A significant study co-authored by a researcher from Near East University has delved into Portugal’s efforts in enhancing environmental quality through renewable energy and reducing CO2 intensity. This research is particularly relevant in the context of global Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on affordable and clean energy, economic growth, and climate action.
The study, analyzing data from 1990 to 2019, employed the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) approach to examine the impact of total energy consumption (TEC), renewable energy (REN), CO2 intensity of GDP (CINT), and economic growth on CO2 emissions in Portugal. The findings reveal a complex relationship between these factors and environmental quality.
Key outcomes indicate that in the long run, an increase in TEC leads to higher CO2 emissions, while positive changes in renewable energy consumption and reductions in CO2 intensity positively impact environmental quality. Furthermore, economic growth was found to enhance environmental deterioration by increasing CO2 emissions, highlighting the need for balancing economic expansion with environmental sustainability.
Based on these findings, the study suggests several policy implications for Portugal. To achieve a sustainable environment, the use of fossil fuels in transportation and manufacturing must be minimized, possibly through stringent pricing measures and government subsidies for advanced environmental management equipment and skills. The expansion of the CO2 emission market trading system (ETS) is recommended to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and lower CO2 emissions.
Implementing high-energy efficiency initiatives, like green innovations and rigorous taxes, can improve renewable energy utilization and facilitate CO2 reduction. Policymakers are encouraged to focus on reducing per-unit energy usage and CO2 intensity of GDP through significant CO2 efficiency gains. Strengthening renewable energy sources and introducing new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions by saving energy are also crucial steps towards achieving specific output levels.
This research, while focused on Portugal, opens avenues for future studies to investigate the impacts of CO2 intensity on CO2 emissions in other nations and on a global scale. Employing panel data analysis and contemporary econometric methods like machine learning algorithms could further enrich the understanding of this relationship.
In conclusion, the study co-authored by the Near East University researcher provides crucial insights into Portugal’s journey towards sustainable energy and climate goals. It underscores the importance of integrating renewable energy and CO2 efficiency strategies in national policies to achieve global sustainability objectives.
For further details, access the original paper from the publisher’s link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-023-26191-2
