Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries

This study examines the impact of financial inclusion (FI) and institutional quality (INSQ) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) economies, using data from 2004 to 2022. The hypotheses were tested using a generalized method of moments (GMM) ap...

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Main Authors: Jafir Mehmood, Yang Jinghan, Jing Wang, Maqsood Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024170168
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author Jafir Mehmood
Yang Jinghan
Jing Wang
Maqsood Ahmad
author_facet Jafir Mehmood
Yang Jinghan
Jing Wang
Maqsood Ahmad
author_sort Jafir Mehmood
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the impact of financial inclusion (FI) and institutional quality (INSQ) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) economies, using data from 2004 to 2022. The hypotheses were tested using a generalized method of moments (GMM) approach. Beside, a robust moment method quantile regression (MM-QR) static model and Granger causality tests were employed to validate the results. The findings indicate that FI indicators, such as bank branches of commercial banks (BOCB) and automated teller machines (ATMs) are positively associated with CO2 emissions. Similarly, the INSQ has a significant positive impact on CO2 emissions. Control variables, including foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development (FD), and population growth (PG), are also positively linked to CO2 emissions, whereas globalization (GI) has a negative impact. Robustness tests confirm that the effects of FI and INSQ on CO2 emissions vary across economic contexts, with unidirectional causality observed between BOCB and CO2 and bidirectional causality between ATMs and CO2. This study highlights the need for policymakers in SAARC countries to balance their economic development and environmental sustainability. Integrating environmentally friendly technologies and practices into financial and institutional development strategies is essential. Promoting green banking, strengthening environmental regulations, and leveraging globalization for cleaner technologies can help mitigate the adverse effects of FI and INSQ on CO2 emissions. This study underscores the importance of incorporating environmental considerations into economic and financial policies to achieve sustainable development.
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spelling doaj-art-c8545a3fb4f8466bbd681d34f35770292024-12-19T10:56:20ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-12-011024e40985Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countriesJafir Mehmood0Yang Jinghan1Jing Wang2Maqsood Ahmad3College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR ChinaSchool of Accounting and Finance, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong KongCollege of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China; School of Economics and Management, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, PR China; Corresponding author. College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, No.3, Taicheng road, Yangling district, 712100, Shaanxi Province, PR China .School of Accounting and Finance, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong KongThis study examines the impact of financial inclusion (FI) and institutional quality (INSQ) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) economies, using data from 2004 to 2022. The hypotheses were tested using a generalized method of moments (GMM) approach. Beside, a robust moment method quantile regression (MM-QR) static model and Granger causality tests were employed to validate the results. The findings indicate that FI indicators, such as bank branches of commercial banks (BOCB) and automated teller machines (ATMs) are positively associated with CO2 emissions. Similarly, the INSQ has a significant positive impact on CO2 emissions. Control variables, including foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development (FD), and population growth (PG), are also positively linked to CO2 emissions, whereas globalization (GI) has a negative impact. Robustness tests confirm that the effects of FI and INSQ on CO2 emissions vary across economic contexts, with unidirectional causality observed between BOCB and CO2 and bidirectional causality between ATMs and CO2. This study highlights the need for policymakers in SAARC countries to balance their economic development and environmental sustainability. Integrating environmentally friendly technologies and practices into financial and institutional development strategies is essential. Promoting green banking, strengthening environmental regulations, and leveraging globalization for cleaner technologies can help mitigate the adverse effects of FI and INSQ on CO2 emissions. This study underscores the importance of incorporating environmental considerations into economic and financial policies to achieve sustainable development.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024170168Institutional qualityFinancial inclusionCarbon emissionsGMM approachSAARC
spellingShingle Jafir Mehmood
Yang Jinghan
Jing Wang
Maqsood Ahmad
Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries
Heliyon
Institutional quality
Financial inclusion
Carbon emissions
GMM approach
SAARC
title Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries
title_full Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries
title_fullStr Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries
title_short Exploring the nexus between financial inclusion, governance, and carbon emissions in SAARC countries
title_sort exploring the nexus between financial inclusion governance and carbon emissions in saarc countries
topic Institutional quality
Financial inclusion
Carbon emissions
GMM approach
SAARC
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024170168
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AT yangjinghan exploringthenexusbetweenfinancialinclusiongovernanceandcarbonemissionsinsaarccountries
AT jingwang exploringthenexusbetweenfinancialinclusiongovernanceandcarbonemissionsinsaarccountries
AT maqsoodahmad exploringthenexusbetweenfinancialinclusiongovernanceandcarbonemissionsinsaarccountries