The consumption-based carbon emissions effects of renewable energy and total factor productivity: The evidence from natural gas exporters

This study first time explores the impact of total factor productivity, renewable energy, exports, imports, and income on carbon emissions in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) nations. To ensure that the results are sound and policy insights are well-grounded, three main issues of panel data – cross-sectional dependency, heterogeneity, and nonstationarity – are addressed using cutting-edge methods. Moreover, a theoretically justified framework is employed, offering advantages such as considering a broad set of factors, which are actionable from a climate policy perspective, with dual benefits of emissions reduction and supporting clean growth. We find that total factor productivity, renewable energy, and exports reduce carbon emissions, while income and imports have an increasing effect. Policymakers in GECF countries may consider implementing measures to support technological advancements, efficiency improvements, increased use of renewable energy, expanded exports, and lowered imports. They can reduce emissions while promoting sustainable economic growth.