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Rethinking electricity consumption and economic growth nexus in Turkey: environmental pros and cons

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Abstract

The critical role of electricity consumption in influencing and reshaping the economic and environmental landscape of the global economy cannot be underestimated. Electricity is the most beneficial and commonly transformed energy source; however, the strength, weakness, opportunities and threat of its consumption require scientific scrutiny. This study investigates electricity-led growth hypothesis vis-à-vis its impact on economic growth and environmental quality of Turkey. The annual time series data set from 1970 to 2014 were employed in the analysis with a battery of unit root and stationary tests. The equilibrium relationship in the study is explored using Maki and Bayer-Hanck combined cointegration tests under multiple structural breaks along with the Pesaran’s ARDL bounds test procedure for robust check. The study confirms the existence of cointegration relationship between electricity consumption, economic growth, capital, labour and ecological footprint. To detect the direction of causal relations, the VECM Granger causality test is employed. The causality analysis provides empirical evidence that supports the electricity-induced growth hypothesis in Turkey. This implies that embarking on conservative energy-efficient policies will slow down Turkey’s economic growth. Thus, precautionary measures that ensure adequate policy on energy mix to guarantee availability and accessibility to modern electricity will sustain economic growth and improve environmental sustainability.

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Notes

  1. Available at https://data.worldbank.org/

  2. Available at https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/ecological-footprint/. Note: The data span for this study spans from 1990 to 2014 informed based on data availability especially the proxy for labour from the WDI indicators.

  3. More details regarding Maki cointegration test can be provided upon request, although the test is reported in the appendix section. The results are in harmony as ARDL bounds test and the Bayer and Hanck cointegration results.

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Appendix

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Trend plot of the relationship between electricity consumption and real output (1990–2014)

Table 12 Maki (2012) cointegration test under multiple structural breaks. Model: lnGDP = f(lnK, lnL, lnEC, lnEFP)
Table 13 ARDL bounds test based on F-bounds test

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Etokakpan, M.U., Osundina, O.A., Bekun, F.V. et al. Rethinking electricity consumption and economic growth nexus in Turkey: environmental pros and cons. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 39222–39240 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09612-4

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