The Impact of Renewable Energy Investments on Ecological Footprint: New Evidence From BRICS-T Region

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1, 540 - 557, 28.03.2025

Esin Kendir , Harun Yakışık

https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.1615883

Öz

Recent studies on the relationship between renewable energy and environmental sustainability have increased significantly. The growing global energy demand and the threat of climate change further underscore the necessity of renewable energy sources. Since renewable energy investments help reduce ecological footprint (EFP) by decreasing fossil fuel consumption, they play a critical role in combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable energy future. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of renewable energy investments on the ecological footprint. While the existing literature predominantly explores the effects of renewable energy consumption on carbon emissions, this study focuses specifically on the impact of renewable energy investments (RI) in electricity generation on the ecological footprint (EFP). By doing so, it seeks to fill a gap in the literature. This study analyzes data from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Turkey (BRICS-T) for the period 2007–2020 using the Breusch-Pagan LM test, LLC and IPS unit root tests, the Hausman test, and the PMG estimator. The findings indicate that while economic growth and renewable energy investments increase the ecological footprint, foreign direct investments contribute to its reduction. However, population density does not have a statistically significant effect on the ecological footprint. These results highlight the critical importance of renewable energy investments for environmental sustainability and emphasize the need to strengthen policies in this area.Keywords: Renewable Energy Investments, Ecological Footprint, Environmental Sustainability, BRICS-T, Panel Data Analysis

Anahtar Kelimeler

Renewable Energy Investments, Ecological Footprint, Environmental Sustainability, BRICS-T, Panel Data Analysis

Yenilenebilir Enerji Yatırımlarının Ekolojik Ayak İzine Etkisi: BRICS-T Ülkeleri Örneği

Öz

Yenilenebilir enerji ile çevresel ilişkilere yönelik çalışmaların son dönemlerde yoğun bir şekilde arttığı görülmektedir. Dünyanın artan enerji talebi ve iklim değişikliği tehdidi, yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına olan ihtiyacı her geçen gün daha da artırmaktadır. Ekolojik ayak izini azaltan yenilenebilir enerji yatırımları fosil yakıt tüketimini azaltacağından, iklim değişikliğiyle mücadelede kritik bir rol oynayarak sürdürülebilir bir enerji geleceği için hayati öneme sahiptir. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmada yenilenebilir enerji yatırımlarının ekolojik ayak izini ne yönde etkilediğini ortaya koymak amaçlanmaktadır. Literatürde, genel olarak yenilenebilir enerji tüketiminin karbon emisyonu üzerindeki etkileri araştırılırken, bu çalışma elektrik üretiminde yenilenebilir enerji yatırımlarının (RI) ekolojik ayak izi (EFP) üzerindeki etkilerine odaklanmaktadır. Bu nedenle, literatürdeki bu boşluğu doldurmayı hedeflemektedir. Çalışmada Brezilya, Rusya, Hindistan, Çin, Güney Afrika ve Türkiye (BRICS-T) için 2007-2020 dönemini kapsayan veriler, Breusch-Pagan LM testi, LLC ve IPS testleri, Hausman testi ve PMG tahmincisi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre, ekonomik büyüme ve yenilenebilir enerji yatırımları ekolojik ayak izini artırırken, yabancı doğrudan yatırımlar, ekolojik ayak izini azaltmaktadır. Nüfus yoğunluğunun ise ekolojik ayak izi üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisi bulunmamaktadır. Bu sonuçlara göre yenilenebilir enerjiye yapılan yatırımların çevresel sürdürülebilirlik için kritik önem taşıdığı ve bu alandaki politikaların güçlendirilmesi gerektiği vurgulanabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Yenilenebilir Enerji Yatırımları, Ekolojik Ayak İzi, Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik, BRICS-T, Panel Veri Analizi

Kaynakça

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