The Role of Resource Utilization, Renewable Energy, Technological Innovation, and Urbanization in Shaping Akhand Bharat's Environment: Evidence from the CS-ARDL Model

Abstract

Environmental challenges have intensified due to global warming and climate change, posing significant threats to environmental quality. The member nations of the Akhand Bharat States (AB) are particularly affected by these issues, primarily due to their reliance on fossil fuels, which results in increased carbon emissions. This study investigates the impact of natural resources, renewable energy, technological innovation, and Urbanization on environmental degradation in four ABS member countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan—over the period from 1990 to 2023. The ecological footprint and CO2 emissions serve as the primary indicators of environmental harm. CS- ARDL, and Utilizing the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), the results indicate that natural resources significantly contribute to CO₂ emissions in the lower quantiles, while their impact on the ecological footprint is less pronounced. In contrast, renewable energy consistently enhances environmental quality across all quantiles. However, both technological innovation and Urbanization are linked to increased environmental degradation. Additionally, the causality test reveals bidirectional causality between renewable energy consumption and both CO2 emissions and the ecological footprint, as well as between technological innovation and the ecological footprint. A unidirectional causal relationship is also identified from Urbanization to the ecological footprint. Based on these findings, policy recommendations for ABS member states include promoting the adoption of renewable energy, encouraging green technological innovations, and addressing the adverse environmental effects of Urbanization. These measures are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.