Towards environmental sustainability: The role of information and communication technology and institutional quality on ecological footprint in MERCOSUR nations

The dynamic connection between information and communication technology (ICT), institutional quality (IQ), economic growth, energy consumption, trade, and ecological footprint (EF) has significant environmental consequences. On the other hand, environmentalists have underinvestigated this domain despite its importance, focusing on unspecified and ambiguous findings. As a result, recognizing the need for a more intensive and substantial assertion of the complexities involved in studying environmental sustainability, this work examines the effect of the abovementioned variables under the EKC (Environment Kuznets Curve) framework in Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) economies from 1990-2021. This study used second -generation econometric panel techniques. Therefore, the study analyzed Westerlund cointegration and crosssectional autoregressive distributive lag estimators. The outcomes show how IQ and ICT protect the atmosphere by reducing its ecological impact. Moreover, the combined effect of IQ and ICT slows down environmental pollution. The EF is also enlarged by trade, energy usage, and economic development. The outcomes further back the applicability of the EKC hypothesis in MERCOSUR nations. Additionally, the conclusions of the robustness test results performed by the augmented mean group estimator are similar to the main findings. The research findings indicate that ICT invention and strengthening the IQ framework are necessary to attain the sustainable development aim of environmental sustainability.