumption, and globalization significantly reduce CO2 emission, whereas non-renewable energy consumption and financial development significantly increase emission. However, the interaction between financial development and ICT jointly reduces CO2 emissions. Similarly, renewable energy and globalization reduce emissions from increased ICT usage. The study also confirms the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for ICT diffusion. The causality test indicates bidirectional causality between ICT and CO2 emissions. Results suggest that SAARC economies can safely boost ICT and related applications to minimize emissions. They should also use renewable energy and green innovations in telecommunications to reduce their adverse environmental repercussions.
Author Keywords ICT diffusion; EKC; Renewable energy; Financial development; Globalization; SAARC
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000905909000012
WoS Category Environmental Sciences
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology
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