Nexus between information and communication technology, social capital, and sustainable development: the leading role of terrorism and financial development

Even though the existing studies have extensively investigated the impacts of information and communication technology and social capital on sustainable development, the literature overlooks the role of their interaction effect in the level of emissions. To fill this gap in the existing body of ICT-environment literature, this article analyzes the impact of ICT, social capital, terrorism, and income on sustainable development using panel data model for Asian and Middle East countries from 2005 to 2022. The findings show that ICT and education significantly reduce CO2 emissions, while income increases the CO2 emissions. Moreover, innovation, trade, and financial development reduce the CO2 emission from increased ICT. The findings suggest that ICT is an important factor in increasing income and social capital and improving investment in sustainable development. The region’s economies have far more serious consequences for internet users than those of Asian countries. Nonetheless, according to the policy recommendations of this study, governments in Asia and the Middle East should invest more in technology and other systems to take advantage of technology and achieve sustainable development.