The effectiveness of renewable energy technology under the EKC hypothesis and the impact of fossil and nuclear energy investments on the UK's Ecological Footprint

Sefa Özbek and Mustafa Naimoğlu

Energy, 2025, vol. 322, issue C

Abstract: This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by analyzing the environmental impact of renewable energy R&D effectiveness alongside other energy-related R&D investments, which has been largely neglected. Focusing on the UK from 1990 to 2022, the research examines the role of R&D in renewable energy, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and GDP in driving the Ecological Footprint (EF). While previous studies on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) have rarely incorporated energy-related R&D, this study emphasizes that increasing renewable energy use, relative to R&D effectiveness, is key to understanding its environmental benefits. Using advanced econometric techniques such as Fourier Engle-Granger and Fourier ADL cointegration tests, FMOLS, CCR, and DOLS estimators, the findings reveal that enhanced renewable energy R&D significantly reduces EF, while fossil fuel and nuclear energy R&D investments also contribute to environmental mitigation. Additionally, GDP shows a long-term negative relationship with EF, aligning with the EKC hypothesis, though its short-term effect on environmental quality is limited. By highlighting the underexplored role of energy R&D, this study provides critical insights for policymakers seeking to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Ecological footprint; Effectiveness of renewable energy technology; Fossil and nuclear energy investments; EKC; United Kingdom (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:322:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225009934

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135351

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