Published: 2026-05-04

Renewable Energy Transition and Carbon Emissions Mitigation: A Panel Analysis of Middle- and High-Income Countries Beyond the EKC Framework

Filiz Kutluay Tutar Profil ORCID autora Filiz Kutluay Tutar , Meryem Yılmaz Profil ORCID autora Meryem Yılmaz , Nur Funda Tutar Profil ORCID autora Nur Funda Tutar , Ayşe Güngör Profil ORCID autora Ayşe Güngör , Abdallah Abukalloub Profil ORCID autora Abdallah Abukalloub
Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae
Section: Articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.21697/seb.5889

Abstract

This study examines whether the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis adequately explains the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation when key structural factors are taken into account. Using panel data for 15 middle-income and 15 high-income countries over the period 1990-2023, the analysis incorporates primary energy consumption, renewable energy use, and population growth into the traditional EKC framework to better capture the drivers of CO₂ emissions. Methodologically, the study employs panel econometric techniques that address cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity, including appropriate unit root and cointegration tests, followed by long-run estimation and causality analysis. The findings indicate that in middle-income countries, CO₂ emissions are primarily driven by rising energy consumption and population growth, while renewable energy plays a mitigating role; income does not exhibit a significant long-run impact. In high-income countries, primary energy use increases emissions whereas renewable energy reduces them, while GDP and population growth remain insignificant. Causality analysis reveals strong bidirectional relationships between emissions and energy-related variables in both income groups. Overall, the study concludes that energy composition is more influential than income in determining environmental outcomes. These results highlight the importance of accelerating the transition to renewable energy as a central policy priority for reducing emissions across different stages of economic development.

Keywords:

CO₂ emissions, SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 13 – Climate Action, renewable energy transition, economic growth, Environmental Kuznets Curve, panel data, middle-income countries, high-income countries, environmental pollution

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Citation rules

Kutluay Tutar, F., Yılmaz, M., Tutar, N. F., Güngör, A., & Abukalloub, A. (2026). Renewable Energy Transition and Carbon Emissions Mitigation: A Panel Analysis of Middle- and High-Income Countries Beyond the EKC Framework. Studia Ecologiae Et Bioethicae. https://doi.org/10.21697/seb.5889

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