Purpose. This study aims to examine the relationship between human capital and environmental destruction. Methodology / approach. The analysis includes 56 years between 1961 and 2017 for 14 selected European countries. In the model established for the variables, the ecological footprint is used as the dependent variable, human capital and real national income per capita are used as independent variables. To select the appropriate test method in the analysis, we used the CADF panel unit root test, which considers the cross-sectional dependence. The Pooled Mean Group was used for model estimation. Results. In the study, it is emphasized that human capital has an important contribution to reducing the ecological footprint as an indicator of environmental pollution. According to the results of the PMG co-integration analysis, the increase in human capital reduces the ecological footprint in European countries. Since the European countries are developed ones, the availability of a good educational infrastructure is an important factor. It increases human capital. In addition, the high level of education and welfare in European countries is effective in increasing the number of environmentally sensitive individuals. This increases the environmental quality and therefore is an important factor in reducing the ecological footprint. Originality / scientific novelty. There are no studies in the literature examining the relationship between human capital and the ecological footprint of European countries. Therefore, this study closes a gap in the literature and takes its originality from the relationship between human capital and ecological footprint in European countries. Practical value / implications. The practical value of the results is that human capital reduces the ecological footprint by protecting natural resources, exhibiting a more environmentally friendly behavior, and realizing production that will minimize the damage to the environment.

Purpose. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between economic globalization and the ecological footprint in countries with different levels of development using a Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) analysis. Methodology / approach. The study covers the years 1970 to 2017 for 65 developed and developing countries. The ecological footprint is the dependent variable in the study’s model, and the GDP and KOF Globalization Index (KOF) index are the independent variables. The CADF panel unit root test, which takes into account cross-sectional dependence, was used to choose the appropriate test method for the analysis. Feasible Generalised Least Square and Westerlund ECM panel cointegration analyses were performed for model estimation. Results. Economic globalization and ecological footprint have a considerable relationship, according to the results of FGLS and Westerlund cointegration analysis. Economic globalization has a long-run negative impact on the ecological footprint. Environmental problems are being addressed as a result of more economic globalization, faster technology development, and consequently decreased usage of natural resources. Furthermore, as globalization and communication technologies develop, societies will have more information on the importance of the environment. As a result, they can show more eco-friendly behavior. Originality / scientific novelty. Several studies in the literature include the cointegration relationship between economic globalization and ecological footprint. Although there are few studies on this topic in the literature, one aspect that distinguishes this study is the use of an estimation method that takes into account the cross-sectional dependent, second-generation unit root tests, FGLS cointegration analysis, and Westerlund ECM analysis. Practical value / implications. The importance of the findings is that increased economic globalization has a negative effect on the ecological footprint. As economic globalization increases, so does communication technology, as well as international trade. Individuals become more environmentally conscious as a result of communication, which generally reduces ecological footprint.

In European countries, because of the expensiveness of the technology required for the use of renewable energy sources, it can cause inflation by constantly increasing prices due to cost increases in the short term. However, in the long term, costs can be reduced by providing the necessary technological infrastructure, saving energy thanks to this technological development, eliminating harmful effects on the environment. In this way, renewable energy sources have a long-term effect on inflation. This study aims to examine the long-term relationship between renewable energy and inflation in European Union countries. It is thought that this study will contribute to the literature, since there are no studies that examine the relationship between renewable energy and inflation, among the national and international studies, which deal with the European Union countries and examine the PMG and CCE co-integration analyses. According to the results of the PMG cointegration analysis, while there is no significant relationship between inflation and renewable energy in the short term, renewable energy affects inflation negatively in the long term. According to the results of the CCE cointegration analysis, in the long run, renewable energy affects inflation negatively in Sweden, the United States, and Luxembourg.