Does the level of energy intensity matter in the effect of logistic performance on the environmental pollution of OBOR countries? Evidence from PSTR analysis

The present study examines the impact of energy intensity on the relationship between logistic performance and environmental pollution in 45 countries supporting the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project proposed to revitalize the historical Silk Road for the period between 2007 and 2018 by means of Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) analysis using the energy intensity as the threshold. The analysis results indicated that the relationship between logistics performance and environmental pollution is not linear, and energy intensity level has an important role in this relationship. The energy intensity threshold level was estimated as 3.228% and 4.432% in low and high energy intensity countries, respectively. When the energy intensity level is below the threshold in both low and high energy intensity countries, increase in logistics performance reduces environmental pollution. However, when it is above the threshold, a rise in logistics performance increases environmental pollution. In this context, reducing energy intensity is deemed helpful for the establishment of a favorable environment for logistic performance and environmental factors in the long term, leading to the reduction of environmental pollution.