How economic growth, sustainable energy and carbon emission impact each other? New insights from India using ARDL approach

This study investigates the association among economic growth, sustainable energy consumption and carbon emission with additional variables including fossil fuel energy consumption, natural gas and trade openness. The annual time-series data from 1972 to 2019 is analysed using an auto-regressive distributive lag model. Moreover, the novelty and robustness of the model are verified using dynamic ordinary least squares, and fully modified ordinary least squares. The results specify that except carbon emission model equation, there is co-integration exists among variables. In terms of the outcomes in the long term, the consumption of fossil fuels has a notable impact on economic growth and natural gas, whereas the consumption of sustainable energy has a detrimental effect on economic growth. Interestingly, in the short run, sustainable energy consumption positively links with trade openness and economic growth. Furthermore, the VECM-based Granger Causality detects a one-way causal linkage of fossil fuel consumption, trade openness, carbon emissions and natural gas with economic growth. A bidirectional causality exists from carbon emission to fossil fuel consumption, suggesting a feedback hypothesis. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the underlying variables. The policymakers can make decisions for the efficient functioning of energy markets, enhanced production of energy-from-waste material and environmental enforcement in India related to air pollution should be strengthened.