Clean energy transition and climate vulnerabilities: A comparative analysis of European and non-European developed countries.

Currently, the world faces an existential threat of climate change, and every government across the globe is trying to come up with strategies to tackle the severity of climate change in every way possible. To this end, the use of clean energy rather than fossil fuel energy sources is critical, as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pave the way for carbon neutrality. This study examines the impact of the energy cleanability gap on four different climate vulnerabilities, such as ecosystem, food, health, and housing vulnerabilities, considering 47 European and non-European high-income countries. The study considers samples from 2002 to 2019. This study precedes the empirical analysis in the context of a quadratic relationship between the energy cleanability gap and climate vulnerability. The study uses system-generalized methods of the moment as the main technique, while panel quantile regression is a robustness analysis. Fixed effect and random effect models have also been incorporated. The study finds that the energy cleanability gap and all four climate vulnerabilities demonstrate a U-shaped relationship in both European and non-European countries, implying that when the energy cleanability gap increases, climate vulnerability decreases, but after reaching a certain threshold, it starts to increase. Development expenditure is found to be negatively affecting food and health vulnerabilities in European nations, while it increases food vulnerability and decreases health vulnerability in non-European nations. Regarding industrialization's impact on climate vulnerabilities, the study finds opposite effects for the European and non-European economies. On the other hand, for both groups, trade openness decreases climate vulnerabilities. Based on these results, the study recommends speeding up the energy transition process from fossil fuel energy resources towards clean energy resources to obtain carbon neutrality in both European and non-European groups.

Political factors, carbon emissions, and life expectancy in India: Implications for the Sustainable Development Goal 3.

This study examines the nexus among political factors, carbon emissions, and life expectancy between 1990 and 2020 in India. Data for this study was extracted from the World Bank Development indicators, after which it was subjected to econometrics analysis. The results showed that on averages, between 1990 and 2020, India experienced a life expectancy around 65 years. Fossil fuel energy consumption represents a small proportion of total energy consumption in India. However, carbon emissions and life expectancy have a positive and significant relationship. Fossil fuel usage and life expectancy possess a significantly positive relationship (FFEC = 0.044128, P-value = 0.0023) Moreover, government effectiveness and life expectancy have a significant direct relationship. Political stability and life expectancy have a significant negative relationship in the country. We conclude that policymakers in India should ensure that carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage in India do not pose a threat to life expectancy. Efforts should be put in place by policymakers in India to increase life expectancy , a strategic component of SDG 3- good health and well being for all at all ages, by ensuring stable political climate, good governance and efficient health enhanced public policies.

Cette étude examine le lien entre les facteurs politiques, les émissions de carbone et l'espérance de vie entre 1990 et 2020 en Inde. Les données de cette étude ont été extraites des indicateurs de développement de la Banque mondiale, après quoi elles ont été soumises à une analyse économétrique. Les résultats ont montré qu'en moyenne, entre 1990 et 2020, l'Inde a connu une espérance de vie d'environ 65 ans. La consommation d'énergie fossile représente une petite proportion de la consommation totale d'énergie en Inde. Cependant, les émissions de carbone et l'espérance de vie ont une relation positive et significative. L'utilisation de combustibles fossiles et l'espérance de vie possèdent une relation significativement positive (FFEC = 0,044128, valeur P = 0,0023). De plus, l'efficacité du gouvernement et l'espérance de vie ont une relation directe significative. La stabilité politique et l'espérance de vie ont une relation négative significative dans le pays. Nous concluons que les décideurs politiques indiens devraient veiller à ce que les émissions de carbone et l'utilisation de combustibles fossiles en Inde ne constituent pas une menace pour l'espérance de vie. Des efforts devraient être mis en place par les décideurs politiques indiens pour augmenter l'espérance de vie, une composante stratégique de l'ODD 3 - bonne santé et bien-être pour tous à tout âge, en garantissant un climat politique stable, une bonne gouvernance et des politiques publiques efficaces et améliorées en matière de santé.

Markov chain-based impact analysis of the pandemic Covid-19 outbreak on global primary energy consumption mix.

The historic evolution of global primary energy consumption (GPEC) mix, comprising of fossil (liquid petroleum, gaseous and coal fuels) and non-fossil (nuclear, hydro and other renewables) energy sources while highlighting the impact of the novel corona virus 2019 pandemic outbreak, has been examined through this study. GPEC data of 2005-2021 has been taken from the annually published reports by British Petroleum. The equilibrium state, a property of the classical predictive modeling based on Markov chain, is employed as an investigative tool. The pandemic outbreak has proved to be a blessing in disguise for global energy sector through, at least temporarily, reducing the burden on environment in terms of reducing demand for fossil energy sources. Some significant long term impacts of the pandemic occurred in second and third years (2021 and 2022) after its outbreak in 2019 rather than in first year (2020) like the penetration of other energy sources along with hydro and renewable ones in GPEC. Novelty of this research lies within the application of the equilibrium state feature of compositional Markov chain based prediction upon GPEC mix. The analysis into the past trends suggests the advancement towards a better global energy future comprising of cleaner fossil resources (mainly natural gas), along with nuclear, hydro and renewable ones in the long run.

Do renewable energy sources perfectly displace non-renewable energy sources? Evidence from Asia-Pacific economies.

The existing scholarly discourse surrounding the energy transition has long operated on the assumption of perfect displacement of non-renewable energy. However, an evolving set of studies highlights an intricate web of inefficiencies and complexities that prevent the perfect displacement of fossil fuel energy with renewable energy production. Since this could carry serious implications for the environmental targets of several economies, it is crucial to accurately and continuously measure the actual extent of fossil fuel displacement. Within this framework, this study empirically investigates the extent of non-renewable energy displacement by renewable energy for a balanced panel of seven Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries between 1989 and 2015. The outcome function also controls for globalisation, real GDP per capita, and crude oil prices. After implementing the necessary diagnostics, the panel cointegration establishes a significant long-run relationship among the selected variables. The PMG-ARDL estimation indicates that renewable energy production and globalisation significantly reduce the fossil fuel energy production, whereas real GDP per capita and crude oil prices induce it positively. However, the coefficient of renewable energy production is only - 0.39, indicating that more than 2.5 units of renewable electricity are necessary to displace a unit of non-renewable energy. As such, this study concludes that the current energy transition in Asia-Pacific region is not perfect. These results are robust to the usage of the FGLS estimation technique. The study suggests the adoption of a new energy transition that allows greater displacement of fossil fuel energy as well as gradual reduction in overall energy use.

Microbial biotechnology and beyond: A roadmap for sustainable development and climate mitigation in the transition from fossil fuels to green chemistry.

Our planet, which operates as a closed system, is facing increasing entropy due to human activities such as the overexploitation of natural resources and fossil fuel use. The COP28 in Dubai emphasized the urgency to abandon fossil fuels, recognizing them as the primary cause of human-induced environmental changes, while highlighting the need to transition to renewable energies. We promote the crucial role of microbes for sustaining biogenic cycles to combat climate change and the economic potential of synthetic biology tools for producing diverse non-fossil fuels and chemicals, thus contributing to emission reduction in transport and industry. The shift to 'green chemistry' encounters challenges, derived from the availability of non-food residues and waste (mainly lignocellulosic) as raw material, the construction of cost-effective bioprocessing plants, product recovery from fermentation broths and the utilization of leftover lignin residues for synthesizing new chemicals, aligning with circular economy and sustainable development goals. To meet the Paris Agreement goals, an urgent global shift to low-carbon, renewable sources is imperative, ultimately leading to the cessation of our reliance on fossil fuels.

What is China's efficient power generation portfolio under carbon neutrality target? An empirical analysis considering flexibility and system cost.

Variable renewable energy (VRE) is the most promising form of primary generation under a carbon neutrality target due to its environmental benefits, incentive policy, and technological progress. However, the increasing proportion of VRE generation, such as solar and wind power, has sharply increased integration cost and reduced power grid stability. This study uses portfolio theory to investigate China's optimal power generation portfolio by 2050 considering flexibility constraint and system cost, including technical and integration costs. The results demonstrate that non-fossil-fuel power generation technologies have cost and emission reduction advantages over fossil-fuel-based technologies. VRE generation technologies must be developed in synergy with other forms of power generation when considering flexibility requirement and integration cost. A complete phase-out of fossil-fuel power generation technologies in China appears unlikely in the study period. Gas-fired and coal-fired power generation are the pillar forms of power generation to meet future flexibility needs.

Asymmetric impact of patents on green technologies on Algeria's Ecological Future.

This study examines how patents on green technologies impact Algeria's ecological footprint from 1990 to 2022 while controlling for economic growth and energy consumption. The objectives are to analyze the asymmetric effects of positive and negative shocks in these drivers on ecological footprint and provide policy insights on leveraging innovations and growth while minimizing environmental harm. Given recent major structural shifts in Algeria's economy, time series data exhibits nonlinear dynamics. To accommodate this nonlinearity, the study employs an innovative nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach. The findings indicate that an upsurge in green technologies (termed as a positive shock) significantly reduces the ecological footprint, thereby enhancing ecological sustainability. Interestingly, a decline in green technologies (termed as a negative shock) also contributes to reducing the ecological footprint. This highlights the crucial role of clean technologies in mitigating ecological damage in both scenarios. Conversely, a positive shock in economic growth increases ecological footprint, underscoring the imperative for environmentally friendly policies in tandem with economic expansion. Negative shocks, however, have minimal impact. In a similar vein, positive shock in energy consumption increases ecological footprint, underlining the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. Negative shock has a smaller but still noticeable effect. The results confirm asymmetric impacts, with positive and negative changes in the drivers affecting Algeria's ecological footprint differently. To ensure long-term economic and ecological stability, Algeria should prioritize eco-innovation and green technology development. This will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create new, sustainable industries.

Sustainable valorization of macroalgae residual biomass, optimization of pyrolysis parameters and life cycle assessment.

The major challenges for the current climate change issue are an increase in global energy demand, a limited supply of fossil fuels, and increasing carbon footprints from fossil fuels, which have necessitated the exploration of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Biorefineries offer a promising path to sustainable fuel production, converting biomass into biofuels using diverse technologies. Aquatic biomass, such as macroalgae in this context, represents an abundant and renewable biomass resource that can be cultivated from water bodies without competing with traditional agricultural land. Despite this, the potential of macroalgae for biofuel production remains largely untapped, with very limited studies addressing their viability and efficiency. This study investigates the efficient conversion of unexplored macroalgae biomass through a biorefinery process that involves lipid extraction to produce biodiesel, along with the production of biochar and bio-oil from the pyrolysis of residual biomass. To improve the effectiveness and overall performance of the pyrolysis system, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilized through a Box-Behnken design to systematically investigate how alterations in temperature, reaction time, and catalyst concentration influence the production of bio-oil and biochar to maximize their yields. The results showed the highest bio-oil yield achieved to be 36 %, while the highest biochar yield reached 45 %. The integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the study helps to assess carbon emission and environmental burdens and identify potential areas for optimization, such as resource efficiency, waste management, and energy utilization. The LCA results contribute to the identification of potential environmental hotspots and guide the development of strategies to optimize the overall sustainability of the biofuel production process. The LCA results indicate that the solvent (chloroform) used in transesterification contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative, safe solvents that can mitigate the environmental impacts of transesterification.

Do renewable energy and human capital facilitate the improvement of environmental quality in the United States? A new perspective on environmental issues with the load capacity factor.

Recently, countries have been making intensive efforts to alleviate the burden on the environment and to make environmental conditions sustainable. In this context, our study aims to investigate the long-term impact of renewable energy consumption (REC) and human capital (HC) by considering the load capacity factor (LCF). We also investigate the long-term impact of economic growth (Y) and non-renewable energy consumption (NREC) on the LCF. In this context, we analyze annual data for the U.S. for the period 1965-2018 using the newly developed augmented ARDL (AARDL) approach. The long-term empirical results show the following. i) Increases in Y negatively affect LCF and deteriorate environmental quality. ii) Increases in NREC negatively affect LCF and accelerate the deterioration of environmental quality. iii) REC has no significant impact on environmental quality. iv) Increases in HC support the improvement of environmental quality. The empirical results show that contrary to expectations, renewable energy consumption does not have a significant impact on environmental quality in the U.S., whereas human capital is an important factor in improving environmental quality. In this context, US policymakers should pave the way for more investment in eco-friendly renewable energy investments and human capital to establish sustainable environmental quality. Policymakers should also take steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Unraveling the environmental Kuznets curve: interplay between [Formula: see text] emissions, economic development, and energy consumption.

The study investigates the complex interplay among [Formula: see text] emissions, energy consumption, and economic growth in China, employing the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework to analyze the dynamics from 1990 to 2022. The research contributes to the urgent need for sustainable development by filling important gaps in comprehending China's specific challenges and potential and considering the relationship between economic advancement and environmental quality. This study utilizes advanced econometric tools, including the AutoRegressive Distributed Lag model, Vector Error Correction Model, and AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average, to comprehensively examine the complicated relationship between variables, considering both short-run and long-run dynamics. The study supports the EKC concept, suggesting that targeted measures can reduce environmental degradation as China's economy advances. Strategic policy recommendations include emission reduction targets, investments in green technologies, and promoting sustainable consumption patterns. Furthermore, transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy aligns with global climate objectives. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the interconnected nature of energy consumption, [Formula: see text] emissions, and economic growth in shaping China's sustainable future.

Can clean energy and technology address environmental sustainability in G7 under the pre-set of human development?

Climate change presents challenges for both industrialized and developing nations, primarily due to insufficient pollution control. Increased fossil fuel usage escalates pollution levels, emphasizing the need to integrate more renewable energy into the energy mix, particularly to reduce carbon emissions. Consequently, public investment in renewable energy becomes pivotal to enhance the necessary technology for green energy production. Human development and technological progress play a crucial role in advancing green energy and ensuring environmental sustainability. This study addresses whether clean energy and technology can foster ecological sustainability in the G7 while considering human development. Findings emphasize the significance of public investments in renewable energy projects, technical innovation, and human development. Such investments are essential for augmenting renewable energy shares and lowering carbon emissions in the long run. The study proposes relevant policies to help G7 nations achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to green energy transition (SDG-7), environmental sustainability (SDG-13), and innovation (SDG-9). In essence, prioritizing renewable energy investment and innovation is imperative for sustainable development.

Long run renewable energy productivity, carbon capture patents and air quality in Taiwan.

This study investigates the connection between nonrenewable energy productivity, renewable energy productivity, and air quality degradation in Taiwan from 2002 to 2019. We specifically emphasize the novel contribution of analyzing the productivity of renewable energy consumption. Robust estimation models, namely Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) and Robust Standard Estimation, are employed for comprehensive analyses. Our findings reveal a strong correlation between nonrenewable energy productivity and increased air pollutants, highlighting the significant impact of fossil fuels on air quality deterioration. Although renewable energy productivity demonstrates a negative association with air degradation, its effect is not statistically significant. This can be attributed to Taiwan's continued reliance on non-renewable energy sources within the overall energy mix. Hence, reducing dependence on fossil fuels is crucial for improving air quality. Importantly, the identified relationships have long-term implications, underscoring the necessity of persistent policy measures that promote renewable energy transition and emissions reduction over time. Our research emphasizes the urgency of addressing fossil fuel dependency to mitigate air pollution and highlights the potential benefits of enhancing renewable energy efficiency to achieve cleaner and healthier environments.

Designing a circular carbon and plastics economy for a sustainable future.

The linear production and consumption of plastics today is unsustainable. It creates large amounts of unnecessary and mismanaged waste, pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, undermining global climate targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. This Perspective provides an integrated technological, economic and legal view on how to deliver a circular carbon and plastics economy that minimizes carbon dioxide emissions. Different pathways that maximize recirculation of carbon (dioxide) between plastics waste and feedstocks are outlined, including mechanical, chemical and biological recycling, and those involving the use of biomass and carbon dioxide. Four future scenarios are described, only one of which achieves sufficient greenhouse gas savings in line with global climate targets. Such a bold system change requires 50% reduction in future plastic demand, complete phase-out of fossil-derived plastics, 95% recycling rates of retrievable plastics and use of renewable energy. It is hard to overstate the challenge of achieving this goal. We therefore present a roadmap outlining the scale and timing of the economic and legal interventions that could possibly support this. Assessing the service lifespan and recoverability of plastic products, along with considerations of sufficiency and smart design, can moreover provide design principles to guide future manufacturing, use and disposal of plastics.

Environmental implications and levelized cost analysis of E-fuel production under photovoltaic energy, direct air capture, and hydrogen.

The ecological transition in the transport sector is a major challenge to tackle environmental pollution, and European legislation will mandate zero-emission new cars from 2035. To reduce the impact of petrol and diesel vehicles, much emphasis is being placed on the potential use of synthetic fuels, including electrofuels (e-fuels). This research aims to examine a levelised cost (LCO) analysis of e-fuel production where the energy source is renewable. The energy used in the process is expected to come from a photovoltaic plant and the other steps required to produce e-fuel: direct air capture, electrolysis and Fischer-Tropsch process. The results showed that the LCOe-fuel in the baseline scenario is around 3.1 €/l, and this value is mainly influenced by the energy production component followed by the hydrogen one. Sensitivity, scenario and risk analyses are also conducted to evaluate alternative scenarios, and it emerges that in 84% of the cases, LCOe-fuel ranges between 2.8 €/l and 3.4 €/l. The findings show that the current cost is not competitive with fossil fuels, yet the development of e-fuels supports environmental protection. The concept of pragmatic sustainability, incentive policies, technology development, industrial symbiosis, economies of scale and learning economies can reduce this cost by supporting the decarbonization of the transport sector.

Assessment of pyrolysis potential of Indian municipal solid waste and legacy waste via physicochemical and thermochemical characterization.

This study explores the viability of utilizing municipal solid waste (MSW) and legacy waste as a renewable energy source through pyrolysis, akin to solid fuels. The heating value of MSW and legacy waste were found to be 37737.89 and 40432.84 kJ/kg, respectively. Proximate analysis shows that MSW fits within Tanner diagram parameters, eliminating the need for auxiliary fuel in pyrolysis. With 47.6 % and 44.16 % lignin content in MSW and legacy waste were deemed suitable for char production. Thermal degradation resulted in mass losses of 68 % for MSW and 82 % for legacy waste. The kinetic and thermodynamic assessment indicates lower activation energy (Ea) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for MSW (5.72 kJ/mol and 170.37 kJ/mol, respectively) compared to fossil fuels, suggesting faster reactions without additional energy requirement. MSW emerges as a promising alternative to fossil fuels, aligning with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Application of the sustainable system-of-systems approach and econometric analysis to address China's decarbonisation problem.

The Sustainable system-of-systems (SSoS) approach, complemented with econometric analysis was used to address China's decarbonisation problem, i.e. selecting fossil fuel consumption sources to be reduced in various regions to meet CO2 reduction targets with minimal effect on population and economic growth. In the SSoS, the micro-level system is represented by residents' health expenditure, the meso-level system by industry's CO2 emissions intensity, and the macro-level system by the government's achievement of economic growth. Regional panel data from 2009 to 2019 were used in an econometric analysis conducted using structural equation modelling. The results show that health expenditure was affected by CO2 emissions from the consumption of raw coal and natural gas. To support economic growth, the government should reduce raw coal consumption. For CO2 emissions reduction, industry in the eastern region should reduce raw coal consumption. The key advantage is SSoS with econometrics offers a way to reach a common goal among stakeholders.Practitioner summary: This research shows that the use of the SSoS approach, complemented with an econometric analysis of key social, economic, and natural capital data, can address a complex decarbonisation problem facing a nation (China, in the present case) while considering the goals of all stakeholders (the government, industrial communities, and residential communities).Abbreviations: CEADs: Carbon Emissions Accounts and Datasets for Emerging Countries; CEIC: CEIC Global Database; GRPS: World Economic Forum's Global Risks Perception Survey; HFE: human factors/ergonomics; ML-SEM: maximum likelihood estimation method; NDRC: National Development and Reform Commission of China; SEM: structural equation modelling; SSoS: Sustainable system-of-systems; TBL: triple bottom line.

Sustainable hydrogen production via microalgae: Technological advancements, economic indicators, environmental aspects, challenges, and policy implications.

Hydrogen has emerged as an alternative energy source to meet the increasing global energy demand, depleting fossil fuels and environmental issues resulting from fossil fuel consumption. Microalgae-based biomass is gaining attention as a potential source of hydrogen production due to its green energy carrier properties, high energy content, and carbon-free combustion. This review examines the hydrogen production process from microalgae, including the microalgae cultivation technological process for biomass production, and the three main routes of biomass-to-hydrogen production: thermochemical conversion, photo biological conversion, and electrochemical conversion. The current progress of technological options in the three main routes is presented, with the various strains of microalgae and operating conditions of the processes. Furthermore, the economic and environmental perspectives of biomass-to-hydrogen from microalgae are evaluated, and critical operational parameters are used to assess the feasibility of scaling up biohydrogen production for commercial industrial-scale applications. The key finding is the thermochemical conversion process is the most feasible process for biohydrogen production, compared to the pyrolysis process. In the photobiological and electrochemical process, pure hydrogen can be achieved, but further process development is required to enhance the production yield. In addition, the high production cost is the main challenge in biohydrogen production. The cost of biohydrogen production for direct bio photolysis it cost around $7.24 kg-1; for indirect bio photolysis it costs around $7.54 kg-1 and for fermentation, it costs around $7.61 kg-1. Therefore, comprehensive studies and efforts are required to make biohydrogen production from microalgae applications more economical in the future.

Evaluating the roles of energy innovation, fossil fuel costs and environmental compliance towards energy transition in advanced industrial economies.

Given the dire state of climate change, investigating key elements that impact the energy transition process and help monitor progress in greenhouse gas emissions to achieve environmental sustainability is of critical importance. The current study explores the association between energy transition, compliance with environmental agreements, fossil fuels costs, environmental technologies, economic growth, and environmental degradation in G20 economies from 1995 to 2019. Our findings from extensive econometric analysis reveal that economic growth, environmental innovation, renewable energy, and environmental compliance facilitate while fossil fuels and environmental degradation hinder the energy transition process. Our findings conclude that developed countries must focus on alternate energy resources to overcome environmental challenges and subsidize renewable energy and environmental technologies to replace fossil fuels with green energy resources methodologically. Further, policy measures have been discussed in detail in the study.

Does oil price volatility influences carbon emission trends and financial concerns of oil industry?

This analysis explores the complicated relationship between oil price fluctuations, the oil industry's finances, and the resulting increase or decrease in carbon emissions. Oil price changes have far-reaching effects on the global economy because of its dependence on fossil fuels; therefore, understanding these patterns is essential for effective policymaking and long-term energy planning. The study uses a dataset built from secondary data collected in China over 15 years, starting in 2008 and ending in 2022. This information comes from a wide range of authoritative places, including public records, trade journals, university studies, and the records of international organizations, and provides a solid foundation for study. Oil prices on a global and national scale, oil sector financial performance indicators (such as revenues, earnings, and investment levels), and carbon emission statistics are all significant factors under investigation. As one of the world's largest oil consumers, China has been singled out in this study to allow for a more comprehensive analysis of reactions within this crucial subset of the energy industry. To understand the complex interplay between oil price shocks, the financial dynamics of the oil sector, and carbon emissions, the research utilizes statistical and econometric methods, most notably time-series analysis and regression models. The results are meant to shed light on how oil price shocks consistently affect the monetary aspects of the oil business and, by extension, the patterns in carbon emissions. This study helps us understand these vital interrelationships more completely and nuancedly.

Time-varying impact of income and fossil fuel consumption on CO2 emissions in India.

This paper investigates the time-varying effects of fossil fuel consumption on CO2 emissions in India utilizing the time-varying cointegration test, allowing for multivariate long-run time-varying cointegration parameter developed by Bierens and Martins (2010) and the time-varying vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) model developed by Primiceri (2005). The long-run time-varying coefficients reveal that GDP has a positive and increasing impact on CO2 emissions over time. Moreover, results confirm the polluting effects of all fossil fuels. Besides, the TVP-VAR model findings also demonstrate that changes in income and fossil fuel consumption have a positive and significant impact on environmental degradation. Coal is found to be the most polluting fuel, followed by oil consumption. Furthermore, the time-varying responses show that increased natural gas consumption has the least influence when compared to other fossil fuels on CO2 emissions.