The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study
This study investigates the complex interrelationship between renewable energy consumption (REC), human capital (HC), and carbon emissions (CO), with a special focus on the moderating role of HC in the REC–CO nexus. Using a comprehensive panel dataset of 126 countries over a 22-year period (2001–202...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Futures |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006720 |
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| author | Abdul Salam Maftoon Abdul Razzaq Muhammad Irfanullah Arfeen Khalid Khan |
| author_facet | Abdul Salam Maftoon Abdul Razzaq Muhammad Irfanullah Arfeen Khalid Khan |
| author_sort | Abdul Salam Maftoon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the complex interrelationship between renewable energy consumption (REC), human capital (HC), and carbon emissions (CO), with a special focus on the moderating role of HC in the REC–CO nexus. Using a comprehensive panel dataset of 126 countries over a 22-year period (2001–2022), sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI), Our World in Data, and the Global Footprint Network, the study employs two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression to address endogeneity and ensure robust causal inferences. The findings reveal positive direct effects of REC (β = 0.725) and HC (β = 5.002) on CO, suggesting transitional inefficiencies and energy-intensive growth patterns associated with human capital development. However, a significantly negative interaction effect (β = –1.091) confirms that human capital can amplify the environmental benefits of REC. Control variables such as GDP per capita, financial deepening, and ecological footprint further explain emissions dynamics. This study contributes both methodologically—through advanced econometric modeling—and conceptually, by highlighting human capital as a pivotal factor in enhancing renewable energy effectiveness. The results support integrated policy strategies that combine green energy expansion with investments in education and skill development to achieve sustainable development goals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-48b76dee44b84992a34a58b7202cf676 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-1888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainable Futures |
| spelling | doaj-art-48b76dee44b84992a34a58b7202cf6762025-08-20T02:57:30ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-12-011010110810.1016/j.sftr.2025.101108The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel studyAbdul Salam Maftoon0Abdul Razzaq1Muhammad Irfanullah Arfeen2Khalid Khan3Department of Management Sciences, University of Loralai, Pakistan; Corresponding author.Quaid-i-Azam School of Management Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, PakistanQuaid-i-Azam School of Management Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, PakistanDepartment of Political Science, University of Loralai, PakistanThis study investigates the complex interrelationship between renewable energy consumption (REC), human capital (HC), and carbon emissions (CO), with a special focus on the moderating role of HC in the REC–CO nexus. Using a comprehensive panel dataset of 126 countries over a 22-year period (2001–2022), sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI), Our World in Data, and the Global Footprint Network, the study employs two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression to address endogeneity and ensure robust causal inferences. The findings reveal positive direct effects of REC (β = 0.725) and HC (β = 5.002) on CO, suggesting transitional inefficiencies and energy-intensive growth patterns associated with human capital development. However, a significantly negative interaction effect (β = –1.091) confirms that human capital can amplify the environmental benefits of REC. Control variables such as GDP per capita, financial deepening, and ecological footprint further explain emissions dynamics. This study contributes both methodologically—through advanced econometric modeling—and conceptually, by highlighting human capital as a pivotal factor in enhancing renewable energy effectiveness. The results support integrated policy strategies that combine green energy expansion with investments in education and skill development to achieve sustainable development goals.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006720Renewable energy consumptionHuman capitalCarbon emissionsEnvironmental sustainabilityTwo-stage least squares (2SLS)Panel data analysis |
| spellingShingle | Abdul Salam Maftoon Abdul Razzaq Muhammad Irfanullah Arfeen Khalid Khan The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study Sustainable Futures Renewable energy consumption Human capital Carbon emissions Environmental sustainability Two-stage least squares (2SLS) Panel data analysis |
| title | The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study |
| title_full | The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study |
| title_fullStr | The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study |
| title_short | The interplay of renewable energy and human capital: Unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study |
| title_sort | interplay of renewable energy and human capital unveiling the moderating pathways to carbon emission mitigation in a global panel study |
| topic | Renewable energy consumption Human capital Carbon emissions Environmental sustainability Two-stage least squares (2SLS) Panel data analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006720 |
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