Does Globalization Moderate the Effect of Economic Complexity on CO2 Emissions? Evidence From the Top 10 Energy Transition Economies

The association between economic complexity (sophisticated economic structure) and carbon emissions has major implications for environmental sustainability. In addition, globalization can be an important tool for attaining environmental sustainability and it may also moderate the association between economic complexity and carbon emissions. Thus, this research examines the effects of economic complexity, economic growth, renewable energy, and globalization on CO2 emissions in the top 10 energy transition economies where renewable energy and globalization have greatly increased over the last 3 decades. Furthermore, this study also evaluates the joint effect of globalization and economic complexity on carbon emissions. Keeping in view the presence of slope heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence in the data, this research utilized second-generation unit root tests (CIPS and CADF), Westerlund cointegration approach, and CS-ARDL and CCEMG long-run estimators over the period of 1990-2018. The results affirmed the presence of cointegration among the considered variable. Long-run findings revealed that globalization, renewable energy, and economic complexity decrease carbon emissions. Conversely, economic growth increases carbon emissions. Moreover, the joint impact of economic complexity and globalization stimulates environmental sustainability. Based on these findings, the government of these groups of economies should continue to expand the usage of renewable energy. They should also promote interaction with the rest of the world by adopting the policy of opening up.