Analysing the Linkage between Human Development and Environmental Quality: Fresh Evidence from Türkiye

Climate change caused by increases in anthropogenic activities threatens both the present and the future. In this sense, increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are one of the biggest obstacles to sustainability. Identifying the factors that contribute to environmental degradation (ED) can be useful in designing policies to mitigate the effects of this problem. Although carbon emissions are frequently used as a metric for assessing ED, GHG emissions offer a more comprehensive indicator. While numerous studies have examined the relationship between ED and economic growth, the existing literature on the relationship between ED and development remains limited. In this context, this study examines the impact of the human development index, which is accepted as a comprehensive indicator of development, sub-indices of the human development index and urbanisation on GHG emissions in Türkiye for the period 1990-2021 using the augmented ARDL method. The bounds test results indicate that the variables are co-integrated. In the long run, the income dimension and urbanisation contribute ED, while the education dimension has a slightly protective effect on the environment. The effects of the human development index and the health index on environmental degradation are statistically insignificant. However, when the robustness check is conducted, the effect of the human development index is found to be significant. To enhance environmental quality, it is imperative to diminish the reliance on fossil fuels in the production process and augment investments in renewable energy. It is also recommended that education services become more inclusive and equitable. Ultimately, to mitigate the harmful environmental consequences of urbanisation, it is crucial to enhance the sustainability capacities of urban centres.