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Modeling the dynamic nexus among CO2 emissions, fossil energy usage, and human development in East Africa: new insight from the novel DARDL simulation embeddedness

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Abstract

This study investigates the relationship among CO2 emissions, human development index, and fossil energy usage. Essentially, the study was informed by the Sustainable Development Goal 7, which stipulates universal access to renewable and contemporary energy technologies. We employed the novel dynamic autoregressive-distributed lag (DARDL) simulations with a dataset spanning between 1980 and 2020 from East Africa Community (EAC). The study revealed that human development, access to electricity, and trade have a strong correlation with carbon emissions in the long term, whereas fossil energy usage and economic growth have a negative connection with carbon emission. On the other hand, in the short run, human development and fossil energy usage have a positive correlation with carbon emission, while economic growth and foreign direct investment have a negative correlation with carbon emission. Thus, policies that are tailored to enhance the political environment in East Africa are crucial to ensuring realistic access to clean and modern electricity. In relation to the environmental policy of the East African Community; this study advocates for measures to increase the availability of less harmful and renewable energy sources, as well as investments in energy-efficient technologies.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611731, People’s Republic of China

    Koffi Dumor, Yao Li & Edem koffi Amouzou

  2. Center for West African Studies, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan, Ave, West Hi-Tech Zone Chengdu, Sichuan, 611731, People’s Republic of China

    Koffi Dumor, Yao Li & Edem koffi Amouzou

  3. East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, No. 469A Bukit Timah Road, 06-01 Tower Block 259770, Singapore, Singapore

    Yao Li

  4. Applied Mathematics Department, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Koforidua Technical University, Box KF 981, Koforidua, Ghana

    Enock Mintah Ampaw

  5. Department of Geography Education, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Box 25, Winneba, Ghana

    Matthew Biniyam Kursah

  6. Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, Laval University, Rue De University Quebec, Quebec, 2325G1V 0A6, Canada

    Koffi Akakpo

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  1. Koffi Dumor
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  2. Yao Li
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  3. Edem koffi Amouzou
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The research idea was conceived following a discussion between Koffi Dumor and Yao Li. Edem koffi Amouzou, Koffi Akakpo, and Matthew Biniyam Kursah drafted the research plan. Koffi Dumor performed the analysis and reported the results. Matthew Biniyam Kursah and Koffi Dumor drew the figures, and Koffi Dumor, Yao Li, Enock Mintah Ampaw drafted the manuscript.

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Dumor, K., Li, Y., Amouzou, E.k. et al. Modeling the dynamic nexus among CO2 emissions, fossil energy usage, and human development in East Africa: new insight from the novel DARDL simulation embeddedness. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 56265–56280 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19546-8

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