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Impact of energy mix on nitrous oxide emissions: an environmental Kuznets curve approach for APEC countries

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Abstract

There are a limited number of studies on the estimation of environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, though it is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) present in ambient atmosphere. In the wake of industrialization, it is necessary to understand the impact of energy consumption pattern on N2O emissions and revise the energy policies accordingly. In this study, we have analyzed the impact of renewable and fossil fuel energy consumptions on N2O emissions for APEC countries over the period of 1990–2015, and the analysis has been carried out following the EKC hypothesis framework. The results obtained from the study indicate the efficacy of the renewable energy solutions in having positive impact on environmental quality by helping to reduce the level of N2O emissions. The policy implications derived from the results are designed while keeping the objectives of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in mind, so that the energy policies can bring forth sustainability in the economic systems in these nations.

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Notes

  1. Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korean Republic, Mexico, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Economics and Business Policy, School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Atria Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India

    Avik Sinha

  2. Department of Operations Management & Quantitative Techniques, Indian Institute of Management Indore, Indore, India

    Tuhin Sengupta

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  1. Avik Sinha
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  2. Tuhin Sengupta
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Correspondence to Avik Sinha.

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Sinha, A., Sengupta, T. Impact of energy mix on nitrous oxide emissions: an environmental Kuznets curve approach for APEC countries. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 2613–2622 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3791-3

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