Financial inclusion and their role in renewable energy and non-renewable energy consumption in China: Exploring the transmission channels

Abstract

China is the most polluted economy in the world, facing the challenges of increased CO2 emissions. In this way, energy consumption is a key factor in CO2 emissions. To this end, this study empirically examines the effects of financial inclusion and education on energy consumption employing the ARDL approach for China during the period 1995–2019. The results suggest that financial inclusion has a positive effect on renewable energy consumption, but a negative impact on renewable energy and total energy consumption. The results show that education reduces non-renewable consumption and increases renewable energy consumption in the long-term. Long-run and short-run findings are also consistent and robust in the sensitivity analysis. Based on findings, China should invest in the education sector and increase financial inclusion to reduce energy consumption to meet environmental sustainability.

Examining the effects of information and communications technology on green growth and environmental performance, socio-economic and environmental cost of technology generation: A pathway toward environment sustainability

“…However, the main hurdle in the way of the said targets is the extraordinary rise in the emissions of greenhouse gasses due to the enormous increase in consumption and production activities since the industrial revolution. Therefore, human activities are to be widely recognized as a major culprit in deteriorating the environment and disturbing the balance of the ecosystem ( Kamonja et al, 2014 ; Usman et al, 2020 ; Sohail et al, 2021b , c , 2022c ; Lan et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022a , b ). Now the world has realized the existence of the problem of global warming and climate change, and the focus has been shifted to estimate the effects of such changes on the environment and the factors that can mitigate such effects and may have impacts on our environment ( Yen et al, 2017 , 2021 ; Yat et al, 2018 ; Yasara et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2019 , 2022a , b ; Zhenyu and Sohail, 2022 ).…”

A systematic PLS-SEM approach on assessment of indigenous knowledge in adapting to floods; A way forward to sustainable agriculture

“…It has also been suggested as one of the adaptation strategies for climate change ( Goodwin and Smith, 1995 ; Goodwin and Mahul, 2004 ). Farmers that are aware of natural disasters can utilize good management to prevent them ( Di Falco et al, 2014 ; Jian et al, 2021 ; Sohail et al, 2021a , Sohail et al, 2022a ; Lan et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022a , b ). Over the years, crop insurance has been employed in numerous ways and for numerous purposes in numerous countries, with variable degrees of success ( Vandeveer, 2001 ; Enjolras et al, 2012 ; Parvin et al, 2016 ; Mustafa et al, 2021 ).…”

Environmental concern in the era of digital fiscal inclusion: The evolving role of human capital and ICT in China

“…In literature, it has been shown that investment in human capital has many benefits. Human capital positively contributes to higher productivity of labor (Romer, 1990 ; Becker, 1994 ; Sohail et al, 2013a , 2019a ; Jian et al, 2021 ; Jiang et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2022b ) and it is linked with various social externalities such as greater participation of democracy, lower crime rates, and better health (Sianesi and Reenen, 2003 ). Energy-based studies noted that human capital is a positive impact on renewable energy consumption (Akram et al, 2019 ; Shahbaz et al, 2019 ; Adebayo, 2022b ; Adebayo et al, 2022b ; Awosusi et al, 2022 ; Du et al, 2022 ), which in turn improves environmental quality.…”