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Carbon-Free Energy and Sustainable Environment: The Role of Human Capital and Technological Revolutions in Attaining SDGs

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  • Hebin Shen

    (School of International Business, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Syed Ahtsham Ali

    (Business School, Shanghai Jian Qiao University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Majed Alharthi

    (Finance Department, College of Business, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. BOX. 344, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ali Shan Shah

    (Department of Political Science & IR, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan)

  • Abdul Basit Khan

    (Department of Political Science & IR, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan)

  • Qaiser Abbas

    (Department of Economics, Ghazi University, DG. Khan, Punjab 38000, Pakistan)

  • Saeed ur Rahman

    (Department of Economics, Ghazi University, DG. Khan, Punjab 38000, Pakistan)

Abstract

During the time before the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are achieved, the international community has set goals to improve people’s lives worldwide. This is in line with the United Nations’ 2030 ambitions to strengthen and advance human society’s sustainable development. Goal number 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), goal number 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and goal number 13 (Climate Action) are highly correlated to each other. The current study investigates the role of human capital and technological innovation in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) through a carbon-free energy system. A 19-year dataset covering the years 2000−2018 for the G7 economies has been utilized by using the composite index, Multi-criteria decision analysis, and Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) methods. The study’s outcomes indicate that the human capital index and technological innovations contribute positively to SDGs in G7 economies. Both indicators also contribute positively to the carbon-free economy by contributing to carbon-free energy sources. The financial index and energy index results also indicate a positive association with the carbon-free economy in G7 nations. This study suggests policy guidelines for developed as well as for developing economies based on human capital and technological innovation to fulfill the SDGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Hebin Shen & Syed Ahtsham Ali & Majed Alharthi & Ali Shan Shah & Abdul Basit Khan & Qaiser Abbas & Saeed ur Rahman, 2021. "Carbon-Free Energy and Sustainable Environment: The Role of Human Capital and Technological Revolutions in Attaining SDGs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2636-:d:508547
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    2. Wan, Jiaxin & Ma, Wanrong & Mao, Chunxiao, 2024. "Navigating economic and legal compliance in digital resource management: Technological Pathways to sustainability with digital government," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    3. Francisco Sánchez-Cubo & José Mondéjar-Jiménez & Alejandro García-Pozo & Guillermo Ceballos-Santamaría, 2021. "A Study of the Wages in the Spanish Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-10, July.
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    5. Matteo Trane & Luisa Marelli & Alice Siragusa & Riccardo Pollo & Patrizia Lombardi, 2023. "Progress by Research to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-37, April.

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