This research investigates the long-run and short-run effects of technological advancements on environmental degradation in ASEAN countries. The research was conducted using Pooled Mean Group (PMG) panel data estimation methodologies, and the data set used in this study includes annual data from 2000 to 2019. Results revealed that the development of technology reduces the environmental degradation of ASEAN countries. Improvements in technology and more money for research and development through domestic savings lead to increased environmental quality in the long run. Therefore, this study concludes that policymakers should increase the investment in technological innovations to reduce environmental degradation. Keywords: Economic Growth; Environmental Degradation; Technological Advancements; Pooled Mean Group eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i21.3671

This research contributes to the existing knowledge by examining the long-run and short-run effects of Financial Development, Economic Growth, and Technological advancements on carbon emissions in Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. The Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimation was applied in this study using a panel data analysis from 2000 to 2018. Results showed that rapid economic growth, financial development, and technological advancements increase carbon emissions. The increase in technological advances in the Information technology (IT) sector, industrial sector equipment, and high-power tools lead to increased carbon emissions. Development in finance creates the opportunity to start new industrial sector companies. The economic development base on the industrial sector has a significant positive effect on carbon emission in ASEAN countries. Furthermore, the findings support the environmental Kuznets curve, emphasizing that rapid economic growth leads to direct carbon emissions. Therefore, our conclusions manifest and underscore the importance of eradicating carbon emission policies and guidelines to minimize carbon emissions. In addition, it is recommended to increase investment in technological innovation research and development to reduce carbon emissions.