Testing Environmental Kuznets Curve Hold in South Africa: An Econometric Approach

Abstract

The study investigates if the environmental Kuznets curve hold in South Africa. It employed available annual time series data spanning for the years from 1961 to 2020 collected from World Bank data. The study employs a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to investigate the short run and long run relationship. The results revealed that the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis hold in South Africa. The policy recommendations are that the policymaker must implement environmentally friendly economic growth to reduce environmental degradation in South Africa.

Keywords

• Carbon dioxide emissions
• Environmental Kuznets Curve
• Economic growth
• VECM
• South Africa