Is export diversification detrimental to environmental quality? An examination of the roles of green innovation and environmental taxation

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to assess the environmental impact of various factors, including export diversification and GDP, as well as elements believed to facilitate this assessment process, such as green innovation and environmental taxes. The study aims to identify factors that contribute to the reduction of CO _2 emissions. It analyzes data from 21 European Union (EU) member states for the period from 1995 to 2020, employing the FFFFF panel cointegration test. The findings indicate that export diversification (EXD), environmental taxes (ET), and economic growth (GDP) have a positive effect on CO _2 emissions, whereas green innovation (GI) and GDP squared (GDP2) exert a negative influence. These results indicate that export diversification is detrimental to environmental quality. Another significant finding of the study is the validation of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Finally, one of the most critical conclusions of the study is the negative impact of green innovation on the volume of CO _2 emissions.

Keywords

• export diversification
• green innovation
• environmental tax
• economic growth
• environmental quality