Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality

This study investigates the relationships between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), GDP, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, nuclear energy, and their combined influence on ecological footprint (EFP) in nine Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries from 1995 to 2020. Employing Quantile Regression, Fixed...

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Main Authors: Abdullah Al Numan, Farian Tahrim, Miguel Angel Esquivias, Mithun Kumar Biswas, Martha Ranggi Primanthi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972725001199
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author Abdullah Al Numan
Farian Tahrim
Miguel Angel Esquivias
Mithun Kumar Biswas
Martha Ranggi Primanthi
author_facet Abdullah Al Numan
Farian Tahrim
Miguel Angel Esquivias
Mithun Kumar Biswas
Martha Ranggi Primanthi
author_sort Abdullah Al Numan
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the relationships between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), GDP, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, nuclear energy, and their combined influence on ecological footprint (EFP) in nine Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries from 1995 to 2020. Employing Quantile Regression, Fixed Effect, and Random Effect models, alongside Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) methods for robustness assessment, the research yields compelling insights. Contrary to the conventional theory of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), the findings reveal the presence of reversed EKC and inverted N-Shaped EKC. Specifically, GDP exhibits a negative coefficient, while the quadratic and cubic terms display positive and negative coefficients, respectively. Notably, cubic GDP emerge as key factors in ameliorating EFP and enhancing environmental quality. The findings indicate a non-linear (N-shaped) relationship between FDI and EFP, where both the pollution heaven (PHH) and Pollution Halo effect can occur depending on the stage of FDI inflow. Additionally, non-renewable and nuclear energy sources, alongside fossil fuels, exhibit positive coefficients, signifying their negative environmental implications. This study underscores the importance of balancing economic growth, sustainable FDI strategies, and energy efficiency to support long-term environmental sustainability and greener future for ASEAN.
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spelling doaj-art-d077c989ca4941c1ab0159e81e5a44702025-08-20T03:48:46ZengElsevierEnvironmental and Sustainability Indicators2665-97272025-06-012610069810.1016/j.indic.2025.100698Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental qualityAbdullah Al Numan0Farian Tahrim1Miguel Angel Esquivias2Mithun Kumar Biswas3Martha Ranggi Primanthi4Department of Economics, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Sonapur, BangladeshDepartment of Economics, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, 3814, BangladeshDepartment of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia; Corresponding author.Faculty of Business Studies, Department of Banking & Insurance, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1205, BangladeshDepartment of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga, IndonesiaThis study investigates the relationships between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), GDP, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, nuclear energy, and their combined influence on ecological footprint (EFP) in nine Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries from 1995 to 2020. Employing Quantile Regression, Fixed Effect, and Random Effect models, alongside Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) methods for robustness assessment, the research yields compelling insights. Contrary to the conventional theory of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), the findings reveal the presence of reversed EKC and inverted N-Shaped EKC. Specifically, GDP exhibits a negative coefficient, while the quadratic and cubic terms display positive and negative coefficients, respectively. Notably, cubic GDP emerge as key factors in ameliorating EFP and enhancing environmental quality. The findings indicate a non-linear (N-shaped) relationship between FDI and EFP, where both the pollution heaven (PHH) and Pollution Halo effect can occur depending on the stage of FDI inflow. Additionally, non-renewable and nuclear energy sources, alongside fossil fuels, exhibit positive coefficients, signifying their negative environmental implications. This study underscores the importance of balancing economic growth, sustainable FDI strategies, and energy efficiency to support long-term environmental sustainability and greener future for ASEAN.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972725001199ASEANEKC hypothesisEcological footprintRenewable energyFossil fuelsAlternative and nuclear energy
spellingShingle Abdullah Al Numan
Farian Tahrim
Miguel Angel Esquivias
Mithun Kumar Biswas
Martha Ranggi Primanthi
Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality
Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
ASEAN
EKC hypothesis
Ecological footprint
Renewable energy
Fossil fuels
Alternative and nuclear energy
title Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality
title_full Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality
title_fullStr Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality
title_full_unstemmed Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality
title_short Testing the pollution haven and inverted N-shaped EKC hypotheses in the ASEAN Region: The impact of FDI and energy mix on environmental quality
title_sort testing the pollution haven and inverted n shaped ekc hypotheses in the asean region the impact of fdi and energy mix on environmental quality
topic ASEAN
EKC hypothesis
Ecological footprint
Renewable energy
Fossil fuels
Alternative and nuclear energy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972725001199
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