Carbon-Free Energy and Sustainable Environment: The Role of Human Capital and Technological Revolutions in Attaining SDGs

Hebin Shen, Syed Ahtsham Ali, Majed Alharthi, Ali Shan Shah, Abdul Basit Khan, Qaiser Abbas and Saeed ur Rahman
Additional contact information
Hebin Shen: School of International Business, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China
Syed Ahtsham Ali: Business School, Shanghai Jian Qiao University, Shanghai 201306, China
Majed Alharthi: Finance Department, College of Business, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. BOX. 344, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Ali Shan Shah: Department of Political Science & IR, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Abdul Basit Khan: Department of Political Science & IR, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Qaiser Abbas: Department of Economics, Ghazi University, DG. Khan, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Saeed ur Rahman: Department of Economics, Ghazi University, DG. Khan, Punjab 38000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: During the time before the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are achieved, the international community has set goals to improve people’s lives worldwide. This is in line with the United Nations’ 2030 ambitions to strengthen and advance human society’s sustainable development. Goal number 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), goal number 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and goal number 13 (Climate Action) are highly correlated to each other. The current study investigates the role of human capital and technological innovation in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) through a carbon-free energy system. A 19-year dataset covering the years 2000?2018 for the G7 economies has been utilized by using the composite index, Multi-criteria decision analysis, and Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) methods. The study’s outcomes indicate that the human capital index and technological innovations contribute positively to SDGs in G7 economies. Both indicators also contribute positively to the carbon-free economy by contributing to carbon-free energy sources. The financial index and energy index results also indicate a positive association with the carbon-free economy in G7 nations. This study suggests policy guidelines for developed as well as for developing economies based on human capital and technological innovation to fulfill the SDGs.

Keywords: carbon-free energy; human capital; technological revolutions; sustainable development goals; QARDL; composite index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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