Energy–Climate–Economy–Population Nexus: An Empirical Analysis in Kenya, Senegal, and Eswatini

Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie, Emmanuel Ackom, Festus Bekun and Phebe Asantewaa Owusu
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Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie: Nord University Business School, Post Box 1490, 8049 Bodo, Norway
Emmanuel Ackom: Department of Technology, Management and Economics, UNEP DTU Partnership, UN City Campus, Denmark Technical University (DTU), Marmorvej 51, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Phebe Asantewaa Owusu: Nord University Business School, Post Box 1490, 8049 Bodo, Norway

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: Motivated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its impact by 2030, this study examines the relationship between energy consumption (SDG 7), climate (SDG 13), economic growth and population in Kenya, Senegal and Eswatini. We employ a Kernel Regularized Least Squares (KRLS) machine learning technique and econometric methods such as Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) regression, the Mean-Group (MG) and Pooled Mean-Group (PMG) estimation models. The econometric techniques confirm the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis between income level and CO 2 emissions while the machine learning method confirms the scale effect hypothesis. We find that while CO 2 emissions, population and income level spur energy demand and utilization, economic development is driven by energy use and population dynamics. This demonstrates that income, population growth, energy and CO 2 emissions are inseparable, but require a collective participative decision in the achievement of the SDGs.

Keywords: kernel regularized least squares; environmental Kuznets curve; climate change; Kenya; Senegal; Eswatini; energy–growth–population nexus; panel data; heterogeneity; Kaya identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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